A.
Any
lot or land shall be a public nuisance if it has the presence of debris
of any kind including, but not limited to, weed cuttings, cut and
fallen or hazardous trees and shrubs, overgrown vegetation and noxious
weeds which are seven (7) inches or more in height, rubbish and trash,
lumber not piled or stacked twelve (12) inches off the ground, rocks
or bricks, tin, steel, parts of derelict cars or trucks, broken furniture,
any flammable material which may endanger public safety or any material
which is unhealthy or unsafe and declared to be a public nuisance.
B.
When
a public nuisance as described above exists, the Marshal shall provide
for service to the owner of the property and, if the property is not
owner-occupied, to any occupant of the property a written notice specifically
describing each condition of the lot or land declared to be a public
nuisance, and which notice shall identify what action will remedy
the public nuisance. Unless a condition presents an immediate, specifically
identified risk to the public health or safety, the notice shall provide
a reasonable time, not less than ten (10) days, in which to abate
or commence removal of each condition identified in the notice. Written
notice may be given by personal service or by first-class mail to
both the occupant of the property at the property address and the
owner at the last known address of the owner, if not the same.
C.
Upon
a failure of the owner to pursue the removal or abatement of such
nuisance without unnecessary delay, the Marshal may cause the condition
which constitutes the nuisance to be removed or abated. If the Marshal
causes such condition to be removed or abated, the cost of such removal
or abatement and the proof of notice to the owner of the property
shall be certified to the City Clerk or officer in charge of finance
who shall cause the certified cost to be included in a special tax
bill or added to the annual real estate tax bill, at the collecting
official's option, for the property and the certified cost shall be
collected by the City Collector or other official collecting taxes
in the same manner and procedure for collecting real estate taxes.
If the certified cost is not paid, the tax bill shall be considered
delinquent, and the collection of the delinquent bill shall be governed
by the laws governing delinquent and back taxes. The tax bill from
the date of its issuance shall be deemed a personal debt against the
owner and shall also be a lien on the property from the date the tax
bill is delinquent until paid.
