Subd. 1. Action by Forester. Whenever the Forester finds with reasonable certainty that the infestation defined in this section exists in any tree or wood in any public or private place in the city, he or she shall proceed as follows.
1. If the Forester finds that the danger of infestation of other elm, oak, or other trees is not imminent because of the dormancy of the infected trees he or she shall make a written report of his or her finding to the Council, which shall proceed by:
a. Abating the nuisance as a public improvement under M.S. Chapter 429, as it may be amended from time to time; or
b. Abating the nuisance as provided in Subd. 2 below.
2. If the Forester finds that danger of infestation of other elm, oak, or other trees is imminent, he or she shall notify the abutting property owner by certified mail that the nuisance shall be abated within a specified time, not less than 14 days from the date of mailing of the notice. The Forester shall immediately report the action to the Council, and after the expiration of the time limit in the notice, he or she may abate the nuisance.
Subd. 2. Action by Council. Upon receipt of the Forester’s report required by Subd. 1.2 above, the Council shall, by resolution, order the nuisance abated. Before action is taken on the resolution, the Council shall publish notice of its intention to meet to consider taking action to abate the nuisance. This notice shall be mailed to affected property owners and published once no less than one week prior to the meeting. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting, the streets affected, action proposed, the estimated cost of the abatement, and the proposed basis of assessment, if any, of costs. At the hearing or adjournment thereof, the Council shall hear property owners with reference to the scope and desirability of the proposed project. The Council shall thereafter adopt a resolution confirming the original resolution with the modifications as it considers desirable and provide for the doing of the work by day labor or by contract.
Subd. 3. Record. The Forester shall keep a record of the costs of abatements done under this section and shall report monthly to the City Administrator all work done for which assessments are to be made stating and certifying the description of the land, lots, parcels involved, and the amount chargeable to each.
Subd. 4. Assessment. On or before November 30 of each year, the Administrator shall list the total unpaid charges for each abatement against each separate lot or parcel to which they are attributable under this section. The Council may then spread the charges or any portion thereof against the property involved as a special assessment under M.S. § 429.101, as it may be amended from time to time, and other pertinent statutes for certification to the county auditor and collection the following year along with current taxes.