(a) Upon information that weeds or grasses are growing on lands in the City in excess of a height of ten inches or are about to spread or mature seeds, a police officer shall cause a written notice to be served upon the owner, lessee, agent or tenant having charge of such land notifying him that such weeds and grasses are growing on such lands and that they must be cut and removed within five days after the service of such notice. If such owner or other person having charge of such lands is a non-resident whose address is known, such notice shall be sent to his address by registered mail; if the address of such owner is unknown and such certified letter is returned as undeliverable, it shall be sufficient to publish such notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the County. No person shall fail to comply with such notice.
(b) Upon failure by owner, lessee, agent or tenant having charge of such land to comply with written notice, either by certified mail, delivery by a police officer, or publication in the local newspaper, within the five day period, City shall cause weeds and grasses to be cut and removed. The property owner shall be charged at the actual cost of combined labor, equipment, and disposal fees, including a minimum one hour charge for the combined average wage of two employees of the Department of Public Works, or an approved contractor designated by the Appointing Authority, and the combined average wage for one officer of the Celina Police Department.
Such charges are due and payable by owner of property within thirty days of receipt of invoice after which the City shall cause such charges, plus any legal fees and any penalty meted out in subsection (e) hereof to be placed upon the tax duplicate of the property for collection by the County Auditor.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each subsequent period of five days during or on which a violation occurs or continues after the expiration of the initial five-day period.
(Ord. 54-05-0. Passed 11-14-05.)