(a) Inspection of Premises. Whenever two or three residents make a complaint that a public nuisance exists, or has existed, within the City, the City Manager, Chief of Police, or Building Inspector, or some other City official whom the City Manager shall designate shall forthwith inspect or cause to be inspected the premises and shall make a written report of his findings. Whenever practicable, the inspecting officer shall cause photographs to be made of the premises and shall file the same in the office of the City Clerk. If the owner fails or refuses to consent to and arrange for an inspection, the City may seek an administrative search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction, which shall include the municipal court, which is hereby conferred such authority hereunder.
(b) Notice to Owner. If the inspecting officer determines that a public nuisance exists on private property, the City may abate the nuisance or the City Manager may direct the Chief of Police, to serve a notice on the owner, or, the owner's agent, or the person in control of the premises. If the owner cannot be found, on the occupant or person causing, permitting or maintaining such nuisance and to post a copy of the notice on the premises. Such notice shall direct the owner, occupant or person causing, permitting or maintaining such nuisance to abate or remove such nuisance within twenty-four hours and shall state that unless such nuisance is so abated, the City will cause the same to be abated and will charge the cost thereof to the owner, occupant or person causing, permitting or maintaining the same, as the case may be.
(c) Abatement by Court Action. If the inspecting officer determines that a public nuisance exists on private premises but that the nature of such nuisance is not such as to threaten great and immediate danger to the public health, safety, peace, morals or decency, he shall file a written report of his findings with the City Manager, who shall cause an action to abate such nuisance to be commenced in the name of the City from a court of competent jurisdiction, which shall include the municipal court, which is hereby conferred such authority hereunder.
(d) Abatement by City. If the nuisance is not abated within the time provided or if the owner, occupant or person causing the nuisance cannot be found, the City Manager, Chief of Police or the Building Inspector, or some other City official whom the City Manager shall designate, may cause the abatement or removal of such public nuisance.
(Ord. 13-15. Passed 6-18-13.)