(A) The amount of the cost of the repairs, alterations or improvements, or vacating and closing, or removal or demolition by the public officer shall be assessed against the owner of the property, and shall upon the filing of the notice with the office of the register of deeds of Cumberland County, be a lien on the property in favor of the municipality, second only to liens of the state, county and municipality for taxes, any lien of the municipality for special assessments, and any valid lien, right or interest in the property duly recorded or duly perfected by filing, prior to the filing of the notice. These costs shall be collected by the Municipal Tax Collector or County Trustee at the same time and in the same manner as property taxes are collected. If the owner fails to pay the costs, he, she or they may be collected at the same time and in the same manner as delinquent property taxes are collected and shall be subject to the same penalty and interest as delinquent property taxes.
(B) In addition, the municipality may collect the costs assessed against the owner through an action for debt filed in any court of competent jurisdiction. The municipality may bring one action for debt against more than one or all of the owners of properties against whom the costs have been assessed and the fact that multiple owners have been joined in one action shall not be considered by the court as a misjoinder of parties. If the structure is removed or demolished by the public officer, he or she shall sell salvageable materials of the structure and shall credit the proceeds of the sale against the cost of the removal or demolition, and any balance remaining shall be deposited in the Chancery Court of Cumberland County by the public officer, shall be secured in a manner as may be directed by the court, and shall be disbursed by the court to the person found to be entitled thereto by final order or decree of the court. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair or limit, in any way, the power of the city to define and declare nuisances and to cause their removal or abatement, by summary proceedings or otherwise.
(Ord. 1013, passed 11-11-2003)