(a) The owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any lot or parcel of land situated within the city, whether the same be improved or unimproved, vacant or occupied, within five days’ written notice to do so, shall cut or destroy, or cause to be cut or destroyed, any noxious or poisonous weeds or tall grasses growing upon such lot or parcel of land, and to prevent the same from blooming or going to seed, or exceeding a height of eight inches or spreading pollen which may be harmful to human health.
(b) If the owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any lot or parcel of land does not cut or destroy or cause to be cut or destroyed, noxious weeds or grasses as provided herein, the Mayor or the Director of Community Development and or his or her designee is authorized, utilizing available city personnel and equipment, and it is declared to be his or her duty to cause to be cut or destroyed such noxious weeds or grasses.
(c) When any such noxious weeds or grasses are cut or destroyed by the city, as provided herein, then after such work is performed, the city shall give five days’ notice by regular mail to the owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of lot or parcel of land at his or her known address, to pay the cost of such cutting or destroying of noxious weeds or grasses, which notice shall be accompanied by a statement of the amount of cost incurred. If the same is not paid within 30 days after the mailing of the notice, such amount may be certified to the County Auditor for collection as other taxes and assessments are collected or the city may seek recovery of such costs by civil action against the property owner involved.
(d) When it is deemed necessary to cut and destroy weeds or grasses on private property, in accordance with the provisions of this section, the owner shall be charged at the rate of $50 per hour, or portion thereof, or the actual cost of such work, whichever is the larger.
(Ord. 61-92, passed 6-16-1992)