A. If the Village has reason to believe that a property subject to the provisions of this chapter is posing a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, the Village may temporarily secure the property at the expense of the mortgagee or owner, and may issue notices of violations and or tickets and issue them to the responsible owner or person(s). These notices of violation and or tickets can be brought to either a local adjudication process or to Circuit Court in order to have the ability to properly, as soon as possible, address the conditions of the property. Nothing herein shall limit the Village from abating any nuisance or unsafe condition by any other legal means available to it.
B. The Village shall have the authority to require the mortgagee or owner affected by this section, to implement additional maintenance and/or security measures including, but not limited to, securing any and all doors, windows or other openings, employment of an on-site security guard or other measures as may be reasonably required to help prevent further decline of the property.
C. If there is a finding that the condition of the property is posing a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, then the Village, hearing officer or Judge may order abatement the violations and charge the mortgagee or owner with the cost of the abatement.
D. If the mortgagee or owner does not reimburse the Village for the cost of temporarily securing the property, or of any abatement directed by the Village, Hearing Officer or Judge within thirty (30) days of the Village sending the mortgagee or owner the invoice then the Village may lien the property with such cost, along with an administrative fee, to recover the administrative personnel services associated with this property. In addition to filing a lien the Village may pursue financial penalties against the mortgagee or owner as well as recovery of any legal fees incurred by the Village in order to obtain said reimbursements.
E. The Village may contract with an entity to implement this chapter, and, if so, any reference to the Enforcement Officer herein shall include the entity the Village contract with for that purpose.
F. The registration of vacant building or premises shall not preclude action by the Village to lawfully demolish or to take other action against the building pursuant to other provisions of this chapter, this code, or other applicable law.
G. It is the policy of the Village that boarding is a temporary solution to prevent unauthorized entry into a building and that vacant buildings are a public nuisance. A vacant building may not remain boarded or vacant longer than six (6) months unless an extension of that time is part of a plan approved by the Code Official. At the end of the six (6) month period, the owner(s) must have taken one (1) or more of the following steps: the boards shall be removed, and windows, doors, and penetrations shall be in good repair. (Ord. 2019-42, 12-10-2019)