(a) Collection; Minimum Charge. If grass or weeds are cut by the City, or by someone directed to cut them on its behalf, the City may assess actual costs for same, but in no event less than forty dollars ($40.00) per hour, plus an administrative fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). The City shall take reasonable steps to collect its expenses for such work. Reasonable steps may include written notice to the owner of record followed by placement in collection and/or filing of a suit to collect in Circuit Court. Such suit may include collection for accumulated cuttings and associated labor and multiple administrative fees together with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. The City may also file a lien against the real estate as provided in this section. These remedies shall not be considered mutually exclusive.
(b) Notice of Lien. If grass or weeds are cut by the City or by someone directed to cut them on its behalf, a notice of lien for expenses incurred shall be recorded in the office of the County Clerk and Recorder within one year after the expense is incurred.
(c) Contents. The notice of lien shall consist of a sworn statement setting out the following:
(1) A description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof;
(2) The amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service; and
(3) The date or dates when said cost and expense were incurred.
(d) Release of Lien. Upon payment of the cost and expense, the lien shall be released by the City or person in whose name the lien has been filed, and the release shall be filed of record in the same manner as filing notice of lien.
(Ord. 98-26. Passed 6-1-98; Ord. 2001-26. Passed 7-2-01; Ord. 2017-58. Passed 7-17-17.)