(a) Whenever complaint is made to the Fire Chief of the existence of a public nuisance in the City, he shall promptly inspect or cause to be inspected the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists. Should the Fire Chief find that a public nuisance does exist, he shall promptly notify the Safety-Service Director and the person, firm or corporation who, from the records in the Sandusky County Treasurer’s office, appears to be the owner of the aforesaid property. The Fire Chief shall leave a copy of the aforesaid notice with the person in possession of such premises, if any, or if there is no person in possession thereof, he shall post a copy of the notice on the premises. It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to inspect the premises on which it is alleged that such nuisance exists and to make a written report of his findings in conjunction therewith to the Safety-Service Director. Should the Fire Chief and the Director find that a public nuisance exists and that the nature thereof is such as to require its summary abatement, it shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to cause photographs of such nuisance to be made, to file and keep in his office the written reports of the findings aforesaid, and further, to cause the abatement of the aforesaid nuisance within three days of the time within which such findings are reported by him. In abating such nuisance, the Fire Chief shall not be required to give any further notice to the owner thereof.
(c) If the owner, within thirty days thereafter fails, neglects, or refuses to repay the Fire Chief the expenses incurred by him in abating the public nuisance, the City Auditor shall certify such expenses, together with a twenty-five percent (25%) penalty thereon to the County Auditor, and the Auditor shall enter such expense on the tax duplicate of the County as a special charge against the real estate on which such building is or was situated, and the same shall be collected as other taxes and, when collected shall together with the penalty thereon be refunded to the City.
(d) The City may also elect to file a Mechanic’s Lien against the property owner with the costs of the filing assessed to the property owner.
(Ord. 2019-3976. Passed 9-5-19.)