It shall be the duty of every owner of real estate in the municipality to cut and clear such real estate together with one-half of the streets and alleys abutting thereon, of all weeds and worthless vegetation that are noxious, obstruct travel on public ways or create a fire hazard. Subsequent to the cutting of the said weeds, all loose vegetation shall be immediately removed. Upon the failure of the owner, lessee or occupant having control of any such real estate to cut and clear the said weeds and worthless vegetation, the Village Marshal or Municipal Clerk shall serve notice on the said owner, lessee or occupant to do so. In the event that the weeds and vegetation have not been removed after a period of five days, the governing body may order the same to be done under the direction of the Utilities Superintendent and the cost thereof shall be chargeable to the property owner. If the owner fails to reimburse the municipality after being properly billed, the cost may be assessed against the real estate and the governing body shall have the assessment certified to the County Treasurer and the same shall be collected in the manner provided by law. In the event the property owner is a nonresident of the county in which the property lies, the municipality shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the nonresident owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published
(Neb. RS 17-563.01, 18-1719) (2000 Code, § 6-322) Penalty, see § 10.99