An itemized account of the expense of tearing down and removing any structure, when such structure is removed by the village, pursuant to this article, or of putting the same into a safe condition shall be kept by the director of public works, and shall be presented to the owner of such structure, or his or her agent, or to the lessee or occupant for payment, and in case such owner, lessee or occupant, as the case may be, shall fail or refuse, upon demand, to pay the same, then the same may be recovered from such owner, lessee or occupant in an action of debt in the name of the village.