In the case of ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, which is defined as any type of permanent residential dwelling unit, including detached single-family structures, and townhouses, condominium units and multi-family rental apartments covering the entire property, and manufactured homes treated under state law as real estate and not as personal property, that has been unoccupied by any lawful occupant or occupants for at least 90 days, and for which after such 90-day period, the municipality has made good faith efforts to contact the legal owner or owners of the property identified on the recorded mortgage or, if known, any agent of the owner or owners, and no contact has been made, such steps will be taken:
(A) An effort will be made to locate the owner of the property; and
(B) The following records will be maintained:
(1) A dated statement of finding by the village that the property for which the mowing and removal of weeds is to be carried out has become an abandoned property, which shall include the following:
(a) The date when the property was first known to be vacant; and
(b) A description of the actions the village took in attempting to locate the owner of the abandoned property or the agent of the owner of the property in question. This description should include the date of any such action.
(2) A statement that any action taken to make contact with the owner or agent of the owner of the property did not result in any actual communication with the owner or agent;
(3) A dated certification by an authorized official of the village setting forth the weed removal and mowing of grass as the nature of the work as well as the purpose for the need to perform the work; and
(4) A copy of the agreement with the person or company who will be performing the work which must include the following:
(a) The legal name of the person or company;
(b) The rate/rates to be charged for mowing and weed removal;
(c) An estimate showing the total cost for completing the mowing and weed removal on this property;
(d) Detailed invoices and payment vouchers for all payments made by the village for mowing and weed removal; and
(e) A statement as to whether a competitive bidding process was used in procuring a person or company to complete the mowing and weed removal. If so, one must provide a copy of all proposals submitted by the bidders for the mowing and weed removal.
(Ord. 2011-06, passed 6-7-2011)