(A) In case any public nuisance is declared to be such by the terms of any section of this chapter, or any other provision in the Havre city codes, and it shall be in, about, or upon any unoccupied lot or lots within the city, or tenement or other structures thereon owned by nonresidents of the city, the council, may, by resolution, after reasonable notice, direct the director of public works to remove or contract to remove or abate such nuisance which shall be done at the expense of such owner and recovered by an action against him as and for money laid out and expended for his use, together with all costs of suit, and such property may be sold to satisfy the same in the normal manner of a debt. In addition, such costs may be assessed, by a resolution of the city council of the city, as a special assessment against the real property involved in the same.
(B) Every public nuisance may be abated and the persons maintaining such nuisance and the possessors of the premises who permit the same to be maintained may be enjoined from such conduct by an action in equity in the name of the city of Havre, a Montana municipal corporation, by the city attorney or his deputy, filed in either city court or in justice or state court.
(C) Upon the filing of the complaint in such action, the judge may issue a temporary injunction.
(D) In such action, evidence of the general reputation of the premises is admissible for the purpose of proving the existence of the nuisance.
(E) If the existence of the nuisance is established, an order of abatement shall be entered as part of the judgment in the case. The judge issuing the order may, in his discretion:
1. Confiscate all fixtures used on the premises to maintain the nuisance and either sell them and transmit the proceeds to the city general fund, destroy them, or return them to their rightful ownership;
2. Close the premises for any period not to exceed one year, during which period the premises shall remain in the custody of the court;
3. Allow the premises to be opened upon posting bonds sufficient in the amount to assure compliance with the order of abatement. The bonds shall be forfeited if the nuisance is continued or resumed.
4. Revoke all licenses or permits issued to him or to the structures on the property which has been declared a nuisance. (Ord. 712, 5-2-1983)