(a) The Governing Body shall designate a public officer to be charged with the administration and enforcement of this article.
(b) The public officer shall give written notice to the owner of any property on which weeds exists that are deemed to be in violation hereof by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the property is unoccupied, then notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be given to the last known address of the owner. If the owner is unknown or there is no last known address for the owner, such notice shall be given by publication one time in the official city newspaper. Such notice for any one property shall only be required once per calendar year; provided, however, that if subsequent to the giving of notice pursuant to this subsection (b) there is a change in the record owner of title to the property, the city may not recover any costs or levy an assessment for the costs incurred by the cutting or destruction of weeds on such property unless the new record owner of title to such property is provided notice as required herein.
(c) The notice shall state that:
(1) The owner is in violation of the city weed control law and describe the conditions causing the violation;
(2) The owner is ordered to cut or destroy the weeds within seven days of the receipt of the notice;
(3) The owner may request a hearing before the Governing Body within five days of the receipt of the notice or, if notice is by publication, within seven days’ publication of such notice;
(4) The cost of cutting or destroying the weeds, including a reasonable administrative fee, will be assessed against the owner, and if not paid within 30 days, such costs and fees will be added to the property’s ad valorem taxes as a special assessment;
(5) That during the current calendar year, no further notice will be given prior to any additional removal of weeds from the property; and
(6) The owner may contact the public officer if there are questions regarding the order.
(Ord. 1437, passed 1-12-2009)