(a) In reference to buildings, structures or real estate located within the City, a "nuisance" means any deteriorating of structural materials or lack of repair or maintenance that is a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of its occupants or the public or is, or if not abated, will become, a blighting or deteriorating factor in the neighborhood which impairs or adversely affects the value of neighboring property.
(b) Whenever the Building Commissioner finds that any building or structure or part thereof in the City is in such an unsafe condition as to endanger life, by reason of deterioration of materials or lack of repair or maintenance, or is or will become a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of its occupants or the public, or is or will become a blighting or deteriorating factor in the neighborhood, or will impair or adversely affect the value of neighboring property, he or she shall report such facts to Council, shall declare such building or structure to be a nuisance, and shall immediately cause written notice or order to be served on the owner of the real estate.
(c) The notice or order of abatement shall be issued by the Building Commissioner, a copy of which shall be given to Council. The notice or order shall set forth the nature of the nuisance and the deadline for compliance for the owner to abate the nuisance as stated in the notice. The notice shall also include the statement that unless the nuisance is abated within the stated time, the nuisance shall be abated by the City and the cost of abatement shall be assess on the real estate involved.
(d) The City may prosecute the owner for failure to comply with the order of the Building Commissioner. In the case that the City abates the nuisance and the cost is not paid by the owner; the Building Commissioner shall report the fact to Council, and shall forward the case to the Finance Director, who shall be authorized to place a lien on the property in the amount of the cost to abate the nuisance plus administrative costs in the amount of 20% of the cost of abatement.
(Ord. 1968-246. Passed 10-2-68; Ord. 1994-60. Passed 7-13-94; Ord. 2008-62. Passed 6-18-08.)