A. When a building or structure within the Village is found to be a "dangerous building" or contains an unsafe condition, the Village Clerk shall issue and cause to be served a notice thereof upon all owners of record or persons having an interest therein as shown by documents recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of Deeds and upon persons in apparent possession of the premises.
B. The notice shall briefly and concisely specify the conditions and factors of the building or structure which renders it dangerous or unsafe. The notice shall further specify that the owners make the building safe (by complete elimination of any unsafe conditions) or commence demolition at owner's costs within fifteen (15) days of such notice. The notice shall further specify that demolition shall commence no later than fifteen (15) days of such notice, and a date for completion of demolition. The date for completion shall be reasonably set in light of the nature of the building, weather conditions, and other related factors. The fifteen (15) day time period shall commence three (3) days after the notice is mailed or upon personal service of the notice.
C. The notice authorized by this section shall be served by either personal service or by mail. Personal service may be made by a Police Officer of the Village or other person designated by the Village President and Board of Trustees.
D. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or owners of any such building, including the lienholders of record, are not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or persons in whose name such real estate was last assessed for general real estate taxes is sufficient notice under this section.
E. In the event the owner fails to comply with any time period set forth in the notice, the Village Attorney is authorized to commence a civil action in the Circuit Court of the County seeking a court order authorizing demolition or repair of the building or structure subject to the notice provided by this section and to create the lien described in this chapter. It shall not be a defense to this cause of action that the building is boarded up or otherwise enclosed. It further shall not be a defense that the building is put in a safe condition during the pendency of the civil action.
F. Joined as defendants in such cause shall be the owner of record and other parties having an interest in the property as shown by documents recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of Deeds on the date of the filing of the complaint for demolition. (Ord. 12-01-13, 12-10-2013, eff. 12-10-2013)