(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CURRENT SERVICE. One or more of the following: snow, ice or rubbish removal from sidewalks; weed elimination from street, grass plots adjacent to sidewalks or from private property; repair of sidewalks.
(1992 Code, § 650:00)
(B) Snow, ice, dirt and rubbish removal.
(1) All snow, ice, dirt and rubbish remaining on a public sidewalk more than 24 hours after its deposit thereon is a public nuisance. The owner and the occupant of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk shall use due diligence to keep such walk safe for pedestrians. No such owner or occupant shall allow snow, ice, dirt or rubbish to remain on the walk longer than 24 hours after its deposit thereon.
(2) Any person violating this section may be issued an administrative citation as provided in Chapter 10, § 10.99(B), and shall be subject to a civil penalty identified in the city's fee schedule as updated from time to time by City Council ordinance.
(3) The administrative civil penalty provided in this section is in addition to the cost recovery provision in § 94.005(D).
(4) The City Engineer may cause to be removed from all public sidewalks all snow, ice, dirt and rubbish as soon as possible beginning 24 hours after any such matter has been deposited thereon or after the snow has ceased to fall. A record showing the cost of such removal adjacent to each separate lot and parcel shall be kept and delivered to the Clerk-Treasurer.
(1992 Code, § 650:05)
(C) Repair of sidewalks.
(1) The owner of any property within the corporate limits of the city abutting a public sidewalk shall keep the sidewalk in repair and safe for pedestrians. Repairs shall be made in accordance with standard specifications approved by the Council and on file in the office of the City Engineer.
(2) The City Engineer shall direct such inspections as are necessary to determine that public sidewalks are kept in repair and safe for pedestrians. If he or she finds that any sidewalk abutting on private property is unsafe and in need of repairs, he or she shall cause a notice to be served, by registered mail or by personal service, upon the record owner of the property and the occupant, if the owner does not reside within the corporate limits of the city or cannot be found therein, ordering such owner to have the sidewalk repaired and made safe within 30 days and stating that if the owner fails to do so, the city may do so, that the expense thereof must be paid by the owner, and that if unpaid it will be made a special assessment against the property concerned.
(3) If the sidewalk is not repaired within 30 days after receipt of the notice, the City Engineer shall order his or her agents or employees to repair the sidewalk and make it safe for pedestrians or order the work done by contract.
(1992 Code, § 650:15)
(D) Assessment. The Council may then spread the charges against property benefited as a special assessment under Minn. Stat. § 429.101, as it may be amended from time to time, and other pertinent statutes.
(1992 Code, § 650:20)
(Ord. 1237, passed 8-1-2000; Ord. 1599, passed 12-17-2019) Penalty, see § 94.999