(a) It shall be the duty of the owner, agent, lessee, tenant or other person occupying or having charge or control of any premises within the City of Paden City to cut and mow, or cause to cut or mow the grass and weeds of their respective properties and in the space between the property line and the curb, or if there is no curb, the paved or traveled portion of any street or alley, so that neither grass nor weeds shall rise above the height of twelve (12) inches.
(b) The growth of grass or weeds above the height of twelve (12) inches within the City of Paden City is declared to be a public nuisance.
(c) Upon finding that a public nuisance exists, the Common Council shall give the owner, agent, lessee, tenant or other person occupying or having charge or control of the premises shall be given written notice of such violations. Such notice shall at a minimum state:
(1) That the owner, agent, lessee, tenant or other person occupying or having control of the premises is in violation of the Codified Ordinances.
(2) That such person must cut and mow or cause to cut and mow the grass or weeds within forty-eight (48) hours from the date of services of the notice;
(3) Inform the person that he or she may file a written request for a hearing before the Common Council; and
(4) That if such person fails to cut and mow the grass and weeds within the time allowed, an authorized agent of the City will cut and mow the grass and weeds and assess the cost associated therewith against such person.
(5) The cost will be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for the equipment and gasoline used plus the rate of pay of the city employee(s) mowing and weedeating the property times the number of hours worked. Any additional cost associated with contracting the care of the property will also be added to the total cost.
(6) Note: Once you receive a letter concerning the mowing and weedeating of your property, it will be expected of you to keep up with this mowing and weedeating of the property. It will be expected of you to keep up with this mowing and weedeating and no other letter will be sent to you each time your grass becomes high. You will automatically be brought to Municipal Court, fined and ordered restitution to the City of Paden City for any cost incurred of cutting and mowing such grass and weeds.
(d) Any person, firm, corporation or other entity which violates this section shall be fined on the first offense not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00); for the second offense, the person, firm, corporation or other entity shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00); for the third offense the person, firm, corporation or other entity shall be fines five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(Passed 6-7-24.)