(a) Noxious and invasive weeds per Ohio Revised Code and ODNR invasive plants and grass that are growing on land in the City and that are over 8 inches tall or about to spread or mature seeds shall be cut monthly. The Mayor shall cause a general notice to be published, advising the owners of person having charge of such land that such weeds and grass must be cut or destroyed not less than five days after the publishing of the notice. If the published notice is not complied with, the Mayor shall direct the Director of Public Service to undertake the immediate cutting and destruction of such weeds and grass and to certify the cost of labor and materials in connection therewith, per lot, to the Municipal Clerk, included in such cost shall be the cost of labor and material in removing the litter as defined in Ohio R.C. 731.51, from such land and such other labor and materials expended so as to allow the safe cutting of such weeds and grass. The Clerk shall bill the owner or person having charge of such land the actual cost of cutting and destruction of such weeds and grass, as certified to him or her and shall take all necessary steps to collect the same.
(b) Upon failure of the lot owner to pay the costs involved, the Clerk shall certify the cost to the County Auditor, which costs shall be entered on the tax duplicate and shall be a lien upon such lands, from the entry, to be collected as other taxes and credited to the General Fund.
(c) The charges to be made against the owner of a lot mowed by the City under subsection (a) hereof shall be as determined from time to time by Council.
(d) Litter and debris that is on the land within the City, which includes property under construction or vacant lot, shall be disposed of properly. The Mayor shall cause a general notice to be published advising the owners or persons having charge of such land that litter and debris must be cleaned and properly disposed of in not less than five days after the publishing of the notice. If the published notice is not complied with, the Mayor shall direct the Director of Public Service to undertake the immediate cleaning of the littered area and to certify the cost of labor and materials in connection therewith, per lot, to the Municipal Clerk. Included in such cost shall be the cost of labor and material in removing the litter as defined by Ohio R.C. 731.51, from such land and such other labor and materials expended so as to allow the safe collection of litter and debris. The Clerk shall bill the owner or person having charge of such land the actual cost of the collection and disposal of the litter and debris, as certified to him or her and shall take all necessary steps to collect the same.
(e) The installation and maintenance of managed natural landscapes is beneficial to the City’s environment and storm water management plans. Managed natural landscapes improve storm water retention, increase water quality and biodiversity of plants, birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects and species. An owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands may, consistent with this section and all other applicable laws, rules and ordinances, may install and must maintain their managed natural landscape.
(f) Requirements for Managed Natural Landscapes:
* may include plants and grasses in excess of eight (8) inches in height and which have gone to seed, but may not include any noxious weeds and must be maintained so as to not include unintended vegetation or turf grass.
* may not include any plantings, which due to location and manner of growth constitute a hazard to the public or may cause injury or damage to person or property when such growth is in violation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
* may not include turf grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural state.
* may not be planted in the right-of-way.
(g) Definitions.
* Invasive species shall have the meaning assigned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
* Managed natural landscape means a planned, intention and maintained planting of native and non-native grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation or ornamental plantings.
* Meadow vegetation means grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to or adapted to the State of Ohio and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities, not including noxious weeds or invasive species.
* Noxious weeds shall have the meaning assigned by the Ohio Revised Code.
* Ornamental plants means grasses, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons.
* Rain gardens means a native plant garden that is designed not only to aesthetically improve properties, but also reduce the amount of storm water and accompanying pollutants from entering streams, ditches, rivers, retention and detention ponds.
* Turf grass lawn means a lawn comprised mostly of grasses commonly used in regularly cut lawns or play areas (such as bluegrass, fescue and ryebrass blends) intended to be maintained at a height of no more than eight (8) inches. (Ord. 73-2017. Passed 8-1-17.)