(A) All trees that are in a diseased, dying, or dead condition are declared to be a public nuisance, and shall be removed from the private property on which they are located upon notice by the Village Board. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, the village police shall have the authority to enter on private property to inspect the trees thereon. In the event that the trees are diseased or dead, the village police shall report said fact to the Village Board, and the Village Board shall cause notice to be given to the owner of the property by mail or personal service and such notice shall allow the said owner ten days to remove the said tree or trees. In the event that the owner is a non-resident, notice shall be made by publication in a newspaper of general circulation, or by mail if the name and address is known. The person charged with the removal may enter into an agreement with the village that such work be accomplished by the village, and the expense and interest shall be declared to be a lien upon such property from the time the same becomes due until paid. If the owner fails, neglects, or refuses to enter into such an agreement, or to remove the trees, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided by § 92.99, and the village police may enter upon the property and proceed to direct the removal of the trees and the cost thereof shall be chargeable to the property owner.
(B) If the owner fails to reimburse the village after being properly billed, the costs shall be assessed against the property and certified by the Village Clerk to the County Treasurer to be collected in the manner prescribed by law. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the village shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.
(Ord. 232, passed - -)