(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "graffiti" shall mean the inscription on a wall, fence, sign, other structure, sidewalk, pavement, post, stone, tree or other natural object, by carving, application of paint or other substance, or other means, of any symbol (including any letter, word, numeral, emblem or combination thereof), picture or other character placed thereon, other than as permitted by ordinances of the Village.
(Ord. 787. Passed 7-12-93.)
(b) No owner of the real property on which is located any structure, improvement or object on which any graffiti is placed shall fail to remove, cover or otherwise eradicate such graffiti within four days from its placement on his or her property. In the event the owner fails to remove, cover or otherwise eradicate the graffiti within such time, the Chief of Police or his or her designee shall cause notice to be served, either by personal service on the owner or his or her agent, or by certified mail to the person to whom was sent the tax bill for the general taxes for the last preceding year, which notice shall state a date, no less than fourteen days later than the date of personal service or mailing, after which the Village will invoke the remedies provided in this section.
(c) In addition to any fine or penalty which may be imposed, if the owner fails to remove, cover or otherwise eradicate the graffiti by the date stated in the notice, or such later date as the Chief of Police or his or her designee may allow in the reasonable exercise of his or her discretion, the Village may enter upon the property and remove such graffiti, by the use of its employees, contractors or other persons, and the cost of such removal may be collected from the owner of the property.
(Ord. 828. Passed 8-8-94.)
(d) The cost of removal shall be billed to the owner of the property. If the owner of the property does not pay the bill within sixty days, a lien shall be placed upon the real estate affected. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out:
(1) A description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof;
(2) The amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service; and
(3) The date or dates when such cost and expense were incurred by the Village.
Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of, or persons interested in, such property after a notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the Village and the release may be filed on record as in the case of filing a notice of lien.
(e) The Village's exercise of the remedies provided in this section shall not prevent the owner of property from recovering, through a civil suit or otherwise, the cost of removal or other reparation from the person or persons responsible for placing the graffiti on such property.
(Ord. 787. Passed 7-12-93.)