The city shall have specific authority to levy certain charges incurred by the city on behalf of a property owner as a special assessment against the specific property and to certify said assessment roll to the county’s Auditor.
(A) (1) The City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer shall have specific authority to maintain separate records of costs incurred by the city to rectify, correct or abate any violation of the following provisions of this code of ordinances:
(a) Animals, Ch. 90;
(b) Junk vehicles;
(c) Fire Code (other than hazardous buildings), § 94.04;
(e) Diseased trees, § 92.02;
(f) Health nuisances, § 92.03;
(g) City utility services.
(2) In addition to any other method authorized by law or Charter, the City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer may provide for the collection of unpaid special charges as a special assessment against the property benefited for all or any part of the cost of:
(a) Snow, ice or rubbish removal from sidewalks;
(b) Weed elimination from streets or private property;
(c) Removal or elimination of public health or safety hazards from private property, excluding any structure included under the provisions of M.S. §§ 463.15 to 463.26, as they may be amended from time to time;
(d) Installation or repair of water service lines, street sprinkling or other dust treatment of streets;
(e) The trimming and care of trees and the removal of unsound trees from any street;
(f) The treatment and removal of insect infested or diseased trees on private property, the repair of sidewalks and alleys;
(g) The operation of a street lighting system;
(h) The operation and maintenance of a fire protection or a pedestrian skyway system;
(i) Inspections relating to a municipal housing maintenance code violation; or
(j) The recovery of any disbursements under M.S. § 504B.445, Subd. 4(5), as it may be amended from time to time, including disbursements for payment of utility bills and other services, even if provided by a third party, necessary to remedy violations as described in M.S. § 504B.445, Subd. 4(2), as it may be amended from time to time.
(B) The owner of the property for which the service has been provided shall be personally liable for the cost of such service. As soon as the service has been completed and the cost determined, the City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer shall prepare a bill and mail it to the owner and thereupon the amount shall be immediately due and payable at the city office.
(C) On or before November 1 of each year, the City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer shall list the total unpaid charges for each type of current service provided for herein against each separate lot or parcel. The Council may then spread the charges against the property benefitted as a special benefit pursuant to the provisions of M.S. § 429.101, as it may be amended from time to time, and other pertinent statutes for certification to the County Auditor and collection with current taxes the following year or in annual installments, not exceeding ten, as the Council may determine in each case. The City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer shall, prior to adoption of the assessment roll by the Council, provide the affected property owner with notice pursuant to M.S. § 429.061, as it may be amended from time to time.
(1994 Code, § 1-6)