(a) When the Director of Public Service and Safety or his designated agent determines that such weeds as described in Section 561.01(a) exists on one of the days set forth in Section 561.01(b), he shall forthwith serve written notice upon the owner, occupant, or any other person, firm or corporation having the care of such lot or land, ordering the cutting and removal of such noxious weeds and grasses; and shall cause a placard to be conspicuously placed on the property.
Said placard shall be of a size, shape and color to be clearly visible and shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) That it is a Notice to Cut Grass and Weeds;
(2) An order to cut or remove the weeds or grass within five days of placement of the placard;
(3) A statement indicating that should the property owner fail to comply with the order, the City of St. Marys will cause the weeds or grass to be cut or removed at the owner’s expense, and the City of St. Marys may place a lien on the property for the amount owed for the removal.
(4) That there are penalties provided for removing the placard before bringing the property into compliance; and
(5) Contact information of the appropriate City agency.
Such placard shall remain on the property until the property is brought into compliance with this section. Removal of the placard before the property complies with this section shall constitute a minor misdemeanor punishable under Section 561.02 of this Code. Any person convicted of wrongfully removing the placard within two years of a prior conviction of the same offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 2020-13. Passed 6-20-20.)
(b) Such notice to cut shall be served to the owner or person in charge of such land either by delivery in person or by certified mail. If the address of the owner or person in charge of the land is unknown, it shall be sufficient to publish the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the County.
(c) Only one notice per calendar year under subsections (a) or (b) hereof is required for a lot or parcel. If after notice has been served in accordance with this section, the Director of Public Service and Safety, or his designated agent determines that a subsequent violation has occurred, the City may proceed with the remedy set forth in Section 561.04 without further notice.
(Ord. 2003-12. Passed 4-28-03.)