(a) (1) Whenever any competent city authority or competent state or federal authority shall file with, the Tree Board, a statement in writing based upon a laboratory test or other supporting evidence that trees or tree materials or shrubs located upon private property within the city are infected or infested with or harbor any tree or plant disease or insect or larvae, the uncontrolled presence of which may constitute a hazard to or result in the damage or extinction of other trees or shrubs in the community, describing the same and where located.
(2) The Tree Board shall issue notice in writing requiring the owner or agent of the owner of the premises to treat or to remove any such designated tree, tree material or shrub within a time specified in the notice.
(b) Notice shall be served by a police officer by delivering a copy thereof to the owner, and the person in possession of such property, or if the same be unoccupied or the owner is a nonresident of the city, then the City Clerk shall notify the owner by mailing a notice by certified mail to his or her last known address.
(c) If the owner or agent shall fail to comply with the requirements of the notice within the 60-day time specified in the notice, then the Tree Board shall proceed to have the designated tree, tree material or shrub treated or removed and report the cost thereof to the City Clerk. In lieu of city employees performing any such work, the governing body may contact with any competent person, company or corporation for the performance of such work.
(d) The City Clerk shall, at the time of certifying other city taxes to the County Clerk, certify the unpaid costs for treatment or removal performed under the authority of this article and the County Clerk shall extend the same on the tax poll of the county against the lot or parcel of ground. The cost of such work shall be paid from the General Fund or other proper fund of the city, and such fund shall be reimbursed when payment therefor is received or when such assessments are collected and received by the city.
(Ord. 1037, passed 12-20-1988)