Whenever any tree, plant, or shrubbery, or part thereof, or any weeds or grass is growing in any street, public place or upon private property contiguous to a street, sidewalk, or public place, and is trimmed or removed by the City, then, after the work is done, the City shall give five days notice by regular mail to the owner of such lot or parcel of land, at his last known address, to pay the cost of trimming or removal. The notice shall be accompanied by a statement of the amount of cost incurred. The Finance Director shall thereafter assess the cost of such abatement to the property owner and take all necessary steps to assure payment of such cost. If the same is not paid within thirty (30) days of the mailing of such notice, then the Finance Director shall be authorized and directed to levy the assessment, and certify the total cost of such abatement to the Clerk of Council. The Clerk of Council is hereby authorized and directed to certify the total cost of such abatement as provided by the Director of Finance, together with a proper description of the lands, to the County Auditor who shall place the costs upon the tax duplicate. The cost of such abatement shall be a lien upon the lands described from and after the date of entry. The cost so assessed shall be collected by the County Auditor as other taxes and returned to the City in accordance with the procedures established by the County Auditor. Such remedy is in addition to the penalties provided in Sections 949.13(b) and 949.16.
(Ord. 2001-142. Passed 9-6-01.)