Whenever, in the opinion of the City Maintenance Superintendent or Street Commissioner, any building within the limits of the city shall have been damaged by fire, building collapse, decay, or otherwise, to the extent of 50% of the value thereof, it shall be the duty of the City Maintenance Superintendent or Street Commissioner to report the same in writing to the Common Council at some regular meeting describing the said building, its location, and the name of the owner if known. The City Finance Officer shall issue a notice to be served upon the owner, if within the state, or in case of his or her absence from the state, upon his or her agent if there be one, requiring said owner to appear before the Common Council at a time and place specified in said notice, not less than ten days after the service of such notice, and show cause why said building should not be torn down or removed. In case the owner cannot be found within the state and there is no agent present, then said notice shall be published in the official city newspaper and upon completion of such publication and due proof thereof, placed on file with the City Finance Officer, service of said notice shall be deemed valid and complete.
(Prior Code, § 93.078)