(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CURRENT SERVICE. Any of the following services performed by the city to abate the public nuisance, and the costs thereof, may be charged as a special assessment against the property benefitted: snow, ice, or rubbish removal from sidewalks; weed elimination from public street boulevard areas or private property; removal or elimination of public health or safety hazards from private property, excluding any hazardous building under M.S. §§ 463.15 through 463.26; installation or repair of water service lines, or other dust treatment of streets; repair of public rights-of-way, trimming and care of trees, and treatment or removal of insect-infested or diseased trees on public rights-of-way or private property; and the operation of a street lighting system; abatement of public nuisances.
(B) Abatement of public nuisance.
(1) It shall be the primary responsibility of a property owner or occupant to abate any public nuisance, as defined in this section or elsewhere in this code, which exists on the owner’s property or abutting thereto.
(2) Upon the city’s service by U.S. mail to the property address (and to the property owner if different than the property address) of notice of the public nuisance and required abatement, the property owner or occupant shall remove or otherwise abate the public nuisance within five days of the date of the city’s notice. Upon the property owner or occupant’s failure to remove or otherwise abate the public nuisance, the city may perform the current service to abate the public nuisance.
(C) Costs of abatement. The owner and occupant of property on or adjacent to which a current service has been performed shall be personally liable for the cost of the current service. The city shall prepare and mail an invoice of the charges for the cost of the current service to the owner and occupant, and the charges shall be immediately due and payable to the city. Unpaid charges for a current service shall be subject to monthly service charges (late fee/penalty) until paid in full or assessed as provided herein.
(D) Special assessment for unpaid charges. Any unpaid charges for a current service shall be specially assessed against the property benefitted in accordance with M.S. § 429.101.
