(c)     A placard, once posted, shall remain on the property until the property is brought into compliance with Section 551.02. Removal of the placard before the property complies with Section 551.02 shall constitute a minor misdemeanor.

(d)     Only one written, published notice need be made per calendar year, as described in Section 551.03(a). It shall be the responsibility of each owner or any person, firm or corporation having the care of or in charge of any lot of land within the City to maintain the property thereafter in accordance with Section 551.02. Similarly, only one placard notice per lot or parcel, need be issued per calendar year. Thereafter, if the City Manager or his or her designee determines that a subsequent violation of this chapter has occurred, the City may proceed with the remedies set forth in Section 551.04 without further notice.

551.04  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH NOTICE.

(a)     If the owner, occupant, or other person or entity having charge or care of any lot or land within the City fails to comply with the notice provided for in Section 551.03(a), and fails to remedy such non-compliance during the 5-day period following the posting of a placard upon such lot or land pursuant to Section 551.03(b), the City shall cut the weeds or grass to bring that lot or land into compliance with this Chapter, at the expense of the owner(s) thereof.

(b)     The City may, in its sole discretion, undertake such weed removal and/or grass cutting by its own employees or through an independent contractor. In calculating the expense to be charged to an owner of property under Section 551.04(a), chargeable expenses shall include all expenses actually incurred in removing weeds and/or cutting grass at such lot or land, including, without limitation, charges for the use of direct labor and administrative City employees, charges for equipment, fuel, and the like, and any independent contractor costs that may be incurred, all of which shall be assessed against said lot or land.

551.05  COLLECTION OF COSTS.

(a)     Written notice of assessment shall be served by the City Manager or his designee upon the owner(s) of the lot or land by ordinary US mail, addressed to the then-current tax mailing address of the owner(s) then on file with the Montgomery County Auditor, and shall be effective upon mailing. In the event that the notice is returned as undeliverable, a City representative may make service by posting the notice upon the assessed premises, and shall make a return thereof. The amount of the assessment shall be paid and delivered to the City within ten (10) calendar days after service of the notice is perfected by mailing or posting.

(b)     If the City has not received full payment of the assessment within those ten (10) calendar days, the City shall make a written return or certification to the Montgomery County Auditor of the amount of the unpaid assessment, including with that certification a proper description of the premises. The assessed amount shall be entered upon the tax duplicate and shall be a lien upon such land from and after the date of the entry and shall be collected as other taxes and returned to the City with the General Fund.