Hallsville Notice ordinance (§ 215.050)

A. Notice.

1. The Inspector shall determine all individuals, firms or corporations who, from the records in the Recorder of Deeds' office, appear to be the titled owners of the aforesaid property and immediately cause a written notice to be served on each such individual, firm or corporation by personal service or by one of the following methods:

a. Leaving a copy of the notice at the usual place of residence or business of such owner, or address of such owner shown in the Recorder's records; or

b. Mailing a copy to such owner at such place or address by United States certified mail return receipt.

2. If service of such written notice is unable to be perfected by any of the methods described above, the Inspector shall direct the City Clerk to cause a copy of the aforesaid notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City, once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks, and shall further cause a copy of the aforesaid notice to be left with the individual, if any, in possession of such property on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists, or if there is no individual in possession thereof, the Inspector shall cause a copy of the notice to be posted at such structure, location or premises. The Inspector shall also determine from the Recorder of Deeds' office who the lienholder of the property, if any, as documented therein, is and cause a written notice to be served on such lienholder by United States certified mail return receipt.

B. Notice Contents. The aforesaid notice to the owners, and lien holder, if any, of the property shall state clearly and concisely:

1. The street address or legal description of the property;

2. A description of the condition or conditions alleged to constitute a public nuisance;

3. That a hearing is scheduled with the Inspector on a date not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of the notice letter; and

4. That proof of the commencement of such abatement actions must be submitted to the Inspector not later than three (3) working days before the date scheduled for the hearing or such hearing to determine whether the nuisance or dangerous condition will be held;

5. The hearing may be held without the presence of any owner, lienholder, occupant or representative.

C. Adequacy Of Proof. The Inspector shall have discretion over what actions are sufficient to constitute the commencement of nuisance abatement. However, the Inspector shall be guided by such factors as:

1. Expedient and continuous work;

2. Abatement costs; and

3. Impact on the environment or the public.

D. Responsible Parties. Any person who is the recorded owner of the premises, location or structure at the time an order pursuant to this Chapter is issued and served upon him/her, shall be responsible for complying with that order, and liable for any costs incurred by the City therewith, notwithstanding the fact that he or she conveys his/her interests in the property to another after such order was issued and served.