§ 18-154. Same—Service of notice.

(a)

A copy of the notice shall be served upon the occupant of any unsightly and unlawful building or other structure and on the owner thereof, if known and residing in the city, together with a summons to appear before the city commission in not less than five or more than 30 days. The notice shall be served by the chief of police or any city police officer or by any other officer or employee who may be authorized by the city manager. However, if such persons reside in the state and beyond the limits of the city, such notice and summons shall be served by the sheriff of the county in which the person resides, in accordance with the rules governing service of process in the circuit court.

(b)

If the owners reside beyond the limits of the state, upon application by the city attorney the building official shall make an order of publication of notice to all persons having any interest or right, whether as owners, lienholders, or otherwise, in such real estate, which notice shall be addressed to all whom it may concern, requiring them on a day certain, to be fixed in such order, not less than 30 or more than 50 days from the date of the first publication, to appear before the city commission to show cause, if any, why the order of condemnation made by the city building inspector should not be confirmed in all respects. Such notice shall be published for four consecutive weeks prior to the date fixed for such hearing, and a copy of the notice shall likewise be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises during the time of the advertisement of notice. If such order of publication shall be made and no appearance entered or protest is made to the confirmation of the order of condemnation, the owners of the property shall be forever foreclosed and barred of claiming any damage because of the destruction of the property described in the condemnation order.

(Code 1988, § 6-156; Ord. No. 02-04, § 2, 3-28-02)