MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Community Development Department of the City of Muscatine has issued a public notice to property owners of the need to cut or remove, and to keep cut or removed, all noxious weeds on their property and adjacent unimproved public right(s)-of-way.
Below is the text of that public notice:
PUBLIC NOTICE
Weed Removal
City of Muscatine Property Owners
9-5-4 Duties of Owners. It shall be the duty of the owner to cut or remove, and to keep cut or removed, all noxious weeds from his, her, or its property and from all adjacent property between the property line and the improved street and/or alley line(s).
9-5-2(A) Definitions. “Noxious weed” includes weeds such as jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cocklebur, and any weeds, grass, or plants other than trees, bushes, flowers, or other ornamental plants, in excess of eight inches (8") in height.
9-5-5 Notice. The City shall give notice to the property owners by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the City, stating that all property owners are required to destroy, cut, trim, or otherwise eradicate all noxious weeds on their property and the adjacent unimproved public right(s)-of-way within a reasonable time but not less than five days from the date of the said publication.
9-5-6 Proof of Service. In addition to the notice as set out in Section 9-5-5, the City shall mail a notice to the property owner believed to be violating the provisions of this Section advising that all noxious weeds located on his, her, or its property and adjacent public right(s)-of-way shall be destroyed, cut, trimmed, or otherwise eradicated within five (5) days from the delivery of mail in the ordinary course of delivery. Said notice shall be sent by ordinary mail to the last known address of the owner or as shown on the current County Assessors records. It shall be presumed that five (5) days is sufficient time for the delivery of mail within ordinary course. A copy of the publication as required in Section 9-5-5, together with a copy of the notice sent by regular mail as herein set out shall be deemed proof of service.
9-5-7 Work Done by City. When any owner fails to destroy, cut, trim, or eradicate noxious weeds within the notice period(s) contained in this Chapter, the City shall cause the noxious weeds to be cut or removed by private contractor or with City employees and equipment at City expense.
9-5-8 Cost of Work Done by City. The City Clerk shall submit an itemized statement to the City Council for all work performed under this Chapter. The itemized statement shall include the cost of cutting and/or removing the noxious weeds to include labor, equipment costs, and reasonable administrative costs. Upon receipt of the itemized statement, the Council shall audit it, and if allowed, shall by resolution assess the cost as a special assessment against the property. The City Clerk shall certify the assessment to the County Treasurer, to be collected as any other special assessment.
3-1-7 (B) Unlawful Deposits. It is unlawful for any person to throw or deposit on any street or alley any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter, offal, or any other debris or substance likely to injure any person, animal or vehicle.
Penalty: Any violation of these ordinances shall subject the property owner and/or tenant to being cited with a Municipal Infraction Citation:
● First Offense: $525.00 ● Each Repeat Offense: $750.00
Each citation issued will have a $25.00 Administrative Cost attached.
Any questions concerning this Public Notice should be directed to the Community Development Department at City Hall or by calling (563) 262-4141.