§ 16-105. Abatement of public nuisance created by maintenance of junk; removal and disposition of junk; costs of abatement and removal assessed.

(a)

The city may abate the public nuisance created by maintenance of junk by removing, taking custody of, and/or disposing of the violating junk by the method provided in this section. The city may abate such nuisances whether they exist on public property or on private property. The city, in its discretion, may employ its own personnel, equipment, and facilities for the purposes of abating a public nuisance caused by maintenance of junk, or the city, in its discretion, may employ other persons, equipment, and facilities for this purpose.

(b)

Whenever maintenance of junk is determined to exist, the city shall conduct the removal and disposition of the violating junk in accordance with the following procedure:

(1)

If the city determines that the violating junk is of such size and number as to permit individual identification, the city may post a notice on the violating junk, directing that it be removed from its location within ten calendar days. Additionally, the notice shall direct that the failure to remove the violating junk within ten calendar days may result in the junk being removed by or on behalf of the city.

(2)

If the city determines that the violating junk is not of such size and number as to permit individual identification, the city property inspector or mayor's designee may send notice by either of the following methods:

a.

The city may post a notice on the premises where the violation exists, reasonably identifying the violating junk, and directing that it be removed from its location within ten calendar days. Additionally, the notice shall direct that the failure to remove the violating junk within ten calendar days may result in the junk being removed by or on behalf of the City of Slidell.

b.

The city may send a letter to the owner or occupant of the premises where the violation exists, reasonably identifying the violation exists reasonably identify the violating junk, and directing that it be removed from its location within ten calendar days. Additionally, the notice shall direct that the failure to remove the violating junk within ten calendar days may result in the junk being removed by or on behalf of the city.

(3)

If the violating junk is not removed within ten calendar days, from the date of the giving of the notice required by subsections (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, the violating junk may be removed and disposed of by or on behalf of the City of Slidell.

(4)

After removal of junk pursuant to this section, the city may dispose of the junk by anyone or more of the following methods, at its option:

a.

The city may cause the junk to be delivered to a salvage or scrap facility and surrendered as scrap;

b.

The city may negotiate with any third party an agreement or agreements whereby the third party shall remove the junk in consideration of the third party receiving any salvage or scrap value which may be obtainable from the disposition of the junk;

c.

The city may otherwise dispose of the junk by any cost effective means available, including, but not limited to, the authorization of the city to pay reasonable fees to any third party willing to accept the junk if disposition of the junk is not immediately available by either of the methods specified in subsections (b)(4)(a). or (b)(4)(b) of this section.

(c)

To the extent that the city may incur any cost associated with the removal or abatement of the public nuisance caused by maintenance of junk, the actual cost to the city in having such work performed, along with reasonable administrative charges, is declared to be:

(1)

A personal liability of the owner or occupant of the immovable property where the work is performed; and

(2)

A personal liability of any person who committed an act of maintenance of junk out of which the work arises; and

(3)

A personal liability of any person who permitted or suffered an act of maintenance of junk out of which the work arises; and

(4)

A charge, cost or expense of the immovable property where the work is performed, which may be represented, secured, and collected by a privilege and lien preserved and enforced as permitted by applicable law, including, but not limited to, La. R.S. 33:4766.

(Ord. No. 3547, 10-13-2009)