Removal of weeds, trash and waste from property

A. Notice to Remove. The director is authorized to notify the owner of property to remove weeds, trash and waste that creates an unsanitary condition. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail, addressed to said owner at the last known address. A copy of the notice shall be posted on the property. B. Form of Notice. The notice shall describe the work required to be done and shall state that if the work is not commenced within sixty days after the notice is sent by the director and diligently prosecuted to completion without interruption, the director or the director's authorized representative shall enter upon the property and cause the removal of weeds, trash or waste that creates an unsanitary condition, and that the cost thereof shall be a lien on the property. The director shall observe the following procedures: 1. Upon failure, neglect, or refusal of any property owner to properly remove weeds, trash or waste within sixty days after the receipt of written notice or within sixty days after the date of such notice in the event the same is returned to the county because of an inability to make delivery thereof, provided the same is properly addressed to the last known address of such owner, the director is authorized and empowered to remove and dispose of such weeds, trash or waste. The director or the director's authorized representatives, including any contractor with whom the county contracts hereunder, and assistants, employees or agents of such contractor, are authorized to enter upon said property for the purpose of removing the weeds, trash or waste thereon. 2. When the county has removed the weeds, trash or waste from property or has paid for its removal, the actual cost thereof, plus accrued interest at the rate of 10 percent per year shall be charged to the owner of such property who shall be billed therefor by mail. The bill shall apprise the owner that failure to pay the bill will result in a lien. Interest at the rate of 10 percent per year shall accrue from the thirty-first calendar day after the bill has been mailed to the owner for the payment in the event that same has not been paid prior thereto. 3. Where the full amount due to the county is not paid by such owner within thirty calendar days after the bill has been mailed for payment, the director shall cause to be recorded with the director of finance a statement showing the cost and expense incurred for the work, the date the work was done, and the location of the property on which said work was done. The director of finance shall refer the statement for collection thereof to the corporation counsel. 4. The corporation counsel may proceed to file a mechanic's and materialman's lien pursuant to the provision of part II of chapter 507, Hawaii revised statutes, or any other appropriate lien procedure, if the owner fails to pay the amount duly noted on the statement by the director. 5. The director of finance shall cause to be kept a permanent record containing: (a) a description of each parcel of property for which the notice to remove weeds, trash and waste has been given; (b) a name of the property owner, if known; (c) the date on which such notice was mailed and posted; (d) the charges incurred by the county in removing the weeds, trash and waste, and all incidental expenses in connection therewith; and (e) a brief summary of the work performed. Each such entry shall be made as soon as possible after completion of such act. (Ord. 1876 § 2 (part), 1990)