The City of Cottage Grove passed along the cost of removing “noxious weeds” that were over eight inches tall at several city properties.

City ordinance allows for contracting for the removal of the weeds and assessing costs to the private properties.

This year, the city sent out 68 notices to property owners violating the city ordinance.

“The property owner was given five days after the notice to comply letter was received to abate the conditions or the city would do so and assess the property owner for the cost of the mowing and an abatement fee. In 12 instances, the property owners did not abate the conditions,” a memo to the City Council for review at its Oct. 7 meeting states.

Properties where the city contracted for abatement and the amount that will be assessed to the property are as follows: 6677 Ideal Ave. S. $198.18 7710 Iverson Ave S $182.11 7129 Joliet Ave S $310.66 8934 Hallmark Ave S $22.45 6442 82nd St. S $690.94 8538 Granadier Ave S $1,681.86 9281 Hale Ave S $621.3 The total in abatement fees for the properties was $3,947.52.

Four of the properties currently are vacant, and the fee assessed included an abatement fee as well for $50-$200 depending on if it was a first, second or third subsequent violation in the last 24 months.