§ 58-7. Hearings.

The owner of any real estate assessed for an improvement under this chapter, or any party having an interest therein, may appear at the time and place fixed for the hearing and object to the proposed assessment against the property, or to the amount thereof. The city council shall hear and determine all objections and protests to the proposed assessments under such reasonable rules and regulations as it may adopt. It shall have authority, by the mayor, clerk or other executive officer, to issue subpoenas for witnesses to appear before it, or before any committee appointed by it, and to administer oaths to the witnesses to be examined. At such meeting, or at any adjourned meeting thereof, the city council may alter, change and correct any assessment; provided, however, that no assessments shall be increased without notice to the owner of the property and to all persons interested therein. The city council shall by resolution approve and endorse all assessments as finally fixed and adjusted at the hearing, and such assessments shall, from the date of such confirmation, constitute a lien on the respective lots or parcels of land or other real property upon which they are levied, superior to all other liens except those for city, state and county taxes. All persons who fail to object to the proposed assessments in the manner provided in this section shall be deemed to have consented to and approved the proposed assessments.

(Code 1982, § 2-196)