§ 170. Notice—how served.

A notice of the passage of such resolution and of the fact that such estimated assessment has been filed, and of the time within which objections may be made, shall be served by the city clerk, or an assistant, upon the owner of each piece of property to be assessed, in the manner provided by law for the service of summons in civil actions. If any such owners or persons are not residents of the county, or it appears by the return, in any case, of the notice, that such owner cannot be found, they shall be notified by publishing such notice at least twice in the City Bulletin. Whether by actual service or publication such notice shall be completed at least twenty days before the improvement is commenced, and the return of the officer or person serving the notice, or a certified copy of the return shall be prima facie evidence of the service of the notice as herein required.