In no event shall the city be liable in damages to any person for an injury to person or property caused by a defect or dangerous place in a sidewalk, crosswalk, street, alley, sewer, public ground, public building, drain, gutter, ditch, or way, unless the city has had actual notice prior to the injury that the defect or dangerous place existed and a reasonable time thereafter in which to repair or remove it. Nor shall the city be liable for any other torts, acts, omissions or causes whatsoever. In no case shall more than $500 be recovered as damages for an injury resulting from such a defect or dangerous place or from such act, omission or cause. No action shall be maintained against the city for damages growing out of such an injury unless the claimant first gives written notice to the council within 30 days after the injury is sustained, stating specifically the time when, the place where, and the circumstances under which it was sustained; and that he or she will claim damage therefor of the city in an amount which he or she specifies. Nor shall the action be maintained unless 30 days have elapsed after the presentation of this notice to the council.