(A) Implementation and Rulemaking. The city shall implement and enforce this article and shall promulgate appropriate guidelines or rules for such purposes. Any guidelines or rules promulgated by the city shall have the force and effect of law and may be relied on by employers, employees, and other parties to determine their rights and responsibilities under this article. Any such guidelines or rules shall establish procedures for ensuring fair, efficient and cost-effective implementation of this article, including supplementary procedures, such as a hotline, for helping to inform employees of their rights under this article and for monitoring employer compliance with this article.
(B) Civil enforcement. Any employee receiving less than the wage to which the employee is entitled under this article may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction and, upon prevailing, shall recover the balance of the wages owed, including interest thereon, and an additional amount equal to twice the wages owed, and any other appropriate legal or equitable relief. Any employee who has suffered discrimination in any manner or had adverse action taken against that employee in retaliation for exercising rights protected under this article may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction and, upon prevailing, shall recover actual damages plus reinstatement in the case of discharge. In any case where an employee has been discharged in retaliation for exercising rights under this article, the period of violation extends from the day of discharge until the day the employee is reinstated, the day the employee agrees to waive reinstatement or, in the case of an employee who may not be rehired, from the day of discharge until the day legal judgment is final. In such case, unpaid wages and actual damages recovered shall be payable to the individual employee as to whom the violation occurred. A plaintiff prevailing in an action to enforce this article shall be entitled to recover his or her costs and expenses of suit and reasonable attorney's fees.
(C) Criminal penalty. Any person who violates this article shall be deemed guilty of a petty misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to the criminal penalty provisions set forth in § 1-1-99 of this code of ordinances. Each separate violation shall constitute a separate offense and each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(D) The City Attorney shall enforce this article.
(Ord. 12-2006; Am. Ord. 2014-011)