(A) Purpose and intent.
(1) Administrative offense procedures established pursuant to this section are intended to provide the public and the city with an informal, cost effective, and expeditious alternative to traditional criminal charges for violations on the part of certain provisions of this code of ordinances. The procedures are intended to be voluntary on the part of those who have been charged with administrative offenses.
(2) At any time prior to the payments of the administrative penalty as is provided for thereafter, the individual may withdraw from participation in the procedures, in which event the city may bring criminal charges in according to law. Likewise, the city, in its discretion, may choose not to initiate an administrative offense and may bring criminal charges in the first instance.
(3) In the event a party participates in the administrative offense procedures, but does not pay the monetary penalty, which may be imposed, the city will seek to collect the cost of administrative offense procedures as part of a subsequent criminal sentence, in the event the party is charged and is adjudicated guilty of the crime violation.
(Prior Code, § 1601.010)
(B) Administrative offense defined. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFENSE. A violation of a provision of this code of ordinances and is subject to the administrative penalties set forth in the schedule of offenses and penalties referred to in division (J) below, entitled “offenses and penalties”, hereinafter.
(Prior Code, § 1601.020)
(C) Notice.
(1) Any officer of the City Police Department or any other person employed by the city, authorized in writing by the Mayor of the city, and having authority to enforce this code of ordinances, shall, upon determining that there has been a violation, notify the violator, or the case of a vehicular violation, attach to the vehicle a notice of the violation.
(2) Said notice shall set forth the nature, date, and time of the violation, the name of the official issuing the notice, and the amount of the scheduled penalty.
(Prior Code, § 1601.030)
(D) Payment.
(1) Once such notice is given, the alleged violator may, within 15 days of the time of issuance of the notice, pay the amount set forth on the schedule of penalties for the violation, or may request a hearing in writing, as is provided for hereinafter.
(2) The penalty may be paid in person or by mail, and payment shall be deemed to be an admission of the violation.
(Prior Code, § 1601.040)
(E) Hearing.
(1) Any person contesting an administrative offense pursuant to this division (E) may, within seven days of the time of issuance of the notice, request a hearing by a Hearing Officer who shall forthwith conduct an informal hearing to determine if a violation has occurred.
(2) The Hearing Officer shall have the authority to dismiss the violation or reduce or waive the penalty imposed within seven days.
(Prior Code, § 1601.050)
(F) Hearing Officer. The Mayor shall designate in writing a Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer is authorized to hear and determine any controversy relating to administrative offenses provided for in the section and may be compensated by the city for such hearings and related findings.
(Prior Code, § 1601.060)
(G) Failure to pay.
(1) In the event a party charged with an administrative offense fails to pay the penalty, a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor charge may be brought against the alleged violator in accordance with applicable statutes.
(2) If the penalty is paid or if an individual is found not to have committed the administrative offense by the Hearing Officer, no such charge may be brought by the city for the same violation.
(Prior Code, § 1601.070)
(H) Disposition of penalties. All penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be paid to the city and deposited in the General Fund.
(Prior Code, § 1601.080)
(I) Offenses and penalties. Offenses which may be charged as administrative offenses and the penalties for such offenses shall be established by resolution of the City Council from time to time. Copies of such resolution shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk/Treasurer.
(Prior Code, § 1601.090)
(J) Offenses and penalties. Offenses and penalties shall be in an amount set by the City Council from time to time.
(Res. 2012-3, passed 1-11-2012)