(a) Criminal Penalties. Any person found guilty of violating, disobeying, omitting, neglecting or refusing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed committed each day on which a violation occurs or continues.
(b) Civil Violations and Forfeiture.
(1) In lieu of the criminal penalties set forth above, the Safety-Service Director may make an initial finding of a civil violation by the service provider for violating, disobeying, omitting, neglecting or refusing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter.
(2) The civil forfeiture shall be in an amount payable to the City of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense. A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed committed each day on which a violation occurs or continues.
(3) An action for civil forfeiture shall be commenced by providing the service provider with written notice describing in reasonable detail the service provider's alleged violation of one or more provisions of this chapter and the amount of the penalty that will be assessed against it.
(4) The service provider shall have 15 days subsequent to receipt of the Notice of Violation in which to correct the violation before the City may assess penalties against the service provider. The time in which to cure the violation may be extended by the City if additional time is required to correct the violation; provided that the service provider commences corrective action within seven days of the notice of violation and proceeds with reasonable diligence.
(5) The service provider may dispute the alleged violation by providing the City with written notice within five days of receipt of the notice of violation, setting forth in reasonable detail the reasons for its dispute. The City shall set a date for hearing of the alleged violation no sooner than 30 days and no later than 60 days from receipt of the notice of dispute.
(6) The City shall issue a written decision on the service provider's alleged violation within 30 days of the hearing, which decision shall be final and subject to the administrative appeal procedures under Ohio law. If the City finds after hearing that the alleged violation(s) did occur, the penalty shall be assessed starting 15 days from the notice of violation and shall continue until the violation has been corrected.
(c) Other Remedies. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as limiting any judicial remedies that the City may have, at law or in equity, for enforcement of this chapter.
(Ord. 2015-50. Passed 4-20-15.)