(A) Purpose. The Forest Lake City Council seeks to offer an alternative method of enforcement for code violations rather than relying on the criminal court system. The formal criminal prosecution process does not provide an environment to adequately address the unique and sensitive issues that are involved in many code violations, including, but not limited to, neighborhood concerns, livability issues, economic impact, physical limitations of the offenders and the stigma and unintended consequences of being charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor offense. In addition, the court system is a slow and overburdened process that is not conducive to dealing with the violations in a prompt and timely manner. Finally, the penalties afforded the criminal court system are restricted to fines or physical confinement, which are not always the most effective or appropriate solutions to address code violations.
(B) Authority. Pursuant to the authority provided in M.S. §§ 412.221, subds. 23, 24, 26 and 32, the City Council finds that an alternative enforcement process is necessary to protect the health, safety, order, convenience and general welfare of the citizens of the city. It is the City Council's intent to create a process for the use and imposition of administrative civil penalties that will provide the public and the city with a more effective alternative method for addressing City Code violations.
(C) Intent. A violation of the code is a misdemeanor pursuant to City Ordinance No. 557; however, this chapter seeks to gain compliance with the code through administrative citations, as an alternative to the commencement of any formal civil or criminal court action. These administrative civil penalties are in addition to any other legal or equitable remedy available to the city for City Code violations. The city may, in its discretion, choose not to issue an administrative citation and may initiate criminal charges, abatement, or civil proceedings instead.
(Ord. 733, passed 1-8-2024)