137.03 DIVISION OF PARKING AND METER CONTROL.

   (a)    There is hereby created within the Department of Public Safety a Division of Parking and Meter Control which shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Director of Public Safety. Employees of the Division shall not receive original appointments in the Police or Fire Divisions of the Department of Public Safety.

   (b)    The Meter Control Clerks shall patrol the public ways within the City, under such regulations as the Safety Director may establish, for the purpose of enforcing all state laws and City ordinances which prohibit, control, regulate, direct, restrict or qualify the parking of vehicles and motor vehicles, as defined by Ohio R.C. 4511.01, at any location within the City whether a metered way or lot or not. In the performance of such duty each Meter Control Clerk shall have the authority, hereby granted, to issue citations for violations of such state laws and City ordinances. Meter Control Clerks shall have the authority to impound vehicles pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 307 of the Traffic Code, but shall in no instance operate the impounded vehicle. A vehicle shall be deemed impounded by a Meter Control Clerk from and after the time that such Clerk requests or calls City forces or the owner or lessee of land designated as a pound by the Safety Director, to remove the impounded vehicle.

   (c)    The Director of Public Safety shall make such rules as are necessary for the administration, operation, regulation and discipline of the Division of Parking and Meter Control and shall provide for the keeping of records of the proceedings of the Division. He shall prescribe a uniform for members of the Division and regulate the wearing thereof.

   (d)    Salaries and allowances of Meter Control Clerks shall be paid from the Parking Meter Fund.

   (e)    No person shall be appointed as a Meter Control Clerk unless he is:

      (1)    A United States citizen;

      (2)    A resident of the City or resides in an area within a nine-mile radius of the public square (Central Park) of Mansfield, Ohio, and within Richland County, and shall remain so resident while a Meter Control Clerk;

      (3)    At least eighteen years of age;

      (4)    Able to read and write the English language; and

      (5)    Physically qualified to perform the duties.

   (f)    No person shall hinder, obstruct or interfere in the performance of a duty by a Meter Control Clerk or abuse a Meter Control Clerk while in the performance of his duties. Any person convicted under the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

   (g)    The power and authority granted to Meter Control Clerks to issue citations for violations of State laws and City ordinances does not prevent the issuance of such citations by members of the Division of Police. (Ord. 66-430. Passed 9-20-66; Ord. 72-205. Passed 5-16-72; Ord. 93-120. Passed 7-20-93.)