A. The city council finds that there is a need for an alternative method of enforcement for minor violations of the municipal code and applicable state codes. The city council further finds that an appropriate method of enforcement for minor violations is an administrative citation program as authorized by Government Code Section 53069.4.
B. The procedures established in this chapter shall be in addition to criminal, civil or any other legal remedy established by law which may be pursued to address violations of the municipal code or applicable state codes.
C. The city council finds and determines that enforcement of the Murrieta Municipal Code, other ordinances adopted by the city, conditions on entitlements and terms and conditions of city agreements are matters of local concern and serve important public purposes. Consistent with its powers as a general law city, the city adopts this administrative citation program provision in order to achieve the following goals:
1. To protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city;
2. To gain compliance with the municipal code and state codes, ordinances and regulations in a timely and efficient manner;
3. To provide for an administrative process to appeal the imposition of administrative citations and fines;
4. To provide a method to hold parties responsible when they fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of the municipal code, ordinances, agreements or terms and conditions on entitlements in the city;
5. To minimize the expense and delay where the sole remedy is to pursue responsible parties in the civil or criminal justice system.
D. Use of this chapter shall be at the sole discretion of the city.
(Ord. 207 § 2 (part), 1999)