1-12-1: AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE:
   A.   The city council finds and declares that there is a need for an alternative method of enforcement for violations of this code and that an appropriate method of enforcement is an administrative citation program.
   B.   The council additionally finds that it is in the public's interest to streamline enforcement of violations of city laws by providing for administrative citations. This is so because the issuance of an administrative citation provides for a quick resolution of uncontested violations, but continues to give persons who have been issued citations a hearing before a neutral party.
   C.   Pursuant to article XI, section 7, of the California Constitution, the city has the authority to make and enforce within its jurisdictional limits all laws for the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Reedley which are not in conflict with general state laws. In addition, California Government Code section 36901 specifically provides that the city may impose civil fines, penalties and forfeitures, up to a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), for violations of city ordinances. Further, California Government Code section 53069.4 expressly authorizes the city to establish an administrative citation program for violations of city ordinances.
   D.   The council further finds that certain violations of this code may be of such a nature, or the administrative citation may be ineffective in ensuring compliance with this code, that existing enforcement mechanisms may have to be utilized. These methods include, but are not necessarily limited to, the use of a criminal citation or complaint, abatement, or civil injunction. Therefore, nothing in this chapter is intended to preclude the city's use of alternative code enforcement methods. (Ord. 2013-003, 6-25-2013)