A. Every alarm user shall file with the police department a notice containing the names and telephone numbers of the persons to be notified to render repairs or service and secure the premises during any time the alarm is actuated. In addition, such notice may be posted. If posted, such notice shall be placed near the front door of the premises or gate if fenced, and this notice shall be posted in a position that is clearly visible.
B. In the event that the responsible person for the protected premises is requested by the Police Department to respond to the premises to render necessary service, such response and service shall be accomplished promptly.
C. Alarm users shall pay to the City reasonable costs, as determined and assessed by the Police Chief or Fire Chief, or his/her designee, respectively, for expenses incurred in securing premises where a burglar alarm or fire alarm has been activated, whether or not the activation is a false alarm. The assessment shall be satisfied by the alarm user within fifteen days after the alarm user has been notified of the assessment and the grounds for the assessment. This section shall apply only to instances where the alarm user has failed to reasonably respond to notification that an alarm has been activated on premises owned, occupied or controlled by the alarm user. If the expenses set forth in the assessment are not paid within 15 days, the alarm user may be placed on a no response status. The alarm user will be notified by first class mail of the no response status at the address on the alarm permit. An additional amount of 10% of the amount of the expenses per month, not to exceed 100%, shall be added to the expenses until paid. This assessment in this subsection shall be instituted to cover escalating costs incurred to pursue delinquent assessments requiring extended enforcement action.
D. Where the Police Chief or Fire Chief, or his/her designee, respectively, is required to cause the assessment of costs pursuant to the provisions of this section, he or she shall keep an accounting of the costs thereof, including administrative expenses for the abatement. The term "administrative expenses" includes but is not limited to the actual expenses and costs of the City in the preparation of notices, specifications and contracts, inspection of the work, office overhead, filing fees, and the costs of printing and mailings required under this Chapter. Upon conclusion of the assessment, he or she shall submit his or her itemized statement of costs in a Report to the Hearing Officer and set the same for a hearing before the Hearing Officer. Notice of the time and place of the hearing and a copy of the Report shall be given by the respective department to the alarm permit holder to which the assessments relate, and to any other interested person requesting the same, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person at his or her last known address at least five days in advance of the hearing. The hearing shall be heard before the Hearing Officer in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, California, at such date and time as provided by resolution.
E. Hearing by the Hearing Officer. At the time set for hearing, the Hearing Officer shall hear and consider all objections or protest to the assessment and may continue the hearing from time to time. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall allow or overrule any or all objections. The decision of the Hearing officer is final.
(Ord. MC-1037, 12-22-98; Ord. MC-773, 3-12-91; Ord. MC-201, 8-17-82; Ord. MC-125, 1-07-82)