1B, Administrative Fines for Traffic Offenses

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MEMORANDUM DATE: December 21, 2009 Item 1.B TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Ron Moorse, City Administrator SUBJECT: Administrative Fines for Traffic Offenses Backiround State Statute enables cities to put in place a program of administrative fines for certain traffic offenses. Attached is a packet of information from the League of Minnesota Cites regarding implementing administrative fines for traffic offenses. The key elements of the administrative fine program are as follows: 1. An administrative traffic citation can be issued for three violations a. Violation of the speed limit by less than 10 miles per hour b. Failure to obey a stop line c. Operation of a vehicle with a cracked windshield or other specific equipment violation 2. The fine for an administrative traffic citation is $60.00; of which $20.00 goes to the City, $20.00 goes to the County, and $20.00 goes to the State:. (The fine for a regular speeding citation for less than 10 miles over the limit is $121.0,0; of which $20.00 goes to the City, $20.00 goes to the County, and $81.00 goes to the state.) 3. The City must provide an appeal process using a neutral third party hearing officer The cities that participate in the cooperative police services arrangement with the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department have discussed the administrative fine option with the Sheriffs Department. The Sheriffs Department believes the administrative fine process would be a beneficial tool, particularly for speed enforcement. Administrative fines can be used when a vehicle exceeds the speed limit by less than 10 miles per hour. This is particularly beneficial in areas with lower speed limits, such as 30, 35, or 40 miles per hour, which include the City' s residential areas.