12-21-09-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION-DECEMBER 21, 2009 2 IA. Community Enhancement Program: Administrative Fine Program and Special Chargesfor Excessive Use of City Services Program (cont.) Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained the Council has been reviewing the code enforcement issues along with the abatement code. Council has since requested that staff research administrative fine programs, which was part of the 2009 work plan. He reviewed the current code enforcement trends. Community Development Director Lehnhoff ran through the proposed administrative fine program explaining that in some cases the threat of a fine encourages compliance, but that this program would not become a revenue generator. Staff expressed concern in that fines could not be assessed to properties, but instead became a civil court matter. He was also concerned that the costs of the program may out weigh the benefits. Community Development Director Lehnhoff then reviewed the excessive consumption program and noted this program could be assessed to property taxes if fines go unpaid. It was explained that the fines were a charge for City services, based on City staff time. He then asked for feedback from the Council. Councilmember Holden questioned if this applied to fire and police calls that were false alarms. - City Attorney Filla indicated that these types of calls fell under a different statute. He explained that any fines or fees assessed to the public would need to be well documented by staff and defined within City code. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated that John Mennenga could document his responses to property along with his cost per hour. Mayor Harpstead asked if there was another opportunity within a different statute to recover costs for multiple false alarms to a single property. Finance Director Iverson indicated the City does charge for false alarms at this time. City Attorney Filla suggested the name of the fine program be changed from excessive consumption to City service charge. Councilmember Holmes questioned how the fines would be assessed if the property was a rental.