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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2C, Discuss Traffic Administrative Fines ProgramEN HILLS Request for Council Review Prepared By: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Worksession Date: October 18, 2010 Discuss Traffic Administrative Fines Program Discussion Topic: Discuss the possibility of participating in a Traffic Administrative Fines program. Supporting Documents: 1. Memorandum dated October 18, 2010 from Patrick Klaers. EN "ARPHILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: October 18, 2010 TO: FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrato SUBJECT: Traffic Administrative Fines Program Background Honorable Mayor and City Council Members The 2009 Legislature approved a law that allowed municipalities to establish programs for Traffic Administrative Fines. Arden Hills discussed this concept in late 2009. The Council decision at that time was to not participate in a Traffic Administrative Fines program. All of the other cities in the RCSD Contract Cities group did decide to participate. In the summer of 2010, I updated the Council on the status of the Traffic Administrative Fines program for the Contract Cities group in Ramsey County. During the City budget work session, the Council indicated that they were open to participating in the program but that they wanted to discuss it further at an upcoming work session. Discussion Points Attached is one page of data from the RCSD on the Traffic Administrative Fines program for the Contract Cities group and the minutes from the June 17, 2010 meeting where an update on the program was provided. To call the program successful, and to say that the Sheriff's Department and the public support the program would be an understatement. I haven't heard from anyone who feels like the program has been abused and that Deputies are being overly aggressive in enforcement of the program. Feedback that I have received on the program is that the motoring public wants and likes the program and residential citizens wants and likes the program. The program does generate a minor amount of revenue to offset some law enforcement expenses, but "more revenues" is not the main purpose of the program. The main purpose of the program is to enhance pubic safety. Everyone is aware that most Judges do not support Police Officers and Deputies giving out speeding tickets for less than 10 mph over the limit. These cases can clog the court system for relatively minor offences. The Traffic Administrative Fines program helps to address this situation. One of the most common traffic complaints we get as a City is speeding in residential neighborhoods. Most of the time when these complaints are checked out, the speeding is between 5 -10 mph over the limit; it just seems much faster due to a curve in the road or the street being a little more narrow than typical or something on this order. Traffic Administrative Fines can offer some enforcement that normally would not happen and can satisfy the residents in the neighborhood that the City is responding to their concerns. I think that this program would also increase patrol visibility within Arden Hills. This is something that the City Council has stated that it wants to see happen. I have talked with the City Attorney about the program and he has not experienced any problems with it in Shoreview and supports it being implemented in Arden Hills. If the City Council approves this program and the Council changes its mind in a year or two, the program can always be repealed. Attached is a brief memo from the City Attorney on the program. Recommendation It is recommended the City Council direct staff to prepare the appropriate Traffic Administrative Fines program resolutions and ordinances for Council consideration. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE JURISDICTIONS THAT CONTRACT WITH THE RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR POLICE SERVICES JUNE 17, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m., at the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department Patrol Station Conference Room, 1411 Kirkwold Drive, Arden Hills. The following members were present: • George Altendorfer, Ramsey County Sheriff's Department • Melinda Coleman, City of North Oaks • Jim Dunlap, Ramsey County Sheriff's Department • Joel Hanson, City of Little Canada • Pat Klaers, City of Arden Hills • Joe Paget, Ramsey County Sheriff's Department • Jan Reagan, White Bear Township • Mike Salter, Ramsey County Sheriff's Department • Terry Schwerm, City of Shoreview • Bill Short, White Bear Township / Gem Lake • Gerry Urban, City of Vadnais Heights APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of May 20, 2010, were approved as written. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved with the addition of an update from Undersheriff Altendorfer on staffing / assignment scheduling, and with the addition of a grant update from Deputy Entner. TRAFFIC / ADMINISTRATIVE FINES Deputy Entner distributed the Second Quarter and the Year -to -Date Administrative Citation Reports. He stated that he can't say enough good things about the Administrative Citation Program. He stated that the program is an excellent tool and that it allows him to stop more vehicles versus just giving verbal warnings. He stated that there have been few complaints from the people stopped, and that the flyer is helpful to explain the program. It was noted that the Administrative Tickets are for speeds up to 10 mph over the limit, which usually occurs on residential streets. He stated that most of the people stopped have paid their fines. It was explained that $20.00 of each $60.00 fine is mandated to be sent to the State, and that the $40.00 goes back into the Contract Group budget as revenue and will be reconciled at the end of the year, after the overhead costs are determined. Minutes Sheriff Contract Group Meeting June 17, 2010 It was reported that a total of 531 Administrative Citations have been issued to date, and that the number of speeding citations issued was 513. Entner reported that the total fine amount is $31,860.00, and that $29,880.00 has been collected. He stated that there are 33 citations pending for payment at this time, which includes 16 disputed citations that ended up being issued as district citations, 1 disputed citation with the Hearing Officer, and 16 people that are having trouble paying the citation. GRANT UPDATE Deputy Entner reported that all overtime hours are being proposed for the Safe & Sober Project, and that he has applied for a total of $59,000 for the Sheriff's Department grant, plus $15,000 for dispatching. Altendorfer noted that Deputy Entner is the Program Administrator for all of these projects. Entner explained that this is federal grant money that is distributed through the state. He stated that it covers virtually every topic (speed, distracted drivers, motorcycle laws, DWI's , etc.). Deputy Entner reported that he has applied for, and hopes to receive $200,000 in grant dollars for squad car cameras. He stated that this will outfit 32 units. He stated that if awarded the grant, the entire fleet can be camera equipped for the cost of one or two units. MINNESOTA NIGHT TO UNITE PLANNING Deputy John Eastham and Barb Rousseau reported that they are beginning to receive registrations for the Night to Unite gatherings. They stated that this year they are planning a pot luck on July 28, at which time all of the Block Captains will be invited to pick up their bags of handouts for the event. Rousseau noted that the hand out items will also be available at other times for those who cannot pick them up during the pot luck. Rousseau invited the Contract Group members to attend the pot luck dinner. Deputy Eastham advised the members that he needs the signed Night to Unit Proclamations back as soon as available. Urban asked for information on the handouts as soon as possible, so the communities can determine if they wish to purchase any of them. Rousseau stated that they are waiting for samples, and that she will advise the members when she is sure what they are ordering. 2011 BUDGET ESTIMATE The budget dated 4/13/10, that was handed out at last month's meeting was redistributed and reviewed. 2 "_ �; Patrick Klaers City Administrator City of Arden Hills 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 Re: Administrative Traffic Citations Pat: I am attaching a proposed Resolution and Ordinance which, if adopted, would implement the administrative traffic fine process in the City of Arden Hills. Administrative fine citations could be issued for any of the following offenses: 1. Speeding under 10 MPH in excess of the lawful speed limit; and 2. Vehicle equipment safety violations, except those relating to seatbelts. A person who receives an Administrative Traffic Citation must pay a fine of $60 or appeal the citation to the district court where it would be processed as other traffic citations. The City would receive two - thirds of the total fines collected. The City's share of administrative traffic fine proceeds must be used for law enforcement purposes. The City needs to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety if it adopts the Administrative Traffic Fine Regulations. Three affirmative city council votes are necessary to approve the resolution and the ordinance. A public hearing proceeded by a published notice is not required. If you have any questions, please contact me. JPF /jmt Attachments October 6, 2010 Very my yours, (651 )290 -6907 j_fillaOpth•pa.com VIA EMAIL