09-27-2006 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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wad, SiziZ vsaIa MAYOR Bill Blesener COUNCIL Jim faValle Rick Montour Barbara Allan John Keis 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 ADMINISTRATOR (651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 Joel R. Hanson www.eLlittle-eanada.mn.us TO: Mayor Blesener and Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator DATE: September 22, 2006 SUBJECT: Administrative Fines Ordinance BACKGROUND Over the past several months, the contract cities group has been discussing the potential of adopting an administrative offense ordinance for certain traffic violations. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department has suggested that the contract cities consider adopting an administrative offense ordinance and believe it would be a more effective method of dealing with some traffic violations. An administrative offense is different than a criminal offense in that it would be handled at a local level, rather than through the Ramsey County Court System. If any of the contract cities proceed with an administrative offense ordinance, the Sheriff's Department would administer the program and also act as the hearing officer in disputed cases. Attached is a draft Administrative Offense ordinance that was prepared by the Sheriff's Department. Little Canada currently uses administrative penalties for violations of tobacco and alcohol compliance checks. The Sheriff's Department is suggesting that certain violations be allowed to be written as administrative offenses rather than criminal offenses. A subcommittee of City Managers /Administrators has recommended that only certain traffic violations be considered. These violations, along with suggested administrative penalties, are listed below: Current Court Penalty Proposed Administrative Penalty Speeding (0 -10 mph) $128 $50 Defective Equipment $118 $40 Cracked Windshield $128 $40 Illegal Window Tint $128 $40