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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance #3058 - settlement option for citations written for certain ordinance violations ORDINANCE #3058 ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH SETTLEMENT OPTION FOR CITATIONS WRITTEN FOR CERTAIN ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS WHEREAS, it is the desire and intent of the City of Canton to allow citizens to settle certain ordinance violations directly at City Hall prior to court; WHEREAS, the Finance Committee of the City of Canton has determined that it is necessary and in the best interest of citizens of Canton that they be allowed to settle citations issued for certain ordinance violations directly at City Hall; and WHEREAS, the Canton City Council has made a similar determination. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDANINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CANTON, Fulton County, Illinois, as follows: That the Canton Municipal Code be amended to read as follows: SETTLEMENT OF ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS: A. A Citation is herewith defined as a ticket used in the case of certain ordinance violations in lieu of arrest. B. Citations may be issued for any violation of an ordinance of the City, except for violations of any ordinance comparable to those offenses specified in Supreme Court Rule 551 of Illinois Revised Statutes, as now in force or hereafter amended. Citations may be issued by police officers of the City, Canton Park District police officers, City Code Enforcement Officer, other local law enforcement officers, and authorized City officials including, but not limited to, building inspectors, electrical inspectors, fire inspectors. These authorized City officers or officials may issue citations pursuant to the duties expressed in applicable sections of this Code, such as designated herein: 1. Fire chief, or his designee, in violations in Title 5; 2. Public works director, or his designee, violations in Title 8; 3. Building inspector violations in Title 4, Title 10 and Title 11. C. At the discretion of any police officer or agent of the City authorized to issue such citations, a citation may be issued in lieu of arrest using the following procedure: 1. The citation shall be on a ticket form prescribed by the City Council. 2. When a citation is issued, the person accused of the violation may settle and compromise (pay) the citation for the amount as set forth in a fee schedule adopted by the City Council. The settlement amount for each subsequent violation shall increase by $100. 3. All settlement fees shall be paid to the City of Canton at City Hall either in person or in the payment drop box located on the first floor of City Hall. Payments will only be accepted in the form of cash, money order, or credit card (if available). 4. If the person accused of such violation does not settle the claim by payment of the settlement fee within the 14 days from the issuance of the citation, the unpaid citation will automatically be forwarded to the Fulton County Courthouse for prosecution and the cited person must appear in court on the date noted on the citation. The cited person shall be subject to the fine and penalties set forth in the applicable section of this Code including any additional fees set by the court. 5. The City Attorney shall have the authority to delay filing with the court any citation charging a person with violation of the Code in order to allow that person an opportunity to settle the case prior to his or her court appearance. 6. If the settlement amount, as set forth in Attachment A is paid within 14 days as provided above, no formal court complaint charging the person with the particular violation shall be filed by City Attorney. PASSED by the City Council of the City of Canton, Fulton County, Illinois at a regular meeting this 15TH day of April, 2014 upon a roll call vote as follows: AYES: Aldermen West, Putrich,Jim Nelson, Pickel,Justin Nelson, Ellis, Lovell, Pasley NAYS: None ABSENT: None APPROVED: r'� _11-�J'// � Je frey . Fr , ayor ATT T: Dian av y-Ro , City C erk �