A municipal civil infraction is a tool available to address code violations which necessitate corrective action in a timely manner.  The benefit of the municipal civil infraction system is twofold.  First, it permits a reduced notice period to alleged violators of the maintenance code of the city.  In addition, an assessment of a fine is associated with a violation which has been committed.  The types of violations which would most commonly be processed as a municipal civil infraction would include: junk and debris, overgrown vegetation, parking on an unimproved surface and inoperable vehicles. 

Secondly, subsequent violations which occur and are of the same nature as a previous offense do not require providing the violator with any additional notice and the penalty for such violation is administered in accordance with a progressive fine schedule.  These type of infractions also allow a code enforcement officer to issue a violation without notice of the offense if the violation presents a serious threat to public health, safety or welfare.

Those cited for civil infractions will have the option of paying the penalty to the city or requesting an appeal hearing to be heard by the Special Magistrate.

In closing, a municipal civil infraction is an efficient system of handling civil offenses and provides staff with another way of enforcing the codes and ordinances of the city.  Therefore, please consider approving the ordinance as presented.