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HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-2002-2139-A e e ORDINANCE NO. 96-2139A AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 58, DSOLID WASTED, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, PROVIDING THAT ANY PERSON VIOLATING THE TERMS OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION SHALL BE FINED A SUM NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($250.00) FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE, AND TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00) FOR THE THIRD OR ANY SUBSEQUE,NT OFFENSE, AND EACH DAY OF VIOLATION SHALL BE DEEMED A SEPARATE OFFENSE, FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE: Section 1. Chapter 58, "Solid Waste", section 29, "Penalty for Violation of ArtiCle", of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended, and shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: "SECTION 29. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF ARTICLE. Any individual, as that term is defined in section 1.07(26), Texas Penal code, who shall violate any provision of this ordinance, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in an amount not to exceed the following: (1) one hundred dollars ($100.00), upon conviction for the first offense; (2) two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), upon conviction for the second offense; (3) two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), upon conviction for the third or any subsequent offense. Each day of any violation shall be deemed a separate offense." Section 2. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites, and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council was posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government e e Code; and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this ordinance and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. Section 3. This Ordinance shall be effective fourteen (14) days after its passage and approval. The City SeCrE!tary shall give notice of the passage of this ordinance by causing the caption hereof to be published in the official newspaper of the City of La Porte at least twice within ten (10) days after the passage of this ordinance. PASSED AND APPROVED, this C{U- day of PQf.e lMtWl, 2002. ~OF LA PO~~ By: ~ ?-- orman . al E: Mayor ATTESTt;fJ., (),~ ~ A. Gillett City Secretary APPROVED: ~:~ Assistant City Attorney 2 e e SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT REPORT In accordance with discussion held at the City Council Workshop on November 11, 2002 and discussions with the City Prosecutor, the following steps are proposed to begin enforcement of the Solid Waste Ordinance. . January 2003 - Begin new database to track violations by address. Enforcement will be one random zone per cycle, or approximately every 15 days. Inspection of selected zone at least 6 days prior to scheduled pickup. . First Offence - Door hanger placed identifying the violation and consequences of repeat violations. Personal contact to be made if possible. . Second Offence - Warning letter sent certified and regular mail identifying the violation, and consequences of repeat violations. Personal contact to be made if possible. . Third Offence - Citation issued. Delivered personally if possible. If resident not available, or refuses citation, turned over to Municipal Court for service by City Marshall. Violation subject to $100.00 fine under proposed amendment to Ordinance. . Fourth Offence - Citation issued. Delivered personally ifpossible. If resident not available, or refuses citation, turned over to Municipal Court for service by City Marshall. Violation subject to $250.00 fine under proposed amendment to Ordinance. . Fifth Offence - Citation issued. Delivered personally if possible. If resident not available, or refuses citation, turned over to Municipal Court for service by City Marshall. Violation subject up to $2,000.00 fine under proposed amendment to Ordinance. ; e e REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Ag.uda nat. Requested: ~}002 Requ....d By: S. Gm.tt ~ Department: Public Works Appropriation Source of Funds: N/A Account Number: N/A Report: Resolution: Ordinance: XX Amount Budgeted: N/A Exhibits: Ordinance Amount Requested: N/A Exhibits: Enforcement Report Budgeted Item: YES NO Exhibits: ,SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION On November 11, 2002, the City Council conducted a workshop on the proposed enforcement of the Solid Waste Ordinance. At the workshop, staff recommended amendment of the Ordinance to provide for a more progressive fme schedule for violation. As written, the Ordinance provides for a fine "not to exceed $2,000.00". The proposed amendment provides for increasing fines for repeat violations, as follows. First Violation: Second Violation: Third Violation: $100.00 $250.00 Up to $2,000.00 The proposed change will allow for a more progressive fine schedule, and also provide for the payment of a fine without court appearance. The attached Enforcement Report outlines the steps to be taken to enforce the Ordinance. It is anticipated that enforcement can begin on January 1,2003. Action Required bv Council: Approve Ordinance No, 96-2139A amending Chapter 58 of the Code of Ordinances. Approved for City Council A2:enda r~ ~Pl Date I