[Adopted 12-3-1984 by Ord. No. 279, approved 12-4-1984 (Ch. 25 of the 1968 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
INFRACTION
Any violation of this Code, which violation has been specifically declared to be an "infraction." For purposes of this Code, an "infraction" is a civil offense.
MISDEMEANOR
A. 
A criminal offense, not amounting to a felony, arising from a violation of a law of the state, which violation is defined as a "misdemeanor"; or
B. 
Unless otherwise specified, a violation of any law of this City. Violations of this Code shall be treated as "misdemeanors" unless specifically declared to be municipal infractions.
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord. No. 349]
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord. No. 349]
The Council shall, by official act, declare the violation of which ordinance or ordinances shall be an infraction or infractions, and for each such violation, a specific fine shall be set. This fine shall never exceed $1,000 for any single, initial violation or $1,000 for each repeat or continuing violation. The fine shall be expressed as a discrete amount rather than being expressed in terms of a maximum or minimum amount. The authority to declare infractions and set fines shall not be delegated by the Council to any other administrative or legislative body.
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord. No. 349]
Those code enforcement officials authorized by the Council to enforce this Code may, after conducting an investigation into the facts and circumstances alleged in the affidavit or complaint, deliver a written warning or a citation to any person alleged to be committing an infraction. A copy of the citation shall be retained by the City and shall bear the certification of the enforcing official attesting to the truth of the matter set forth in the citation. The citation shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
A. 
The name and address of the person charged.
B. 
The nature of the infraction.
C. 
The location and time that the infraction occurred or was observed.
D. 
The amount of the infraction fine assessed.
E. 
The manner, location and time in which the fine may be paid to the City.
F. 
The right of the accused to stand trial for the infraction.
G. 
The enforcement officer's certification attesting to the truth of the matter set forth in the citation, or that the citation is based on an affidavit.
H. 
The effect of failing to pay the assessed fine or demand a trial within the prescribed time.
The fine for an infraction shall be as specified in the law violated. The fine is payable by the recipient of the citation to the City within 20 calendar days of receipt of the citation.
The City shall not conduct any formal hearing for those persons in receipt of a citation of infraction. Any offender so cited may pay the fine as indicated in the citation or elect to stand trial for the offense. This provision shall not prevent an offender from requesting, either personally or through an attorney, additional information concerning the infraction.
A person receiving the citation for an infraction may elect to stand trial for the offense by notifying the City, in writing, of his or her intention of standing trial. The notice shall be given at least five days prior to the date of payment as set forth in the citation. Upon receipt of the notice of the intention to stand trial, the City shall forward to the District Court having venue a copy of the notice from the person who received the citation indicating his or her intention to stand trial. Upon receipt of the citation, the District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the defendant of the trial date. All fines, penalties or forfeitures collected by the District Court for violations of infractions shall be remitted to the general fund of the City.
If a person receiving a citation for an infraction fails to pay the fine for the infraction by the date of payment set forth on the citation and fails to file a notice of his or her intention to stand trial for the offense, a formal notice of the infraction shall be sent to the offender's last known address. If the citation has not been satisfied within 15 days from the date of the notice, he or she shall be liable for an additional fine not to exceed twice the original fine. If, after 35 days, the citation has not been satisfied, the City may request adjudication of the case through the District Court. The District Court shall promptly schedule the case for trial and summon the defendant to appear.
Conviction of a municipal infraction, whether by the District Court or by payment of the fine to the City, is not a criminal conviction for any purpose, nor does it impose any of the civil disabilities ordinarily imposed by a criminal conviction.
In any proceeding for a municipal infraction, the accused shall have the same rights as for the trial of criminal cases. He or she shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses against him or her, to testify or introduce evidence in his or her own behalf and to be represented by an attorney of his or her own selection and at his or her own expense.