For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
"Alarm system"
means any device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, which device, when actuated, emits a sound beyond the business premises or residential unit or dwelling protected by such device or transmits a signal or message to another location.
"False alarm"
means an activated alarm or alarm signal from any alarm system which is responded to within the city by the county sheriff's department, but for which no emergency situation exists or where there is no evidence to indicate that there was an emergency situation as determined by the responding officer. The term "false alarm" shall not include those alarms activated by extraordinary meteorological, atmospheric, or other conditions or means as determined by the sheriff's department.
"Fiscal year"
means the period from and including July 1 of any year to and including June 30 of the following year.
"Person"
means any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity.
(Code 1980, § 8.26.010; Ord. No. 409, § 1, 1990; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
A service charge which is established by resolution of the city council in order to defray costs incurred in providing law enforcement services in response to a false alarm shall be paid to the city, by each person who possesses premises for each third and subsequent police response made to those premises generated by a false alarm during any fiscal year.
(Code 1980, § 8.26.020; Ord. No. 409, § 1, 1990; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
The city's finance department shall cause to be issued a monthly bill for the unpaid service charges accrued during the billing period and any prior periods. Such bill shall be due and payable within 15 days after the billing date.
(Code 1980, § 8.26.030; Ord. No. 409, § 1, 1990; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
The amount of any service charge shall be deemed a debt to the city. An action may be commenced in the name of the city in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount of any unpaid service charges. All service charges shall be deemed delinquent 15 days after they are due and payable.
(Code 1980, § 8.26.040; Ord. No. 409, § 1, 1990; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)