07-28-2025 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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M N PUBLIC PROTECTION ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Alarm system means any alarm installation designed to be used for the prevention or detec- tion of burglary, robbery or fire on the premises which contain an alarm installation. Automobile alarm devices shall not be considered an alarm system under this section. Alarm user means the person in control of any building, structure or facility wherein an alarm system is maintained. False alarm means an alarm signal eliciting a response by public safety personnel when a situation requiring a response does not, in fact, exist, and which false alarm is caused by the activation of the alarm system through mechani- cal failure, alarm malfunction, improper instal- lation or the inadvertence of the alarm system's owner or lessees or of his employees or agents. The term "false alarm" does not include an alarm caused by climatic conditions, such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, utility line mishaps, violent condi- tions of nature or any other conditions which are clearly beyond the control of the alarm manufacturer, installer or owner. Public safety personnel means city employees or employees duly authorized to maintain and enforce public safety. (Code 1984, § 9.35(2); Code 2003, § 42-166) Sec. 5.04.220. Purpose and scope. (a) This article provides for regulation in the use of fire, burglary and safety alarms; establishes user fees, and establishes a system of administra- tion. (b) The purpose of this article is to protect the public safety services of the city from misuse of public safety alarms and to provide for the maximum possible service to public safety alarm users. (Code 1984, § 9.35(1); Code 2003, § 42-167) Sec. 5.04.230. User fee. (a) Once a public safety alarm system reports more than one false alarm to the city in a single calendar year and the alarm user has received § 5.04.260 timely notice of the violation, the alarm user shall be charged a user fee as fixed and determined by resolution. (b) Any alarm user required by the city to pay a user fee as the result of a false alarm may make a written appeal of the false alarm charge to the chief of police within ten days of notice from the city of the false alarm charge. (Code 1984, § 9.35(3); Code 2003, § 42-168; Ord. No. 165(2nd series), 12-8-1997; Ord. No. 178(3rd series), § 3, 10-10-2016) Sec. 5.04.240. Payment of fees. (a) Payment of user fees must be paid to the city treasurer within 30 days from the date of notice by the city to the alarm user. Failure to pay the fee within 30 days' notice will cause the alarm user to be considered delinquent and subject to a penalty of a full ten percent of the fee. (b) All delinquent charges for user fees shall be certified by the clerk to the county auditor, who shall prepare an assessment roll each year providing for assessment of the delinquent amounts against the respective properties served, which assessment roll shall be delivered to the council for adoption on or before the deadline established by statute. (Code 1984, § 9.35(4); Code 2003, § 42-169; Ord. No. 165(2nd series), 12-8-1997) Sec. 5.04.250. Alarm report. When an alarm user has incurred five false alarms or more within one calendar year, the alarm user shall submit within ten days after being charged with the fifth false alarm written verification to the chief of police that appropriate actions are being taken to discover and eliminate the cause of the false alarms. It is unlawful for any person to fail to submit such written verifica- tion required by this section. (Code 1984, § 9.35(5); Code 2003, § 42-170) Sec. 5.04.260. Confidentiality. (a) All information submitted in compliance with this article shall be held in confidence and shall be deemed a confidential record exempt from discovery to the extent permitted by law. CD5:15