City Council Agenda and Packet 2015 05 19

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City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 20 of 33 the South Street Gateway, Eldorado Intake, Windy Gap and Core Area Utility projects are highly unpredictable and entirely outside City staff's control, and yet it is still necessary to budget funding for these projects so the City can proceed when other parties are ready to proceed. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council member Stolzmann suggested the updated document should reflect percentage complete over anticipated complete. ORDINANCE No. 1690, SERIES 2015 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2.32.060 OF THE LOUISVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL COURT ASSESSMENTS — 2nd Reading — Public Hearing Mayor Muckle requested a City Attorney introduction. City Attorney Light introduced Ordinance No. 1690, Series 2015. Mayor Muckle opened the public hearing and requested a staff presentation. City Clerk Varra explained the ordinance proposes to amend the Louisville Municipal Code to provide a provision to allow unpaid parking tickets to be sent to a collection agency. The current code provides that the Court can take no action unless three unpaid parking tickets have been written on the same vehicle. With the popularity of the City's summer events, the number of parking summons has risen. Recent statistics on unpaid parking tickets in 2014 reflect, an 89% increase over 2013. In 2014 there was $990.00 in unpaid parking tickets. The proposed collection process would prompt a letter from the Court to the defendant, noting an additional $15 late fee has been added to the fine. The letter requests the fine and late fee to be paid within 30 days. It also notifies the defendant if the total amount due is not paid, it will be referred to a collection agency where an additional 25% collection fee will be added. If the defendant fails to pay the fine, the case is sent to collection. It is the sole responsibility for the collection agency to collect the amount due. Collected funds are sent to the court on a monthly basis. Several neighboring courts utilize a collection agency for unpaid parking tickets. Both Brighton and Superior have used collection agencies for over ten years. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council approve Ordinance No. 1690, Series 2015. Municipal Judge Bruce Joss explained parking tickets are decriminalized and there is not much the court can do about collecting parking fines. Parking violations are defined as parking infractions and considered civil matters. This Code amendment will help collect fines on parking tickets. 51