06/18/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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eou„~a n~i;nates of 6~1s/2002 realizing the amount of revenue that is incurred through traffic violations and further after realizing that, although these violations take place in our city and our city Police _~. Department performs the physical and administrative duties incurred as a result of °'=~ these violations, it seems only logical that the city should then benefit from any revenue produced by our own work and efforts. The project is envisioned as follows: Although it is technically called a mayor's court, it would be led by a magistrate selected through an objective process in cooperation and involvemerrt of both Council and the administration. The basis behind this is that a mayor should. not be placed in a position to rule on such issues that would be presented to this court, nor does a mayor have the time to deal with an extra huge project that this would represent. A violator would be given the opportunity to settle his ticket in the mayor's court as opposed to going to Rocky River Municipal Court. Should they choose to contest a ticket, they would be referred to the Rocky River Court. An administrator would establish the court's schedule and a manner of collecting fines, which would then serve to benefit the city's General Fund. The cost of administering such a court is far less than the poterrtial revenue which the city would rightfully realize. We have both the facility here as well as appropriate parking should this court be held after City Hall hours. Further, holding the court in late afternoon or evening would offer some cooperative effort on the part of the city to allow violators to pay fines without missing work. Other cities which employ a mayor's court report revenue from traffic violations anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 a yeaz. Since revenue is produced from traffic violations, and that is not going to change, it seems only right that our city should be the one to benefit from that revenue source when we provide the effort behind the program. It was unanimous among members present at the meeting that this issue be further investigated with regard to our present obligatians to the Rocky River Court system and the method for administering the program as seen in other municipalities. The Law Director has agreed to assist in the investigation with regard to North Olmsted's obligations to Rocky River Court. The Prosecutor, should the Law Director designate him to assist as well, will then request that representatives from other cities present their programs to Council at a Public Safety Committee meeting. Should this program appear feasible following those discussions, legislation will be prepazed for Council's consideration. Councilman Miller, chairperson of the Intra-Governmental Relations and Legislation; Long-Range Planning Committee: 1) Last evening, he attended portions of the Landmarks Commission meeting as he was also attending Council committee meetings. He encouraged the Landmarks Commission to expedite their review and response to Council of the library plans. The Commission requested that he present in ordinance form what is now Ordinance 2002-106 and which will be reviewed by committee. 2) He had received a request from the Mayor that the Legislative Committee consider the appointment of an individual to the Recreation Commission. However, that request was subsequently withdrawn. At this time, there is an opening on the Recreation Commission which will be an appoirrtmerrt by the Mayor. If individuals are interested, they can contact the Mayor for consideration and then review by Council. 10