HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/19/2002 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 018, 2002, AMENDIN AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 10
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: February 19, 2002FROM
FROM: Kathleen M. Lane
SUBJECT:
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 018, 2002, Amending Sections 19-49 and 19-50 of the City
Code Pertaining to Rules for Traffic Infractions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This Ordinance, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on February 5, 2002, amends
Sections 19-49 and 19-50 of the City Code pertaining to rules for traffic infractions.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 22
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: February 5, 2002FROM:
Kathleen M. Lane
SUBJECT:
First Reading of Ordinance No. 018, 2002, Amending Sections 19-49 and 19-50 of the City
Code Pertaining to Rules for Traffic Infractions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption oCeOrdiiPiRea din
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Municipal Judge Lane recommends amending Sections 19-49 and 19-50 to clarify that tickets
may be paid early, that initial me ay v ng and that the state Motor
Vehicle Division may cancel r den rive 1 n foy
payment of a traffic infraction
judgment.
BACKGROUND:
Most traffic violations filed in Municipal Court are considered traffic infractions that are civil in
nature. Article IV of Chapter 19 of the City Code was adopted in December 1990 to specify the
procedures to be followed in handling such cases. In order to improve customer service and
accurately reflect state law,three minor changes are recommended to that Article at this time:
1. Amend Section 19-49(a) to clarify that if a defendant chooses to pay a ticket, the Clerk will
accept payment as soon co the k is le From the ticket, the necessary
information can be enter into th ompu th ocessing of a receipt.
2. Amend Section 19-50(c) to c arify tha initia advisements can be offered in writing. The
Court has found that written advisements allow defendants who are not represented by
attorneys to review the charges against them, their rights and their options at their own pace
and make the best choice on how to proceed with their case. The Court has received many
compliments on the process from defendants and it also works well for Court staff. The
written advisement form gives the defendant the option of asking questions of the Judge, so
an in-person, oral advisement is always available. This process complies with the
provisions of Rule 210 of the Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure relating to
arraignment.
DATE: FeDruary 3,
ITEM NUMBER:
3. Amend Section 19-50(c) to more accurately reflect the consequence of failing to appear or
satisfy a judgment. According to state law, such failure now results in the cancellation of a
driver's license or denial of an application for a driver's license. This is a more serious
penalty than the hold previously placed on a license for such failure.