6,128 / 67.2% Yes votes ...... 2,991 / 32.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

This measure would also allow the Council to make a violation of City ordinances an offense lesser than a misdemeanor.

The current provisions of the City Charter do not expressly provide the City with the authority to require reimbursement for the City's costs in the investigation and enforcement of the City Charter and City ordinances. This measure expressly provides that any person convicted of a violation of the Charter or a City ordinance, or otherwise determined in a civil action to have committed a violation of the Charter or a City ordinance, shall be liable for reimbursing the City for all costs incurred by the City in the investigation and enforcement of the City Charter or City ordinance violation.

California law allows us to establish a larger maximum fine or jail term for violation of our laws than our current Charter and Code provide. Please note that this measure only establishes maximum amounts. The City doesn't typically ask for the maximum on a first violation. It is only after a person has repeatedly violated our Code that the City tries to secure the maximum amounts. And the City does this solely for the purpose of securing Code compliance. If the person had complied with our Code after the first violation, there would be no need to ask for a larger amount.

California law allows us to provide for fines up to $1,000 or jail terms up to one year or both for violations of our laws. Only a court can actually assess such fines or jail terms. We believe that our courts should have such discretion as a tool in securing compliance with our Code.

Vote YES on Measure V.