HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd2001-002
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Sponsored by: Janke
Introduction: March 27, 2001
Public Hearing: April 9, 2001
Enactment: April 9, 2001
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2001-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, REVISING SEWARD CITY CODE SECTION 9.15.150
WHEREAS, the fire department is responding to a significant number of false fire alarms
each year, a majority of which are caused by either malfunctioning systems or malicious mischief;
and
WHEREAS, the building owner is advised of the reason for the alarm and verbally
requested to correct the problem; and
WHEREAS, ifthe system continues to operate improperly, the building owner is issued an
Order to Correct; and
WHEREAS, on the Order to Correct, the building owner is given a certain amount oftime
to repair the system, a failure to comply will lead to a citation under AS 18.70.100; and
WHEREAS, revision of section 9.15.150 will allow the department to charge building
owners for false alarms instead of issuing a citation; and
WHEREAS, the payment shall be due within thirty days ofthe billing date as printed on the
invoice. The bill shall be considered late when the owner fails to make payment within thirty days
ofthe invoice date. Failure to make timely payment will subject the owner to a late payment charge
the amount of which will be set by resolution. Interest at a rate set by resolution shall accrue on the
account beginning thirty (30) days from the date of the invoice.
WHEREAS, this will give the department another option in gaining compliance without
going to court;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA,
HEREBY ORDAINS that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Section 9.15.150 is amended as follows:
Strikeemt = delete Bold = new
Section 9.15.150 False Fire Alarm
N5 person shall ttlm in a false fire alarm. (Ord. 367, 7.20, 1968)
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2001-002
A. No person shall cause, permit, make, or give a false alarm that a fire or other
incident dangerous to life or property, that would require emergency response, has
occurred or is about to occur.
B. A false alarm for a building alarm system shall be defined as an alarm generated
when no fire or emergency exists; it includes system malfunctions, faulty operation of
detectors, and intentional activations of an alarm system (malicious mischief). It does not
include incidents where the alarm system operated as designed but was activated accidently
or with good intent.
C. The owner of a building that contains a building alarm system shall pay to the city a
charge for each false alarm responded to by the fire department. The amount of the charge
shall be set in a schedule adopted by council resolution. The payment shall be due within
thirty (30) days of the billing date by the city, as printed on the invoice. The bill shall be
considered late when the building owner fails to make payment within thirty (30) days of
the invoice date. Failure to make timely payment will subject the building owner to a late
payment charge set by resolution. Interest at a rate set by resolution shall also accrue on
the account beginning thirty (30) days from the date of the invoice until paid in full. If the
building owner fails to pay the charges in the manner provided by {he city, the city may
seek payment by any lawful means.
D. The fire chief or his/her designee, may delay the imposition of the false alarm charge
by an agreement in writing if the owner of the building is working diligently with the fire
department to correct the cause of the problem with the system and such corrective action
is diligently pursued until the problem is corrected. Reasons supporting such a delay may
include the unavailability of a licensed technician or waiting on parts for repair. The chief
must submit to the city manager the reasons for granting the delay, the written agreement,
and the time frame it will be in effect. The city may reinstate the charges if the building
owner fails to complete the correction within the time frame established by the written
agreement.
E. The charge imposed by this section shall not apply to buildings occupied by a local,
state, or federal governmental entity if (1) the governmental entity provides on-site building
maintenance, management, or security personnel, twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7)
days a week, who have the ability and authority to confirm a false alarm, and (2) the
governmental entity provides the City an on-site, twenty-four (24) hour a day, telephone
contact number that is immediately answered by such personnel.
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2001-002
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten days following its enactment.
2001.
ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 9th day of April,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Blatchford, Calhoon, Clark, Orr, Shafer
None
Brossow, King
None
ATTEST:
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/".- CU(Ilt4,
Patrick Reilly
City Clerk
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THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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