§ 14-131. Enforcement, remedies and penalties.

(a)

The following violations of this article may be enforced by the issuance of a civil penalty in the amount provided. In addition, the remedies provided herein may be combined with any other remedies authorized by law and exercised in any order. Enforcement of this ordinance shall not include criminal citations.

(b)

Civil penalties: The following penalties shall be paid in full within ten (10) days of issuance:

(1)

Fifty dollars ($50.00): Failing to attend the mandatory initial meeting or any other required meeting after notice has been timely sent.

(2)

Fifty dollars ($50.00): Failing to register Residential Rental Property as required by section 14-123.

(3)

One hundred dollars ($100.00): Providing materially false or misleading residential rental property registration information.

(4)

Disorder activity while under initial or continued remedial action program: No civil penalties shall be issued for disorder activity events during the first sixty (60) days following the mandatory initial meeting. After sixty (60) days, if a disorder activity occurs, the city may review and make additional recommendations for the remedial action program. In order to recover the city's cost for additional review, processing, and recommendation, a two hundred fifty-dollar civil penalty may be issued if a confirmed disorder activity occurs on a property during a three-month remedial action program period.

(5)

The city and the city's police department shall assist the owner in addressing any criminal activity, which may include testifying in court in a summary ejectment action or other matter to aid in evicting a tenant who has been charged with a crime. If the city and the city's police department do not cooperate in evicting a tenant, the tenant's behavior or activity at issue shall not be counted as a disorder activity as set forth in the local ordinance and no civil penalties may be issued for such activity.

(c)

Notwithstanding that an owner of residential rental property has been issued a civil penalty for a violation of this article or the owner has failed to attend the mandatory initial meeting as set forth in section 14-125, the owner shall not commit the following acts:

(1)

Refuse or fail to comply with any order of the city to repair a dwelling pursuant to chapter 10, article IV, minimum standards, or

(2)

Terminate the utility services of any occupants or otherwise violate the rights of residential tenants under Article 2A, Article 5, or Article 6 Chapter 42 of the General Statutes.

(Ord. No. 2017-41, § 1(Exh. A), 7-11-17)