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ORD 817 10/23/2007 ORDINANCE 817 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CITATIONS STEMMING FROM ALLEGED CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR RULES, STANDARDS, PROCEDURES, CRIMINAL PENALTIES, AND SEVERABILITY. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cibolo ("City Council") seeks to promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the municipality and the safe, orderly, and healthful development of the municipality; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that state law does not provide rules and regulations relating to issuance of citations in criminal cases stemming from local ordinances by non-peace officers; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that that the local administration of justice requires that such rules and regulations exist; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 51.001, the City has general authority to adopt an ordinance or police regulation that is for the good government, peace and order of the City, and is necessary or proper for carrying out a power granted by law to the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that A is necessary and proper for the good government, peace and order of the City of Cibolo to adopt an ordinance regulating the issuance of citations in criminal cases stemming from local ordinances by non-peace officers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CIBOLO; TEXAS ISSUANCE OF CITATIONS SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS Citation:An ordinance violation notice and notice to appear before the Cibolo Municipal Court, as provided for in this Ordinance. City: the City of Cibolo, a home-rule municipality located .in Guadalupe County, Texas. Person: Any individual, association, firm, corporation, governmental agency, political subdivision, or legal entity of any kind. SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION 2.1 Relation to Related Laws A citation issued pursuant to this Ordinance does not relate to authority of a peace officer to issue a citation pursuant to Article 14.06(d) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure or Section 543.003 of the Texas Transportation Code. 2.2 Authority to Issue Citations Pursuant to this Chapter, and the scope of their assigned duties, a citation may be issued of the following individuals so designated by the City Council: (a) Code Enforcement Officer(s) (b) Animal Control Officer(s) 2.3 Form & Content of Citation A citation issued under this section must be in a form approved by the Municipal Court Clerk that includes the following information: (a) the name, address, date of birth, and/or driver's license number, physical description, and telephone number of the person cited; (b) the offense for which the person is charged; (c) the date and location of the offense; (d) a deadline to contact the Municipal Court; (e) a statement requiring the person receiving the citation to appear at Municipal Court on or before the deadline indicated on the citation; (f) a statement of the person's promise to respond to the citation, pursuant to Article 27.14 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, by the deadline indicated on the citation, including a place for the person cited to provide the person's signature; and (g) the signature of the person issuing the citation. 2.4 Pleading Subsequent to Issuance of Citation All pleas arising from the issuance of a citation under this Chapter shall be made pursuant to Article 27.14 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 3. RELATED OFFENSES & PENALTY 3.1 Ordinance Violation of Promise to Appear ., A person issued a citation, as authorized by this Ordinance, commits an offense if the person fails to appear or enter a plea pursuant to Section 2.4 on or before the deadline to appear indicated on the citation as authorized by Article 38.10 of the Texas Penal Code. 3.2 Interference or Obstruction of Issuance A person commits an offense if the person interferes with or obstructs the issuance of a citation under this Ordinance. 3.3 Providing False of Fictitious Name A person commits an offense if the person gives a false or fictitious name, address, or other information to an individual authorized to issue a citation under this Ordinance. 3.4 Penalty Each violation under this section is a misdemeanor offense punishable upon conviction by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2000.00) per offense. Each day shall constitute a separate offense. 1. SEVERABILITY Should any of the clauses, sentences, paragraphs, sections or parts of this Ordinance be deemed invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court of law or administrative agency with jurisdiction over the matter, such action shall not be construed to affect any other valid portion of this Ordinance. This Ordinance shall become adopted and effective immediately upon passage. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS a3 DAY OF Dc-6/..,, , 2007. WA/1,18A` ,jr�t7 Clam,. J nifer Hman, Mayor City of Cibolo, Texas ATTEST: Peggy Cimics City Secretary City of Cibolo, Texas APPROVED AS TO FORM: SUSAN ROCHA City Attorney City of Cibolo, Texas