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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 071310-T - False Alarm Fee AmendmentRESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS REQUESTING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, SENATOR OGDEN REPRESENTATIVE MALDONADO AND REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS TO SUPPORT THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION THAT AMENDS SECTION 214 197 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE PERTAINING TO FALSE ALARM FEES. WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown incurs costs in responding to numerous false alarm calls; and WHEREAS, Section 214.197 limits the amount that municipalities can charge in fake alarm penalties, and WHEREAS, amending Section 214.197 to allow municipalities to increase the false alarm penalties would help municipalities cover the costs incurred in responding to a large number of false alarm calls; and WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Georgetown are represented in the Texas State Senate by Senator Steve Ogden and in the Texas State House by Representatives Diana Maldonado and Dan Gattis; WHEREAS, the Texas Municipal League has also assisted Texas municipalities before the Texas Legislature; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION 1. That the City of Georgetown respectfully requests that the Texas Municipal League support legislation amending Section 214.197 as outlined in Exhibit A to this Resolution. SECTION 2. That the City of Georgetown respectfully submits the attached proposed Bill to Senator Ogden, Representative Maldonado, and Representative Gattis for their consideration and support as to introducing the bill. SECTION 3. The Wayor is hereby authorized to sign this Resolution and the City Secretary to attest thereto on behalf of the City of Georgetown. SECTION 4. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption. RESOLVED this day of Resolution No. Page 1 of 2 ATTEST: THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN: ssica Brettle, ity Secretary George Garver, Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mark T. Sokolow, City Attorney Resolution No Page 2 of 2 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the regulation of penalties for false alarms. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 214.197, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 214.197. PENALTIES FOR FALSE ALARMS A municipality may impose a penalty for the signaling of a false alarm by a burglar alarm system if at least three other false alarms have occurred during the preceding 12-month period. The amount of the penalty SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on September 1, 2011. Deleted: for the signaling of a false alarm as described by Section 214.196 may not exceed:11 (1) $50, if the location has had more than three but fewer than six other false alarms in the preceding 12-month period;¶ (2) $75, if the location has had more than five but fewer than eight other fake alarms in the preceding 12-month period;¶ (3) $100, if the location has had eight or more false alarms in the preceding 12- month period.