Vista Municipal Code § 3.56 Tobacco Retail License

Finality of Decision Section 3.56.010 Legislative Findings The City Council finds and determines that: A. California Penal Code Section 308 prohibits the sale or giving of tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age, as well as the purchase, receipt, or possession of tobacco products by persons under 21 years of age. B. California Business & Professions Code Section 22956-22963 ( Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement Act ( STAKE ACT)) authorizes the Department of Public Health CDPH), Food and Drug Branch ( FDB) to conduct retail inspections to determine compliance with state law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to underaged persons. C. California Business & Professions Code Section 22952 and California Penal Code Section 308 require that tobacco retailers post a conspicuous notice at each point of sale stating that selling tobacco products to anyone under 21 years of age is illegal. D. California Business & Profession Code Section 22962 prohibits the sale or display of any tobacco product or paraphernalia, including electronic smoking devices though a self-service display or vending machine and prohibits public access to cigarettes without the assistance of a clerk. E. California Penal Code Section 308.1 prohibits the sale of “ bidis” ( hand- rolled filterless cigarettes imported primarily from India and Southeastern Asia countries) except at those businesses that prohibit the presence of persons under 21 years of age. G. California Education Code Section 48901( a) prohibits public school students from smoking or using tobacco products while on campus, while attending school- sponsored activities, or while under the supervision or control of school district employees. H. Chapter 8.16 of the Vista Municipal Code regulates access to and use of tobacco products by persons under 21 years of age. I. California Health and Safety Code section 104559. 5 prohibits the sale of most flavored tobacco products including flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes in retail stores in California.

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J. California Business & Professions Code Section 22971. 3 authorizes local authorities to adopt tobacco retailer licensing laws to provide for the suspension and revocation of the local tobacco retailer license for any violation of a state tobacco control law. K. Despite the above referenced restrictions, minors continue to obtain cigarettes and other tobacco products at alarming rates. Each year an estimated 924 million packs of cigarettes are consumed by minors 12 to 17 years of age. L. In a 2001 California youth-buying survey, 17.1% of retailers surveyed unlawfully sold tobacco products to minors. M. In a 2004 San Diego County youth- buying survey, 33.4% of retailers surveyed unlawfully sold tobacco products to minors. N. The City of Vista has a substantial interest in promoting compliance with federal, state and local laws intended to regulate tobacco sales and use. O. Studies have shown that local tobacco retail licensing programs coupled with a strong enforcement program substantially reduces youth access to tobacco. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05; Ord. No. 2016-13, Amended, 9/13/16; Ord. No. 2023-7, Amended, 03/14/2023) Section 3.56.020 Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to encourage responsible tobacco retailing and

discourage violations of tobacco-related laws that prohibit the sale or distribution of tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age and tobacco- related laws that prohibit the display of tobacco products within reach of the public, but not to expand or reduce the degree to which the acts regulated by federal or state law are criminally proscribed or to alter the penalty provided therefore. Ord. No. 2005-12; Ord. No. 2016-13, Amended, 9/13/16) Section 3.56.030 Definitions

When used in this chapter, the following definitions shall have the meanings given by

this section, whether or not these words or phrases are capitalized: Hearing Officer” means the City employee designated by the City Manager to serve in this capacity. Itinerant Tobacco Retailing” means engaging in tobacco retailing at other than a fixed location. Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, trustee, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit. Proprietor” means a person with an ownership or managerial interest in a business. An ownership interest shall be deemed to exist when a person has a ten percent or greater interest in the stock, assets or income of a business other than the sole interest of security for debt. A managerial interest shall be deemed to exist when a person has, or can have, sole or shared control over the day-to-day operations of a business. Tobacco Product” means: ( 1) any substance containing tobacco leaf, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, bidis, or any other preparation of tobacco; and ( 2) any product or formulation of matter containing biologically active amounts of nicotine that is manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or other distributed with the expectation that the product or matter will be introduced into the human body, but does not include any product specifically approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for use in treating nicotine or tobacco product dependence. Tobacco Paraphernalia” includes cigarette papers or wrappers, pipes, holders of

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smoking materials of all types, cigarette rolling machines, and any other item designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco products. Tobacco Retailer” means any person who sells, offers for sale, exchanges, or offers to exchange for any form of consideration, tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia without regard to the quantity sold, offered for sale, exchanged, or offered for exchange. Tobacco Retailing” shall mean selling, offering for sale, exchanging, or offering to exchange for any form of consideration, tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia without regard to the quantity sold, offered for sale, exchanged, or offered for exchange. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05) Section 3.56.040 Requirement for Tobacco Retail License

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer without first

obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retail license pursuant to this chapter for each location at which tobacco retailing is to occur. No tobacco retail license will be issued to authorized tobacco retailing at other than a fixed location. No license will be issued for itinerant tobacco retailing or tobacco retailing from vehicles. B. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to grant any person obtaining a tobacco retail license any status or right other than the right to act as a tobacco retailer at the location in the City identified on the face of the license, subject to compliance with all other applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to render inapplicable, supersede, or apply in lieu of any other provision of applicable law, including, without limitation, any condition or limitation on indoor smoking made applicable to business establishments by Labor Code Section 6404.5. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05) Section 3.56.045 Maximum Number of Licenses

The number of licenses issued under this chapter shall be capped at 70. When the maximum number of licenses has been issued, the City shall place persons seeking a tobacco retail license on a waiting list. People on the waiting list will be allowed to apply on a first-come, first- serve basis, as existing licenses are not renewed and/or are revoked. A person who has purchased a business that currently possesses a valid City issued tobacco retailer license that is in good standing with the City will be entitled to first priority over any persons on the waitlist and may apply for a tobacco retail license without being placed on the waiting list. Ord No. 2023-11, Added, 10/24/23)

Section 3.56.050 Applications Procedure

A. Application for a tobacco retail license shall be submitted to the Finance Department in the name of each proprietor proposing to conduct tobacco retailing and shall be signed by each proprietor or an authorized agent thereof. A proprietor proposing to conduct tobacco retailing at more than one location shall submit a separate application for each location. B. All applications shall be submitted on a form supplied by the City and shall contain the following information: 1. The name, address, and telephone number of each proprietor. 2. The business name, address and telephone number of the fixed location for which a tobacco retail license is sought. 3. The name and mailing address authorized by each applicant to receive all license- related communications and notices ( the “ authorized address”). Failure to supply an authorized address shall be understood to consent to the provision of notice at the business

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address specified in paragraph 2, above. 4. Whether or not any applicant has previously been issued a license pursuant to this chapter that is or was at any time suspended or revoked and, if so, the dates of the suspension period or the date of revocation. 5. Such other information as the City Manager deems necessary for the administration or enforcement of this chapter. Ord. No. 2005- 12, Added, 06/28/05) Section 3.56.060 Issuance and Renewal of License

A. Upon the receipt of an application for a tobacco retail license and the payment of

a tobacco retail license fee, the City shall issue a license unless: 1. The application is incomplete or inaccurate. 2. The application seeks authorization for tobacco retailing at an address that appears on a license that is suspended, has been revoked, or is subject to suspension or revocation proceedings for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, this subparagraph shall not constitute a basis for denial of a license if either or both of the following apply: a. The applicant provides the City with documentation demonstrating that the applicant has acquired or is acquiring the premises or business in an arm’s length transaction. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an “arm’s length transaction” is defined as sale in good faith and for valuable consideration that reflects the fair market value in the open market between two informed and willing parties, neither under any compulsion to participate in the transaction. A sale between relatives, related companies or partners, or a sale for the primary purpose of avoiding the effect of the violations of this chapter that occurred at the location, is presumed not to be an “arm’s length transaction.” b. It has been more than three years since the most recent license for that location was revoked. 3. The application seeks authorization for tobacco retailing by a proprietor for which or whom a suspension is in effect or by a proprietor which or who has had a license revoked, pursuant to this chapter. 4. The application seeks an authorization for tobacco retailing that is unlawful pursuant to this code, or that is unlawful pursuant to any other local, state, or federal law. 5. The City has information that the applicant or his or her agents or employees have violated any local, state, or federal tobacco control law at the location for which the license or renewal of the license is sought within the preceding 30 day period. 6. The issuance of a tobacco retail license would be in conflict with any other City ordinance. B. Beginning from the effective date of this ordinance, all current licenses and any new licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall expire on June 30, 2011, regardless of the date of issuance and then June 30, annually, thereafter, unless prior thereto revoked by the City. An application to renew such license shall be made no later than 30 days prior, but no earlier than 60 days prior to the expiration of the license. A license may be renewed annually by submitting a tobacco retail license application to the Finance Department along with payment of a tobacco retail licensing fee; provided, however, a tobacco retail license that is suspended, has been revoked, or is subject to suspension or revocation proceedings shall not be renewed. The applicant shall follow all of the procedures and provide all of the information required by Section 3.56.050 above. The City shall process the application according to the provisions of this section. C. If the information required in the license application pursuant to Section

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3.56.050(C), items 1, 2, or 3, changes, a new tobacco retail license is required before the business may continue to act as a tobacco retailer. For example, if a proprietor to whom a license has been issued changes business location, that proprietor must apply for a new license prior to acting as a retailer at the new location. If the business is sold, the new owner must apply for a license for that location before acting as a tobacco retailer. D. A tobacco retail license that is not timely renewed pursuant to this chapter shall be automatically suspended by operation of law. If not renewed, a license shall be automatically revoked two years after the renewal date. To reinstate the paid status of a license that has been suspended due to the failure to timely pay the renewal fee, the tobacco retailer must: 1. Submit the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee of ten percent of the renewal fee; and 2. Submit a signed affidavit affirming that he or she has not sold any tobacco product or tobacco paraphernalia during the period the license was suspended for failure to pay the renewal fee. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05; Ord. No. 2010-12, Amended, 5/11/10) Section 3.56.070 Display of License

Each license shall be prominently displayed in a publicly visible location at the licensed

premises. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.080 License Fees

The fee for issuance or renewal of a tobacco retail license shall be established by

resolution of the City Council and shall be in addition to the City’s business license fee and any other license or permit fee imposed by this code upon the applicant. The tobacco retail license fee shall be paid to the City at the time the license application is submitted. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.090 Licenses Nontransferable

A tobacco retail license is nontransferable and is valid only for the person and location of

license issued, unless it is suspended or revoked for cause, for the period indicated. If a tobacco retail licensee changes the location of his or her business, that tobacco retail licensee must obtain a new tobacco retail license prior to acting as a tobacco retailer at the new location. If a business licensed to conduct tobacco retailing is sold or transferred, the new owner must obtain a tobacco retail license for that location before acting as a tobacco retailer. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.100 License Violation - Compliance Monitoring

A. It shall be a violation of a tobacco retail license for a tobacco retail licensee or his or her agents or employees to violate any local, state or federal tobacco- related law. B. Compliance with this chapter shall be monitored by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. Any peace officer or code compliance official also may enforce this chapter. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department shall check compliance of each tobacco retailer at least one time per 12 month period and shall conduct additional compliance checks as warranted. The compliance checks shall be conducted to determine, at a minimum, if the tobacco retailer is complying with tobacco laws regulating underage sales. The San Diego Sheriff’ s Department shall use youth decoys and comply with protocols for the compliance checks developed in

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consultation with the San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services and the San Diego District Attorney. When appropriate, the compliance checks shall determine compliance with other tobacco- related laws. C. The City shall not enforce any tobacco- related minimum- age law against a person who otherwise might be in violation of such law because of a person’s age ( hereinafter youth decoy”) if the potential violation occurs when: 1. The youth decoy is participating in a compliance check supervised by a peace officer or a Code compliance official; or 2. The youth decoy is participating in a compliance check funded in part by the San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services or funded in part, either directly or indirectly through sub-contracting, by the California Department of Health Services. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05) Section 3.56.110 Suspension or Revocation of License A. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, a tobacco retail license may be suspended or revoked if the City finds, after notice to the tobacco retail licensee and opportunity to be heard, that the tobacco retail licensee or his or her agents or employees has or have violated any of the provisions of this chapter or any applicable city, state or federal law; provided, however, violations by a licensee at one location may not be accumulated against other locations of that same tobacco retail licensee, nor may violations accumulated against a prior tobacco retail licensee at a licensed location be accumulated against a new tobacco retail licensee at the same licensed location. 1. Upon a finding by the City of a first license violation within any three-year period, the City shall: a. Require the licensee to pay a fine of $ 1,000 ( one thousand dollars); b. Advise the licensee of the penalties for further violations of the ordinance; and c. Require the licensee to provide documentation to the City that all employees engaged in the retail sales of tobacco have received training in a City approved program within 60 days after the warning, or such other time as shall be set by the City. 2. Upon a finding by the City of a second license violation within any three- year period, the license shall be suspended for 60 days. 3. Upon the finding by the City of a third license violation within any three- year period, the license shall be suspended for one year. 4. Upon a finding by the City of a fourth license violation within any three- year period, the license shall be revoked. B. A tobacco retail license shall be revoked if the City finds, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that any one of the conditions listed below exist. The revocation shall be without prejudice to the filing of a new application for a tobacco retail license. 1. One or more of the bases for denial of a tobacco retail license under Section 3.56.060 existed at the time the tobacco retail license application was made or at anytime before the tobacco retail license was issued. 2. The application is incomplete for failure to provide the information required by Section 3.56.050. 3. The information contained in the application, including supplemental information, if any, is found to be false in any material respect. 4. The application seeks authorization for tobacco retailing that is unlawful pursuant to this Code, or that is unlawful pursuant to any other local, state, or federal law. C. In the event the City suspends or revokes a tobacco retail license, written notice

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of the suspension or revocation shall be served upon the tobacco retail licensee within five days of the suspension or revocation in a manner prescribed in Section 3.56.050. The notice shall contain: 1. A brief statement of the specific grounds for such suspension or revocation; 2. A statement that the tobacco retail licensee may appeal the suspension or revocation by submitting an appeal, in writing, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.56.120, to the City, within ten calendar days of the date of the service of the notice; and 3. A statement that the failure to appeal the notice of suspension or revocation will constitute a waiver of all rights to an administrative appeal hearing, and the suspension or revocation will be final. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05; Ord. No. 2023-7, Amended, 03/14/2023) Section 3.56.120 Denial, Suspension and Revocation - Appeals

A. Any tobacco retail license applicant or licensee aggrieved by the decision of the

City in denying, suspending, or revoking a tobacco retail license, may appeal the decision, by submitting a written appeal to the City Clerk within ten calendar days from the date of service of the notice of denial, suspension, or revocation. The written appeal shall contain: 1. A brief statement in ordinary and concise language of the specific action protested, together with any material facts claimed to support the contentions of the appellant; 2. A brief statement in ordinary and concise language of the relief sought, and the reasons why it is claimed the protested action should be reversed or otherwise set aside; 3. The signatures of all parties named as appellants and their official mailing addresses; and 4. The verification ( by declaration under penalty of perjury) of at least one appellant as to the truth of the matters stated in the appeal. B. The appeal hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer. C. Upon receipt of any appeal filed pursuant to this section, the City Clerk shall transmit said appeal to the hearing officer who shall calendar it for a hearing. The hearing officer shall give the parties at least 15 calendar days written notice of the time and place of the hearing either by causing a copy of such notice to be delivered to the appellant personally or by mailing a copy thereof, postage prepaid, addressed to the appellant at the address shown on the appeal. Upon good cause, the hearing officer may grant one extension for the date of the hearing not to exceed 15 days from the original date set for the hearing. D. Only those matters or issues specifically raised by the appellant in the notice of appeal shall be considered in the hearing of the appeal. E. Failure of any person to file a timely appeal in accordance with the provisions of this section shall constitute an irrevocable waiver of the right to an administrative hearing and a final adjudication of the notice and order, or any portion thereof. F. Following the hearing on the appeal by the hearing officer, the decision of the hearing officer may be appealed to the City Manager or his or her designee. A decision of the City Manager or his or her designee shall be the final decision of the City. G. During a period of license suspension the tobacco retail licensee must remove from public view all tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia at the address that appears on the suspended or revoked tobacco retail license. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

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Section 3.56.130 Hearings - Generally

A. At the time set for hearing, the hearing officer shall proceed to hear the testimony

of material witnesses, the appellant, and other competent persons, including members of the public, respecting those matters or issues specifically listed by the appellant in the notice of appeal. B. The proceedings at the hearing shall be electronically recorded. Either party may provide a certified shorthand reporter to maintain a record of the proceedings at the party’s own expense. C. The hearing officer may, upon the request of the appellant or upon the request of the City, grant continuances from time to time for good cause shown, or upon his or her own motion. Ord. No. 2005- 12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.140 Conduct of Hearing

A. Hearings need not be conducted in accordance to the technical rules relating to

evidence and witnesses. Government Code Section 11513, Subsections ( a), (b) and ( c) as presently written or hereinafter amended shall apply to hearings under this chapter. B. Oral evidence shall be taken only upon oath or affirmation. C. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded. D. Each party shall have these rights, among others: 1. To call and examine witnesses on any matter relevant to the issues of the hearing. 2. To introduce documentary and physical evidence. 3. To cross- examine opposing witnesses on any matter relevant to the issues of the hearing. 4. To impeach any witness regardless of which party first called the witness to testify. 5. To rebut evidence presented against the party.

6. To represent himself, herself, or itself, or to be represented by anyone of

his, her, or its choice who is lawfully permitted do so. E. In reaching a decision, official notice may be taken, either before or after submission of the case for decision, of any fact that may be judicially noticed by the courts of this state or that may appear in any of the official records of the City of any of its departments. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.150 Form and Contents of Decision of Hearing Officer - Appeal to City Manager - Finality of Decision

A. If it is shown, by a preponderance of the evidence, that one or more bases exist to deny, suspend, or revoke the tobacco retail license, the hearing officer shall affirm the City’s decision to deny, suspend, or revoke the tobacco retail license. The decision of the hearing officer shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. B. The decision of the hearing officer shall inform the appellant that the decision may be appealed to the City Manager by filing a written appeal with the hearing officer within ten days of receipt of the decision of the hearing officer. The written appeal shall be forwarded to the City Manager upon receipt.

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C. Within 15 days of receipt of the written appeal, the City Manager shall review the

record of the hearing and issue a written decision to grant or deny the appeal. A decision of the City Manager shall be final. The City Manager shall provide appellant with a copy of his or her decision and that the time for judicial review is governed by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6. Copies of the decision shall be delivered to the parties personally or sent by certified mail to the address shown on the appeal. The decision shall be final when signed by City Manager and served as provided in this section. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.160 Enforcement

A. In addition to any other remedy, any person violating any provision of this chapter

shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each day a violation continues. B. Any violation of this chapter may be remedied by a civil action brought by the City Attorney. The City may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs of suit in any civil action brought by the City Attorney to remedy any violation of this chapter. C. Violations of this chapter are hereby declared to be public nuisances subject to abatement by the City. D. In addition to criminal sanctions and other remedies set forth in this chapter, administrative penalties may be imposed pursuant to Section 1.13.060 of this code against any person violating any provision of this chapter. Imposition, enforcement, collection and administrative review of administrative penalties imposed shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 1.13 of this code. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

Section 3.56.170 Severability

If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase in this chapter or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, that decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this chapter or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, or ineffective. Ord. No. 2005-12, Added, 06/28/05)

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Chapter 3. 60

Debt Collection

Sections:

3. 60. 010 Title
4. 60. 020 Definitions
5. 60. 030 Purpose
6. 60. 040 Effect of Other Provisions
7. 60. 050 Notice of Debt
8. 60. 060 Central Collection Effort
9. 60. 070 Payment Plans, Discounts and Additional Penalties
10. 60. 080 Collection Agency
11. 60. 090 Annual Report and Uncollectable Debt

Section 3. 60. 010 Title

This chapter shall be known as the " Debt Collection Ordinance." Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

Section 3. 60. 020 Definitions

Whenever the following words are used in this chapter, they shall have the meaning

ascribed to them in this section: City Manager" shall mean the City Manager of the City of Vista. Collector" shall mean the Finance Director/Treasurer of the City of Vista. Collection Agency" shall have the same meaning as defined under the Robbins- Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( Civil Code §§ 1788 et sec.). Collections" shall mean the activity related to the recovery of monies owed the city by lawful means. Debt" shall mean a sum of money, including principal, interest, and penalties, if any, lawfully owed to the City by debtor. Debtor" shall mean the person, corporation, or other legal entity owing a debt to the City. Delinquent" shall mean a debt that remains unpaid after the due date. Notice" shall mean a written correspondence to debtor advising of the debt owed the City. Penalty" shall mean a monetary assessment added to the original debt as a result of the debtor' s failure to repay debt in a timely manner as provided by City ordinance. City Attorney" shall mean the City Attorney of the City of Vista. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

Section 3. 60. 030 Purpose

This chapter is enacted to advance the efficient and timely collection of debts owed the

City. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

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Section 3. 60. 040 Effect of Other Provisions

Whenever there is a conflict between provisions of this chapter and state or federal law,

the state or federal law shall prevail. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

Section 3. 60. 050 Notice of a Debt

Whenever any person has been provided notice that they have an obligation to the city

to pay for a service, penalty, or fine, tax or other lawful obligation, the notice shall be deemed evidence of debt owed the City. The notice shall include the date of the obligation, and shall provide sufficient information to adequately inform the debtor of the nature of the outstanding debt. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

Section 3. 60. 060 Central Collection Effort

shall establish a process to centralize, streamline, and track The City Manager

collections of debt from each department and shall establish procedures as necessary for the timely collection of debts. The City Attorney, in consultation with the City Manager and Collector, shall assist in the collection of delinquent debts. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

Section 3. 60. 070 Payment Plans, Discounts, and Additional Penalties

A. The City Manager, Collector, or City Attorney may establish such payment plans

for the payment of debts in installments when appropriate and beneficial to the City. B. City Manager, the Collector, or City Attorney may authorize the waiver of a portion of penalties or interest or an adjustment on the principal of any debt when appropriate and beneficial to the City. The City Manager shall develop protocols and guidelines to limit these adjustments and to provide proper oversight and internal controls. C. City departments shall transfer delinquent debts to the Finance Department as shall impose a one time transfer fee of $ 15 and shalldirected by City policy. The Collector charge up to 10 percent simple interest a year on outstanding balances to cover costs of collection. The 10 percent simple interest charge shall be applied as 0. 833 of one percent on the first of each month. The total of transfer fee and interest shall not exceed $ 250. D. Additional expenses for process serving or court documentation or filings may be charged in addition to the $ 250 as may be allowed by law. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10; Ord. No. 2015- 15, Amended 8/ 25/ 15)

Section 3.60.080 Collection Agency

In the event the debtor fails to timely repay debt, the City may engage, as provided by state law, a collection agency to assist the City in securing payment. The City may impose an additional one- time ten percent transfer fee when transferring a debt to a collection agency. This charge may be waived by the City or the collection agency only if it results in a more timely payment of the debt to the City. This charge may be shared between the collection agency and the City as provided by contractual agreement. The collection agency shall exercise the best ethical, prudent, lawful, and professional efforts to secure collections on all debts referred by the City.

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The collection agency shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including, but

not limited to, the Robbins- Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The collection agent may use such payment plans or negotiate partial payments as may be authorized by the City Manager. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

Section 3. 60. 090 Annual Report and Uncollectable Debt

In the event that the cost of collection exceeds the amount recoverable on outstanding

accounts or when the Collector determines that there is no reasonable likelihood of recovery of the amount owed, the debt may be reported as " uncollectable" and the Collector may discontinue collection efforts. The Collector shall on or before the 15th of February each year provide the City Manager with an annual report on collections based on the preceding calendar year. The report shall include current status of each debt, the amount collected for the year through advanced

efforts),collection efforts ( those beyond routine department billing any adjustments to the debt,

and the number and amount of debts deemed uncollectable. Ord. No. 2010- 3, Added, 05/ 11/ 10)

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Chapter 3. 64

Establishment and Maintenance of Lease- Revenue Special Funds

Sections:

3. 64. 010 Establishment and Maintenance of Lease- Revenue Special Funds

Section 3. 64. 010 Establishment and Maintenance of Lease- Revenue Special Funds

A. By resolution or ordinance referring to this section, the City Council may establish a special fund with respect to lease revenues to be organized and maintained in conformity with the following requirements. B. The special fund shall be created, at the direction of the City Council, when the City is scheduled to purchase one or more parcels, under a single contract with a note serving as partial payment for those properties. C. The note shall be payable exclusively from revenues generated pursuant to a new lease that goes into effect at such time as the City acquires title to the properties or one or more preexisting leases that will remain in effect following the acquisition. D. During any time that the note remains outstanding: 1. All revenues collected pursuant to the lease will be deposited into the special fund. 2. All amounts in the special fund shall be used exclusively for making payments on the note as may be allowed or required. 3. Amounts in the special fund shall be used for no other purpose. E. The special fund shall be separately administered and the Finance Director shall maintain records of all deposits and disbursements, assuring compliance with the requirements of this ordinance. F. The note and interest thereon shall not be a debt, charge, lien, encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any of the City' s property or any of its income or receipts other than the lease revenue pledged to payment of the note. G. The limitations described in paragraph ( F) shall be included in the note. Ord. No. 2011- 1, Enacted, 2/ 22/ 2011)

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Chapter 3. 68

Community Benefit Districts

Sections:

3. 68. 010 Authority
4. 68. 020 Nonexclusive Procedure
5. 68. 030 Establishment of Districts
6. 68. 040 Incorporation of State Law
7. 68. 050 Relationship of Assessment to Zoning
8. 68. 060 Assessments Against Real Property
9. 68. 070 Initiation of Proceedings
10. 68. 080 Duration
11. 68. 090 Renewal
12. 68. 100 Disestablishment

Section 3. 68. 010 Authority

This Chapter is adopted pursuant to Article 1 of the City Charter, which provides that the

City shall have all powers and privileges that may be exercised by a charter city, except as limited by the California Constitution. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 020 Nonexclusive Procedure

This Chapter provides a procedure for the establishment of assessment districts that is separate from, and alternative to, other procedures under state or municipal law. This Chapter does not prohibit the City Council from establishing an assessment district or conducting proceedings for such district under any other procedure authorized by law. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 030 Establishment of Districts

Districts formed pursuant to this Chapter shall be identified as community benefit districts,

and once formed, assessments may be levied within the community benefit district as provided in this Chapter. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 040 Incorporation of State Law

This Chapter incorporates the Property and Business District Law of 1994 in effect on
and Highways Code §§ 36600 et seq.), which is referenced herein asJanuary 1, 2017 ( Streets

the " PBID law." For purposes of this incorporation, all references in the PBID law to a " district" or a " property and business district' shall be interpreted as references to a community benefit district. Except where a provision of the PBID law is inconsistent with a provision of this Chapter, all provisions of the PBID law shall apply to the establishment and operation of any community benefit district established pursuant to this Chapter. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and those of the PBID law, the provisions in this Chapter shall prevail. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

3. 68 ( l) Vista 3/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 050 Relationship of Assessment to Zoning

Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 36632 of the PBID law, any parcel of real

property, regardless of the zoning of such parcel, may be included in a community benefit district and subject to an assessment in connection therewith, so long as such parcel specially benefits from the services and improvements funded by that community benefit district. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 060 Assessments Against Real Property

Only assessments against real property may be levied in connection with a community

benefit district. ( Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 070 Initiation of Proceedings

In lieu of the requirements of Section 36621( a) of the PBID law, the City Council may initiate proceedings to form a community benefit district upon the submission of a written petition, signed by property owners in the proposed district who will pay more than 30 percent of the assessments proposed to be levied in connection with such district. The amount of assessment attributable to property owned by the same property owner that is in excess of 20 percent of the amount of all assessments proposed to be levied, shall not be included in determining whether the petition is signed by property owners who will pay more than 30 percent of the total amount of assessments proposed to be levied. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 080 Duration

The duration of a new community benefit district shall be no greater than specified in the

resolution of intention for the district, and shall in no event be in excess of 20 years. This Section is intended to supplant any shorter limitation set forth in the PBID law on the duration of assessments levied in connection with an assessment district. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 090 Renewal

A community benefit district may be renewed for a period of not to exceed twenty

additional years by following the procedures set forth in Section 36660 of the PBID law. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

Section 3. 68. 100 Disestablishment

The City Council may, on its own initiative, at any time, adopt a resolution of intention to

disestablish a community benefit district. In addition, the City Council shall adopt such a resolution if, during the annual thirty-day period set forth in Section 36670( a)( 2) of the PBID law, the City Council receives a written petition requesting disestablishment signed by property owners who pay more than 30 percent of the assessments levied in connection with the district. This section provides alternative method for the initiation of proceedings to disestablish a community benefit district and shall not be interpreted to preempt the existence of other methods set forth in Section 36670 of the PBID law. A resolution of intention adopted pursuant to this section shall have the same effect, and trigger the same notice and hearing requirements, as a resolution of intention otherwise adopted pursuant to Section 36670 of the PBID law. Ord. No. 2017- 3, Added, 03/ 30/ 17)

3. 68 ( 2) Vista 3/ 30/ 17)

Vista Municipal Code