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<br />5.20 Enforcement <br /> <br />Subdivision 1. The City Council of the City of Ramsey has determined that the health, <br />safety, good order, general welfare, and convenience of the public is threatened by certain public <br />nuisances or City Code violations on property within the City limits and finds the need for <br />alternative methods of enforcing City Code. While criminal fines and penalties have been the <br />most frequent enforcement mechanism, there are certain negative consequences for both the city <br />and the accused. The delay inherent in that system does not ensure prompt resolution. <br />Accordingly, the City Council finds that the use of abatement, administrative citationing, and <br />administrative hearings is an addition to any other legal remedy that may be pursued. The City <br />has the option to utilize any of the following three procedures to enforce the City Code. These <br />procedures may be used separately; or in combination, to alleviate the violation. <br /> <br />Subdivision 2. <br /> <br />Abatement. <br /> <br />a) Application. This Section shall apply to the abatement of all public <br />nuisances and other violations as defined within the City Code unless <br />another procedure is specifically provided. <br /> <br />b) Hearing Examiner and the Administrative Hearing <br /> <br />a. Position Created. The position of Hearing Examiner is hereby <br />created. The City Administrator or his/her designee may, at their <br />discretion and with approval of the City Council, contract with <br />third parties for the furnishing of all services of the Hearing <br />Examiner as contained in this subsection and set the rate of <br />compensation therefore in the City's Rates and Charges. <br /> <br />b. Duties of Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner shall have the <br />following duties: <br />1. Set dates and hear all contested cases following appeals of <br />orders of the City Administrator or hislher designee. <br />2. Take testimony from all interested parties. <br />3. Make a complete record of all proceedings. <br />4. Affirm, repeal or modify the order of the City <br />Administrator and hislher designees, and prepare written <br />findings of fact. <br /> <br />c) Inspections and Investigations <br /> <br />a. Periodic Inspections. The City Administrator or hislher designee <br />shall cause to be inspected all public and private places within the <br />City which might contain a public nuisance or violation as defined <br />in this Code as often as practicable to determine whether any such <br />conditions exist. The City Administrator or hislher designee shall <br />