A. Any person who becomes aware that a notice of violation has been issued with respect to an alleged violation of any provision of this title may, in lieu of court proceedings, pay the base penalty fee and any state or local mandatory surcharges within 30 days of the date of violation indicated on the notice of violation.

B. The presiding judge of the municipal court shall, from time to time, adopt a table of charges and penalty fees for violations of this title consistent with ordinances and resolutions of the city council.

C. If the owner or operator of a vehicle for which a notice of violation has been issued fails to pay the penalty fee indicated, or request a civil traffic hearing as provided in subsection (D) of this section, within 30 days from the date the notice of violation was issued, an additional twenty dollar ($20.00) penalty fee shall be added to the base penalty fee.

D. The owner or operator of a vehicle for which a notice of violation has been issued may contest the violation by requesting a civil traffic hearing. The request for hearing must be in writing and shall be submitted to the hearing officer or designee within 30 days of the date of the notice of violation.

E. If the owner or operator of a vehicle for which a notice of violation has been issued fails to pay the amount of the fine or request a hearing within 30 days of the issuance of the notice of violation, then a summons and complaint shall be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. The notice of violation for a parking violation shall be issued within 60 days from the date of the notice of violation. The summons shall command the registered owner to appear in the city court on a date and time certain.

F. When a person is found responsible for a violation by a judge or a civil traffic hearing officer, whether by default or after a hearing, the judge or hearing officer shall impose a civil sanction for the violation, which shall be not less than the amount of the prescribed fine, as indicated in subsection (A) of this section, any additional fine for the violation as provided in subsection (C) of this section, if applicable, and any additional fees, surcharges and penalties required by state, federal or local laws.

G. The provisions of subsections (A) and (F) of this section notwithstanding, a judge or civil traffic hearing officer may waive, suspend or reduce the penalty fee that would otherwise be required for a violation of MCC 10.20.080, if at the time of a hearing in city court it has been proven that the vehicle that was the subject of the violation was eligible for and had been issued a valid distinguishing insignia placard at the time of the violation. If a person is found responsible for such a violation and a civil sanction is imposed, however, the amount of the civil sanction imposed shall be subject to all of the applicable fees, surcharges and penalties described in subsection (F) of this section.

H. A civil sanction imposed pursuant to subsections (F) or (G) of this section, shall be a civil judgment. Such judgment may be recovered by the city as any other civil judgment including any applicable fees and charges. [Code 2004 § 12-13.]