§ 134-130. Penalties.

(a)

The city attorney is authorized to seek an injunction to prevent additional violations of the provisions of this section.

(b)

The existence of any illegal sign on the public right-of-way constitutes prima facie evidence that any individual or entity depicted or advertised on an illegal sign caused, authorized, allowed, or is allowing the placement or posting of the sign on public property and is in violation of this section.

(c)

The director of the department of sanitation or the department of parks and parkways, or their designees, are authorized to invoice any individual or entity depicted or advertised on the illegal sign for the cost of removal of the sign. This cost may be established through in-house accounting or through applicable payments to third party vendors for removal. In addition to assessment for cost of removal, any individual or entity depicted or advertised on the illegal sign shall also be assessed a penalty of $10.00 per sign, per violation, recoverable for the use of the city.

(d)

Any individual or entity depicted or advertised on an illegal sign that receives an invoice from the department of sanitation or the department of parks and parkways may provide written correspondence to the department from which an invoice was received within ten (10) days of receipt, and request an administrative appeal of said assessment. If guilt is determined at said appeal, the following additional administrative costs and penalties may apply:

(1)

Except in the case of a violation involving the illegal posting of signs on trees, a person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25.00 per sign, per violation and/or community service of not less than five hours per sign, per violation.

(2)

If the violation involves the illegal posting of signs on trees, a person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50.00 per sign, per violation and/or community service of not less than five hours,

(3)

Per sign, per violation.

(4)

The total monetary fines imposed per case shall not exceed $500.00.

(M.C.S., Ord. No. 24452, § 1, 6-2-11)