CITY OF COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
CHAPTER 8-1400
ALARM SYSTEMS

8-1401 Definition. For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Alarm System. Any assembly of equipment or devices, either mechanically or electronically operated, which signals either audibly or in any other manner so as to be seen, heard, or otherwise detected outside the protected area serviced by the alarm system, that a robbery, burglary, medical emergency, act of vandalism or unauthorized entry has occurred, and which is intended to summon a response from public safety personnel. An automobile alarm device shall not be considered to be an alarm system under the terms of this Chapter.
(2) Alarm User. A person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure, or facility which an alarm system is maintained.
(3) Public Safety Personnel. Duly authorized City employees or their designees.
(4) False Alarm. An alarm signal eliciting a response by public safety personnel when a situation requiring a response does not, in fact, exist and which is caused by the activation of the alarm system through mechanical failure, alarm malfunction, improper installation or the inadvertence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of his or her employees or agents. A false alarm does not include an alarm caused by climatic conditions, utility line mishaps, violent conditions of nature or other conditions determined to be beyond the control of the alarm manufacturer, installer or user.

8-1402 Exception. Federal or State agencies and political subdivisions of the Federal or State government shall be exempt from the payment of any permit, fees and/or false alarm charges otherwise provided for by this chapter.

8-1403 False Alarm Charges. Except as provided in Section 8-1402, any user whose alarm system reports more than three false alarms in a calendar year shall be subject to false alarm charges as established from time to time by ordinance of the City Council.

8-1404 Payment of Charges. Notice of false alarm charges shall be sent to the user of the alarm system and to the recorded owner of the property where the system is installed, if different from the user. Payment of such charges shall be made to the City within thirty (30) days of the date of notice. Unpaid charges shall be annually certified to the County Auditor and shall be collected in the same manner as special assessments against the property.

8-1405 Appeal. A user or owner may appeal any false alarm charge to the City Manager by filing a written request with the Chief of Police within ten (10) days of the notice by the City of such false alarm charge. The City Manager shall affirm, modify or rescind the charge within five (5) business days.

The decision of the City Manager shall be final unless appealed to the City Council by filing a written request with the City Manager within ten days of notice of the Manager’s decision. The City Manager shall cause the appeal to be placed on the next available City Council agenda that is scheduled not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of the appeal notice. The City Manager will, in writing, notify the applicant, and such other appropriate parties as determined by the City Manager, of the date, time and place of the meeting at which the appeal will be heard. The City Council shall have authority to affirm, modify or rescind the decision of the City Manager. [Revised 4/19/05, Ordinance 1883]