Summary: Five years ago, Willow Park had incomplete City ordinance records. Enter Crystal Dozier, as the new Willow Park City Secretary, and her assignment to recodify the entire City code. This week, the City Council approved updated and current City laws AND penalties and enforcement.
• Latest Update: updated 23 August 2024; posted 20 August 2024
• Tags: #EMSFirePoliceAmb
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
Willow Park's new, updated Code of Ordinances. Good news for active Citizens.
Willow Park's Municipal Code of Ordinances [1] may be found linked from the City of Willow Park website's homepage.
Five years ago, if a citizen tried to find the city law (code, ordinance) about the maximum height of a residential fence in Willow Park, there was a 50/50 chance that law would actually be in the City's Municipal records, and, if found, less of a chance that code would be current.
Enter
• Crystal Dozier, as the new Willow Park City Secretary, with her experience and leadership AND
• a new assignment by the Council, during the 28 June 2022 Council Meeting [2], "to recodify the entire code so that the correct ordinances and most recent ordinances are codified"
And now, the City of Willow Park has a complete and current Municipal Code of Ordinance as approved by the Council in the 13 August 2024 Council Meeting [3]
In addition, the City has new penalties and enforcement of ordinance violations. [3]
Section 5. Unless a differing penalty is expressly provided for within the Code,
• every person convicted of a general violation of any provision of the Code or any rule, ordinance, or police regulation of the City shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,000.00
• for violations of all such rules, ordinances and police regulations that govern fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation, not to exceed $4,000.00
• for violations of all such rules, ordinances and police regulations that govern the dumping of refuse,
• and not exceeding $500.00 for all other violations.
Each act of violation and each day upon which any such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense. The penalty provided by this section, unless another penalty is expressly provided, shall apply to the amendment of any Code section, whether or not such penalty is reenacted in the amendatory ordinance. In addition to the penalty prescribed above, the City may pursue other remedies such as abatement of nuisances, injunctive relief and revocation of licenses or permits.
Sources and Resources
• Added 23 August 2024: Willow Park's new, updated Code of Ordinances. Good news for active Citizens. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 21 August 2024
[1a] Municipal Codes: A Beginner’s Guide, Library of Congress Blogs, 21 November 2013
... when we say “municipal codes,” we are referring to the collection of laws passed by a local governing body (often of a county, city, village, township, or other similar governmental subdivision). The laws themselves can be referred to by many names, including “ordinance,” “bylaw,” and “measure,” among others. As long as they do not conflict with the laws of the state in which the municipality is located, these ordinances have the “force and effect of law” in the municipality.
[1b] Texas State Law Library > Municipal Ordinances
In Texas, the Local Government Code outlines a municipality's authority to enact ordinances within its jurisdiction. There are different types of municipalities (e.g., home rule, general law), and they each have specific procedures for enacting ordinances. These ordinances are usually enforced by local law enforcement agencies such as city police departments.
[2] 28 June 2022 Council Meeting, Agenda Item 6. Discussion/Action: to approve a proposal from Franklin Legal Publishing for codification services
• Background: The city’s code of ordinances has not been codified since 2019. Staff is making a recommendation to recodify the entire code so that the correct ordinances and most recent ordinances are codified.
• Exhibits • Proposal for Codification Services by Franklin Legal Publishing > Willow Park’s Investment The price of the recommended solution will be $12,395. / Investment details and options. The cost would be broken up into two different budget years which would be this FY and next FY. The initial cost will be $1,790 to begin the process.
• Research City of Willow Park Ordinance @ Franklin Legal Publishing
[3] 13 August 2024 Council Meeting, Agenda Item, 8. Discussion/Action: to adopt an ordinance enacting the City's new Code of Ordinances.
• Background:
At the June 28, 2022 City Council meeting [See WPC Research below.], the City Council voted to approve a contract with Franklin Legal Publishing to codify the city’s code of ordinances.
Staff has reviewed the submitted final draft by General Code and recommends adoption of the newly codified code of ordinances for the city. The draft represents the ordinances of the city, along with the revisions made as a result of the city’s editorial and legal review. After the City Council approves the Draft, General Code will proceed with publication and delivery of the Code.
• Exhibits: Proposed Ordinance, Excerpts
Section 1. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Willow Park, Texas, consisting of Chapters 1 through 14, each inclusive, is hereby adopted and enacted which shall supersede all other general and permanent ordinances of the City passed on or before May 14, 2024.
Section 5. Unless a differing penalty is expressly provided for within the Code,
• every person convicted of a general violation of any provision of the Code or any rule, ordinance, or police regulation of the City shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,000.00
• for violations of all such rules, ordinances and police regulations that govern fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation, not to exceed $4,000.00
• for violations of all such rules, ordinances and police regulations that govern the dumping of refuse,
• and not exceeding $500.00 for all other violations.
Each act of violation and each day upon which any such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense. The penalty provided by this section, unless another penalty is expressly provided, shall apply to the amendment of any Code section, whether or not such penalty is reenacted in the amendatory ordinance. In addition to the penalty prescribed above, the City may pursue other remedies such as abatement of nuisances, injunctive relief and revocation of licenses or permits.
Comments