Title
An Ordinance to Amend Sections 7:400, 7:401, 7:402, 7:403, 7:404, 7:405, and 7:406 of Chapter 93 (Alarm Systems) of Title VII of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Ordinance No. ORD-19-33)
Memorandum
This ordinance update follows a collaborative effort by Finance, IT, Police, and Fire.
The current alarm billing process and ordinance has not been updated in over ten years. Additionally, the Police and Fire departments have been using an antiquated software that required an annual fee from a third-party vendor. IT initiated a review of this software. During this review process, an update of the ordinance was also determined to be warranted.
The following improvements will be realized with the ordinance amendment.
* Previously, the Police and Fire departments had interdependencies for billing. This created an administrative burden and delays. This change allows each department to handle alarm billing autonomously.
* The Fire department will eliminate the use of a third-party vendor, which will reduce costs for the fire department. The fire department will handle billing internally.
* Ordinance language is updated to include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide alarm systems.
* Ordinance language is updated to reduce the burden on single family home owners who have smoke detectors, not connected to a monitored alarm system. These systems are now excluded from this ordinance. This is based on resident feedback.
* Ordinance language is updated to clarify that the police alarm registration will follow the calendar year and not a floating schedule.
Staff
Prepared by: Lynda Rathburn, Office Manager
Reviewed by: Michael Kennedy, Fire Chief
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
ORDINANCE NO. ORD-19-33
First Reading: October 7, 2019 Approved: October 21, 2019
Public Hearing: October 21, 2019 Published: October 24, 2019
Effective: November 3, 2019
ALARM SYSTEMS
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 7:400, 7:401, 7:402, 7:403, ...
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