City to Review Airport Fine Collection System
City Councilman Mike Feuer introduced a motion Tuesday that would change the way the city collects fines from jet owners who violate the Van Nuys Airport noise ordinance curfew.
The Times reported last week that of the 60 violations cited by the city since it passed the curfew ordinance in 1981, 16 cases or 27% are still pending and have been for an average of 16 months. In addition, in 53% of the cases, fines were paid more than a year after the violations were cited.
The Van Nuys Airport noise curfew, established by the City Council, prohibits takeoffs between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Penalties range from $750 to $3,500.
Feuer said one reason for the delay is the “cumbersome process now in effect for enforcement of the noise ordinance.”
In his motion to review the current fine collection procedures, Feuer stated that a backlog exists because the city still requires violators to meet personally with city attorneys before attempting to collect a fine.
Feuer asked the City Council to adopt a more streamlined enforcement and collection process similar to the one at Santa Monica Airport.
Santa Monica takes no longer than two months to collect fines from aircraft owners and does not require the personal meeting with city attorneys.
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