AMP system rollout to resolve parking bylaw disputes

The Town of Cobourg will use the new Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP)

The Town of Cobourg will use the new Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) system, a local and accessible dispute resolution system for municipal parking bylaw infractions. - Metroland file photo

Cobourg is the first municipality in Northumberland County to take on the Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) system, providing a local and accessible dispute resolution system for municipal parking bylaw infractions, say officials.

Launched by the Town of Cobourg's legislative services division, the AMP system is a fast and flexible process for payment, appeal and collection of minor bylaw infractions, said the town in a recent release. Disputes will now be resolved by screening and hearings officers, who can modify, cancel, or affirm penalties, explained town officials.

In Ontario, municipal AMPs are legislated under the Municipal Act, 2001. This system helps the overburdened courts by streamlining the process and allowing municipalities to efficiently handle minor bylaw infractions, said the town.

"AMPs is an alternate system to the lengthy and costly provincial courts process previously in place," said Brent Larmer, the town's clerk and director of legislative services. "AMPs provides an objective, and efficient process where penalty notices are issued, managed, and reviewed internally."

Any community member who's received a ticket or fine (an AMP), may request a review through the Town of Cobourg's appeal process. The Town of Cobourg will be phasing in the AMP system, starting with parking tickets and fines, followed by other municipal bylaw infractions, said officials.

According to the town, benefits of AMPs include:

• Improved customer service: Regulatory matters can be resolved online with the Town of Cobourg without the requirement of courts, justice of the peace, or the officer that issued the charge, etc.

• Expediency and convenience: AMPs provides a fair, efficient and convenient alternative to the traditional court process of administering and adjudicating minor bylaw offences. Wait time may be significantly reduced compared to the court system.

• Improved compliance: AMPs decisions are made more quickly, improving wait times between date of issue and date of hearing.

• Fiscal efficiency: AMPs doesn't require the same capital and operating investments of the traditional court system, operating with fewer staff and less administrative overhead.

Administrative fees applied would be maintained by the municipality instead of going to the court system.

The Town of Cobourg municipal law enforcement team is now operating out of the Market Building (201 Second St.). For questions regarding parking or any municipal bylaws, staff are available to answer questions Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Paying a parking ticket:

Payment can be made online at www.Cobourg.ca/amp, by mail, by phone, or in person at the tax office in Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.,). A 24-7 deposit box mail slot is also available on west side of building.

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AMP system rollout to resolve parking bylaw disputes