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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMC-897 Effective: ~ch 21, 1994 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ORDINANCE NO. MC-897 AN 2.46.120 EXCESSIVE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ADDING SECTION TO THE SAN BERNARDINO MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING PRICE INCREASES DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 2.46.120 is hereby added to the San Bernardino Municipal Code to read as follows: "2.46.120 Excessive Price Increases During State of Emergency A. Findings. As a result of recent earthquakes and civil disturbances, Southern California communities have found that residents have sought to purchase emergency supplies, food and other consumer goods necessary for their health and safety; and although no general shortage of consumer goods has been evident, numerous residents have reported cases of excessive price increases for consumer items such as gasoline and food items many times above the prices in effect on or before the emergency. Though price increases may be necessary where a merchant has incurred higher expenses, the reported price increases clearly exceeded those that would have been reasonable and just to recapture any increased operational expenses. B. Legislative Intent. It is the intention of the Mayor and Common Council in adopting this ordinance to protect citizens from excessive and unjustified increases in the prices charged during any abnormal disruption .~f the marketplace for consumer goods and services vital and necessary for the health, safety and welfare of consumers resulting from emergency or major disaster for which a state of emergency for the Ci ty of San Bernardino is proclaimed by the Mayor pursuant to Section 2.46.060 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code or for which a local disaster or emergency is declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of California. C. Excessive Price Increases Prohibited. Upon proclamation of public emergency involving or threatening the lives, property or welfare of the citizens, pursuant to Section 2.46.060 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code or for which a local disaster or emergency is declared by the President of the United States or Governor of California and for a period of thirty days from the date such declaration DCR/js [Emergency. Ord] 1 February 11. 1994 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 I I I I I I I I I I I I MC-897 . is terminated, it shall be unlawful for any person, contractor, business or other entity to sell or offer to sell any consumer food i terns, repair or reconstruction services, emergency or medical supplies or gasoline for an amount which exceeds ten percent of the price charged by such person, contractor, business or other entity for said goods or services immediately prior to the proclamation of emergency, unless said person, business, contractor or other entity can prove that an increase in price was directly attributable to additional costs imposed on it by the supplier of the goods or for labor and materials used to provide the service. D. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: 1. A consumer food item is any article which is used or intended for use for food, drink, confection or condiment by humans or animals. 2. Repair or reconstruction service are those contractor "services for repairs to residential and commercial property of any type which are damaged as a result of a disaster. Contractor services are services as defined by sections 7025, 7026, 7026.1 and 7026.3 of the California Business and Professions Code. 3. Emergency limi ted to. water, candles, blankets, products, charcoal supplies shall include but are not flashlights, radios, batteries, soaps, diapers, feminine hygiene briquettes and chlorine bleach. 4. Medical supplies shall include but are not limited to prescription and non-prescription drugs, bandages, gauzes, and isopropyl alcohol. E. Violation. l. violating guilty of Any person who shall be convicted of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor. 2. Any person believing that a violation of said section has been committed may file a complaint with the City Attorney. 2 DCR/js [Emergency. Ord] February 11, 1994 M~-897_ 1 AN ORDINANCE. . . ADDING SECTION 2.46.120 TO THE SAN BERNARDINO MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING EXCESSIVE PRICE INCREASES DURING STATE 2 OF EMERGENCY 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was duly adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a reQu1ar meeting thereof, held on the 21st day of March , 1994, by the following vote, to wit: Council Members: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT NEGRETE X CURLIN X HERNANDEZ X OBERHELMAN X DEVLIN X POPE-LUDLAM X MILLER X /~ . . C' ,/ . ..J'\ <l~ I" '- c' i (( "TC City ~rk The foregoing Ordinance is hereby approved this ~;<~y of March , 1994. ~ ') < ~. ~~, fA. 4~ To Minor, Mayor ~ City of San Bernardino Approved as to form and legal content: JAMES F. PENMAN, City Attorney By. A'f. 71 to """_ ./lVF"ri'",? - . -' ..........., DCR/js [Emergency. Ord} 3 February 11. 1994