South San Francisco to pay for errant tickets

South San Francisco officials will refund $237,000 in revenue from voided red-light camera tickets and to pay up to $250,000 to the San Mateo County Superior Court to cover costs of issuing refunds to nearly 7,000 drivers. The recent City Council vote should be one of the last related to questionable red-light camera tickets issued in South San Francisco. Tickets were voided earlier this year after contract problems became public. The city will advance $1.5 million to the courts to expedite repayment to drivers, according to a staff report by City Attorney Steven Mattas. Red-light tickets generated in South San Francisco from Aug. 14, 2009 to early this year were voided after the city failed to approve a contract with American Traffic Solutions to operate the camera until earlier this year. Through March 11, 6,876 tickets were issued and therefore are in the process of being refunded. The city does not receive the entire $446 fine. South City receives 31 percent or about $130. Other funds go to the county and state. Money to pay fines is only held by the court for one month, Mattas wrote. Most of the funds were already sent to other agencies. South San Francisco expects to get the $1.5 million back in time, but fronted the money so drivers could receive their refund more quickly, he wrote. The city plans to recoup portions previously granted to other government entities. However, South San Francisco will refund the $237,000 it made in proceeds. In addition, the council voted to pay up to $250,000 to the court for administrative costs related to the refunds. Despite the challenges with the system, South San Francisco voted earlier this month to keep the cameras at Westborough Boulevard and El Camino Real and Hickey Boulevard and El Camino Real. The approval came with the request that lights are triggered only when necessary and the impact of lights on neighbors be decreased as much as possible. Warning notices will continue until May 15.