A.    Any person engaged in the unauthorized collection or theft of recyclable waste materials is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or incarceration in the county jail for a period not to exceed six months or both.

    B.    As an alternative to criminal enforcement, both the city and the authorized recycling collector have the independent authority to civilly enforce any provisions of this article, to and including the authority to seek treble damages pursuant to California Government Code Section 66764. The city administrator may invoke these remedies, or any of them whenever he or she deems it appropriate. (Ord. 459 § 20, 1991: prior code § 11-30)