Item 07 - Sewer System Management Plan 2025 Update

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(5) Corresponding penalties as provided respectively under sections 16-38(c), 18-603(b), 39-55.2(a), and 39-20(d). (b) Failure of meter to register correctly. If a meter fails to register during any period, or is known to have registered inaccurately, the customer shall be charged for a seasonally adjusted average daily consumption for a period of similar duration determined when the meter was registering accurately. (c) Meter reread and meter investigation. When a meter box is inaccessible at the time the routine meter read was attempted by the city or when consumption occurs in connection with a previously turned off meter, or when a customer requests that the city verify the accuracy of the read as shown on the bill, the customer shall be charged a "special investigation/meter reread fee" as established by resolution of the city council for sending a field representative to the service address to investigate the meter and obtain a reading or rereading of the meter. If the reading or rereading shows that the previous read is in error, no special investigation/meter reread fee will be imposed; otherwise such charge shall be added to the customer's next regularly scheduled water bill. (d) Penalties. A penalty of ten (10) percent shall be assessed on the unpaid balance of all unsatisfied municipal utility services account/billing statement charges, fees, and penalties thirty (30) days after the presentation date, in accordance with subsection (a). Thereafter, a past due notice shall be presented to the customer. On the next city working day following the seventh (7th) day after the date of presentation of the past due notice, the water service shall be subject to turn off at the premises. Two (2) days before the intended turn off of water service, a discontinuance of service notice for non-payment "turn-off tag" shall be affixed to the premises and a "tag fee" imposed for such notification service. Thereafter, service may be discontinued if the bill is not satisfied within the time required by such notice. Once turned off, water service shall remain off until all charges, penalties and fines have been paid, unless an application to have the water turned on is received accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the department of finance of change of ownership or change in tenants. Upon the receipt of such evidence, the application for turning on water or transfer of responsibility for water charges shall be processed as provided for in section 39-16. (e) Turn off and turn on of service. When the water has been turned off for non-payment or for the violation of any provision set forth in this code or any ordinance, regulation or requirement of the city, such water shall not be turned on again unless the violation has been corrected and all charges and penalties have been paid, unless the turn off is exempt from such payment by reason of change of person receiving service. A "meter turn on fee" and "meter turn off fee" shall be made for each separate trip to the premises for the purposes of turning on or turning off water service during weekdays for new water turn on services and delinquent accounts and whenever otherwise requested by customer; provided, however, that turn on or turn off of water service during afterhours and holidays for new water turn on services and delinquent accounts when requested by customer, shall be subject to a special "after hours turn on or turn off fee" as established by resolution of the city council. After a water meter has been turned off for a period of seven (7) days, the meter may be removed from the service. A "meter removal fee" as established by resolution of the city council shall be made for the cost of meter removal. A "meter resetting fee" as established by resolution of the city council shall be made for the reinstallation of the meter and the turning on of the water. A "meter read trip fee" as established by resolution of the city council shall be payable for each trip to a customer's premises for the purposes of performing a meter read for closing out of service, or for start of service, or for transfer of responsibility for service. Fees as herein provided shall be added to the next water bill issued after date of turn off, turn on, special investigation/reread, meter resetting/reinstallation or other designated trip, provided the amount is not collected in advance of the turn off, turn on, special investigation/reread, meter resetting/reinstallation, or other designated trip. For the purposes of this article, the term "trip" shall not include the regularly scheduled routine reading of customers' meters. (f) Closing bill. Upon the rendering of the final bill for service, the city shall not refund any credit balance or deposit of less than one dollar ($1.00); any checks returned that cannot be delivered or are unclaimed shall be forfeited unless the applicant applies for refund within twelve (12) months. (Supp. No. 30) Created: 2025-01-29 11:22:13 [EST] Page 9 of 54