[Amended 8-26-1986; 6-23-1987; 3-26-1991; 11-26-1996; 5-27-1997 by L.L. No. 2-1997; 1-26-1999; 7-27-2004]
A.
A schedule of rates for water consumption shall be
fixed and established from time to time by the City Council.
B.
Payment. All water rates shall be due and payable within 15 days from billing date. In the event that payment is not received within 30 days from the due date, an additional charge of 10% shall be added to the amount due as a late charge. The failure of any consumer to receive a bill promptly, i.e., 90 days after the previous billing, shall not excuse nonpayment of the same. Any real property having delinquent water charges and assessments as of December 31 of the previous year and remaining unpaid shall have said delinquent water charges and/or assessments added to the first half of the city real estate tax bill for said property and which shall thereafter be collected in the same manner as a tax bill as provided in § C9-15 of the City Charter.
C.
Consumption periods; computation if meter not read.
All water rates will be based on three months' consumption, and whenever
water is supplied through a meter, the meter rate for a period of
three months will be charged. If for any reason a meter is not read
quarterly, the charge will be based on the average consumption. Should
the meter not be read for a period of six months, the total consumption
will be divided by two and the result treated as the consumption for
each. If a meter is not read because of lack of access due to the
owner or occupant, the city after written notice of not less than
10 days may discontinue service until such time as access is granted.
The shutoff charge and turn-on charge shall be as set forth from time
to time by the City Council.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The fee schedule is on file
in the City offices.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this
chapter, except in case of emergency, temporary interruption necessitated
by repairs, extensions or maintenance operations, shortage of water
or similar situations, no service shall be terminated by the city
without complying with the following procedures:
A.
Notice of violation and hearing. Upon the determination
by the Director of Public Works that a violation has occurred pursuant
to this chapter or that a bill for services or other charges has become
delinquent, the Director of Public Works shall notify in writing the
occupant or occupants of the affected premises as well as the owner
thereof either personally or by certified mail at the last known address
of such persons, setting forth specifically the grounds for termination
of service and the time and place of hearing within the city. Such
notice shall be served at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing
and shall contain a warning that unless such person or persons shall
appear and offer proof or other evidence at such hearing, the service
may be terminated without further notice.
B.
Conduct of hearing. At the time and place specified
in the notice, the Director of Public Works or other city official
designated by the City Council hereafter referred to as the hearing
officer, shall conduct the hearing and such proof or evidence that
may be presented by the city and the other interested parties.
C.
Determination. At the close of the hearing, the hearing
officer may order the termination of the service or other appropriate
action as he or she may determine.
D.
Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the action of the
hearing officer shall have the right to appeal to the City Council.
Such appeal shall be taken by filing within 14 days after notice of
the action complained of has been mailed to such person's last known
address, together with a written statement setting forth fully the
grounds for the appeal. City Council shall set a time and place for
the hearing on such appeal and notice of such hearing shall be mailed
to the applicant at his or her last known address at least five days
prior to the date set for the hearing. The decision and order of the
City Council shall be final and conclusive.
A.
Where a written request has been received by the owner
of premises, the city may bill the occupant or consumer, provided
that the following deposits are made by the occupant or consumer:
|
Minimum Deposit
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Size of Meter
(inches)
|
Commercial or Industrial
|
Residential
|
|
5/8
|
$25
|
$20
|
|
3/4
|
$35
|
$25
|
|
1
|
$50
|
$30
|
|
1 1/2
|
$75
|
$50
|
|
2 and over
|
$100
|
$75
|
B.
The city may, in its discretion, increase the amount
of the required deposit at any time after 10 days' notice based on
estimated use.
[Amended 11-26-1996]
Owners of premises wherein water is used shall be held responsible for the water rates and charges regardless of whether they occupy the premises or not and such water rates and charges shall constitute a lien upon the premises and may be collected as provided in § 270-21C of this chapter and as provided in § C9-15 of the City Charter.
