[Adopted 2-11-1988 by Ord. No. O-7-1988]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
GARBAGE
All table refuse, animal and vegetable matter, offal from meat, fish and fowls, fruits, vegetables and parts thereof, and other articles and materials ordinarily used for food which have become unfit for such use or which are for any reason discarded.
HOUSING UNIT
A residential dwelling unit or premises wherein a family resides together constituting a single household and includes, but is not limited to, a single-family dwelling, an apartment, one of the units of a duplex, a triplex or other multiplex residential structure, and the separate family housing units of low-cost housing projects.
PERSON
A natural person, firm or copartnership, association or corporation.
REFUSE
Garbage and rubbish.
RUBBISH
All rags, crockery, bottles, tin cans, paper and other household refuse. However, the term "rubbish" does not include refuse caused by repairs, alterations and new construction or demolition of buildings and sidewalks, nor does it include water tanks, sinks, stoves or similar discarded appliances, or yard trimmings, plant growth, bulky items or trash.
TRASH
Furniture, springs and mattresses, furnace pipe, stoves, water boilers, tires, metal cooking utensils, toys, porcelain, carpeting, household appliances, tree trimmings, iron, steel, bulky items, the residue of alterations, demolition or new construction of buildings and sidewalks, and leaves.
[Amended 1-2-1990 by Ord. No. O-2-1990; 12-30-1991 by Ord. No. O-24-1991; 1993 by Ord. No. O-2-1993; 6-2-1997 by Ord. No. O-14-1997; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
There is hereby levied and assessed on every housing unit in the City an annual fee or charge as established from to time by resolution of City Council, per year, as of January 1 of each year, for the removal of garbage and rubbish from its premises once weekly in accordance with removal practices previously in effect.
B. 
Provided, however, that in hardship cases the fee or charge shall be as established from time to time by resolution of City Council per year as hereinafter set forth.
(1) 
In order for the legal owner of a housing unit to qualify for the hardship fee or charge as established from time to time by resolution of City Council, per month, said owner must be at least 62 years of age as of March 1 of the year in which the owner wishes to qualify, and 1) must produce satisfactory evidence of earnings of $10,600 or less per year and must sign an affidavit to that effect, and 2) must agree to place only one bag of garbage for collection each week.
C. 
The following procedures and definitions are hereby established as the City of Farrell policy for the publication of the names of property owners delinquent in the payment of garbage and/or sewer user fees:
(1) 
DELINQUENT – An amount of outstanding garbage and/or sewer fees, whether severally or in combination thereof, of $100 or more by any property owner, as outstanding at any time.
(2) 
PROPERTY OWNER – Any individual, combination of individuals, or other entity owning real estate within the City of Farrell who would be obligated to pay a garbage fee or sewer fee pursuant to assessing ordinances of the City, which ordinances are incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference.
(3) 
At least 30 days prior to publication, the City of Farrell shall mail to the last registered owner of the premises or to the name and address to whom said billings are directed, by regular mail, postage pre-paid, a notice of such intention to publicize, setting forth:
(a) 
The specific amount of the said assessment or assessments; the date it became delinquent; the specific outstanding amount including penalty and interest.
(b) 
A statement of the City of Farrell's intent to publicize the property owner's name, the property owner's last address, the outstanding total obligation and the number of publications intended by the City.
(c) 
The ultimate date and time in which said payment, in full, must be made, and that payment made thereafter, shall be not revoke the publication.
(d) 
The place of payment and the name or telephone number of the City official designated as responsible for collection.
Such charge is hereby imposed upon the legal owner of the premises and shall be assessed and collected whether the premises are occupied for a full year or not.
[Amended 12-30-1991 by Ord. No. O-24-1991; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
The fee or charge herein imposed, except as hereinafter provided for hardship cases, shall be billed in two equal semi-annual installments in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of City Council. The first shall be billed by March 1 of each year and shall be payable at face through May 30. The second shall be billed by August 1 and shall be payable at face through October 30. On and after final installment due date, i.e., May 30 and October 30, the account shall be considered delinquent and a penalty of 10% shall be added. In addition, if not paid within 60 days of said final installment due date, interest shall thereafter be added at the rate of 1% for each month or fraction thereof until paid.
B. 
The fee or charge imposed for hardship cases shall be billed quarterly in the amount as established from time to time by resolution of City Council, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 30, of each year. Each quarterly installment shall be due at face for a period of 60 days and thereafter if not paid shall be considered delinquent and a penalty of 10% shall be added. In addition, if not paid within 60 days of said face installment due date, interest shall be added thereafter at the rate of 1% for each month or fraction thereof until paid.
All fees provided for herein shall be payable to the City at the City Treasurer's Office, or to such other person or persons as Council may from time to time by resolution designate. If Council shall designate any such person to make or receive collections, then the fees so collected shall be accounted for and paid over to the City Treasurer periodically as provided by Council in the appointing resolution.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The charges herein imposed, together with penalty and interest and a collection fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of City Council may be collected by an action in assumpsit or in any other manner provided by law for the collection of a municipal claim, including the filing of a municipal lien against the property serviced.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Delinquent accounts are subject to stoppage of service; provided, however, that written notice by certified mail be first given to the legal owner of the housing unit or premises for which a delinquency exists. Such notice shall stipulate that payment of all charges due together with penalty, interest and collection fee as established from time to time by City Council must be made within 60 days from date of notice and that, in default thereof, the City will order the cessation of all garbage and rubbish collection from said premises. Collection of garbage and rubbish will thereafter be resumed only upon payment of the delinquent charges plus penalty, interest and collection fee. The stoppage of service for nonpayment of charges shall be in addition to the right of the City to proceed for the collection of such unpaid charges by an action in assumpsit or, at the election of the City, in any other manner provided by law for the collection of a municipal claim.