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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-013 CCR1 1 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: ATTEST j, /yu Deputy Clerk RESOLUTION NO. 93 RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR WATER SHUT OFFS WHEREAS, Section 4 -202 of the Brooklyn Center City Ordinances provides that upon reasonable notice, water service may be discontinued to a property for nonpayment of individual public utility accounts or for disregard of duly established rules and regulations; and WHEREAS, Section 4 -105 of the Ordinances provides that the City Manager shall establish procedures for determining and collecting customer charges, consistent with the adopted Public Utility Rate Schedules; and WHEREAS, the City Manager has determined that it is prudent to adopt an "Administrative Policy and Procedure For Water Shut Offs NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, that: 1. The "Administrative Policy and Procedure For Water Shut Offs" is hereby adopted. 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to implement this administrative policy and procedure immediately. January 25, 1993 Date Todd Pa 1'1son, Mayor The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Barb Kalligher and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Todd Paulson, Celia Scott, Barb Kalligher, and Kristen Mann; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. 1 1 RESOLUTION NO. 93-13 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY PROCEDURE January, 1993 WATER SHUT OFFS Brooklyn Center Ordinance 4 -202 provides that water service may upon reasonable notice be discontinued for nonpayment of individual accounts. The following is the procedure to be followed when public utility accounts are in arrears, or when a final billing is more than 30 days overdue. PAYMENT POLICY 1) A public utility bill is due 28 days from the date of billing. 2) A delinquent billing is generated for each account unpaid after 35 days from the billing date. Customers have 21 days to pay this delinquent bill. 3) A "blue notice" is sent to each delinquent account unpaid after 56 days from the billing date. This notice informs customers that they have 14 days to make payment. It also informs customers that they have a right to demand a hearing at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting to show cause as to why their water should not be shut off. The demand must be made in writing to the City Clerk within 10 days. If no written demand is received by the Monday prior to the Council meeting (11 days from the date of the blue notice), then it is assumed the customer waives the right to a hearing. 4) Partial payments may be made if the customer provides a written, signed payment schedule which is acceptable to the City. If that payment schedule is not met, the property will be red tagged. A minimum acceptable schedule includes a partial payment of at least 1/4 the total amount due paid within 14 days, and full payment within 30 days of the date of the blue notice. 5) On the 70th day, a "red tag" is delivered to properties where the account remains unpaid and where no demand for a hearing has been made. This notice informs customers that payment is due within five days or water will be immediately shutoff. The City Council may at an administrative hearing at a regularly scheduled meeting consider the shutoff of water to a property, and order staff to take such actions as it deems are necessary. PROCEDURE DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS All delinquent accounts in excess of $100 shall be pended as a special assessment Vacant Properties Upon notice as described above, the water shall be shut off RESOLUTION NO. 93-13 Rental Property If delinquency not incurred by current tenant a) Obtain a meter reading and date of change of occupancy, and calculate final bill for previous tenant b) If a forwarding address is available for the previous tenant, send a final bill. Send an informational copy to the property owner. c) If no address is available, notify property owner of delinquent final bill d) If not paid in 28 days, follow procedure for rental property in "FINAL BILLS" section Other property FINAL BILLS If delinquency incurred by current tenant a) Follow procedure in "NOTICE" section b) Send informational copy of bill to property owner Upon notice as described above, the water shall be shut off All final bills unpaid after 28 days from the billing date shall be pended as a special assessment Rental Property a) All final bills unpaid after 28 days from billing shall be billed to the property owner b) If the delinquency is not paid within the next 28 days, the unpaid amount shall be certified as a special assessment Other Property a) After 28 days unpaid, the bill shall be pended as a special assessment, and a letter of explanation sent to the 'new property owner. b) Two more attempts 28 days apart shall be made to collect from the previous property owner. If unpaid, the bill shall be certified as a special assessment. Paul Holmlund, Finance Director G. G. Splinter, City Manager e: \eng \pubutil \shutpol 'Verify that the property is licensed. If not licensed, notify the Licensing Clerk immediately. 1