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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20091207 - VI-07 MEMO To:Honorable Mayor and City Council From:Tom Montgomery Date:December 1, 2009 Re:Adopt New Water Shut Off Policy Council is requested to adopt the enclosed water shut off policy. Minimum Threshold The proposed new policy sets a threshold of $75 for delinquent bills before Finance directs Public Works to shut off service. Delinquent accounts that result in shut offs are charged a 10% late penalty fee, a $10 delinquent fee, and a $50 water shutoff fee. By setting a $75 threshold, small delinquent accounts do not end up paying more in late fees than the amount of the original bill. The proposed $75 threshold is about the level of an average residential winter quarter utility bill. Winter Shut Offs Winter operation of the curb side water valve is very hard work accomplished during poor weather conditions. Curb valve access covers are typically buried 3” to 9” below the boulevard grade. Operators must first remove snow and ice from the boulevard area and then chip out the frozen ground to access the valve cover, and heat the access cover with a torch to melt ice and free up the access nut which must be unscrewed to open access to the curb valve. Operating curb valves during very cold temperatures greatly increases the risk of breaking the valve. Due to the amount of work involved and the risk of breakage, Public Works has not been shutting off water services for non payment for the past seven or eight years. By adopting the enclosed water shut off policy, Council would make this practice an official City policy. Snow Birds Annually, anywhere from a handful to a dozen or so households have asked Public Works to shut off their water at the curb valve when they head south to winter. Under the proposed policy, Public Works would no longer shut off snow bird services after December 1. Homeowners would still st have the option of hiring a plumber for this service, and the plumber could then take on the work, risk and liability of operating a cold curb valve. Emergency Shutoffs As noted above, winter shut offs take considerably more effort and usually more personnel that warmer weather shut offs. The proposed water shut off policy would institute a winter shut off fee that would reflect these additional costs for emergency situations in the winter that require the curb valve to be shut off. If the proposed water shut off policy is adopted, an amendment to the City’s fee ordinance would be prepared that would double the shut off fee during winter months. Operations Committee Recommendation The Operations Committee reviewed the proposed water shutoff policy at their November 16 meeting and recommended adoption of the policy. th Water Utility Shutoff Policy The City of Hastings Utility Ordinance, Chapter 51.03, Paragraph A(3) notes that “If any such bill is not paid in full on or before the thirtieth day of the month following the date upon which it became delinquent, municipal utilities may, at the option of the city, be suspended to the consumer whose bill is so delinquent. Disconnection of service due to an unpaid utility bill of a residential customer shall be as soon as practicable following the eleventh business day after notification. Disconnection shall be made during normal business hours.” Whenever possible, water service shall be shut off for non-payment of utility bills, with the following exceptions: MDBT INIMUMELINQUENT ILL HRESHOLD Water service will not be shut off until the amount of the delinquent bill exceeds $75. WST INTER HUTOFFS OR URNONS Due to the difficulty in operating a water service curb valve during winter weather and the higher potential to permanently damage the curb valve during cold weather months, the Public Works Department will not operate water service curb valves from December 1 to April 15 of each year, except for emergency situations or if weather conditions are mild enough to permit operating the curb valve. WSF INTER HUTOFFEE Due to the difficulty and greater effort needed to shutoff the water service curb valve during cold weather months, a winter shutoff fee as set by the City Council by ordinance, shall be charged for emergency shutoffs from December 1 to April 15 of each year.