Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Revising Water and Sewer Rates; Accessing Metering Devices ORDINANCE NO. 3326 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING SUBSECTION 28.201(2) & (4) AND SUBSECTIONS 28.304(3)&(8)THEREOF AND RE-ENACTING THE SAME FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE WATER AND SEWER RATES AND CHARGES; ADDING A NEW SECTION 28.504 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCESSING METERING DEVICES; REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that: Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by repealing Subsections 28.201(2)and(4)and re-enacting the same as follows: "(2) Minimum charges. For each monthly billing after July 1, 1995,each customer shall be charged a minimum monthly charge based on the size of the water meter(s) at each location. The minimum monthly charge may be prorated,based on a 30-day billing period,for the customer's initial and/or final bills,provided that in no case shall the minimum monthly charge be less than two dollars ($2.00). The minimum monthly charge for each water meter location shall be as follows: Size of Meter Minimum Monthly Charge 5/8 inch or 5/8"X 3/4" $ 6.00 3/4 inch 12.00 1 inch 25.00 1%2 inch 50.00 2 inch 100.00 2 inch,battery of 2 200.00 2 inch,battery of 3 300.00 3 inch 200.00 4 inch 300.00 6 inch 600.00 8 inch 1,000.00 10 inch 1,500.00 (4) Yard meter minimum charges. For each monthly billing after July 1, 1995, each customer shall be charged a minimum monthly charge based on the size of the yard meter(s)at each location. The minimum monthly charge for each yard meter location shall be as follows: Size of Meter Minimum Monthly Charge 5/8 inch or 5/8"X 3/4" $ 1.75 3/4 inch 2.50 1 inch 3.50 1%2 inch 4.75 2 inch 6.25 3 inch 8.00 4 inch 9.75 6 inch 11.50 8 inch 13.25 10 inch 15.00 Section Two. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa is hereby amended by repealing Subsections 28.304(3)and(8)and re-enacting the same as follows: "(3) For each monthly billing after July 1, 1995,each customer shall be charged a minimum monthly charge. The minimum monthly charge may be prorated,based on a 30-day billing period,for the customer's initial and/or final bills,provided that in no case shall the minimum monthly charge be less than two dollars($2.00). The minimum monthly charge for each location shall be five dollars and fifty cents($5.50). In addition,for all water metered beginning with the first cubic foot each month, each user shall pay: (a) a treatment user charge rate for operation and maintenance, including replacement,of$0.24/100 cu.ft.of water used per month. (b) a sewer user charge rate for operation and maintenance,including replacement, of$0.30/100 cu.ft.of water used per month,and (c) a capital charge rate for debt retirement of$0.87/100 cu.ft.of water used per month. The sewer user charge and the capital charge may be adjusted to better reflect actual benefit to the contributor. (8) Yard Meters. (a) Where a customer wishes to use water for watering a lawn or garden,filling a swimming pool,or for existing single-pass air conditioning or other such use and that water does not reach the sanitary sewer system,the customer may at his option apply for and have installed a"yard meter." (b) A`yard meter"is defined as a second water meter or sub-meter on the premises installed downstream of the first or master water meter. It will be so placed as to meter outdoor water use described above which does not reach the sanitary sewer system. The"yard meter shall have a remote reading register outdoors as required for the master water meter. (c) The full cost of the"yard meter"and any associated plumbing charges shall be the responsibility of the customer. The"yard meter"shall be furnished and owned by the City and so located as to be easily accessible at all times. Maintenance and replacement of the"yard meter"shall be governed by the same requirements applying to all other water meters owned by the City. (d) The sewer service charge will be billed only on the difference between the master water meter reading and the yard meter reading." Section Three. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,Iowa is hereby amended by the addition of a new section as follows: "Sec.28.504. METER MAINTENANCE,METER READING,AND ESTIMATED BILLING (1) Access to any water meter, yard meter, or wastewater flow measuring device for maintenance, repair, replacement, or testing is essential to ensure accuracy and reliability of the metering device so that bills and charges are properly determined. When requested by the Water and Pollution Control Department,each customer shall arrange for access to the metering device(s)at their location within four(4)months from the date of the City's first request. (2) Reading of all water meters,yard meters,wastewater flow measuring devices,or remote registering devices used for determining charges to customers shall be scheduled by the City on a monthly basis. An effort shall be made by the City to obtain use data/readings on corresponding days each month. In the event access to the metering device(s)cannot be achieved,the City shall render a monthly bill based on the City's estimate of usage. However,each customer shall allow for or arrange access to the metering device(s)at their location at least once every four(4)months. The City may allow the customer to read and report use data from metering device(s)at their location. Customers desiring to read their own meters should contact the Utility Customer Service office. A packet of three (3)cards may be obtained. These cards will be predated to correspond to monthly billing dates and shall be submitted monthly at the customer's own expense. Prior to providing each three(3)card packet to any customer, city personnel shall be allowed into the premises to obtain readings for all metering devices. (3) Failure to arrange for and/or allow access, as described above, shall be cause for termination of service following notice and opportunity for a hearing of the city manager." Section Four. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict,if any. Section Five. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect as of July 1, 1995,after its passage and publication as required by law. Passed this 9th day of_ May 1995. qSanL.AXy(a?nI,—City Clerk 0345 Larry R.Curti ,Mayor