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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - February 5, 1992 (75)CITY OF LODI �` /► f M-0JT111, ��J 1�I 1 til l�J \ I l�/� ii LS \' AGENDA TITLE: Set Public Hearing for Febnmq 19, 1992 to consider changing the Lodi Municipal Code to authorize the City to eoilect late fees for delinquent utility bilis. NWS'I G, DA7T-,: February S, 1992 IF�ARED BY: Finance Director RECONEM ENDED ACTION: That the City at a public hearing for Febnmy 1% 1992 to discuss the ad option of changes to the Lodi Municipal code to authorize the City to impose and collect late payment fees for delinquent utility bills. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At a Shirt Sleeve Session on December 10.1991. the City Council reviewed several proposals made by staff to encourage the timely payment of Lhe City's utility bills. One proposal made was to impose and aalleat a fee for late or delinquent payment of utility bills. Based on the direr id n given by Council on December 10, 1991, this recommendation should be scheduled for public hearing Febrm y 19, 1992 and introduced ori March 4, 1992 for adcptim of an ort4i to change the Lodi Municipal Code. A public hearing is required to adopt this recommendation. FUNDING: None Attachments: Utility Fees and Deposits Policy Draft Ordinance Draft Resolution CC: City Attorney Eiatxic Utility Director Public Works Dixeccbx APPROVED: �H. D. F1vnn Finance Director THOMAS A PETERSON City mars"M recycNd a+PK r•'_31 CITY OF LODI - FINANCE DEPARTMPNT UTmM FEES AND DEPOSITS POLICY RATES, FEES, AND DEPOSITS The City of Lodi will provide reliable and cost effeotiva utility services to its custarers. In aooanpl ; this goal, utility Operations will be efficiently managed and based on sound economic principles. vbrid a in part means, following p ru d on t business practices and setting equitable service ragas, fees, and deposits. As such. res. fees, and deposits will be based on the cost of service. encourage Conservation, promote timely customer payments, and will be sensitive to customer needs. cagaciry to pay, and the eomomie h*Ith of the community. INITIATION OF SERVICE AND DELINQUENCY DEPOSITS All applicants for utility services -v01 establish credit by depositing in advance the amount of a monthly m-yice charge. Such deposits vi11 be either credited to the customer's regular bill or closing bill, following one year of satisfactory payment history or by agreeing to attend a utility conservation class (clec ricaJ, gas. water, seww: garbage) approved by the City. After establishing good credit with the City, dT=ts for new or additiaial a=urits will not be required The Finance Director may waive the irid l deposit for indi bt & and commercial customers io promote economic stability and commercial growth; however, a deposit will be required from those customers whose account is closed for failure to pay prior to reaamoCting services. NEW SERVICE DEPOSIT CLASS INSIDE CITY OUTSIDE CITY Residential $ 50 $ 80 Mobile Hcm Park 19200 1,800 Group I 120 180 Group 2 through 5 2,200 3.300 RESTORATION -RECONNECTION CHARGE A testaimion-novonnedivon charge will te paid by customers prior to restoring and re -connecting City utilities for non-payment as provided below: During normal working hour's: $33 Wleelaends. holidays, and after normal work hours: • $48 0 Also the charge iD be leYied for new service connect >ns after normal work hours, on holidays and weekends. DELINQUENT CHARGES (not to be implemented until approved by Council) A delinquent charge c $10 after 60 days (third bill) and $25 after W days (closing or final bill) shall be applied to all past due accounts until sealed for non-payment or until no prior month charges are outstanding. The F i i Director may waive delinquent charges in whole cr part to promote goodwill with City customers when rcq m ste d by a customer for reasons of hardship or timely payment could not have been reasonably expected based on personal considerations. CUSTGM= ASSISTANCE At the time utilities we discmnerted for non-payment and reinstatement of services is requested by a cwwmer, the Finance Director may negotiate a one-time repayment schedule for up ID sue months for those customers who can dem;mstrate their ability to pay. Normally a repayment zrhedule will be established when a City customer cm demonstrate financial hardship due to the recent lo,, of employment or other unusual hardship conditions. In aU odw cases the City will refer cunmien tD approve assistance agencies such as "Reach program' offered by the Salvation Army and "FAagy Crises Intervention program' offered by San Joa ain County Department of Ageing. .n ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL A MWING LODI MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 13.04 - "SERVICE GENERALLY" BE IT ORDAINED BY TffE LODI CITY COUNCIL AS FOLLOWS: SFC ON 1. Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.04 is hereby amended as follows: (Parts removed from the existing code are in stiikeeuE and additions Undefined), Chapter 13.04, SERVICE GENERAILLY Sections: 13.04.010 13.04.020 13.04.030 13.04.040 13.04.050 13.04.060 13.04.070 13.04.080 13.04.090 13.04.100 13.04.110 13.04.120 13.04.130 Definitions Application for service cr discontinuance Bill payment and delinquency connections generally Com cdw charges A ma is and flats Restriction or interruption connection or recoraiecu'on by plumbers Right of access for inspection Pipe and frili i maintenance Service only to oatracbed premises Bill adjustment Low income adjustments 13.04.030 Bill payment and delinquency. A. Payment, All bills for the services enumerated in this chapter are due and payable upon receipt thereof, at the finance deparbT errt, City Hall, Lodi, California. and become delinquent twenty da' s after the postmark date of tin bill. B. Delinquency, The director of finance shall send notic;: of delinquentbills, and if all delinquent charges for service are m t paid within t m days after mailing this notice. then the director of finance may diwontinue all service furnished to the customer by the city, the customer shall be given the opportunity to be heard as to any adjustment or cancellations of any bill. The hearing shall be held before the director of Fmxwe or his designee. In the vent of a discontinuance of service, as provided in this sub -section, the director of fiimnemay require as a conditionpreredent to the resumption of service that the customerpay: 1. The amount of the delinquent bill; 2. The cost to the city of discontinuing and resuming service; and 3. A deposit in an amount not exceeding the estimated amount of charges for two months' service. C. Closing Bills. Closing bills are due an the date on which ,sa vior is discontinued. (Ord. 1333 &1 (9)(A); prior code & 2-39) ON F 40•,.77.., V 1 F,'l..-'!. .7 1ri "TT, '.-0- arrrw=, IT"I'l I aM, '' I—M-11-1171-4-451 !h ! li i „�.� �t �: !•: for : - •tx>al�� TI ,M{ Irl. -I {._i11 + 1 1 ..�.,• 1; f14� ',J1.�:. !. � �`i.liil.! •"�'S �;i�--.�1 11.1,�.{,•s. ►i i.l I.w i�>•slll t� rt.f 11.�3 I - I °1111,• 1.11 1!• sl. �1 �.. 1�; -S ►.1. � 4,1. ! ...I t'' '1, l.; R, PIT, RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL S$11WKY A LATE FEE FOR DEUQUENT UTILITY BH LS WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City Council that the enterprise activities (water, sewer, electric, sollid waste). of the City be efficiently managed and based on sound economic principles by following prudent business practices; and WffiRTAS, it is the policy of the City Council to encourage a zbmem to pay utility bills on a timely basis and to discourage deliquent utility bWs; and WElZREAS, it is the policy of ft City Council that City staff will be sensitive to customer hardships or other unusual circumstances that pm dude timely payment of utility bills. NOW, T 1 11' W ORB, BE IT RESOLVED by the Lodi City Council that the following ]ate fees for deliquent utility bills is approved and that the Director of Finance may waive these fees when in his opinion a customer has presented r+eamnable evidence of financial hardship or convincing informaOon that timely payment cold not have been expected: BM Fust Second Third Fined Dated: April 2, 1992 Amount Utility Rate Only Utility Rate Only Utility Rate plus $10 late charge Utility Rate plus $25 late charge I hereby certify that Resolution No. was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City cf " in a regular meeting held Manch 5, 1992 by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members - NOW Council Members - AbwnL- Council Members - Alice M. Reimche City Clerk CITY br LODI o� • CARNEGIE FORUM 305 West Pine Street, Lodi 'JOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Date: March 4, 1992 Time: 7:30 p.m. (!!Telephone: n regarding this Public Hearing t: Alice M. Relmche City Clerk 333.6702 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING March 4, 1992 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, at the hour of 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, the City Council will conduct a public hearing to consider the following matter: a) introduction of an ordinance entitled, "An Ordinance of the Lodi City Council Amending Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.04 - 'Services Generally'" which ordinance would amend the Lodi Municipal Code to authorize the City to impose and collect late fees for delinquint utility bills. All interested persons are invited to present their views and comments on this matter. Written statements may be filed with the City Clerk at any time prior to the hearing scheduled herein, and oral statements may be made at said hearing. If you challenge the subject matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, 221 West Pine Street, at or prior to the Public Hearing. By Order Of the Lodi City Council: Alice M. Rei the City Clerk Dated: February 5, 1992 Approved as t4 form: i Bobby W. McNatt City Attorney