TITLE V:  PUBLIC WORKS

  50.  GARBAGE AND RUBBISH

 51.  ELECTRICITY AND POWER

 52.  GENERAL WATER AND SEWER PROVISIONS

 53.  WATER

54.  SEWERS

 

CHAPTER 50:  GARBAGE AND RUBBISH

         50.01      Definitions

       50.02      Sanitation collection service required

       50.03      Container required; placement

       50.04      Meddling with trash receptacles prohibited

       50.05      Containers to be kept sanitary and secure

       50.06      Unauthorized private collections prohibited

       50.07      Sanitation service: city options.

       50.08      Rates and charges; collection and late payment

       50.09      Removal of building materials

       50.10      Prohibited acts

       50.11      Non-residential customers; container types; collection schedules

       50.12      Manner of collection and transportation

       50.13      Licensing for collection

       50.14      Collection of leaves, trees or tree limbs

Cross-reference:

       Health and Safety; Nuisances, see Chapter 94

 

 

§ 50.01  DEFINITIONS.

 

       For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

 

       GARBAGE.  Organic refuse resulting from the preparation of food, and decayed and spoiled food from any source.

 

       RUBBISH.  All inorganic refuse matter such as tin cans, glass, paper, ashes and the like.

 

 

§ 50.02  SANITATION COLLECTION SERVICE REQUIRED.

 

       Every person owning, managing, operating, leasing or renting any premises or any place where garbage or rubbish accumulates shall subscribe to a sanitation collection service.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.03  CONTAINER REQUIRED; PLACEMENT.

 

       (A)  It shall be the duty of every person whose garbage and refuse is collected by the sanitation collection service to provide a container or containers for garbage and refuse, sufficient in size and number to accommodate and securely keep all garbage and refuse that may accumulate between collections.  Garbage containers shall be watertight and constructed of a solid and durable grade of metal, plastic, or paper material.

 

       (B)  It shall be the duty of every person whose garbage and refuse is collected by the sanitation collection service to place their garbage containers directly behind the curbline of the street abutting their property or in the absence of a curb directly behind the ditch line abutting their property.  In no event shall containers be placed in the street or on the sidewalk or in any manner placed where the containers will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.  It shall be the responsibility of the subscriber to place the containers no earlier than 6:00 p.m. of the afternoon preceding the collection day.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.04  MEDDLING WITH TRASH RECEPTACLES PROHIBITED.

 

       (A)  It shall be unlawful to meddle with garbage cans, trash or rubbish receptacles or in any way pilfer, search or scatter contents of garbage cans or rubbish receptacles in or upon any street or alley within the city limits.

 

       (B)  This section shall not apply to persons authorized by the city or persons authorized by state or federal law to search or otherwise meddle with trash receptacles.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.05  CONTAINERS TO BE KEPT SANITARY AND SECURE.

 

       All containers shall be kept clean and free from accumulation of any substance remaining attached to the inside of the container which would attract or breed flies, mosquitoes, or other insects.  The area

 

surrounding garbage containers shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.  The contents of all receptacles shall be protected so that the wind cannot scatter the contents over the streets, alleys or other property within the city.  All containers shall be securely closed in a manner as to prevent the scattering of the contents and to make them inaccessible to insects, rodents and other animals.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.06  UNAUTHORIZED PRIVATE COLLECTIONS PROHIBITED.

 

       (A)  It shall be unlawful for any person to transport garbage or refuse for hire which has been collected from any premises within the city over any public street within the city.

 

       (B)  This section shall not apply to any person who at the time of the activity is operating under a valid contract or franchise granted by the city which authorizes that person to use the public streets to conduct that activity.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.07  SANITATION SERVICE: CITY OPTIONS.

 

       The City Council may provide for sanitation collection services within the city by use of city employees and vehicles, or it may grant licenses under the terms and conditions of § 50.13, or it may contract with one or more contractors for the provision of these services under the terms and conditions negotiated with the contractors, except that the provisions for insurance under § 50.13(E) shall always apply.

 

§ 50.08  RATES AND CHARGES; COLLECTION AND LATE PAYMENT.

 

       If the city collects charges for the collection, removal and disposal of garbage and trash within the city, the following provisions apply.

 

       (A)  Generally.  The monthly charge for the collection, removal and disposal of garbage and trash from residences and businesses within the corporate limits of the city shall be as established by ordinance of Council, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

       (B)  Collection of charges.  The charges fixed herein for the collection, removal and disposal of all garbage and trash shall be entered in their respective amounts on the utility bill.  The city may discontinue all utility services, including water, sewer, and garbage and trash services, for failing to pay any assessed charges and until the charges have been paid in full under conditions and procedures detailed in division (C) of this section.

 

       (C)  Disconnection for late payment.

 

               (1)   It is the policy of the city to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills.  The city’s form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number, and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:

 

                      (a)   That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill;

 

                      (b)   That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten days of the mailing of the second bill, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and

 

                      (c)   That any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the city official in charge of utility billing.  This official shall be authorized to order that the customer’s service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer’s complaint.

 

               (2)   Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered.  In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 30 days.

 

               (3)   When it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid, along with a turn-on charge as established by ordinance of Council, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

       (D)  Cold weather rule.  Pursuant to M.S. § 216B.097, as it may be amended from time to time, no service of a residential customer shall be disconnected if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit when the disconnection would occur during the period between October 15 and April 15, the customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the city, the household income of the customer is less that 185% of the federal poverty level as documented by the customer to the city, and the customer’s account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 15 or the customer has entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.  The City Clerk/Administrator shall, between August 15 and October 15, of each year, notify all residential customers of these provisions.

 

 

§ 50.09  REMOVAL OF BUILDING MATERIALS.

 

       Waste from building operations, rock waste, building materials or other refuse resulting from building or remodeling operations or resulting from a general cleanup of vacant or improved property shall be removed by the building contractor, owner or occupant of the building at his or her own expense.  It shall be unlawful for any person to place those materials in any dumpster or other trash receptacle for disposal by the city or any agent or contractor of the city.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.10  PROHIBITED ACTS.

 

       (A)  It shall be unlawful for any person to sweep, throw or deposit any garbage, trash, debris, stagnant water or dead animal into, upon or along any public property or private property of another, except as may be specifically provided by this chapter.

 

       (B)  It shall be unlawful for any person owning or otherwise in control of any premises within the city to permit any of the conditions described in division (A) to exist upon property owned or controlled by him or her after having actual or constructive notice thereof.

 

       (C)  It shall be unlawful for any person to place in any container any material other than as specifically provided in this chapter.

 

       (D)  It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or maintain garbage or trash except as provided for by this chapter.

 

       (E)   It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit any burning match, charcoal, ember, or other material in any container used for the disposal of garbage.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.11  NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS; CONTAINER TYPES; COLLECTION SCHEDULES.

 

       (A)  It shall be the duty of the owner or person otherwise in charge of multi-family, institutional or industrial premises within the city to cause all garbage and trash accumulated on the premises to be placed in disposable containers, or commercial-type containers.  Commercial-type containers may be used and may be placed at a location on the premises as arranged between the customer and the collector, but subject to review by the city at any time.

 

       (B)  Disposable containers shall be placed at a location on the premises which is readily accessible to the collector.

       (C)  The amount and character of garbage shall be considered in establishing size of commercial containers and frequency of pickup.  The city shall have final authority to establish the size and frequency based on the history of amount and type of garbage generated by the customer.  The collection and removal of garbage and trash from premises used for commercial, institutional, or industrial purposes shall be made as often as necessary in order to maintain the premises free of accumulations.  Garbage, except dry trash in contractor-supplied containers, shall be collected not less than one time each week, except for roll-off containers which shall not be subject to this provision so long as they are used solely for brush and dry trash.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.12  MANNER OF COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION.

 

       (A)  The collection, removal and disposal of all garbage, trash and brush shall be carried on in a systematic, efficient manner to keep the city in a clean and sanitary condition.

 

       (B)  All vehicles used for the collection and transportation of garbage and trash shall be equipped

with suitable covers which shall be used to prevent blowing or scattering of refuse while garbage and trash are being transported for disposal.

Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 50.13  LICENSING FOR COLLECTION.

 

       (A)  Purpose.  In order to provide for a continuous system of refuse collection and disposal in a manner which meets the needs and conveniences of

 

the residents of the city and in order to protect the area from the problems of uncoordinated, unsanitary and improper solid waste disposal, the City Council may determine that it is in the best interests of the residents of the city to require licenses of persons collecting or hauling garbage and rubbish for hire, reserving to the city the right and authority to contract with one or more operators to provide these services.

 

       (B)  Licensing.  No person may collect or haul garbage or rubbish within the city without first obtaining a written license from the City Council.  An application for a license shall be submitted in writing to the City Clerk/Administrator, and shall contain the following information:

 

               (1)   Name and address of the applicant;

 

               (2)   Description of the equipment which will be used within the city by the applicant;

 

               (3)   A schedule of the rate that will be charged by the applicant for the various categories of customers within the city; and

 

               (4)   Evidence of compliance with the other applicable sections of this chapter.

 

       (C)  Franchise.  The City Council may exercise its reserved right to contract with one or more operators for the collection of garbage and rubbish within the city.

 

       (D)  Suspension of license or contract.  A contract or license issued under the provisions of this section may be revoked or suspended for a violation of this chapter or other applicable regulations of law upon a showing that the contractor or licensee has failed to comply with that regulation.

 

       (E)   Financial responsibility.  The licensee or contractor shall show financial responsibility or a certificate of insurance coverage prior to obtaining the license or franchise whereby each vehicle to be used by the licensee or contractor shall be covered against loss or injury in the following amounts: $300,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $300,000 to any claimant in any other case; $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence.  The licensee or contractor shall hold the city harmless and agrees to defend and indemnify the city, and the city’s employees and agents, for any claims, damages, losses, and expenses related to the work under the license or contract.  The city shall be named as an additional insured under that insurance for the services provided under the license or contract.  The licensee’s or contractor’s insurance shall be the primary insurance for the city and the licensee or contractor shall provide a certificate of insurance on the city’s approved form which verifies the existence of the insurance required, including provisions to hold the city harmless and defend and indemnify the city. The licensee or contractor shall also provide evidence of workers compensation insurance for employees.  These insurance policies shall be for the full term of the license or franchise and shall provide for the giving of a ten-day prior notice to the city of the termination or cancellation of these policies.  In case any policies are terminated or cancelled, the license or contract shall be automatically revoked upon receipt by the City Clerk/Administrator of the termination or cancellation.

 

       (F)   Design of equipment.  All trucks or motor vehicles used by the licensee or contractor shall be water-tight so as not to allow the leakage of liquids or refuse while hauling the same and shall be covered with a covering to prevent the scattering of its contents upon the public streets or private properties in the city.

 

       (G)  Inspections.  All vehicles used for garbage or rubbish shall be made available for inspection within the city at the times and places as the City Council may designate.

 

       (H)  Bond.  The contractor or licensee may be required to furnish a surety bond in an amount as the City Council deems necessary running to and approved by the City Council, guaranteeing the franchisee’s or licensee’s faithful and continuous performance of the terms of the franchise, license or contract and of this chapter.

 

 

§ 50.14  COLLECTION OF LEAVES, TREES OR TREE LIMBS.

 

       Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the collection for hire by other persons of leaves, trees or tree limbs.

        51.01      Small power production; cogeneration

       51.02      Underground service connections

       51.03      Application for service

       51.04      Deposits

       51.05      Rates and charges

       51.06      Shut-off for nonpayment

       51.07      Collection with taxes

 

 

§ 51.01  SMALL POWER PRODUCTION; COGENERATION.

 

       (A)  (1)   The utility, consistent with its policy of encouraging innovation in the energy field and with the requirements and objectives of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1979 or PURPA, asserts it willingness to:

 

                      (a)   Interconnect with qualifying customer-owned generation facilities (qualifying facility or QF);

 

                      (b)   Operate in parallel with the QF;

 

                      (c)   Purchase all power and energy generated by the QF which the customer may make available to the utility; and

 

                      (d)   Sell to the customer all power and energy requested by the customer.

 

               (2)   The utility intends that these service rules and regulations be in compliance with the requirements of the applicable federal and state laws, rules and orders.

 

       (B)  Qualification requirements, interconnection

requirements, electrical requirements, rates and metering, insurance requirements, avoided cost date, miscellaneous requirements and sample agreements are on file at the City Clerk/Administrator’s office.

(Ord. 487, passed 12-17-1984)

 

 

§ 51.02  UNDERGROUND SERVICE CONNECTIONS.

 

       (A)  Any customer may, after approval by the city, obtain an underground service connection to the city’s overhead distribution lines by installing an approved underground service entrance.  It shall be understood that all underground service costs, including installations, maintenance and relocation, are to be paid by the customer, even though the relocation of the service entrance may be caused by relocation of the city-owned pole.

 

       (B)  At locations where one customer only is being served or is likely to be served, the customer shall install the underground service from the meter devices at a point six feet, plus one foot above the earth line on the outside of his or her building underground and up the pole to a point on the pole approximately one foot above the secondary rack.

 

       (C)  Conductors shall be of sufficient length to permit proper connections to be made in the meter devices and to the secondary conductors after proper drip loops have been formed.  The underground service conductors shall be insulated to comply with the insulation and protection requirements of the wiring regulations in effect in the area.  The requirements of the National Electrical Code shall prevail.

 

       (D)  All conductors shall be in conduit for their full length from a point just below the earth surface to a location on the pole approximately one foot above the necessary rack and from a point just below the earth surface to the meter devices at a point on the outside of the customer’s building six feet, plus one foot above the earth surface.  The conduit and/or cable shall be buried to a minimum depth of 18 inches.

 

       (E)   The customer shall install and maintain the fuses as the city may require.

 

       (F)   The customer’s grounding shall be installed in the same manner as that used on overhead service installations.

 

       (G)  The conductors from the meter devices to the customer’s service switch shall be installed in the same manner as that used on overhead service installations.

 

       (H)  Underground conductors shall never be placed in the same trench with water pipes or gas pipes.

(Ord. 308, passed 9-3-1968)

 

§ 51.03  APPLICATION FOR SERVICE.

 

       (A)  Application for electric service installation and for electric service shall be made to the city office on forms prescribed by the city office and furnished by the city.  Every person applying for electric service from the municipal electric system, and every owner of property for which the application is made, shall be deemed by the application to consent to all ordinances, rules and regulations of the city relating to the municipal electric system.

 

       (B)  All accounts for utility services provided to any premises by the city shall be carried in the name of the owner of the premises who personally, or by his or her agent, has applied or shall apply for the services until the owner or agent notifies the city of the name of the tenant or tenants who will henceforth be responsible for the utility charges while in possession of the premises and the tenant or tenants have complied with the requirements of § 51.04.  When a tenant or tenants terminate the lease or vacate the premises or cease to be in possession of the premises, the accounts for municipal utility services shall again be carried in the name of the owner of the premises.  The provisions of this section are applicable to all leases, initial and/or subsequent, of all premises receiving utility services from the city.

(Ord. 95-600, passed - -1995)

 

 

§ 51.04  DEPOSITS.

 

       (A)  There is hereby required a deposit on all new electric service connections within the city, when the user of the property being serviced is not the fee title owner.  The deposit shall also be required of all new service connections in the electrical distribution area outside the city limits.  When any of the above users has been disconnected for non-payment, the user shall be considered a new service before reconnection under this section.  The deposit charge shall be paid in full and will be as follows:

 

               (1)   Apartments without electric heat, $50.  Apartments with electric heat, $100;

 

               (2)   Mobile homes without electric heat, $100.  Mobile homes with electric heat, $200; and

 

               (3)   Single-family residences without electric heat, $100.  Single-family residences with electric heat, $200.

 

       (B)  The electrical user required to pay a deposit pursuant to this provision may exempt himself or herself from the payment of the deposit if he or she can show that for the past 12 calendar months he or she has maintained a good credit history with an electric utility.  A good credit history shall be that credit history over the past 12 months which will indicate no late payments by the user, late payment constituting any payment made after the assessment of late charges, if any, or grace period determined by the particular utility.

 

       (C)  If the customer is delinquent in his or her electric account, his or her deposit shall be applied on the delinquent account and an additional deposit shall immediately be required to bring the deposit up to the amount originally required and if the additional deposit is not immediately made, the customer shall be subject to the shut-off provisions of § 51.06.

(Ord. 95-600, passed - -1995)

 

 

§ 51.05  RATES AND CHARGES.

 

       (A)  The rates for the supply of electric power to the customer shall be as established by resolution of the City Council from time to time.

 

       (B)  (1)   Electric water heaters and electric heating systems qualify for the dual meter electric rate.

 

               (2)   All buildings, new or otherwise, for which a dual meter rate is applied for, shall have installed a second electric meter (dual meter) to measure the electrical usage of the electric water heater and/or electric heating system.  The city’s electric utility will provide the dual meter at no cost to the customer and will pay a maximum of $50 towards the cost of installation of the dual meter.

 

               (3)   The electric water heater and/or electric heating system must be connected to the electric utility’s load management system and must have been approved by the Electric Utility Superintendent.

 

               (4)   Customers applying for the dual meter electric rate must have signed a statement of assurances before the dual meter electric rate will be received.

 

       (C)  (1)   All the rates under division (A) above are net, subject to a 10% penalty if not paid by the twelfth of the month immediately following the monthly billing.

 

               (2)   If payment is not received or satisfactory arrangements made by the specified date on the second notice, service will be discontinued until the total amount of the bill has been paid and a charge of $10 for reconnecting the electricity must be paid before service will be continued.

(Ord. 95-600, passed - -1995)

 

 

§ 51.06  SHUT-OFF FOR NONPAYMENT.

 

       (A)  (1)   The city shall endeavor to collect delinquent accounts promptly.  In any case where satisfactory arrangements for payment have not been made, the Utility Department may, after the procedural requirements of division (B) have been complied with, discontinue service to the delinquent customer by shutting off the electricity at the stop box.

 

               (2)   When electric service to any premises has been discontinued, service shall not be restored except upon the payment of all delinquent amounts due, plus a fee as may be established by resolution of the City Council from time to time.

 

       (B)  (1)   Electricity shall not be shut off under division (A) above until notice and an opportunity for a hearing have first been given the occupant of the premises involved.

 

               (2)   The notice shall be personally served and shall state that if payment is not made before a date stated in the notice but not less than five days after the date on which the notice is given, the electric supply to the premises will be shut off.  The notice shall clearly inform the customer of the available opportunities to present to the city his or her objections to the bill, and shall identify the telephone number, address and officer or employee who will handle the customer’s complaint and who has the authority to review the facts and files, to correct any errors in the billing and to arrange for credit terms. The notice shall also state that the occupant may, before the date, demand a hearing on the matter, in which case the supply will not be cut off until after the hearing is held.

 

               (3)   If, before the date specified, the customer requests a hearing, the Mayor shall appoint a panel of three impartial residents of the city who shall hold a hearing on the matter at least one week after the date of the appointment of the last of the three members of the panel.

 

               (4)   If as a result of the hearing, the three-member panel finds that the amount claimed to be owing is actually due and unpaid and that there is no legal reason why the electric supply of the delinquent customer may not be shut off in accordance with this section, the city may shut off the supply.

(Ord. 95-600, passed - -1995)

 

               (5)   As provided by M.S. § 216B.097 as it may be amended from time to time, the Cold Weather Rule, no service of a residential customer shall be disconnected if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit when the disconnection would occur during the period between October 15 and April 15, the customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the city, the household income of the customer is less than 185% of the federal poverty level as documented by the customer to the city, and the customer’s account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 15 or the customer has entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.  The city shall, between August 15 and October 15, of each year, notify all residential customers of these provisions.

 

 

§ 51.07  COLLECTION WITH TAXES.

 

       Delinquent accounts contracted for by a property owner or by anyone acting as the owner’s agent or carried in the name of the owner shall be certified to the City Clerk/Administrator who shall prepare an assessment roll each year providing for assessment of the delinquent amount against the respective properties served.  Upon the adoption, the City Clerk/Administrator shall certify the assessment roll to the County Auditor for collection along with taxes.

(Ord. 95-600, passed - -1995)

 CHAPTER 52:  GENERAL WATER AND SEWER PROVISIONS

        52.01      Water and Collection System Department

       52.02      Use of system restricted

       52.03      Application for service

       52.04      Charges for connections

       52.05      Accounting, billing and collecting

       52.06      Public and city protection

Cross-reference:

       Public Utility Committee, see § 31.09

 

 

§ 52.01  WATER AND COLLECTION SYSTEM DEPARTMENT.

 

       Under the provisions of the City Charter, a Public Works Department has been created which includes waste collection and disposal system and public waterworks.  The Divisions of Water and Waste Treatment shall be responsible for the management, maintenance, care and operation of the waterworks and sanitary sewage collection system of the city.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 

 

§ 52.02  USE OF SYSTEM RESTRICTED.

 

       No person shall make or use any water or sewer installation connected to the city water or collection

 

system except pursuant to application and permit as provided in this chapter.  No person shall make or use any installation contrary to this chapter.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 

 

§ 52.03  APPLICATION FOR SERVICE.

 

       (A)  Procedure.  Application for water or sewer service installation and for water service shall be made to the City Clerk/Administration on forms prescribed by the Water and Waste Superintendent and furnished by the city.  By his or her signature, the applicant shall agree to conform to this chapter and to rules and regulations that may be established by the city as conditions for the use of water.

 

       (B)  Fees.  Application for a service installation shall be made by the owner of the property to be served or by his or her agent.  The applicant shall, at the time of making application, pay to the city the amount of the fees required for the installation of the service connection as provided in this chapter.  When a water service connection has been installed, application for water service may be made either by the owner or his or her agent or by the tenant or occupant of the premises.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

  

§ 52.04  CHARGES FOR CONNECTIONS.

 

       (A)  Permit and fee.  No connection shall be made to the city water or sanitary sewer system without a permit received from the City’s Clerk/Administrator.  The fee for each permit for a water main connection permit and for a sewer connection permit shall be as established by resolution of the City Council from time to time.  These fees shall be in addition to any fees required under divisions (B) through (D).

 

       (B)  Connection fees.  When a connection requires installation of a service line from the main to the property line, the applicant for a permit shall pay to the city an amount not less than the cost of making the necessary connections, taps and installation of pipe and appurtenances to provide service to the property and the necessary street repairs.  These costs will be an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time for water on an unimproved street for a one-inch service, and an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time for an improved street.  The sewer cost for a four-inch sewer service will be an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time for an unimproved street and an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time for an improved street.  Larger services will be billed at cost of materials and labor.  For connections where no installation is required but water must be turned on, there will be a fee of an amount established by resolution of the City Council from time to time for each turn on and turn off.

 

       (C)  Certification.  No permit shall be issued to connect with any water or sanitary sewer main unless the City Clerk/Administrator certifies to the truth of one of the following or the payment required under division (D) is made:

 

               (1)   The lot or tract to be served has been assessed for the cost of construction of the main with which the connection is made or that proceedings for levying the assessment have been or will be commenced in due course;

 

               (2)   The cost of construction of the main has been paid by the developer or builder plotting the lot or tract; or

 

               (3)   If neither of the foregoing is true, a sum equal to the portion of the cost of constructing the main which would be assessable against the lot or parcel has been paid to the city.

 

       (D)  Additional connection.  If no certificate can be issued, the applicant shall pay an additional connection fee equal to the portion of the cost of construction of the main attributable to the property upon the same basis as any assessment previously levied against other property for the main.  The determination shall be made by the City’s Clerk/Administrator.  If no assessment has been levied, the assessable cost shall be determined upon the basis of the uniform charge which may have been or will be charged for similar connection with the main.  The amount shall be determined on the basis of the total assessable cost of the main allocated on the basis of frontage.  Where the assessable cost cannot be determined, the charge shall be fixed at $6 a foot for water and $10 a foot for sewer per front foot of the property to be served.  In no event shall the connection charge made under this division exceed the increase in value of the property attributable to the main.

 

       (E)   Notice and hearing.  Before the City Clerk/Administrator makes a final determination of the additional connection fee under division (D), he or she shall submit a written notice to the applicant stating the amount of the proposed connection fee and the basis of its calculation.  The notice shall also state that the applicant may, within ten days of receipt of the notice, demand a hearing on the matter.  If the applicant requests a hearing within that time, a hearing shall be held on the matter by the City Council at least one week after the date on which the request is made. If, as a result of the hearing, the City Council finds that the proposed connection fee complies with the requirements of this section, they shall so determine. If they determine that the proposed fee is in excess of the amount that would have been assessed had the property been assessed for the main, or in excess of the increase in the market value attributable, to the construction of the main, they shall make a determination of the proper amount of the fee within the limits specified in division (D).  No connection shall be made without payment of the connection fee determined after the hearing or determined after the expiration of ten days from receipt of the notice when there has been no request within that time for a hearing.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 

 

§ 52.05  ACCOUNTING, BILLING AND COLLECTING.

 

       (A)  All accounts shall be carried in the name of the resident.  The owner shall be liable for water supplied to his or her property, whether he or she is occupying the property or not, and any charges unpaid shall be a lien upon the property.

 

       (B)  Water bills shall be mailed to the customer quarterly on light bills and shall specify the amount of water consumed and water charges in accordance with the rates set out in this chapter.  Sewer will be billed monthly on the light bills and show amount for treatment plant and collecting system.

 

       (C)  All charges for water and sewer shall be due on their respective due dates specified by the city for the respective account and shall be delinquent if not paid on or before the twelfth day of the month.  A 10% late charge shall be added to delinquent accounts. The city shall endeavor to collect delinquent accounts promptly.  In any case, where satisfactory arrangements for payment have not been made, the Water and Waste Divisions may, after the procedural requirements of division (D) have been complied with, discontinue service to the delinquent customer by shutting off the water at the stop box. When water service to any premises has been discontinued, service shall not be restored except upon the payment of all delinquent bills and a fee of $10.

 

       (D)  (1)   Water shall not be shut off under division (C) or for violation of rules and regulations affecting utility service until notice and an opportunity for a hearing have first been given the occupant of the premises involved.

 

               (2)   The notice shall be personally served and shall state that if payment is not made before a day stated in the notice but not less than ten days after the date on which the notice is given the water supply to the premises will be shut off.  The notice shall also state that the occupant may, before the date, demand a hearing on the matter, in which case the supply will not be cut off until after the hearing is held.

 

               (3)   If, before the date specified, a hearing is requested by the customer, the Mayor shall appoint a panel of three impartial residents of the city, who shall hold a hearing at least one week after the date of the appointment of the last of the three members of the panel.

 

               (4)   If, as a result of the hearing, the hearing panel finds that the amount claimed to be owing is actually due and unpaid and that there is no legal reason why the water supply of the delinquent customer may not be shut off in accordance with the chapter, the city may shut off the supply.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 

       (E)   As provided by M.S. § 216B.097 as it may be amended from time to time, the Cold Weather Rule, no service of a residential customer shall be disconnected if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit when the disconnection would occur during the period between October 15 and April 15, the customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the city, the household income of the customer is less than 185% of the federal poverty level as documented by the customer to the city, and the customer’s account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 15 or the customer has entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.  The city shall, between August 15 and October 15, of each year, notify all residential customers of these provisions.

 

 

§ 52.06  PUBLIC AND CITY PROTECTION.

 

       (A)  Permit and bond.  A permit for construction and connection of the extension between a building drain and the sewer stub, herein called the building sewer, or between the building water service pipe and the water stub, herein called the water service, shall be issued only upon application by a qualified plumber or homeowner who has furnished a bond to the City Clerk/Administrator to do the work.  The bond shall be in the amount of $2,000, conditioned so as to secure compliance by the principal with the provisions of this chapter and to further secure performance by him or her of all work undertaken within the city.

 

       (B)  Liability insurance.  Before undertaking the construction work authorized by the permit, the plumber or homeowner shall secure and maintain a policy of insurance against damages to property or injury or death to persons.  The policy shall indemnify and save harmless the city and its personnel against any claim, damages or cause of action arising out of the work and from any expense of defending same.

 

       (C)  Apportionment of costs.  The owner shall bear the costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer or extension of the water service to private property.  He or she shall  indemnify the city for any loss or damage directly or indirectly caused by its installation and connection. The city will bring all services of water and sewer as near as possible to the property line.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 CHAPTER 53:  WATER

        53.01      Discontinuance of service

       53.02      Supply from one service; connection

       53.03      Tapping mains

       53.04      Repair of leaks

       53.05      Use of hydrants

       53.06      Private water supply

       53.07      Restricted hours

       53.08      Permitting use by others

       53.09      Nonresident service

       53.10      Meters

       53.11      Plumbing regulations

       53.12      Water rates

Cross-reference:

       General Water and Sewer Provisions, see

         Chapter 52

 

 

§ 53.01  DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE.

 

       The city may discontinue service to any water consumer without notice for necessary repairs, upon notice as provided in § 53.04, for nonpayment of charges, or for violation of rules and regulations affecting utility service.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 

 

§ 53.02  SUPPLY FROM ONE SERVICE; CONNECTION.

 

       (A)  No more than one house or building shall be supplied from one service connection except by special permission of the City Council.

 

       (B)  Whenever two or more parties are supplied from one pipe connecting with a service main, each building or part of building separately supplied shall have a separate stop box and a separate meter.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)

 

       (C)  (1)   All residents of the city whose real property abuts the streets of the city in which municipal water lines are located shall connect to the water lines.

 

               (2)   Any resident of the city presently owning real property not connected to the municipal water system shall connect to the water system in accordance with these regulations.

(Ord. 99-02, passed 8-2-1999)

 

 

§ 53.03  TAPPING MAINS.

 

       No person, except an authorized city employee, shall turn on or shut off any water supply at the stop box or tap any distributing main or pipe of the water supply system or insert a stopcock or other appurtenance therein.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)  Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 53.04  REPAIR OF LEAKS.

 

       (A)  The consumer or owner shall be responsible for maintaining the service pipe from the curb box into the building served.

 

       (B)  If he or she fails to repair any leak in the service pipe within 24 hours after notice by the city, the city may turn the water off.  The water shall not then be turned on again until the leak is repaired and a sum of $30 has been paid to the city.

 

       (C)  When the waste of water is great or damage is likely to result from the leak, the city shall turn the water off immediately upon the giving of notice if repair is not commenced immediately.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)  Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 53.05  USE OF HYDRANTS.

 

       No person other than an authorized city employee shall operate a fire hydrant or interfere in any way with the city water system without first obtaining authority in writing to do so from the Water and Waste Superintendent.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)  Penalty, see § 10.99

 

 

§ 53.06  PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY.

 

       No water pipe of the city water supply system shall be connected with any pump, well or tank that is connected with any other source of water supply. When any connection is found, the Public Water and Light Division shall notify the owner to sever the connection, and if this is not done immediately the city shall turn off the water supply forthwith.  Before any new connection to the city water system is permitted, the Division shall ascertain that no cross connection will exist when the new connection is made.

(Ord. 474, passed 11-7-1983)