Chapter 14.12
SERVICE CHARGES1
Sections:
14.12.030 Single-family residential units.
14.12.040 Multiple-family residential living units.
14.12.050 Public schools and churches.
14.12.060 Commercial, hospital and industrial services.
14.12.070 Recreational vehicle waste dumping stations.
14.12.080 Extra-strength service charge.
14.12.090 Surcharge--Extra cost.
14.12.100 Interpretation and conditions.
14.12.110 Applicability of service charges.
14.12.130 Sewer deposit refund.
14.12.140 Utility discounts for senior citizens.
14.12.010 Definitions.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings hereafter set forth in this section, whether appearing in capital or lower case form.
A. “Mobile home parks” means and includes travel trailer parks and is defined as any area or tract of land having a sewer connection and in which sewage collection pipes are extended to two or more spaces occupied by or intended to be occupied by a mobile home, travel trailer or motor home, which are defined as a vehicle with or without motive power which is designed, used or intended for use as a place of human habitation, or as eating, sleeping or living quarters, or any combination thereof. A space is defined as the individual location having a sewer hookup for each such vehicle.
B. “Recreational vehicle dumping station” means a facility connected to the sanitary sewer system which accepts liquid wastes dumped from holding tanks of recreational vehicles such as travel trailers, motor homes and campers and where such wastes pass into the sanitary sewer system, regardless of whether such wastes are accepted by the recreational vehicle dumping station operator with or without charge. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.020 Rates--Established.
The rates and charges as set forth in this chapter are established and determined for the use of the sewage facilities of the city. The gallonage factors shall be equivalent to water consumption from service to the premises by the municipal water distribution system of the city. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.030 Single-family residential units.
Single-family residential service charges are eleven dollars and thirty-seven cents per dwelling per month. (Ord. 1714 §3, 1994; Ord. 1696 §4, 1993; Ord. 1680 §1, 1992; Ord. 1666 §1, 1991; Ord. 1654 §1, 1991; Ord. 1628 §1, 1989; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.040 Multiple-family residential living units.
There shall be a service charge for all multiple-family residential living units including apartments, mobile home parks, motels and hotels as follows:
A. An amount equal to a minimum residential rate per account of eleven dollars and thirty-seven cents per month times the number of living units for which sewer service is provided.
B. For purposes of new construction, the number of living units or mobile home spaces for which sewer service is provided shall be calculated for such living units or mobile home spaces after they are initially occupied. The number of living units or mobile home spaces initially occupied for the purpose of such rate computation shall be as reported by the owner or manager of each such apartment, multiple dwelling or mobile home park and shall be designated on forms to be furnished by the city and delivered or mailed to the city on or before the tenth day of each month. In the absence of a timely report of actual occupancy by the owner or manager of each such apartment, multiple dwelling or mobile home park, occupancy shall be deemed to be one hundred percent. If sewer is provided and no living units or mobile home spaces are occupied, the charges for sewer service shall be calculated assuming an occupancy of one unit.
C. It is unlawful for any person to make any false statement or report to the city as provided for in this section.
D. A “living unit,” for purposes of this section, means such room or rooms designed for and capable of being used for living accommodations of one or more persons as a single housekeeping unit or household or overnight accommodation. (Ord. 1714 §4, 1994; Ord. 1696 §5, 1993; Ord. 1680 §2, 1992; Ord. 1661 §2, 1991; Ord. 1654 §2, 1991; Ord. 1628 §2, 1989; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.050 Public schools and churches.
Service charges for public schools and churches are per account per month, a total of the following:
A. Capacity Charge. An amount determined by the size of water meter or meters supplying the premises serviced by the sewer connection as follows:
|
For each meter through 3/4 inch |
$11.37 |
|
For each 1 inch meter |
12.40 |
|
For each 1-1/2 inch meter |
13.67 |
|
For each 2 inch meter |
16.35 |
|
For each 3 inch meter |
26.92 |
|
For each 4 inch meter |
38.79 |
|
For each 6 inch meter |
68.92 |
|
For each 8 inch meter |
98.76 |
B. Gallonage. To the capacity charges specified in subsection A of this section shall be added a charge of forty-seven cents per hundred cubic feet of water delivered to the premises as determined in subsection C of this section.
C. The gallonage service charge for public schools and church accounts shall be determined once each year during the month of March for each such account and the amount of the charge so determined shall be charged for each month for the twelve-month period then beginning. The charge shall be determined for each account by applying the rate in subsection B of this section to the average month water consumption during the preceding December, January and February for each such account except that for public schools, the average monthly water consumption shall be based on water uses in January and February. In the case of a service which commences after the month of February, the average gallonage shall be determined by the Central Point sewer department upon a reasonable comparison with the use of water by other customers receiving the same class of service and under similar circumstances and conditions. (Ord. 1714 §5, 1994; Ord. 1696 §6, 1993; Ord. 1680 §3, 1992; Ord. 1666 §3, 1991; Ord. 1654 §3, 1991; Ord. 1628 §3, 1989; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.060 Commercial, hospital and industrial services.
Service charges for commercial, hospital and industrial services are per account per month, a total of the following (plus any extra strength or other charges per this chapter):
A. Capacity Charges. An amount determined by the size of the water meter or meters supplying the premises serviced by the sewer connection as follows:
|
For each meter through 3/4 inch |
$11.37 |
|
For each 1 inch meter |
12.40 |
|
For each 1-1/2 inch meter |
13.67 |
|
For each 2 inch meter |
16.35 |
|
For each 3 inch meter |
26.92 |
|
For each 4 inch meter |
38.79 |
|
For each 6 inch meter |
68.92 |
|
For each 8 inch meter |
98.76 |
B. Gallonage. To the capacity charges specified in subsection A of this section shall be added a charge of forty-seven cents per hundred cubic feet of water delivered to the premises. (Ord. 1714 §6, 1994; Ord. 1696 §7, 1993; Ord. 1680 §4, 1992; Ord. 1666 §4, 1991; Ord. 1654 §4, 1991; Ord. 1628 §4, 1989; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.070 Recreational vehicle waste dumping stations.
The charge for each recreational vehicle waste dumping facility shall be the sum of sixteen dollars per month. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.080 Extra-strength service charge.
A. All commercial and industrial sewer service accounts shall pay a surcharge for extra-strength industrial waste discharge as defined in this title in addition to the service charge listed in Section 14.12.060. The surcharge shall be a monthly charge at the rate of twenty cents per three hundred ppm of biochemical oxygen demand or suspended solids, or fraction thereof, in excess of the first three hundred ppm of biochemical oxygen demand or suspended solids, per one hundred cubic feet of water delivered to the premises. The method used to determine extra-strength service charges for wastewater shall be as described in this title. The surcharge shall be for the higher concentration of either biochemical oxygen demand or suspended solids, but not assessed for both.
B. For each extra-strength industrial waste discharger, the composite charge rate shall normally be employed. The composite charge rate shall be based on the average of composited samples obtained in accordance with the provisions of the wastewater strength determination section of this title and the wastewater volume as determined in accordance with the provisions of the wastewater volume determination section of this title. In appropriate circumstances other charge rates shall be employed under the terms and conditions set forth in Section 14.08.030 of this title. (Ord. 1628 §5, 1989; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.090 Surcharge--Extra cost.
The city shall establish and collect a surcharge to the rates established in this chapter in case of discharge from a premises of sewage of a nature to cause extra costs or deterioration. In lieu of or in addition to such surcharge, the owner or operator of the premises may be required by the city to install and operate, at the expense of such owner or operator, pretreatment facilities of a type and size as recommended by the city’s engineer. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.100 Interpretation and conditions.
A. It is unlawful for any person to make any false statement or report to the city as provided in this title.
B. A living unit for purposes of this chapter shall mean such room or rooms designed for and capable of being used for living accommodation of one or more persons as a single housekeeping unit or household. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.110 Applicability of service charges.
The service charges designated in this chapter shall apply for each month or part thereof during which water service to the premises is active, but shall not apply to any premises not connected to the sanitary sewer system. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.120 Sewer deposit.
A deposit for a service charge shall not be required for any applicant who is the owner of the property to be served. A deposit of ten dollars shall be required of all other applicants. Such deposit shall be in addition to any water service deposit. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.130 Sewer deposit refund.
Any person desiring to discontinue the use of sewer service shall give notice in writing to the city manager of such intention. Any prepayment or deposit on account of such service over and above the amount owing shall be refunded by check or cash except when such amount in combination with any prepayment or deposit on account for water service which is an aggregate amount of one dollar or less, the refund shall be paid only by cash over the counter within sixty days. If such refund by check or cash is not claimed within sixty days, it shall be returned to the utility fund account. (Ord. 1969 §1(part), 2013; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.140 Utility discounts for senior citizens.
A. A senior citizen for purposes of obtaining a discount on utilities under this chapter must be a resident of the city and the head of a household therein, must be at least sixty-two years of age or incapable of gainful employment as the result of a disability as determined by any public agency of the United States, the state or Jackson County, and must have income of less than six thousand one hundred seven dollars per year from all sources if single or a combined income of seven thousand three hundred seventy-nine dollars per year if married.
B. Any person desiring to receive the utility discount must submit application to the city on forms to be provided by the city. Subsequent to initial qualifications for utility discount, any person must reapply on or before June 15th of each year thereafter. The city manager shall determine whether any applicant meets the qualifications and requirements for discount as set forth in this chapter.
C. Any renter qualifying for the discount under this chapter may take a monthly claim to the city for direct reimbursement in amounts equal to the discount available to landowners as provided in this chapter. Such claims for direct reimbursement shall be submitted on forms furnished by the city and accompanied by a statement by the landlord that rent for such senior citizen applicant has been paid for the period and that such rental payments have included all utilities for which the discount is allowable under this chapter. It is unlawful for any landlord to refuse to furnish any senior citizens such statement upon request. No claims for refund shall be paid by the city for any rental payments incurred or paid more than ninety days prior to the submission of such claim to the city.
D. The amount of discount for senior citizens provided under this chapter shall be three dollars per month for sewer service and three dollars and fifty cents per month for water service.
E. It is unlawful for any person to make, assist in making or to derive the benefits from any false application for discounts provided under this section. In addition to other penalties provided by law, the city shall be entitled to recover from any person or persons receiving the benefit of discounts as a result of any false statement made in any application the amount therefor, including interest at the rate of nine percent per year from the date such discounts were granted. (Ord. 1969 §1(part), 2013; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.150 Unpaid accounts.
In the event of unpaid charges for sewer service, connecting service or reconnecting service, the city may apply any deposit to the unpaid charges or terminate service to the account premises in accordance with this section. These remedies shall be nonexclusive and independent of each other.
A. Application of Deposit to Account or Termination of Service. In the event the city intends to apply a deposit to an unpaid account or to terminate service because of an unpaid account, the following procedure shall be followed:
1. A notice shall be sent to the owner of the property, at the address on record with the county tax assessor, and to the customer at the address to which billings have been mailed, and at the address of the premises where the service is provided; provided, however, that if they are the same, only one notice need be sent.
2. The notice shall state the city’s intention to terminate service or apply the deposit to the account thirty days after the date of the mailing of the notice, and shall also contain the following language: “If you feel that there is a mistake on the bill or if you wish to dispute the amount of the bill, or you wish to dispute the termination of service, you may do so by appearing at the customer counter at Central Point City Hall during designated office hours prior to the expiration of 30 days from the date of the mailing of this notice.”
3. In the event a customer remonstrates against the intended application of the deposit or termination of service, the city manager or his designee shall provide an opportunity to the customer to be heard in a conference prior to application of the deposit to the charge or termination of service.
4. The city manager or his designee shall, following the passage of ten days from the date of the mailing of the notice, or following the conference referred to hereinabove if one is requested and attended, or following the date scheduled for said conference if one is requested and the customer fails to attend, have the authority to apply the deposit to the unpaid account or terminate service upon a finding that the charges have been accurately stated and have remained unpaid for a period of more than thirty days after the earliest of the charges was billed. (Ord. 1969 §1(part), 2013; Ord. 1696 §8, 1993; Ord. 1632 §2, 1990; Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
14.12.160 Penalty.
Any violation of any requirement of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to punishment in accordance with the general penalty ordinance of the city (Chapter 1.16 of the Central Point Municipal Code). Each day in which any such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. Fines collected shall go into the trust fund for operation and maintenance of the plant. (Ord. 1618 §17(part), 1989).
Prior ordinance history: Ord. 1502.