A. When the city finds that a user has violated, or continues to violate, any provision of this chapter, a wastewater discharge permit or order issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement, the city may fine such user in an amount not to exceed $2,500. Such fines shall be assessed on a per violation, per day basis. In the case of monthly or long-term average discharge limits, fines shall be assessed for each day during the period of violation.
B. Unpaid charges, fines and penalties shall, after 30 calendar days, be assessed an additional penalty of 20% of the unpaid balance, and interest shall accrue thereafter at a rate of 7% per month. A lien against the user's property will be sought for unpaid charges, fines, and penalties.
C. Users desiring to dispute such fines must file a written request for the city to reconsider the fine along with full payment of the fine amount within 15 days of being notified of the fine. Where a request has merit, the city may convene a hearing on the matter. In the event the users appeal is successful, the payment, together with any interest accruing thereto, shall be returned to the user. The city may add the cost of preparing administrative enforcement actions, such as notices and orders, to the fine.
D. Issuance of an administrative fine shall not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, taking any other action against the user.
(Ord. 1413 § 10.10, passed 4-1-2015)