(A) In every instance of metered water supply service, the owner shall maintain the area in and around the water meter acceptable and accessible to the Public Utilities Department. Property owners who do not provide access to the meter or who do not keep physical access to the meter free and clear of debris and other obstacles so that the city can access the meter will be subject to a field-visit fee per occurrence to be established by resolution of the City Commission as well as the code enforcement citation and special hearing procedures as required by §§ 36.27 and 36.28.
(B) In addition to the code enforcement citation and special hearing procedures, property Owners who:
(1) Impede or otherwise deter access; or
(2) Do not keep physical access to the meter free and clear of any obstacles, so that the City can read, repair, install, remove and do any other action necessary to the meter or to carry out disconnect or reconnect service, will also be subject to the City's right to take any reasonable physical action to secure access and remove obstacles, including but not limited to breaking any lock, removing any gate, and restraining or subduing any dog or other animal, that prevents, interferes with or otherwise impedes access to the meter.
Before the City takes any such action, the City shall provide the Owner (and/or the Customer, if different from the Owner) with a minimum of ten days written notice, by regular mail sent to the address listed on the water account, and by posting of the property, to provide access and remove all obstacles. In securing access and removing obstacles, the City shall not be liable for damage to property as long as the City makes a reasonable effort to minimize such damage.
Any reasonable expense incurred by the City in securing access to its water meter shall be the responsibility of the property Owner and if not paid within 30 days of written demand, shall constitute a lien against the property until paid. Such lien shall be coequal with the lien of all state, county, district and municipal taxes and superior in dignity to all other liens, titles, and claims. In the event that the Public Utilities Department requires the assistance of the City's Police Department to gain access to the meter, a fee per occurrence will be assessed against the utility account. Such fee will be established by resolution of the City Commission.
(C) When any meter has once been placed, its position shall not be changed, except by the Public Utilities Department with its consent and at the cost of the owner, and in the event any owner makes any change in his premises, which in the discretion of the Department requires any change in the location of position of the meter or meter box, such change in location or position shall be made by the Department at the cost and expense of the owner.
(‘72 Code, § 36-30) (Ord. 205, passed - - ; Am. Ord. O-94-44, passed 9-21-94; Am. Ord. O-2005- 04, passed 5-4-05; Am. Ord. O- 2009-08, passed 5-6-09; Am. Ord. O-2014-15, passed 7-16-14; Am. Ord. O-2019-18, passed 9-18-19)