(a) Written notice of proposed disconnection of service, for any reason other than voluntary disconnection as described herein, must be sent by the city at least seven days, and no more than ten days, prior to the date proposed for disconnection. Notices may be mailed with first class postage prepaid or delivered to the service address by a city employee to reasonably assure delivery within that time. The date of the notice shall be the date of mailing or delivered, and a dated copy of any notice sent shall be retained by the city in the business file relating to each service address referred to in the notice.
(b) Notices shall clearly and conspicuously advise any recipient of each of the facts:
(1) Identifying information, including the service address to be affected, the account number, the customer's name and address, and the identity of the city Water Department and its address;
(2) The date proposed for disconnection if the account is not paid, or hearing requested, or a separate account established;
(3) The reason for the proposed disconnection, including (if applicable) the amount claimed to be due; the location and hours at which payment in person can be made; and the minimum payment which, tendered at or before disconnection, is necessary to avoid disconnection;
(4) A notice that a consumer of water services may avoid disconnection by paying current charges and assuming responsibility for payment of future charges, if the consumer does not owe a delinquent water bill or if that bill is now paid in full;
(5) A notice that a customer or consumer of water services has the right to a hearing to contest the reasons for the proposed disconnection, and that if a hearing is requested, the disconnection will not take place until the hearing process is completed;
(6) The name, title, address, telephone number, and hours during which the Service Representative may be contacted to request a hearing, explore payment alternatives or special consideration in hardship cases, or to assume responsibility for future utility charges.
(c) This information will appear in all capital letters at the bottom of the notice, after the words "FINAL NOTICE — IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISPUTE ABOUT THIS BILL CALL 532-3353." The notice attached to Ordinance No. 19-09 as Exhibit 2 satisfies these requirements.
(d) In the event any service address that would be affected by disconnection is a consumer household, notice of disconnection of service, in this form and manner, must be delivered to each service address so affected, in addition to delivery to the customer household.
(Ord. 19-09, passed 3-14-2019)