(A) In any case where charges for municipal utility service have not been paid within 30 days after the date due, and where satisfactory payment arrangements have not been made, water and other municipal utility service to the premises may be discontinued in accordance with the requirements of this section. Discontinuance of service for any other reason shall be made in accordance with requirements set forth in other parts of this title which deal with discontinuance of service for the reasons set forth in other parts of this title.
(B) The Clerk shall cause written notice of intent to discontinue service for nonpayment of amounts owed to be served upon the customer personally, by certified mail or by leaving a copy of the notice at the premises served. A mailed notice shall also be given to the owner, if the owner is not the customer served. The notice shall state that if payment is not received on or before a date stated in the notice, services specified in the notice will be discontinued. The date shall be not less than three days after the date upon which the notice is given. The notice shall also state that the person may, before that date, file with the Clerk a demand for hearing on the matter, in which case service will not be discontinued until the hearing has been held.
(C) If a hearing is demanded by the date specified, a hearing shall be held on the matter by the Council at least three days after the date on which the request was made.
(D) 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 than 185 percent 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.
(E) If, as a result of the hearing, the Council finds that there is an unpaid charge for service and that there is no legal reason why service should not be discontinued, the Council may order that service be immediately discontinued. Unless payment arrangements satisfactory to the Clerk have been made, service shall not be restored until all delinquent charges including recommendation charges are paid.
('82 Code, § 3.133) (Am. Ord. 94, passed 12-13-99)