A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to establish and enforce uniform residential utility service practices and procedures governing eligibility, security deposits, account billing, termination, referral to provide residential service and deferred payment agreements.
B. Policy:
1. Provisions: The policy of this chapter is to assure the adequate provision of residential utility service, to restrict unreasonable termination of or refusal to provide residential utility service, to provide functional alternatives to termination or refusal to provide residential utility service, and to establish and enforce fair and equitable procedures governing eligibility, security deposits, account billing, termination, and deferred payment agreements;
2. Nondiscrimination: Residential utility service shall be provided to qualified persons without regard to employment, occupation, race, handicap, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, or number of dependents;
3. Requirement Of Good Faith: Every agreement or obligation within this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith, honesty, and fair dealings in its performance and enforcement on behalf of the customer and the city;
4. Customer Information: The city utility shall provide all consumers with a consumer information pamphlet which clearly describes and summarizes the substance of this chapter. The city utility shall mail or deliver a copy of this pamphlet, or a summarized version to all residential customers annually in September or October. Copies of this pamphlet shall be prominently displayed in all utility business offices and furnished to consumers upon request. The city has a continuing obligation to inform its customers of significant amendments to this chapter. The city utility shall inform its account holders of the third party notification procedure at the time of application for service and at least once each year;
5. Scope: This chapter shall apply to water, sewer, and electric utilities which are subject to the regulatory authority of the city. Except as provided in subsection 13.04.060F4 of this chapter, this chapter does not apply to apartment dwellings or mobile homes that are on master meters. Commercial, industrial, government accounts and special contracts are also excluded from the requirements of this chapter;
6. Customer's Statement Of Rights And Responsibilities: When utility service is extended to an account holder, annually, and upon first notice of an impending service disconnection, the city utility shall provide a copy of the "customer's statement of rights and responsibilities". The statement of rights and responsibilities shall be a single page document. It shall be prominently displayed in all utility business offices. (Ord. 94-20 § 1: Ord. 91-34 § 1: prior code § 10-55.1)