(A) When the Director of Utilities 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 Director of Utilities may fine such user in an amount not to exceed $500. Such fines shall be assessed on a per violation, per day basis. In the case of monthly or other 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 5% of the unpaid balance, and interest shall accrue thereafter at a rate of 5% 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 Director of Utilities 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 Director of Utilities shall convene a hearing on the matter within 15 days of receiving the request from the user. In the event the user's appeal is successful, the payment, together with any interest accruing thereto, shall be returned to the user. The city may add the costs 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. 9399, passed 2-24-2020)