(A) No utility service will be discontinued by the city, by reason of delinquency, on any Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or at any time during which the business offices of the city are not open to the public. The city may not discontinue service for nonpayment of a delinquent account under any of the following situations:
(1) During the pendency of an investigation by the city of a customer dispute or complaint, or request for extension of the period for the payment of a bill;
(2) When a customer has been granted an extension of the period for payment of a bill, provided the customer keeps the account current as charges accrue in each subsequent billing period;
(3) On the certification of a primary care provider that service termination would be life threatening or pose a serious threat to the health and safety of the customer or a member of the customer's household and the customer is financially unable to pay for service within the normal payment period and is willing to enter into a repayment agreement with the city with respect to all charges that the customer is unable to pay before the delinquency.
(B) Service will be discontinued if payment has not been received or arrangements made to pay the delinquent bill for any account which is more than 60 days delinquent. If payment is not made within the specified time as identified above or for any other reason relating to nonpayment of an outstanding bill or charge, including, without limitation, checks returned for insufficient funds, credit card denial, or other, similar, type of payment problems, a service charge, in an amount determined by the City Council will be charged and due and payable with respect to each time service is processed for discontinuance.
(C) Except as provided in Cal. Public Utilities Code § 10009, where utility service is shut off, service will not be restored until all required payments (including, without limitation, arrearage, penalties, deposits and service charges) are paid in full. Service will be reinstated only during regular working hours and only after payment has been received or special payment arrangements were made with the Director.
(D) The City Council may, by resolution, adopt a policy for discontinuance of residential water service for nonpayment. Such policy may include, but may not be limited to, additional provisions concerning billing procedures, discontinuance of service, notification procedures, restoration of service, procedures to contest or appeal a water bill, extensions or other alternative payment arrangements, protections available to qualified low-income customers, procedures for becoming a customer of the city under specified circumstances, and related matters. To the extent a policy adopted pursuant to this section conflicts with any provisions of this chapter, the policy shall control.
(Ord. 1023, passed 2-1-99; Am. Ord. 1071, passed 7-21-03; Am. Ord. 1290, passed 2-19-20)