(A) When the city finds that a user has violated or continues to violate any provision of this chapter, an industrial wastewater discharge permit, order issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement, the city may fine such user in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). 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 thirty (30) calendar days, be assessed interest at the same rate and in the same manner as that established by the federal government for the internal revenue service for unpaid taxes and penalties (currently 6 percent on the date of adoption hereof). A lien against the user's property shall be sought for unpaid charges, fines, and penalties.
(C) Users desiring to dispute such fines must file a written request for the city to reconsider the fine along with full payment of the fine amount within thirty (30) days of being notified of the fine. Where a request has merit, the city may convene a hearing on the matter within thirty (30) 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. 2020-018, 10-19-2020)