(A) The City Council hereby finds and declares that:
(1) In the city, many electric utility and water meters are located within the confines of private dwellings and other private structures which often are unoccupied or locked so that timely access thereto by the city’s meter readers is impossible or inconvenient;
(2) Delays in meter readings occasioned by inaccessibility of meters results in significant inconveniences and expense to the city, inaccuracy in record keeping, and sometimes culminates in conflicts between the city and its utility customers; and
(3) Electric utility meters can conveniently be moved from interior locations to exterior locations easily accessible to meter readers; and viewing dials or faces disclosing readings on interior water meters can conveniently be installed so as to be readily accessible to meter readers.
(B) In order to correct the problem described in division (A) above, it shall be and is the policy of the city that:
(1) All new electric meters to be installed at private residences and other private structures shall be installed on the exterior of the structure;
(2) All electric meters now located on the interior of the structure shall be relocated to the outside upon upgrading of the electric service;
(3) When either divisions (B)(1) or (B)(2) above applies, exterior faces or dials disclosing inside water meter readings shall be installed on the exterior of the structure; and
(4) Over a reasonable period of time, in the future, all the electric and water meters now located on the interior of the structure shall be removed to the outside at such times and upon such terms as the City Manager or his or her designee shall deem expedient; and in like manner, exterior faces or dials disclosing inside water meter readings shall be installed on the exterior of the structure.
(1975 Code, § 24-2) (Ord. 929, passed 1-3-1989) Penalty, see § 10.99