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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 Disrict water system Agenda Item # Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Peter Holzmeister Date: March 27, 2003 Subject: Policy governing customer requests for temporary disconnect from the District water system 1. Why this matter is before the board: This matter recommends that the board adopt a resolution establishing a policy regarding temporary disconnects from the District water system. Only the board can adopt a resolution. 2. History: You will probably recall that we discussed at a recent workshop the issue of seasonal water disconnects. As a quick reminder, we have an increasing number of customers who ask that water billing be temporarily suspended while they leave town for the winter. Attached for your review is the memorandum that was under discussion at the workshop. After the workshop discussion, I was directed to prepare a policy for the board's consideration that would require all customers to pay the monthly water bill even when they may be temporarily out of town. 3. New information: Attached for your review and consideration is a draft resolution which, if you adopt it, establishes a policy governing physical disconnects from the water system, and specifies that during a temporary disconnect water billings will continue. It provides that temporary physical disconnects will be permitted only when there is a need to perform repair, modification or upgrade to the customer premises. it provides that monthly billings will continue during the period of temporary disconnect. 4. Recommendation: I recommend that the board adopt the resolution establishing a policy governing customer requests for disconnect from the District water system. Agenda Item # Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Peter Holzmeister Date: December 27, 2002 Subject: Temporary water service disconnects 1. WHY THIS ITEM IS BEFORE THE BOARD This item came before the Board in November of 2002. At that time the Board asked us to review past Board minutes to determine if this matter had been reviewed already. We are now returning to the Board We are proposing adoption of a policy, and that is a Board function. 2. HISTORY We are asking the Board to review an old policy establishing a procedure for customers to voluntarily discontinue water service on a temporary basis. We see an increasing trend for customers requesting a water disconnect during the winter. Following are the policies that govern. 5.12.030.1 Customers may arrange for disconnection of service by giving not less than five days advance notice to the district. Charges for service shall be paid by such customer until the requested date of discontinuance r such later date as will provide not less than the required five days advance notice. 5.12.030.2 In the event proper notice is not given, the customer will be required to pay for such service until five days after the District has actual knowledge that the customer has vacated the premises or otherwise discontinued water consumption. 6.12.050.1 In those cases where the customer has requested discontinuance of service, regardless of reason, the customer must pay the reconnection charge prior to the restoration of service 5.12.050.1 In those cases where the customer has requested discontinuance of service, regardless of reason, the customer must pay the reconnection charge prior to the restoration of service. 5.12.050.3 Restoration during regular working hours - Upon request, the District will attempt to make such restoration of service during the regular working hours on the date of receipt of the request. A reconnection charge of $15 will be made if the reconnection occurs during regular working hours. If conditions do not permit, the reconnection will be made on the regular working day following the date the request is made. 5.12.060.4 Restoration during other than regular working hours - upon the request of a customer to restore service hereunder at a time other than during regular working hours, the District will attempt to make the reconnection but shall be under no obligation to do so, unless an emergency exists. In the event the District restores service at a time other than during regular working hours, the customer shall pay to the District a reconnection charge of$20. 5.12.060 Customer's Responsibility when Water Service Discontinued In the event a customer's water service is discontinued as a result of voluntary termination or termination for failure to pay bills, it shall be the customer's responsibility to take necessary precautions against any and all damage to the customer's pipes, fixtures and appliances which could result from such termination. The District shall not be liable for any such damage. The problems I see are as follows: 1) We are losing revenues. Most of our water rate covers fixed system costs having nothing to do with the amount of water used. The homeowners who use their homes during just the summer months contribute significantly to our fixed costs. They should not be allowed to avoid their fair contribution to our costs. 2) The $15.00 reconnect charge fails to cover our costs to make the disconnect and reconnect. 3) It is almost impossible for us to reconnect water in the winter because snow is piled on the water boxes to a depth of over twenty feet. 4. NEW INFORMATION When we brought this matter to the board in November you asked us to review Board minutes because you had a recollection of this matter being dealt with before. Barbara and I went through several years minutes but found nothing. Now there is snow on the ground and we are still getting requests for winter disconnects. We really cannot make disconnects at this time without involving a loader at considerable cost. S. RECOMMENDATION I recommend that the Board discuss this matter and give me guidance. I suggest we have options. Option 1. Keep doing what we are doing Option 2. Adopt a policy that prohibits seasonal disconnects Option 3. Adopt a policy that allows seasonal disconnects, but maintains a monthly change less the pumping zone component. The disconnect and reconnect charge should cover our actual costs. 1 have not taken the time to draft actual policy language. I will wait for the Board to consider this matter and give me some direction. S D # P Rolu ion No . 2003- XXX Public Utility District ESTABLISHING A POLICY GOVERNING CUSTOMER REQUESTS FOR DISCONNECT FROM THE DISTRICT WATER SYSTEM WHEREAS the District provides water service to residences and businesses with its service territory; and WHEREAS the water system provides potable water and fire protection to said residences and business; and WHEREAS the District finances its operation, repair and maintenance of the water system through a rate schedule that spreads its costs throughout the year by means of monthly water billings; and WHEREAS all customers who benefit from the water system need to pay a fair share of said costs of operation, repair and maintenance of the water system; and WHEREAS from time to time customers request that their residence or business be physically disconnected from the water system, or that billing for water service be temporarily discontinued; and WHEREAS the board of directors wishes to establish a policy defining the terms under which the District will permit a physical disconnect from the water system; and WHEREAS the board of directors also wishes to establish a policy stating the requirement for customers to continue to pay for the benefit of fire protection, and to contribute to the operation, repair and maintenance of the water system, including during periods of temporary disconnection from the water system; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors as follows: The following policy is adopted and made part of the District's Code of Policies. 5.12.030.1 The District shall permit a physical disconnection from the water system on a temporary basis when necessary(1)to permit the customer to perform repairs, modifications or service upgrades on the customer premises or(2)when the customer premises is not equipped with an appropriate shut-off valve and physical disconnection is necessary to avoid frozen water pipes. A physical disconnect shall not be permitted for any other reason. Customers may arrange for disconnection of service by giving advance notice to the district. Charges for service shall not be waived during the period of disconnect. 5.12.050.1 In those cases where the customer has requested discontinuance of service, the customer must pay the disconnection/reconnection charge. 5.12.050.3 Restoration during regular working hours-Upon request,the District will attempt to make such restoration of service during the regular working hours. A reconnection charge as set forth in the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule will be made if the reconnection occurs during regular working hours. If conditions require the use of a backhoe or other equipment to effect the disconnect and/or reconnect,the customer shall be required to pay the actual charges, including labor, material, equipment and applicable overheads in lieu of the customary fee set forth in the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. 5.12.050.4 Restoration during other than regular working hours-upon the request of a customer to restore service hereunder at a time other than during regular working hours,the District will attempt to make the reconnection but shall be under no obligation to do so, unless an emergency exists. In the event the District restores service at a time other than during regular working hours, the customer shall pay to the District a reconnection charge as set forth in the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. If conditions require the use of a backhoe or other heavy equipment to effect the disconnect and/or reconnect,the customer shall be required to pay the actual time charges, including labor, material,equipment and applicable overheads, in lieu of the customary fee set forth in the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. 5.12.050.5 No seasonal disconnect of water service will result in discontinuance of monthly billings. 5.12.060 Customer's Responsibility when Water Service Discontinued In the event a customer's water service is discontinued as a result of voluntary termination or termination for failure to pay bills, it shall be the customer's responsibility to take necessary precautions against any and all damage to the customer's pipes,fixtures and appliances which could result from such termination. The District shall not be liable for any such damage. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and held within the District on the first day of April, 2003 by the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT J. Ron Hemig, President ATTEST: Peter L. Holzmeister, District Clerk