CR 97-33 1st Reading, Consider Ammendments to the Public Utilities Ordinance
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February 27,1997
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Council Report 97-33
First Reading
Consider Amendments to the Public Utilities Ordinance
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: "Move that Council au\>rove
for first reading Ordinance 97-798. an ordinance amending the Public Utilities
ordinance, "
Overview
The proposed changes in the Public Utilities Ordinance cover the meters and
accessibility provisions covered in 710,17 subd, 7-9, The Water division has
experienced numerous problems in the past with accessibility to replace stopped
meters read the outside remote reader, the proposed changes will give the city
personnel the necessary language to correct the problems when they encounter
them,
Primary Issues to Consider
o Detailed Background
Suuportine: Information
o Proposed Ordinance 97-798
o Pictures of problem outside remote readers
Superintendent
Detailed Back2:round
The meter accessibility has been a growing problem that has gotten worse in just the
last couple of years to the point that we need help to correct it.
The meter inside the home has been built into walls, shelving, and hot tubs to
mention just a few places that make just getting to the meter a very time consuming
job, When the meter is built into something in the basement is takes more time to
not damage the surrounding structure than it takes to make the change of meter,
The wire that goes to the outside remote reader from the meter in the basement has
been put in places that are very creative and functional,
The outside remote reader is in places that are not easily gotten to and makes the
meter readers job next to impossible during our prolonged winter weather. When
the meter reader can not get a reading from a meter that is too low or hidden in
shrubs, or buried in the snow, he enters into the hand held meter reading computer
that he is unable to get a reading, The mainframe billing computer will flag the
unable to read code and put it on a list of meters to be reread. This list gets longer
as the snow piles up and it doesn't go away till spring,
There are meters that are too low to the ground that are a problem year round, The
homeowners are unwilling in some cases to let us move the remote reader up to a
reasonable height. We are not able to resolve the height issue due to the fact that
we do not have a minimum height requirement in the ordinance,
The rereading of the meters that are problems is very costly and it occupies a fair
amount of time each month to get the readings back to the billing department so that
the proper utility bill is sent to our customers,
With the proposed changes and the added service charge to reread the meter we
hope to resolve most problems by working with our customer to solve them,
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE 97-798
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PUBLIC UTILITY ORDINANCE
Hopkins City Code (Rev.
The Council of the City of Hopkins hereby ordains as follows:
) 710,17, Subd. 6
Subd. 6, Water Charaes, Water charges accruing for water used through the permitted
connection shall be a charge against and payable by the owner of the land served, as well as the
person using the water. The city may cut off the connection permitted for non-payment of water
charges, and to keep the same cut off until the provisions of the permit have been complied with and
all back charges and penalties have been fully paid, (Amended Ord. #92-711)
Subd, 7. Meters. All meters shall be "Badger" brand meters and must measure by
gallon units to ensure compatibility with the city's meter reading system. No turbine meters
shall be installed, unless it has been approved by the superintendent or persons authorized
by him. The owner shall pay for the meter in advance and shall ensure that the meter and outside
remote meter are accessible to the water superintendent or persons authorized by him. The meter is
the fixture in the premises described in the permit. There must be an accessible area around the
meter of two feet on any side. The outside remote meter shall be installed on all buildings in a
location determined by the water superintendent. The remote shall be placed in an accessible
area as stated in Subd. 8. (Amended Ord. #92-711)
Subd. 8. Accessible Area. The outside remote shall be placed no lower than four feet
from ground level and located in an accessible area and must be visible for meter reading
purposes. An inaccessible outside remote is one which is less than three feet above grade,
within a fenced area, behind shrubs, vegetation or debris, below decks, or within an enclosed
area. The owner or occupant of the property shall maintain such areas in a clean and safe
condition for the meter reader at all times and shall not allow snow, ice or other debris to
remain in the area, These requirements shall apply to all existing or newly installed outside
meter remotes. Failure to respond to the city's request to relocate an outside meter remote or
otherwise not granting permission to the city to relocate meter remote following 30 day
written notice will result in a $10.00 service charge per subsequent meter readings, i.e,
maximum service charge of $10.00/quarter.
Subd. 9. The outside remote shall not be moved or removed from the property without
proper authorization from the water superintendent. If the outside remote has been moved or
removed without authorization from the water superintendent, the property owner will be
charged for the cost of relocation or replacement of remote unit.
710,19, Work: material: standards, Subdivision 1, Placement. Service pipes must be laid in such a
manner as to prevent rupture by settlement and. must extend from the main to the inside of the
. building or, if not taken into a building, then to the hydrant or other fixtures which it is intended to
supply, and a stop-cock must be placed outside in an extension service box placed between the
sidewalk and the curb, and shut-off stop-cock or other stop-cock, with waste, of the size and strength
required, shall be placed close to the inside of the building, well protected from freezing. Where a
pipe passes through or is laid within two feet of foundation walls the pipe should be protected from
frost by enclosing in wood, (Amended Ord, #92-711)
First Reading:
March 4,1997
Second Reading:
March 18, 1997
Date of Publication:
March 26, 1997
April 21, 1997
Date Ordinance Takes Effect:
Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Date
City Attomey Signature