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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 00-C1330 0 RESOLUTION NO. 00-C133 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES AND RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ELECTRIC AND WATER SERVICE SUPPLIED BY THE LIGHT AND WATER DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF AZUSA WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 78-37 of the Azusa Municipal Code, the City Council may from time to time establish and amend its Schedule of Charges and Rules and Regulations concerning utility services provided by its Light and Water Department; and WHEREAS, the Light & Water Department is introducing new services and policies which require modifications of the Rules and Regulations; and WHEREAS, the Light & Water Department proposed to implement the following changes: Electric Rule 1, page 23 and Water Rule 1, page 83: Amendments to the definition of the term "Application". 2. Electric Rule 6, pages 44 - 45 and Water Rule 5, pages 90 - 91: Establish and Amend Pre -Payment Policies to include billing of pre -payments, refunding of deposits, and waiving of pre -payment for good credit. 3. Electric Rule 8, pages 49 - 51 and Water Rule 7, pages 94 - 96: Establishment of policies regarding Level Pay Plan. 4. Electric Rule 8, pages 51 - 52 and Water Rule 7, pages 96 - 97: Establishment of policies regarding Automatic Payment. 5. Electric Rule 9, page 55 and Water Rule 8, page 99: Amendments to Re - Connection policy. 6. Water Rule 1 I, page 104: Amendments to the Temporary Service policies ; and WHEREAS, these modifications are intended improve and enhance the service which the Light & Water Department provides to the community and customers and will bring the Department current with industry standards; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed amended Schedule of Charges and Rules and Regulations pertaining to electric and water services is based on utility staff analysis and recommendation. 0 0 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, DOES FIND AND DECLARE THAT: SECTION 1: Adoption of Amendments. The City Council hereby adopts the amendments to the Schedule of Charges and Rules and Regulations set forth in Exhibit "A" which is attached to this Resolution and is incorporated herein as set forth in full. SECTION 2. Effective Date. The amendments to the Charges and Rules and Regulations shall become effective on December I, 2900---� PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTEDOt janf November, 2000. Mayor ATTEST: Candace Toscano Deputy City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF AZUSA ) C. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof held on the 20th day of November, 2000. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, MADRID NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: BEEBE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE s� — d4zz'eez �� Candace Toscano Deputy City Clerk Is EXHIBIT "A" Proposed language for: Electric Rules: 1, 6, 8, 9 and Water Rules: 1, 5, 7, 8, 11 0 0 ELECTRIC UTILITY RULE NO. 1 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of these tariff schedules, the terms and expressions listed below shall have the meanings set forth opposite them: Additional Responsible Party: Any person inhabiting a domestic service location and benefitting from utility service shall be equally responsible for the payment of bills rendered for utility services at that location. Applicant: A person requesting the Utility to supply electric service. Application: A documented request for service to the Azusa Light & Water Department or other customer account related transactions, as distinguished from an inquiry as to the availability of such services. Applications may be accepted in written, facsimile, electronic or verbal form as determined by procedures set forth by the Director of Utilities; such procedures may be changed at the discretion of the Director of Utilities to better meet changing business or customer requirements. Billing Demand: The load or demand used for computing charges under rate schedules based on the size of the customer's load or demand. It may be the connected load, the measured maximum demand, or a modification of either as provided for by applicable rate schedule. Billing Period: The time interval between two consecutive meter readings that are taken for billing purposes. City: The City of Azusa. City Council: The City Council of the City of Azusa. City's Operating Convenience: The term refers to the utilization, under certain circumstances, of facilities or practices not ordinarily employed which contribute to the overall efficiency of the Utility's operations. It does not refer to customer convenience nor to the use of facilities or adoption of practices required to comply with applicable laws, ordinances, rules or regulations, or similar requirements of public authorities. Connected Load: The sum of the rated capacities of all of the customer's equipment that can be connected to the Utility's fines at any one time, as more completely described in the rate schedules. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Director of Utilities Dated 3/20/00 23 1 0 0 ELECTRIC UTILITY RULE NO.6 PRE -PAYMENTS A. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The pre -payment is a guarantee of final payment. B. ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT. Customers applying for electric service are required to establish credit with the Azusa Light & Water Department prior to receiving service. Credit may be established by either passing a credit check or paying a pre -payment. C. CREDIT CHECK. Customers applying for service with the Azusa Light & Water Department shall have the option of requesting a Credit Check. Customers requesting a credit check will be required to pay a fee equal to the Department's costs associated with providing the service. Credit Checks will be performed via a nationally recognized credit rating service. . D. WAIVING OF PRE -PAYMENT FOR CAUSE. Customers who choose to have a Credit Check performed may have the pre -payment requirement waived if their credit score meets or exceeds the Department's minimum score. The Director of Utilities shall have authority to set the minimum score. Customers who have had prior service with the Azusa Light & Water Department which was subsequently written off as bad debt will not qualify under this option. E. AMOUNT OF PREPAYMENT. The amount of prepayment required to establish credit is twice the estimated average monthly bill, but in no case may the amount of prepayment be less than $88.00 for domestic service and no less than $275.00 for all other services. F. BILLING OF PREPAYMENT. Customers required to pay a pre -payment may be offered the option of having their pre -payment billed. This service is offered to customers who provide sufficient credit references as required by the Department's application procedure. Customers who have had prior service with the Azusa Light & Water Department which was subsequently written off as bad debt will not qualify under this option. All billed pre- payments are due no later than 10:00 a.m. on the 14' day after service is established; if the 14' day falls on a weekend or holiday, pre -payment shall be due on the next business day. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Dated 3/20/00 Director of Utilities E Rule No. 6 Continued G. DISCONNECTION FOR FAILURE TO PAY PRE -PAYMENT. A customer will have their services discontinued for failure to pay the pre -payment by the due date. Customers who have had service discontinued will be required to pay a reconnection fee as applied in Rule No. 9 in addition to their pre -payment. H. FORMS OF PRE -PAYMENT. Acceptable forms of pre -payment for Residential accounts include: cash, credit card, debit card, check, or money order. All other types of accounts may provide, in addition to the aforementioned options, a Surety Bond, irrevocable Letter of Credit or Certificate of Deposit, made payable to the Azusa Light & Water Department. APPLICATION OF PREPAYMENT. Upon discontinuance of service, the Utility will apply the prepayment to customer's final bill. Any creditor debit balance will be transferred to the customer's same class of service open account. If none exists, any excess balance over $1.00 will be refunded to the customer. 2. Prepayment will not be used as payment for past -due bills to avoid discontinuance of service or reconnection charge or other miscellaneous charges. INTEREST ON PREPAYMENT. There shall be no interest paid on prepayments held by the Azusa Light & Water Department. K. REFUNDING OF PRE -PAYMENTS. Customers with a clear payment history (no late notices, returned checks or disconnections for unpaid bills) are eligible after 24 months to have their pre -payment refunded. Pre -payments refunded under this policy will be applied directly to the customers account and refund checks will not be issued under this policy. L. DELINQUENCY REQUIREMENT OF PRE -PAYMENT. Customer accounts that do not have a pre -payment and are subject to Late Payment Charge and discontinuance of service for nonpayment will be required to pay a pre -payment. If services have been discontinued, the pre -payment must be paid prior to services being restored. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Director of Utilities 45 Dated 3/20/00 0 0 Rule No. 8 (continued) E. LATE PAYMENT CHARGE. If an account becomes delinquent and is subject to discontinuance of service for nonpayment, a charge of $7.50 will be imposed at the time the account is scheduled for discontinuance. This charge will apply whether or not the service is discontinued. F. CREDIT CARD CHARGE. If the customer's credit or debit card payment is rejected or payment returned to the Azusa Light & Water Department, there will be a $20.00 return fee added to the customer's account in addition to the original payment. A notice will be mailed to the customer, notifying them to pay the total amount due in cash, cashier's check, or money order by the due date on the notice. If the charges are not paid by the due date, the utility service will be discontinued. In addition, credit card or debit card payments will not be accepted on the customer's account for a period of six months. A second returned credit or debit card payment will result in the account being permanently prohibited from accepting further debit or credit card transactions. When the credit card account number is given over the telephone, it is required to send by facsimile, proof of identification to prevent credit card fraud. G. LEVEL PAY PLAN. This program provides for equal monthly payments for Residential customers with qualifying payment history. 1. Eligibility. Residential customers must have had utility services from the Azusa Light and Water Department for at least 13 months. Customers with a clear payment history (no late notices, returned checks or disconnections for unpaid bills) are eligible for Level Pay Plan A. Customers with a good payment history (no returned checks or disconnections for unpaid bills) are eligible for Level Pay Plan B. Eligible customers who qualify under Plan A or B may join the program at any time; the Azusa Light & Water Department will automatically notify customers of eligibility on or about the anniversary date of the account. The Azusa Light & Water Department will provide an application at the customer's request. 2. Level Pay Plan A: The customer's total Current Charges for the previous 12 months are divided by 12 and rounded to the nearest dollar. This amount will become the monthly payment amount for the next 11 months. Any adjustments to the account will be in addition to the Level Pay amount and are due in the period in which they are billed. On the 12' month, the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the Level Pay Plan will be calculated, and a settlement bill generated, showing either payment due or a credit on the account. Customers will automatically continue on Level Pay Plan at the successful completion of the prior 12 month period. At renewal, a new Level Pay amount will be calculated as described in item 4 (Level Pay Amount Adjustment). ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Director of Utilities 49 Dated 3/20/00 01-1 Rule No. 8 (continued) L 3. Level Pay Plan B: The customer's total utility costs for the previous 12 months are divided by 11 and rounded to the nearest dollar. This amount will become the monthly payment amount for the next 11 months. Any adjustments to the account will be in addition to the Level Pay amount and are due in the period in which they are billed. On the 12' month, the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the Level Pay Plan will be calculated, and a settlement bill generated, showing either payment due or a credit on the account. Customers will automatically continue on Level Pay Plan at the successful completion of the prior 12 month period. At renewal, a new Level Pay amount will be calculated as described in item 4 (Level Pay Amount Adjustment). If the customer has a clear payment history after 12 months on Level Pay Plan B, they will be eligible to be enrolled in Level Pay Plan A at renewal. 4. Level Pay Amount Adjustment. Due to yearly fluctuations in usage patterns, the Level Pay amount may require periodic adjustment to avoid unduly large credit or debit settlement charges in the 12' month. Manual adjustment may be required in cases where the utility has made changes to the customer's services, such as adding, deleting or adjusting metered or non -metered services. All Level Pay accounts will be automatically analyzed in the 6' and 12' months using the method of calculation described in items 2 (Level Pay Plan A) and 3 (Level Pay Plan B). If the new amount is 25% higher than the current Level Pay Amount or if the customer is beginning a new 12 month period, the new amount will prevail. 5. Customer Termination of Level Pay Plan. The customer may choose to terminate participation in either Level Pay Plan A or B by notifying Customer Service in writing. At the next billing cycle the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the level pay plan will be determined and a settlement bill showing either a payment due or a credit on account will be added to their current charges and will be due and payable with the current charges. If the customer paid more under the level pay plan than the actual utility costs, a credit will be applied to the customer's utility bill. If a customer moves or discontinues utility services with the Azusa Light and Water Department, a closing settlement bill will be produced showing an amount due or a credit. 6. Termination for Cause from Level Pay Plan. A customer will be terminated automatically from Level Pay Plan by the Azusa Light & Water Department if the account becomes delinquent and is subject to Late Payment Charge and discontinuance of service for nonpayment. Customers will be automatically terminated from Level Pay Plan for a returned check unless documented in writing as a bank error. In addition to the aforementioned causes, the Department reserves the right to cancel, at any time, Level Pay Plan in its entirety at its discretion. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Dated 3/20/00 Director of Utilities 0 Rule No. 8 (continued) � ] 7. Reconnection of Utility Services for Level Pay Plan Customers. If a customer has been on Level Pay Plan, and their services have been discontinued for delinquency or non-payment of a returned check, the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the Level Pay Plan will be determined and all outstanding charges will be due and payable in addition to any reconnection charges or late fees that are applicable. H. AUTOMATIC PAYMENT. This program provides for the automated monthly payment of customer accounts via the national Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. Eligibility. Customers applying for Automatic Payment must have an account with a bank, savings and loan, or credit union that is part of the ACH system. Utility accounts must be current and paid in full at the time of application, in order to qualify for Automatic Payment service. The Azusa Light & Water Department will provide an application at the customer's request. 2. Payment Terms. Accounts on the Automatic Payment Plan will have their checking accounts debited the entire "Please Pay" amount on or after the "Due Date" printed on their statement. Customers will continue to receive a billing statement each month. 3. Termination. Accounts active on the Automatic Pay Plan will remain so until either canceled by the customer or the Azusa Light & Water Department for cause. Customers may cancel the service at any time by notifying the utility in writing or other means provided by the Department. Customers will be automatically terminated from Automatic Payment Plan on the second occurrence of a returned payment unless documented in writing as a bank error. A customer will be permanently prohibited from Automatic Pay Plan by the Azusa Light & Water Department if the account becomes delinquent and is subject to Late Payment Charge and discontinuance of service for nonpayment. In addition to the aforementioned causes, the Department reserves the right to cancel Automatic Payment Plan in its entirety at its discretion. 4. Billing Disputes. Due to the nature of the Automatic Payment Plan customers must notify the Azusa Light & Water Department of all billing disputes at least one week prior to the "Due Date" appearing on their statement. Unresolved disputes will require that the account be temporarily suspended from Automatic Payment Plan until such time as the account returns to the status of"paid in full". ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00.037 Director of Utilities 51 Dated 3/20/00 0 0 Rule No. 8 (continued) 5. Returned Items. Customers whose Automatic Payments are refused by the bank will be subject to normal delinquent account processes and fees. Automatic Payments that are refused will be automatically resubmitted to the bank one additional time within four business days. Allowances for documented bank errors will be at the discretion of the Azusa Light & Water Department. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Director of Utilities 52 Dated 3/20/00 0 Rule No. 9 (continued) 11 I. RECONNECTION CHARGE. When restoring service that has been discontinued for nonpayment of bills, or for failure to otherwise comply with tariff schedules, the Azusa Light & Water Department will apply the following charges and procedures. Prior to reconnection of service during business hours, but before 5:00 p.m., the customer shall pre -pay a reconnection charge of $20.00 in addition to any delinquent charges. If requested that such service be reconnected after 5:00 p.m., but before 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the customer shall pre -pay a reconnection charge of $75.00 in addition to any delinquent charges. Customers requesting reconnection of services after the close of business, but before midnight, will be charged $75.00 in addition to the delinquent amount on their account. Customers who are reconnected during after hours are further required to make payment in full of reconnection charge and any delinquent charges at the Azusa Light and Water Department by 10:00 a.m. the following Monday. Failure to comply will result in services being disconnected again and no reconnection will be provided without receipt of payment. Additionally, no after hours reconnection will be provided for six consecutive months. The reconnection charge will be $125.00 if reconnection is made between 12 o'clock midnight and 7:00 a.m. No after hours reconnection for non-payment will be provided, except on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; calls to the Azusa Light and Water Department must be received no later than 7:30 p.m. In cases where the customer's service is discontinued for nonpayment of bill for service, or where notice of discontinuance for nonpayment of a bill has been given, the: Utility may require the customer to re-establish his credit by making a cash deposit as provided herein. I. RESTORATION OF SERVICES. In the event the customer has turned on the service after it has been turned off for any of the above reasons, and the Utility has again turned off the service, there shall be a charge of twenty dollars ($20.00) in addition to other amounts due from the customer before service is restored. If the meter is removed, the service charge will be fifty dollars ($50.00). If service is terminated at the riser or pole, the service charge will be fifty dollars ($50.00), and if the service is terminated at the underground areas, the service charge will be fifty dollars ($50.00), in addition to reconnection charge. If it becomes necessary to remove the service drop, there will be an additional amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) prior to restoring service. If service(s) have been restored illegally or damaged due to tampering, the customer must pay all damage charges prior to reconnection. The customer and/or beneficiary of service is responsible for all damage charges whether or not service is reconnected. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Dated 3/20/00 Director of Utilities 0 0 WATER UTILITY RULE NO. 1 DEFINITIONS For the purpose ofthese tariff schedules, the terms and expressions listed below shall have the meanings set forth opposite them: Additional Responsible Party: Any person inhabiting a domestic service location and benefitting from utility service shall be equally responsible for the payment of bills rendered for utility services at that location. Applicant: A person requesting the Utility to supply water service. Application: A documented request for service to the Azusa Light & Water Department or other customer account related transactions, as distinguished from an inquiry as to the availability of such services. Applications may be accepted in written, facsimile, electronic or verbal form as determined by procedures set forth by the Director of Utilities; such procedures may be changed at the discretion of the Director of Utilities to better meet changing business or customer requirements. Billing Period: The time interval between two consecutive meter readings that are taken for billing purposes. City: The City of Azusa. City Council: The City Council of the City of Azusa. City's Operating Convenience: The term refers to the utilization, under certain circumstances, of facilities or practices not ordinarily employed which contribute to the over-all efficiency of the Utility's operations; it does not refer to customer convenience nor the use of facilities or adoption of practices required to comply with applicable laws, ordinances, rules or regulations, or similar requirements of public authorities. Customer: The person in whose name service is rendered as evidenced by the signature on the application, contract, or agreement for that service, or in the absence of a signed instrument, by the receipt and payment of bills regularly issued in his name regardless of the identity of the actual user of the service. A customer may also be a party with whom the City of Azusa is doing business with or without a billing relationship or who is receiving benefit of utility service under another party's name. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Director of Utilities a Dated 3/20/00 0 0 WATER UTILITY RULE NO.5 PREPAYMENTS A. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The pre -payment is a guarantee of final payment. B. ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT. Customers applying for water service are required to establish credit with the Azusa Light & Water Department prior to receiving service. Credit may be established by either passing a credit check or paying a pre -payment. C. CREDIT CHECK Customers applying for service with the Azusa Light & Water Department shall have the option of requesting a Credit Check. Customers requesting a credit check will be required to pay a fee equal to the Department's costs associated with providing the service. Credit Checks will be performed via a nationally recognized credit rating service. D. WAIVING OF PRE -PAYMENT FOR CAUSE. Customers who choose to have a Credit Check performed may have the pre -payment requirement waived if their credit score meets or exceeds the Department's minimum score. The Director of Utilities shall have authority to set the minimum score. Customers who have had prior service with the Azusa Light & Water Department which was subsequently written off as bad debt will not qualify under this option. E. Amount of prepayment. The amount of prepayment required to establish or re-establish credit is twice the estimated average monthly bill, but in no case may the amount of prepayment be less than $40.00. F. BILLING OF PREPAYMENT. Customers required to pay a pre -payment may be offered the option of having their pre -payment billed. This service is offered to customers who provide sufficient credit references as required by the Department's application procedure. Customers who have had prior service with the Azusa Light & Water Department which was subsequently written off as bad debt will not qualify under this option. All billed pre -payments are due no later than 10:00 a.m. on the 14' day after service is established; if the 14' day falls on a weekend or holiday, pre -payment shall be due on the next business day. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Dated 3/20/00 Director of Utilities 0 0 Rule No. 5 Continued G. DISCONNECTION FOR FAILURE TO PAY PRE -PAYMENT. A customer will have their services discontinued for failure to pay the pre -payment by the due date. Customers who have had service discontinued will be required to pay a reconnection fee as applied in Rule No. 8 in addition to their pre -payment. H. FORMS OF PRE -PAYMENT. Acceptable forms of pre -payment for Residential accounts include: cash, credit card, debit card, check, or money order. All other types of accounts may provide, in addition to the aforementioned options, a Surety Bond, irrevocable Letter of Credit or Certificate of Deposit, made payable to the Azusa Light & Water Department. I. APPLICATION OF PREPAYMENT. Upon discontinuance of service, the Utility will apply the prepayment to customer's final bill. Any credit or debit balance will be transferred to the customer's same class of service open account. If non exists, any excess balance over $1.00 will be refunded to the customer. 2. Prepayment will not be used as payment for past -due bills to avoid discontinuance of service or reconnection charge or other miscellaneous charges. J. INTEREST ON PREPAYMENT. There shall be no interest paid on prepayments held by the Azusa Light and Water Department. K. REFUNDING OF PRE -PAYMENTS. Customers with a clear payment history (no late notices, returned checks or disconnections for unpaid bills) are eligible after 24 months to have their pre -payment refunded. Pre -payments refunded under this policy will be applied directly to the customers account and refund checks will not be issued under this policy. L. DELINQUENCY REQUIREMENT OF PRE -PAYMENT. Customer accounts that do not have a pre -payment and are subject to Late Payment Charge and discontinuance of service for nonpayment will be required to pay a pre -payment. If services have been discontinued, the pre- payment must be paid prior to services being restored. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Director of Utilities 91 Dated 3/20/00 0 0 Rule No. 7 (continued) E. CREDIT CARD CHARGE. If the customer's credit or debit card payment is rejected or payment returned to the Azusa Light & Water Department, there will be a $20.00 return fee added to the customer's account in addition to the original payment. A notice will be mailed to the customer, notifying them to pay the total amount due in cash, cashier's check, or money order by the due date on the notice. If the charges are not paid by the due date, the utility service will be discontinued. In addition, credit card or debit card payments will not be accepted on the customer's account for a period of six months. A second returned credit or debit card payment will result in the account being permanently prohibited from accepting further debit or credit card transactions. When the credit card account number is given over the telephone, it is required to send by facsimile, proof of identification to prevent credit card fraud. F. LEVEL PAY PLAN. This program provides for equal monthly payments for Residential customers with qualifying payment history. 1. Eligibility. Residential customers must have had utility services from the Azusa Light and Water Department for at least 13 months. Customers with a clear payment history (no late notices, returned checks or disconnections for unpaid bills) are eligible for Level Pay Plan A. Customers with a good payment history (no returned checks or disconnections for unpaid bills) are eligible for Level Pay Plan B. Eligible customers who qualify under Plan A or B may join the program at any time; the Azusa Light & Water Department will automatically notify customers of eligibility on or about the anniversary date of the account. The Azusa Light & Water Department will provide an application at the customer's request. 2. Level Pay Plan A: The customer's total Current Charges for the previous 12 months are divided by 12 and rounded to the nearest dollar. This amount will become the monthly payment amount for the next 11 months. Any adjustments to the account will be in addition to the Level Pay amount and are due in the period in which they are billed. On the 12th month, the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the Level Pay Plan will be calculated, and a settlement bill generated, showing either payment due or a credit on the account. Customers will automatically continue on Level Pay Plan at the successful completion of the prior 12 month period. At renewal, a new Level Pay amount will be calculated as described in item 4 (Level Pay Amount Adjustment). ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Director of Utilities M Dated 3/20/00 0 Rule No. 7 (continued) 3. Level Pay Plan B: The customer's total utility costs for the previous 12 months are divided by 1 I and rounded to the nearest dollar. This amount will become the monthly payment amount for the next 11 months. Any adjustments to the account will be in addition to the Level Pay amount and are due in the period in which they are billed. On the 12`s month, the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the Level Pay Plan will be calculated, and a settlement bill generated, showing either payment due or a credit on the account. Customers will automatically continue on Level Pay Plan at the successful completion of the prior 12 month period. At renewal, a new Level Pay amount will be calculated as described in item 4 (Level Pay Amount Adjustment). If the customer has a clear payment history after 12 months on Level Pay Plan B, they will be eligible to be enrolled in Level Pay Plan A at renewal. 4. Level Pay Amount Adjustment. Due to yearly fluctuations in usage patterns, the Level Pay amount may require periodic adjustment to avoid unduly large credit or debit settlement charges in the 12°i month. Manual adjustment may be required in cases where the utility has made changes to the customer's services, such as adding, deleting or adjusting metered or non -metered services. All Level Pay accounts will be automatically analyzed in the 6s' and 12's months using the method of calculation described in items 2 (Level Pay Plan A) and 3 (Level Pay Plan B). If the new amount is 25% higher than the current Level Pay Amount or if the customer is beginning a new 12 month period, the new amount will prevail. 5. Customer Termination of Level Pay Plan. The customer may choose to terminate participation in either Level Pay Plan A or B by notifying Customer Service in writing. At the next billing cycle the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the level pay plan will be determined and a settlement bill showing either a payment due or a credit on account will be added to their current charges and will be due and payable with the current charges. If the customer paid more under the level pay plan than the actual utility costs, a credit will be applied to the customer's utility bill. If a customer moves or discontinues utility services with the Azusa Light and Water Department, a closing settlement bill will be produced showing an amount due or a credit. 6. Termination for Cause from Level Pay Plan. A customer will be terminated automatically from Level Pay Plan by the Azusa Light & Water Department if the account becomes delinquent and is subject to Late Payment Charge and discontinuance of service for nonpayment. Customers will be automatically terminated from Level Pay Plan for a returned check unless documented in writing as a bank error. In addition to the aforementioned causes, the Department reserves the right to cancel, at any time, Level Pay Plan in its entirety at its discretion. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Dated 3/20/00 Director of Utilities 95 0 0 Rule No. 7 (continued) 7. Reconnection of Utility Services for Level Pay Plan Customers. If a customer has been on Level Pay Plan, and their services have been discontinued for delinquency or non-payment of a returned check, the difference between the actual monthly utility costs and the amount paid under the Level Pay Plan will be determined and all outstanding charges will be due and payable in addition to any reconnection charges or late fees that are applicable. H. AUTOMATIC PAYMENT. This program provides for the automated monthly payment of customer accounts via the national Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. Eligibility. Customers applying for Automatic Payment must have an account with a bank, savings and loan, or credit union that is part of the ACH system. Utility accounts must be current and paid in full at the time of application, in order to qualify for Automatic Payment service. The Azusa Light & Water Department will provide an application at the customer's request. 2. Payment Terms. Accounts on the Automatic Payment Plan will have their checking accounts debited the entire "Please Pay" amount on or after the "Due Date" printed on their statement. Customers will continue to receive a billing statement each month. Termination. Accounts active on the Automatic Pay Plan will remain so until either canceled by the customer or the Azusa Light & Water Department for cause. Customers may cancel the service at any time by notifying the utility in writing or other means provided by the Department. Customers will be automatically terminated from Automatic Payment Plan on the second occurrence of a returned payment unless documented in writing as a bank error. A customer will be permanently prohibited from Automatic Pay Plan by the Azusa Light & Water Department if the account becomes delinquent and is subject to Late Payment Charge and discontinuance of service for nonpayment. In addition to the aforementioned causes, the Department reserves the right to cancel Automatic Payment Plan in its entirety at its discretion. 4. Billing Disputes. Due to the nature of the Automatic Payment Plan customers must notify the Azusa Light & Water Department of all billing disputes at least one week prior to the "Due Date" appearing on their statement. Unresolved disputes will require that the account be temporarily suspended from Automatic Payment Plan until such time as the account returns to the status of"paid in full". ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Director of Utilities M. Dated 3/20/00 0 0 Rule No. 7 (continued) 5. Returned Items. Customers whose Automatic Payments are refused by the bank will be subject to normal delinquent account processes and fees. Automatic Payments that are refused will be automatically resubmitted to the bank one additional time within four business days. Allowances for documented bank errors will be at the discretion of the Azusa Light & Water Department. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Director of Utilities Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 97 Dated 3/20/00 Rule No. 8 (continued) C. Fraud. The Utility may refuse or discontinue service if the acts of the customer or the conditions upon his premises are such as to indicate an intent to defraud the Utility. D. Failure to Establish or Re-establish Credit. If, for an applicant's convenience, the Utility should provide service before credit is established or should continue service to a customer when credit has not been established in accordance with Rule No. 4, and he fails to establish or re-establish his credit as provided by a written notice of not less than 15 (fifteen) days, the Utility may discontinue service. E. Customer's Request for Service Discontinuance. When a customer desires to terminate his responsibility for service, he shall give the Utility not less than two days' notice of his intention and state the date on which he wishes the termination to become effective. A customer shall be held responsible for all service furnished at the premises until two days after receipt of such notice by the utility or until the date of termination specified in the notice, whichever date is later. F. Reconnection Charge. When restoring service that has been discontinued for nonpayment of bills, or for failure to otherwise comply with tariff schedules, the Azusa Light & Water Department will apply the following charges and procedures. Prior to reconnection of service during business hours, but before 5:00 p.m., the customer shall pre -pay a reconnection charge of $20.00 in addition to any delinquent charges. If requested that such service be reconnected after 5:00 p.m., but before 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the customer shall pre -pay a reconnection charge of $75.00 in addition to any delinquent charges. Customers requesting reconnection of services after the close of business, but before midnight, will be charged $75.00 in addition to the delinquent amount on their account. Customers who are reconnected during after hours are further required to make payment in full of reconnection charge and any delinquent charges at the Azusa Light & Water Department by 10:00 a.m. the following Monday. Failure to comply will result in services being disconnected again and no reconnection will be provided without receipt of payment. Additionally, no after hours reconnection will be provided for six consecutive months. The reconnection charge will be $125.00 if reconnection is made between 12 o'clock midnight and 7:00 a.m. No after hours reconnection for non- payment will be provided, except on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; calls to the Azusa Light & Water Department must be received no later than 7:30 p.m. In cases where the customer's service is discontinued for nonpayment of bill for service, or where notice of discontinuance for nonpayment of a bill has been given, the Utility may require the customer to re-establish his credit by making a cash deposit as provided herein. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-037 Dated 3/20/10 Director of Utilities A. B. C. I� WATER UTILITY RULE NO. 11 TEMPORARY SERVICE All water services within the system owned and operated by the City of Azusa shall be metered by meters that are owned and issued by the Azusa Light & Water Department. Temporary water service refers to metered water service which is subject to removal or relocation in the future. Applications include, but are not limited to construction, street sweeping or other non -permanent service connections. The applicant shall establish credit as required by Rule No. 4 except that the amount of prepayment prescribed in Rule No. 5 shall be $1,000.00. Use of Temporary Service water meters may be limited to designated connection. points as set forth by representatives of the Azusa Light & Water Department. E. Where it is necessary for the Utility to install a temporary service line and meter, the applicant shall pay in advance the estimated cost to install, plus the estimated cost of removal, less the estimated salvage of the facilities necessary for furnishing service. F. The minimum charge for each such connection or any water supplied shall be not less than the prevailing service charge as set forth in the rate schedule. G. Representatives of the Azusa Light & Water Department shall watch for illegal camnections to the City's water system and report information to appropriate City personnel. Violators who make any type of un -metered connection to the system shall be given a one-time warning and an initial charge of $100, and documentation of such fact will be maintained by the Azusa Light & Water Department. Subsequent violations will result in a charge equal to $250 plus two times the estimated amount of water consumed for each violation. Violators may, at the discretion of the City, be back billed for the estimated consumption used during the period that can be reasonably established, not to exceed 36 months. Application of this policy is pursuant to Section 498 of the California Penal Code. H. Temporary meters shall be billed according to rates set forth under the Water Rate Schedule. I. Temporary meters that are designated to a single point of connection shall be secured in place for the purpose of meter reading. Meters with multiple points of designated connection must be brought to the Azusa Light & Water Department office at 729 N. Azusa Avenue during business hours the third week of every month for purpose of meter reading. Damaged meters shall be reported immediately. Failure to comply may result in the loss of temporary water meter privileges. ISSUED BY: Joseph F. Hsu Effective 4/1/00 Resolution No. 00-07 Dated 3/20100 Director of Utilities 104