Ord #226 - 3rd Ser/Amending Water Meters

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ORDINANCE NO. 226 , THIRD SERIES CITY OF ORONO HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO WATER METERS THE CITY COUNCIL OF ORONO ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Sec. 14-81. -Water meters shall be amended by adding and deleting text to read as follows: Sec. 14-81. - Water meters. (1) Requirement. All properties connected to the city water system must have a properly functioning and calibrated radio-read water meter of the appropriate size and type to obtain an accurate recording of the water used at the full range of anticipated flow rates. Maintenance, Repair and Replacement. The City shall maintain and repair or replace all meters when rendered unserviceable through ordinary wear and tear. Where replacement, repair or adjustment of any meter is rendered necessary by the act,neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of any premises, any expense caused by the City thereby shall be charged against and collected from the owner or occupant of the premises. (2) City Property. Water meters shall be and remain the property of the City and may be removed or replaced or changed as to size and type by the City whenever deemed necessary. (3) Access to Read Meters. City employees delegated for that purpose shall have free access at reasonable hours of the day to all parts of every building and premises connected with the municipal water supply system for reading of meters and inspections. The City shall be authorized to make adjustments in water charges where in their opinion the amount billed is erroneous due to meter deficiency or other mistake. (b) Meter Replacement. Installation of a radio-read capacity water meter shall be required on all structures served by the municipal water system. If a property owner does not authorize entry onto the property to allow installation of the meter within 60 days after the City requests entry, a surcharge fee as set forth in fee schedule will be applied. (c) New Construction. A city provided water meter and remote reader is required before either a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy will be issued for any building with city water service. The property owner shall be responsible for retaining the services of a licensed plumber for the installation of all required water meters and remote readers. (d) Meter Reading. The city normally reads water meters and bills for water usage on a quarterly basis. If the city is unable to obtain an accurate water meeting reading because of a nonfunctioning or inaccessible water meter or remote reader, the city will estimate the quarterly water bill based on the past water usage for the property.