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HomeMy WebLinkAboutordinance.council.028-82 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves ORDINANCE NO. ~,~ -- (Series of 1982) AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED "STRUCTURE OF UTILITY DEPOSITS FOR CITY OF ASPEN ELECTRIC AND WATER DEPARTMENT", AMENDING ARTICLES II AND III OF CHAPTER 23 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, BY ADDING NEW SECTIONS 23-25 AND 23-110 WHEREAS, in order to help keep electric and water service rates down for all of its customers, the City of Aspen must take all reasonable steps to avoid possible bad debts for utility bills; and WHEREAS, the present system of electric and water service deposits is a reasonable method to avoid bad debts and costs of debt collection; and WHEREAS, it appears that service deposit amounts have not increased in approximately ten years and increases in utility bills in that time have made the amounts currently approved for service deposits insufficient for the above-stated purposes and, therefore, a general increase in the amount of the deposit is now indicated. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO: Section 1 That a new Section 23-25 (to Article II of Chapter 23) of the Municipal Code of the City of Aspen, Colorado, be enacted to read as follows: ARTICLE II "Sec. 23-25. ~eposit for Electric Service (a) When applying for electric service at a new location, each applicant shall be required to place a cash deposit in the following amount: Residential Service $50.00 Commercial Service $100.00 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves Restaurant, Bar and Retail Food Establishments 1) An amount equal to the service bills for the subject property for two months prior to the application for service, if the applied-for use of the property is simi- lar to the prior use; or 2) if there is no simi- lar prior space or use on which to compute the amount provided in (1), then an amount to be determined by the Finance Director within his sole discretion, and based on a reasonable estimate of two month's service for a space and use similar to the sub- ject property. (b) Subject to the approval of the Director of Finance based on previous credit history with the City of Aspen Utili- ties, the owner of the premises on which the electricity is used may approve waiver of the deposit requirement by completing an application which informs the owner of the possibility of a lien upon the premises for unpaid bills, pursuant to Section 23-22. (c) Deposits shall be held by the Director of Finance until service is discontinued and final service bills paid (and will accrue interest at 5% per annum starting thirty (30) days after receipt of the monies until the date of disconnection. Return of the unused portion of the deposit plus interest will be made within 45 days from date the final bill is issued)." Section 2 That a new Section 23-110 (to Article III of Chapter 23) of the Municipal Code of the City of Aspen, Colorado, be enacted to read as follows: ARTICLE III "Sec. 23-110. Deposit for Water Service (a) When applying for water service at a new location, each applicant shall be required to place a cash deposit in the following amount: Residential Service $50.00 Commercial Service $100.00 Restaurant, Bar and Retail 1) An amount equal to the service bills for the subject property for two months prior to the application for service, if the applied-for use of the property is similar to the prior use; or 2) if there is 2 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves no similar prior space or use on which to com- pute the amount provided in (1), then an amount to be determined by the Finance Director within his sole discretion, and based on a reasonable estimate of two month's service for a space and use similar to the sub- ject property. (b) Subject to the approval of the Director of Finance based on previous credit history with the City of Aspen Uti~ties, the owner of the premises on which the water is used may approve, waiver of the deposit requirement by completing an application which informs the owner of the possibility of a lien upon the premises for unpaid bills, pursuant to Section 23-22. (c) These deposits will be held by the Director of Finance until service is discontinued and final service bills are paid (and will accrue interest at 5% per annum starting thirty (30) days after receipt of the monies until the date of disconnection. Return of the unused portion of the deposit plus interest will be made within 45 days from date the final billing is issued)." Section 3 If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or por- tion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconsti- tutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining por- tions thereof. Section 4 A public hearing on the ordinance shall be held on the J~2~ day of /~ , 1982, at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, Aspen City Hall, Aspen, Colorado. INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED published as provided by law by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the ~/ day of He~a~~o 3 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves ATT~E ST: Kathryn S. K~h, City Clerk 'J. ~ adopted, passed and approved on this /~ day of ~/~ , 1982. HeWman Edel, Mayor ATTEST ~ ~'~% 4