ARTICLE I. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
§ 24-1. Board created.
§ 24-2. Membership.
§ 24-3. Qualifications.
§ 24-4. Terms of office.
§ 24-5. Compensation.
§ 24-6. Records.
§ 24-7. Monthly report.
§§ 24-8 to 24-12. Reserved.
DIVISION 2. POWERS
§ 24-13. Powers in general.
§ 24-14. Contracts, general.
§ 24-15. Utility rates.
§ 24-16. An MPUA Mutual Aid Agreement and an American Public Power Association/National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (APPA/NRECA) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Agreement.
§ 24-17. Joining the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission..
§§ 24-18 to 24-20. Reserved.
DIVISION 3. FINANCES
§ 24-21. Public utility account.
§ 24-22. Capital improvements.
§ 24-23. Audit.
§§ 24-24 to 24-28. Reserved.
DIVISION 4. EMPLOYEES
§ 24-29. Appointment in general.
§ 24-30. Salaries and expenses.
§ 24-31. Bond; specific.
§ 24-32. Employees and salary; general.
§ 24-33. Clerks.
§ 24-34. Engineers.
§ 24-35. Inspectors.
§ 24-36. Other employees.
§§ 24-37 to 24-41. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. UTILITY SERVICE
§ 24-42. Contract for utility service.
§ 24-43. Policy for delinquent utility customers.
§ 24-44. Policy for customers moving out of service area.
§ 24-45. Policy for delinquent account customers returning to this service area.
§ 24-46. Dusk to dawn light fees.
§ 24-47. Reserved.
ARTICLE III. WATER SERVICE
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
§ 24-48. Access to premises.
§ 24-49. Water tap fees.
§ 24-50. Consumer to make connections.
§ 24-51. Consumer to make all repairs.
§ 24-52. Wrongful withdrawal of water.
§ 24-53. Liability for utility charges.
§ 24-54. Water service terminated.
§ 24-55. Reconnection fee.
§ 24-56. Violations.
§ 24-57. Fluoridation of water system.
§§ 24-58 to 24-61. Reserved.
DIVISION 2. WATER METERS
§ 24-62. City to furnish meter.
§ 24-63. Location of meter.
§ 24-64. Meters not to be disturbed.
§ 24-65. Duty of occupants.
§ 24-65.2 Duty of property owner regarding water meter.
§ 24-66. One meter only.
§ 24-67. Reading of meters.
§ 24-68. Mailing utility bills.
§§ 24-69 to 24-73. Reserved.
DIVISION 3. WATER RATES
§ 24-74. General.
§ 24-75. Water only service deposit.
§ 24-76. Meter failure.
§§ 24-77 to 24-81. Reserved.
DIVISION 4. REGULATIONS ON
WATER SERVICE CONSTRUCTION
§ 24-82. Minimum diameter on new or extended water lines.
§§ 24-83 to 24-87. Reserved.
ARTICLE IV. PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
§ 24-88. Definitions.
§ 24-89. Access to premises.
§ 24-90. Permit required.
§ 24-91. Permit fees.
§ 24-92. Inspection.
§ 24-93. Each building to have separate connection.
§ 24-94. Regulating private sewer connections.
§ 24-95. Property owner to pay expenses of construction, etc.
§ 24-96. Sewer connections outside corporate limits of the city.
§ 24-97. Dangerous wastes.
§ 24-98. Unlawful disposal in sewers.
§ 24-99. Special disposal agreement.
§ 24-100. Unlawful connections.
§ 24-101. Reconnection fees.
§ 24-102. Testing.
§ 24-103. Unconstitutionality clause.
§ 24-104. Violation.
§§ 24-105 to 24-109. Reserved.
DIVISION 2. SEWER CHARGES
§ 24-110. General.
§ 24-111. Sewer fund accounts.
§ 24-112. Toxic pollution surcharge.
§ 24-113. Free service prohibited.
§ 24-114. Sewer bills for landlord.
§
24-115. Unconstitutionality
clause.
§ 24-116. Establishing access fee areas.
§ 24-117. Out of city limits base sewer charge.
§§ 24-118 to 24-120. Reserved.
DIVISION 3. REGULATIONS ON SEWER
CONSTRUCTION
§ 24-121. Specifications.
§ 24-122. Size, slope.
§ 24-123. Elevation.
§ 24-124. Connections.
§ 24-125. Grease trap.
§ 24-126. Preliminary treatment on storm equalizing facilities.
§ 24-127. Control manhole.
§ 24-128. Traps.
§§ 24-129 to 24-133. Reserved.
ARTICLE V. WATERWORKS AND
SEWER SYSTEM
§ 24-134. Water and sewer systems combined.
§§ 24-135 to 24-139. Reserved.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL GAS SYSTEM
§ 24-140. Construction and operation of a municipally owned natural gas distributing system.
§ 24-141.
Municipal Gas Commission of
§ 24-142. Natural Gas connection fees.
§§ 24-143 to 24-145. Reserved.
Chapter 24
UTILITIES
ARTICLE I
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
Sec. 24-1. Board created.
There is hereby established within the City of
Sec. 24-2. Membership.
Which board shall consist of four persons, and who shall be appointed by the mayor, and confirmed by the common council as other appointive officers of the city, as is now, or hereafter may be provided for by ordinance, are appointed and confirmed. (Ord. 109, §1.)
Sec. 24-3. Qualifications.
The board members shall be electors of the City of St. James, who have resided therein for a period of two years next before their appointment; and no more than two members of said board shall belong to the same political party, and its administration shall in all respects be entirely non-partisan. No member shall hold any other office, either by appointment or election, during his official term as a member of the board; and any member of said board of public works who shall accept a nomination or appointment for any other office during his official term, shall be deemed thereby to have resigned as a member of said board, and his said membership shall thereby be, ipso facto vacated. (Ord. 109, §3.)
Sec. 24-4. Terms of office.
The members of such board shall hold office for a term of four years, or until their successors are appointed and qualified; provided, however, the first incumbents appointed as members of said board of public works shall be appointed and hold office for the term of one, two, three and four years respectively, as may be designated by the mayor in making the appointment. (Ord. 109, §2.)
Sec. 24-5. Compensation.
Each member of the board so appointed under this Ordinance shall receive a salary for his services of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars per month, to be allowed and paid monthly. (Ord. 382, §1.)
Sec. 24-6. Records.
It shall be the duty of said board to keep books of account showing with entire accuracy contemporaneous current entries of the receipts and expenditures of the board in such manner as to enable the same to be understood and investigated, and also to preserve on file in its office duplicate vouchers for all its expenditures, which books and duplicates shall at all times be open to the examination of the finance committee of the city council, or any other committee appointed by the common council, and such board shall make such reports of its business and transactions to the mayor and city council of the City of St. James, monthly. (Ord. 109, §9.)
Sec. 24-7. Monthly report.
It shall be the duty of the board of public works to make up an account monthly of all obligations and expenses incurred by said board, in operating said utilities, including salaries of all employees, setting forth in items, the amounts due, to whom, and for what service or account, which such statement of accounts shall be examined, checked, and certified by the board for payment, as true and correct. And it shall be the duty of the mayor and the common council to allow and order paid, such accounts, in the same manner that bills and salaries of other officers and employees of such city are allowed and paid; provided, however, that said payment shall be made out of said special utility account, and provided further than checks thereon shall be drawn only by the secretary of said board and countersigned as provided. (Ord. 109, §16.)
Secs. 24-8 to 24-12. Reserved.
ARTICLE I
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
DIVISION 2. POWERS
Sec. 24-13. Powers in general.
(a) The board of public works, as herein provided shall, during the existence of said board, have the power, and it shall be its duty, to take charge of and exercise control over any water works, electric light and power plant, or any other device or plant for furnishing light, power or heat, or any other public utility which may be owned by the City of St. James at this time, or which may be hereafter established or acquired by said City of St. James, by purchase or otherwise, and all appurtenances thereto belonging, and shall enforce the performance of all contracts and work and have charge and custody of all books, property and assets belonging or appertaining to such plant or plants. (Ord. 109, §5.)
(b) In addition to the powers and duties hereinbefore prescribed, said board shall also exercise such other powers and perform such other duties in the superintendence of public works, improvements and repairs constructed by authority of the common council or owned by the city that may be prescribed by ordinance. Said board shall make all necessary regulations for the government of the department not inconsistent with the general laws of this state, the charter of such city or the ordinances thereof. (Ord. 109, §6.)
(c) The board of public works shall have full power, and it shall be its duty, to take charge of and exercise full control over the water works, electric light and power plant owned by the city or any other public utility which it may hereafter acquire, and all appurtenances thereto belonging, and shall enforce the performance of all contracts and work, and have charge and custody of all books, property and assets belonging or appertaining to such public utility, as provided by Article 31 of Chapter 38 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri for the year 1939. It being the intention of this Ordinance to confer full authority and power to said board of public works to operate said utilities, except as may be otherwise provided by law or ordinance. (Ord. 109, §13.)
(d) In the process of operating said public utilities said board of public works is vested with full power and authority, and authorized to make such repairs, replacements, additions or extensions of service as it may deem proper for the public good and is vested with full power and authority to employ such labor or provide such material as may be necessary in that behalf and prescribe and fix the compensation for services within the foregoing limitations. (Ord. 109, §14.)
Sec. 24-14. Contracts, general.
(a) The doing of all work and furnishing of all supplies for the water works, electric power and light plant or any other plant or work which may be under its supervision or control, shall be let out by the board of public works in the same manner as other public works are let out, except in cases where it is not practicable to do such work or furnish such material by contract; and all contracts shall be submitted to the common council for approval. Said board shall have charge of the purchase of all supplies needed by the city in its several departments, under such restrictions and regulations as may be provided by ordinance. (Ord. 109, §10.)
(b) Where no restriction is specially provided by ordinance, the board shall have full power to contract for and provide all necessary labor and material and supplies as it may deem necessary, and submit its account for allowance and payment by the mayor and common council, out of said special public utility account as hereinbefore provided.
Provided, however, that all contracts provided for in Section 7804 Revised Statutes of Missouri, 1939, shall be submitted to the common council for approval as therein provided. (Ord. 109, §19.)
Sec. 24-15. Utility rates.
The assessment and collection of rates for water, electric power, electric light, or for the production of service of any other plant or works which the City of St. James may own or operate, shall be under the control and supervision of the board of public works, from and after the establishment of such board as herein provided, and subject to the ordinances of the city. (Ord. 109, §11.)
Sec. 24-16. An MPUA Mutual Aid Agreement and an American Public Power Association/National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (APPA/NRECA) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Agreement.
The City Council of the City of St. James, Missouri hereby authorized the President of the Utility Board to sign a MPUA Mutual Aid Program Agreement by and between the City of St. James and the Missouri Public Utility Alliance and the APPA/NRECA FEMA Agreement. (Ord. 801)
Sec. 24-17. Joining the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission.
The City Council of the City of St. James, Missouri hereby authorized to enter into the Joint Contract with other municipalities for the purpose of joining a separate legal entity known as the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission in order to provide for the financing, acquisition and operation of the power generation, transmission and distribution facilities and resources required to meet the municipalities' electric power and energy requirements. The Joint Contract is in the form of the Joint Contract presented to this meeting and attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute and deliver the Joint Contract in the form submitted as Exhibit A hereto.
That the Mayor is hereby appointed as Director of the Commission and the Utility Superintendent is hereby appointed as Alternate Director. Said Director and Alternate Director shall perform such duties and functions as required by the provisions of the Joint Contract until replaced by this governing body. (Ord. 808, §§1-2; Ord. 899)
Secs. 24-18 to 24-20. Reserved.
ARTICLE I
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
DIVISION 3. FINANCES1
Sec. 24-21. Public utility account.
In the process of operating said utilities, as herein provided, it shall be the duty of the board of public works, through its servants and employees, to collect all sums due for services rendered, and on all accounts in connection with the operation of said utilities, and all sums so collected, shall be by the board, deposited to the credit of a special account, to be known as the "public utility account" in the bank acting as the city's depository, out of which account all bills and expenses in connection with the operation of said utilities shall be paid.
This public utility account shall be under the general control of said board of public works, and no sums shall be paid therefrom, except upon checks prepared and drawn by the secretary of the board of public works, and countersigned by the mayor and the city clerk. (Ord. 109, §15.)
Sec. 24-22. Capital improvements.
Whatever remains in the public utility account, and whatever may accrue, shall be at the disposition of the board of public works for the operation of said public utilities, making improvements and betterments and extensions, and to do all things that in their judgment is for the best interest of the city and the public generally, and for the further purpose of paying all interest and demands on account of the indebtedness incurred for the purchase of the utilities by the city and to pay on the principal thereof, as may be. It being the spirit and intent of this Ordinance to accumulate a fund for the discharge of the general purchase price of the utilities as speedily as may be, consistent with good operation of the system and good service to the public, and that this fund shall be at the disposition of said board of public works for above purposes. (Ord. 109, §18.)
Sec. 24-23. Audit.
(a) The city treasurer shall cause the books of all services managed by the board of public works to be audited in the month of May of each year. (Ord. 369, §1.)
(b) The audit will show all moneys generated and all expenses incurred for the past year in each service's accounts. (Ord. 369, §2.)
(c) The audit will show maintenance costs, capital improvements, cash on hand, all other items that meet accepted auditing standards of each account managed by the board of public works. (Ord. 369, §3.)
Secs. 24-24 to 124-28. Reserved.
ARTICLE I
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
DIVISION 4. EMPLOYEES
Sec. 24-29. Appointment in general.
(a) Said board shall have the power to appoint a chief superintendent and such subordinates, including engineers, inspectors, clerks, assistants and other persons, as may be necessary, but the number of such additional appointees and the compensation of all employees and appointees of said board shall be as provided by ordinance. (Ord. 109, §7.)
(b) The board of public works is authorized and empowered and it is made their duty, to select and employ all necessary employees to carry on and operate all public utilities under its control and to fix the hours, duties and compensation of all such employees, with a maximum limitations thereon as to number, and compensation paid. (Ord. 109, §12.)
Sec. 24-30. Salaries and expenses.
All salaries of such board and all salaries of its employees shall be allowed and paid in the same manner that bills and salaries of other officers and employees of such city are allowed and paid. (Ord 109, §8.)
Sec. 24-31. Bond; specific.
The board of public works shall give an indemnity bond to the City of St. James for the faithful performance of their duties and the faithful accounting for all funds coming into their hands, in the sum of ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars, the expense of which bond shall be paid out of said special public utility account, and without expense to the individual members of said board. (Ord. 109, §21.)
Sec. 24-32. Employees and salary; general.
It is intended that the board of public works shall exercise its discretion in the salaries to be paid within the limits herein prescribed. (Ord. 285, §1.)
Sec. 24-33. Clerks.
Clerks not to exceed six. (1977 Code)
Sec. 24-34. Engineers.
Engineers not to exceed two. (1977 Code)
Sec. 24-35. Inspectors.
Inspectors not to exceed three. (1977 Code)
Sec. 24-36. Other employees.
Other employees not to exceed fifteen. (1977 Code)
Secs. 24-37 to 24-41. Reserved.
ARTICLE II
UTILITY SERVICE
Sec. 24-42. Contract for utility service.
(a) Utility services include electric, natural gas, water, sewer, and trash pickup.
(b) Utility services will be billed and mailed monthly. If any bill for utilities is not paid by disconnect day, the utility services will be disconnected.
(c) Each person or business making application for utility services shall:
1. Complete a "Contract of Service" form at the Utility
Office.
2. New residential electricity customers will pay a $300.00 deposit unless a
twelve month credit/payment history is obtained from their previous utility
supplier. If the credit/payment history has no delinquent entries, then the
deposit will be $100.00.
(a) New $300.00 deposit customers paying on time for 12 months, with the presentation
of their deposit certificate, may receive a $100.00 refund, and after 24 months
of paying on time, with the presentation of their deposit certificate, may receive
an additional $100.00 refund, which will leave a $100.00 deposit until final
billing.
(b) Any delinquent account physically disconnected will have additional deposit
requirements of $100.00. This will be paid before service is restored. This
increase will be applied for each separate instance up to a total deposit of
$300.00. Total deposit amounts so established will not be reduced and will be
held until final billing.
3. Commercial customers will pay a deposit equaling an average of two months
billing.
4. Industrial customer deposit will be subject to the Utility Board review.
5. Water only customers will pay a $50.00 deposit.
6. Prior delinquent account history will be in accordance with Section 24-45.
(d) Utility service shall be denied the applicant for any misinformation provided in the "Contract for Service."
(e) A service charge of $10.00 will be charged for insufficient funds checks.
(f) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person or persons to tamper with or make any connection to any utility service without written permission from the city, or when such services have been discontinued for non-payment of a bill.
(g) In the case of a group (relatives or not) with a delinquent account in the name of one of them, the utility is not obliged to provide continued service at the place or new service at a new place in the name of another member of the group if the delinquent account holder, group member or any other person liable for payment of the delinquent bill(s) continues to occupy or receive benefit of the services provided at the place or any new place, unless arranagements are made to pay for the unpaid service at the place. (for penalty see Sec. 1-13) (Ord. 408; Ord. 788; Ord. 802)
Sec. 24-43 Policy for delinquent utility customers.. (Utility board minutes July 1999 & Aug. 2004)
(a) Utility bills paid by cash, money order or sufficient funds check on or before the 10th of each month are ten percent less than those paid after the 10th of the month. (Ord. 813)
(b) Bills unpaid after the 10th of the month will be scheduled for disconnection of services.
(c) Disconnect notices will be mailed to each delinquent customer announcing the date their services will be disconnected.
(d) On disconnect day customers will pay, in cash, the amount of the utility bill in full, a 10% penalty, and a service charge of $10.00, during office hours, or $30.00 after office hours. (Ord. 788; Ord. 813; Ord. 825) (See also section 24-101)
Sec. 24-44 Policy for customers moving out of service area.
(a) The deposit made at the beginning of utility service shall be applied to the final bill.
(b) The balance of the deposit will be sent to the customer's forwarding address.
(c) The utility bill balance due amount will be sent to the customer's forwarding address.
(d) After 90 days any unpaid utility account will be sent to the collection agency.
(e) The customer will be responsible for all collection fees and/or attorney fees plus court costs and interest. (Ord. 788)
Sec. 24-45 Policy for delinquent account customers returning to this service area.
Any person or business moving away from the City of St. James leaving an unpaid utility bill shall upon return,
(a) Pay the balance of the amount they left owing plus collection and/or attorney fees.
(b) For their deposit they will be required to pay the greater of the amount left owing or the normal deposit as stated in Sec. 24-42(c). (Ord. 788)
Sec. 24-46 Dusk to dawn light fees. (Utility Board minutes Dec. 1981)
At the request of the customer and the order of the Utility Superintendent dusk to dawn lights may be installed at the following rates.
(a) $25.00 to set a new pole, or
(b) $10.00 for existing pole.
(c) Monthly fee based on utility rates.
(Ord. 788; Ord. 829)
Sec. 24-47. Reserved.
ARTICLE III
WATER SERVICE
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
Sec. 24-48. Access to premises.
All water meters, and water fixtures, appliances and appurtenances, on private premises, connected with the City water system shall be open to inspection by the proper employees of the city at all reasonable and ordinary hours. (Ord. 60, §6.)
Sec. 24-49. Water tap fee.
All persons making connection onto the water mains shall pay a water tap fee of $12.50 to the St. James Municipal Utilities. (Ord. 60, §2; Ord. 788)
Sec. 24-50. Consumer to make connections.
All connections of service pipe with the city water mains shall be made by tapping a corporation stop into the side of the water main and such tapping shall in no case be made nearer than 18 inches to a calked joint. The consumer will pay all cost of all material from this point for the tapping of the main. The property owner will provide 3/4" K copper to meter. The service pipe shall extend from the main to the meter setter which will be set just inside of the property line. The meter shall be connected to such service line by standard fittings supplied with the meter. The meter setter and the meter shall be set together in a vitrified meter box 18" in diameter with a regulation metal lid, said box to extend not less than two inches above the surface of the ground. SDR 13.5 PVC plastic pipe can be used from the meter to the house or copper pipe. No solder containing lead can be used. All valves, corporation cocks, curb cocks, meter settings, meter boxes and in general the entire installation from the main to and including the meter shall be inspected and approved by the water commissioner before water will be turned on the service. If any special connection with the water mains is required or any service that requires a larger size service pipe than 3/4 inch special instructions will be given the plumber or property owner for such connection by the City water commissioner. (Ord. 60, §12; Ord. 515.)
Sec. 24-51. Consumer to make all repairs.
All leaky service pipes leading to the meter shall be properly repaired on notice given by the city authorities, or water will be shut off. (Ord. 60, §6.)
Sec. 24-52. Wrongful withdrawal of water.
Any person who shall turn the supply of water to a service pipe from which the supply has been turned off by the city on account of non-payment of water rates, or for any other reason without first having obtained a permit to do so from the proper city officers, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 60, §7; 1977 Code) (For penalty see section 1-13 and section 24-56; See section 24-100 for unlawful sewer connections)
Sec. 24-53. Liability for utility charges.
The occupant and user of the premises receiving sanitary sewerage services and utility services combined shall be severally liable to pay for such services rendered on said premises. The city shall have power to sue the occupant of such real estate in a civil action to recover any sum due for such services plus a reasonable attorney's fee to be fixed by the court. (Ord. 199, §7.)
Sec. 24-54. Water service terminated.
The water commissioner shall, when parties are in arrears for water used, after said parties have had due and sufficient notice to pay up said arrearage and fail or refuse to do so, turn off the water from the premises of such users. (Ord. 60, §11.)
Sec. 24-55. Reconnection fee.
(See also section 24-101.) (Ord. 60, §11; Ord. 788)
Sec. 24-56. Violations.
Any person or persons violating any of the provisions hereof, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 60, section 13; 1977 Code) (Penalty provisions refer to sections 24-48, 24-49, 24-50, 24-51, 24-52, 24-54, 24-55, 24-62, 24-63, 24-64, 24-65, 24-74 and 24-75.) (For penalty see Sec. 1-13.)
Sec. 24-57. Fluoridation of water system.
(a) The public works director for the city of St. James, Missouri is hereby authorized and directed to provide a means and proceed with the establishment of fluoride ions into the public water supply of the city in such quantities as are required to provide throughout the distribution system, a fluoride concentration of approximately one part fluoride per million parts of water.
(b) The public works director shall keep an accurate record of the amount of fluoride bearing chemical applied to the quantities of water treated, and cause such analytical tests to be made for fluoride, in terms of the element "F" in the untreated and treated water supplies as directed by the Missouri Division of Health.
(c) The public works director is hereby authorized to
submit application for the necessary fluoridation equipment and
testing and to accept the same on behalf of the city of
Secs. 24-58 to 24-61. Reserved.
ARTICLE III
WATER SERVICE
DIVISION 2. WATER METERS
Sec. 24-62. City to furnish meter.
(a) The city shall furnish any and all users of city water with a water meter, said meter to be paid for by the city, and water shall not be turned on any service pipe until such meter has been properly installed and such installation and equipment are approved by the water commissioner. (Ord. 60, §2.)
(b) All meters furnished by the city are and shall remain the property of the city. (Ord. 60, §3.) (See section 24-56 for penalty)
Sec. 24-63. Location of meter.
All meters shall be set in a suitable meter box, to be approved by the water commissioner and they shall be connected up under the directions of and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the water department under the supervision of the water commissioner. (Ord. 60, §3.) (See section 24-56 for penalty)
Sec. 24-64. Meters not to be disturbed.
No person, unless duly authorized by the city council or by the water commissioner, shall connect, remove, repair or otherwise disturb any water meter, and any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 60, §4; 1977 Code) (For penalty see Sec. 1-13 and Sec. 24-56.)
Sec. 24-65. Duty of occupants.
The occupants of any building or premises where meter is located shall see that the meter is kept and remain free from obstruction on or around the same and is conveniently accessible at all times for the purpose of reading, inspecting or repairing. The water shall be turned off from any meter that shall not be so kept, and shall not be turned on again until this section is complied with and the cost of turning water off and on paid. (Ord. 60, §5.) (See section 24-56 for penalty)
Sec. 24-65.2. Duty of property owner regarding water meter.
If the property owner has only one water meter with more than one renter the property owner is responsible for the total water bill of all occupants using water on that one meter. (Ord. 788)
Sec. 24-66. One meter only.
No additional water meter is to be installed to premises already having a water meter and water service in order to avoid paying a sewerage charge although the second requested meter would not be connected to the sewerage system. (Ord. 199, §13.)
Sec. 24-67. Reading of meters.
The superintendent of the combined waterworks and sewerage system of the city or such other officers or representatives of the city as may be designated from time to time shall cause all water meters to be read and bills for sanitary sewerage services to be rendered monthly as services accrue. All bills shall be due and payable from and after the date such bills are rendered, at the office of the St. James municipal utilities, during the regular hours of business. The superintendent, or other persons designated, may calculate the amount of each bill for sanitary sewerage services and may add the same to the amount of the bill of the customer for utility services and render such customer a combined bill for such utilities and sewerage services. (Ord. 199, §4.)
Sec. 24-68. Mailing utility bills.
Utility services will be billed and mailed monthly. If any bill for utilities is not paid by disconnect day, the utility services may be disconnected. (Ord. 199, §5; Ord. 788)
Secs. 24-69 to 24-73. Reserved.
ARTICLE III
WATER SERVICE
DIVISION 3. WATER RATES
Sec. 24-74. General.
(a) That on and after the passage and approval of
this Ordinance by the city council and mayor of the City of
(b) On and after the passage and approval of this Ordinance, the water rates or water taxes shall be collected monthly, and shall fall due on the first day of each month. (Ord. 60, §8.)
Sec. 24-75. Water only service deposit.
A deposit of $50.00 for water only customers will be charged. (Ord. 60, §10; Ord. 788)
Sec. 24-76. Meter failure.
In case water meter fails to register from any cause, the amount charged for water during such period shall be estimated by the water commissioner, such estimates to be based on the average amount registered during a like period, and in case the estimate of the water commissioner is unsatisfactory to the consumer, he may appeal to the city council. (Ord. 60, §9.)
Secs. 24-77 to 24-81. Reserved.
ARTICLE III
WATER SERVICE
DIVISION 4. REGULATIONS ON WATER SERVICE CONSTRUCTION
Sec. 24-82. Minimum diameter on new or extended water lines.
(a) All newly constructed water lines or extension of existing water lines shall be as a minimum of six (6) inches in diameter.
(b) Any and all ordinances or parts thereof contrary to the above requirement is hereby repealed and of naught held. (Ord. 426, §§1-2.)
Secs. 24-83 to 24-87. Reserved.
ARTICLE IV
PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
Sec. 24-88. Definitions.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this ordinance shall be as follows:
(a) BOD - "BOD" (denoting Biochemical Oxygen Demand) shall mean the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five (5) days at 20oC, expressed in milligrams per liter. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §1.)
(b) Building drain - "Building drain" shall mean that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five (5) feet (1.5 meters) outside the inner face of the building wall. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §2.)
(c) Building sewer - "Building sewer" shall mean the extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §3.)
(d) Combined sewer - "Combined sewer" shall mean a sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §4.)
(e) Garbage - "Garbage" shall mean solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of produce. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §5.)
(f) Industrial wastes - "Industrial wastes" shall mean the liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trade, or business as distinct from sanitary sewage. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §6.)
(g) Inspector - "Inspector" shall mean the person or persons duly authorized by the city, to inspect and approve the installation of building sewers and their connection to the public sewer system. (Ord. 204, §1.)
(h) Natural outlet - "Natural outlet" shall mean any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface or groundwater. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §7.)
(i) Person - "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation, or group. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §8.)
(j) pH - "pH" shall mean the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §9.)
(k) Properly shredded garbage - "Properly shredded garbage" shall mean the wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half (1/2) inch (1.27 centimeters) in any dimension. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §10.)
(l) public sewer - "public sewer" shall mean a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §11.)
(m) Sanitary sewer - "Sanitary sewer" shall mean a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, and groundwater are not intentionally admitted. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §12.)
(n) Sewage - "Sewage" shall mean a combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, and storm waters as may be present. (Ord. 399, Art. 2, §13.)
(o) Sewage treatment plant - "Sewage treatment plant" shall mean any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §14.)
(p) Sewage works - "Sewage works" shall mean all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §15.)
(q) Sewers - "Sewer" shall mean a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §16.)
(r) Shall/may - "Shall" is mandatory; "May" is permissive. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §17.)
(s) Slug - "Slug" shall mean any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than fifteen (15) minutes more than five (5) times the average twenty-four (24) hour concentration or flows during normal operation. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §18.)
(t) Storm drain - "Storm drain" (sometimes termed "storm sewer") shall mean a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than unpolluted cooling water. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §19.)
(u) Superintendent - "superintendent"
shall mean the superintendent of Sewage Works and/or Water
Pollution Control of the City of
(v) Suspended solids - "Suspended solids" shall mean solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtering. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §21.)
(w) Watercourse - "Watercourse" shall mean a channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §22.)
Sec. 24-89. Access to premises.
(a) The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance. The superintendent, or his representatives shall have no authority to inquire into any processes including metallurgical, chemical, oil, refining, ceramic, paper, or other industries beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers or waterways or facilities for waste treatment. (Ord. 399, Art. 1, §1.)
(b) While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in section 24-89(a) above, the superintendent or duly authorized employees of the city shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the company and the company shall be held harmless for injury or death to the city employees and the city shall indemnify the company against loss or damage to its property by city employees and against liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and growing out of the gauging and sampling operation, except as such may be caused by negligence or failure of the company to maintain safe conditions as required in section 24-126. (Ord. 399, Art. 7, §2.)
(c) The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the city holds a duly negotiated easement for the purposes of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any portion of the sewage works lying within said easement. All entry and subsequent work, if any, on said easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved. (Ord. 399, Art. 7, §3.)
Sec. 24-90. Permit required.
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the superintendent. (Ord. 399, Art. 4, §1.)
Sec. 24-91. Permit fees.
There shall be two (2) classes of building permits: (a) for residential and commercial service, and (b) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars for a residential or commercial building sewer permit and twenty-five ($25.00) dollars for an industrial building sewer permit shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed. (Ord. 399, Art. 4, §2.)
Sec. 24-92. Inspection.
The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the superintendent or his representative. (Ord. 399, Art. 4, §10.)
Sec. 24-93. Each building to have separate connection.
(a) A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer. (Ord. 399, Art. 4, §4.)
(b) Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the superintendent, to meet all requirements of this ordinance. (Ord. 399, Art. 4, §5.)
Sec. 24-94. Regulating private sewer connections.
(a) Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of section 15-1, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this code. (Ord. 399, Art. 3, §1.)
(b) Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other information as are deemed necessary by the superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of five ($5.00) dollars shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed. (Ord. 399, Art. 3, §2.)
(c) A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the instal