TITLE 18
ELECTRIC UTILITY

Chapters:

18.01 Electric Utility

18.02 Underground Electrical and Communication Facilities

Chapter 18.01
Electric Utility

Sections:

18.01.010 Electric utility established.

18.01.020 Repealed.

18.01.030 Rates and charges.

18.01.060 Connection defined.

18.01.070 Connection fee.

18.01.080 Applications for connection.

18.01.090 Extraordinary connection expense.

18.01.100 Additional connection.

18.01.110 Temporary connections.

18.01.120 Meters.

18.01.130 Connection to be by authorized persons.

18.01.140 Billings and discontinuance of service for nonpayment.

18.01.150 Deposit by nonowners.

18.01.160 Penalties.

18.01.010 Electric utility established.

  The City of DuPont shall maintain and operate a municipally owned and operated light utility for the purpose of providing, selling and distributing electric energy to consumers in or near said City for residential, farm, commercial, industrial and municipal use.  Unless otherwise specified herein, such electric energy shall be single phase, 60-cycle, with potential of 120/240 volts.  (Ord. 48 § 3, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.020 Light fund established.

  Repealed by Ord. 03-741.  (Ord. 48 § 4, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.030 Rates and charges.

  The City of DuPont will bill for electric energy consumed on a monthly basis.  The following schedule of

rates and charges shall apply to all electric energy furnished and sold by the City, namely:

(a) Schedule 1.  Applicable to all residential and commercial consumers using electric energy for lighting, operation of ordinary small electric appliances, including refrigerator or furnace, space heating, for cooking and hot water heating; and incidental small power consumption by commercial customers, provided, that single motors of 5 h.p. or less may be connected, and provided further, that the City may at any time require consumers to have installed at their own expense a suitable time switch device to regulate the use of electric energy for hot water heating during peak load hours.

Rates: per Month

       Basic Charge -- $3.45

       First 1500 KWH -- 1.7656¢ per KWH

       All KWH over 1500 -- 1.9576¢ per KWH

(b) Schedule 2. Applicable to municipal street lighting and power used in pumping water at City pumping station.

Rate:1.75¢ per KWH per month

(Ord. 48 § 5, Jan. 10th, 1957; Ord. 222 § 1, April 19th, 1979).

18.01.060 Connection defined.

For the purpose of this ordinance, connection to the electric distribution system of the City is hereby defined and declared to be each connection to a power line of such system which leads into any building or premise, provided, that in case an individual building or premise having but one connection to the City electric distribution system is occupied by more than one occupant, tenant or family, the City Council may by resolution in each individual case declare that each such consumer shall be deemed to be connected to the electric distribution system of the City, for purpose of rates and charges, when connection is made to his particular premises from the central system of the building or property of which he is an occupant or tenant. (Ord. 48 § 8, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.070 Connection fee.

A service connection fee of $150.00 shall be charged for each new permanent connection to the electric distribution system of the City. The above fee shall be increased by $100.00 for connections to points of consumption outside of the City limits. (Ord. 191, May 11th, 1977).

18.01.080 Applications for connection.

Whenever any person desires electric service from the City, he shall make written application therefor to the Clerk-Treasurer, which application shall state the type of service desired and the location of the premises to be served, and shall be accompanied by the connection fee.

If the application shows that electric energy is desired for use under section 18.01.030 (a), (b), (c), the City shall cause such connection to be made forthwith unless under the circumstances of the case the provisions of section 18.01.090 are applicable, in which case the additional payments therein provided shall first be paid by the applicant before any connection is made. If any application for electric service includes any request for electric energy for space heating, or other use involving a heavy or unusual load, it shall be referred to the City Council at its next regular meeting for disposition. (Ord. 48 § 10, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.090 Extraordinary connection expense.

The City shall make all connections to its electric distribution system at its own expense when an existing pole line is available that permits a normal overhead connection to be made therefrom to the point of consumption with an overhead span of not to exceed 150 feet. In the event no such pole line is available, or in the event it is not practicable to make an overhead connection from such pole line to the point of consumption without the installation of a stub pole, the City shall cause an estimate to be made of the cost of bringing a pole line to a point from which a feasible overhead connection with an overhead span of not to exceed 150 feet can be made. All line extension work shall be done by the City, but shall be charged to the consumer the actual cost, plus 10%; and the applicant shall pay the estimated cost thereof in advance of the performance of such work and of the making of any permanent connection. Final settlement shall then be made upon completion of such work. No charge is intended to be made under the provision of this paragraph for the connection from the pole line, as located or extended, to the point of consumption, such cost being borne by the City and covered by the service connection fee provided for in section 18.01.070 herein. (Ord. 48 § 11, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.100 Additional connection.

When any person already receiving electric energy from the City desires additional service for a use not previously made on the property and which requires further connection, he shall make written application for such additional connection to the Clerk-Treasurer. Such application shall be accompanied by a connection fee, and upon payment of such fee the City shall cause such connection to be made forthwith. Electric energy furnished through such additional connection shall be paid for according to the applicable schedule for the service furnished. The City shall reserve the right to refuse to make or permit more than one connection to any one house or premise, and shall further reserve the right to disconnect any such additional connection already made. (Ord. 48 § 12, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.110 Temporary connections.

Any person who desires a temporary connection to be made to the electric distribution system of the City shall make written application therefor to the Clerk-Treasurer. Such application shall be accompanied by a temporary connection fee of $10.00, provided, that if more than one building or structure is to be serviced through such connection, the fee shall be increased by $2.00 for each additional building. Upon receipt of such fee, the City shall cause such connection to be made forthwith, provided, that if the provisions of section 18.01.090 hereinabove are applicable, there shall be a compliance therewith before such connection may be made. Temporary connections shall be limited to a period of 120 days, provided, that such connections may be extended for further periods of 30 days at a time without cost upon written request for extension to the Clerk-Treasurer. Electric energy consumed through temporary connections shall be paid for at either a flat rate of $4.50 per month, or at the option of the City, a meter may be installed and energy consumed shall be paid for at regular applicable rates. (Ord. 48 § 13, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.120 Meters.

The City will supply and maintain at its own expense any meters necessary to record the amount of electric energy delivered to each consumer thereof. Said meters shall be installed at some convenient place on the consumer’s property where they are readily accessible to inspection or service by an employee, official or agent of the City. Any meter so installed shall be read and handled only by an authorized employee, official or agent of the City, and it shall be unlawful for any other person to tamper with such meter in any way. (Ord. 48 § 14, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.130 Connection to be by authorized persons.

Connections to or disconnections from the electric distribution system of the City shall be made only by authorized employees, officials or agents of the City, and it shall be unlawful for any other person to make such connection or disconnection. (Ord. 48 § 15, Jan. 10th, 1957).

18.01.140 Billings and discontinuance of service for nonpayment.

The Clerk-Treasurer shall make and deliver to each consumer of electric energy a statement of the charges therefor for each bi-monthly billing period. All such accounts shall be due and payable on or before 30 days after the close of the billing period, and shall be considered delinquent if not paid by then. The Clerk-Treasurer shall mail or deliver a warning notice to any consumer whose account has become delinquent. Final notice of delinquency may be given at any time after 10 days from the date of the first notice of delinquency, which final notice shall be in such form as the City Council may provide and shall advise the consumer that his electric service will be shut within 5 days from the date of such final notice. The Clerk-Treasurer shall deliver to the councilman in charge of the light department each month on the day of the regular council meeting a list of the names of all consumers of electric energy who have failed to pay the charges therefor and who have had final notice and warning as herein provided. Said councilman may then cause service to such consumer or consumers to be shut off forthwith in the manner provided by the laws of the State of Washington or if in his opinion there are alleviating circumstances in an individual case, he may withhold shut off for not to exceed 30 days or may refer the matter to the City Council. In the event service is shut off, such service shall be restored only upon payment of all back charges and upon payment of a re-connection fee of $25.00 providing such re-connection is accomplished during the hours between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. on weekdays, and $40.00 if such re-connection is accomplished at any other time. (Ord. 48 § 16, Jan. 10th, 1957; Ord. 157, Dec. 11th, 1974).

18.01.150 Deposit by nonowners.

(a) Whenever application is received under the provisions of this chapter for service of electric energy, no deposit shall be required.

(b) If a bill for electric energy remains outstanding for a period of thirty (30) days, the Clerk-Treasurer of the City shall send notice to the owner that the meter shall be removed if payment is not received within the ensuing fifteen (15) days.

(1) A removed meter shall be reinstalled upon receipt of payment in full of the outstanding bill.

(c) If it has been necessary to remove the same meter twice within one year, or if the grounds for removal have been established twice within the same year, the Clerk-Treasurer shall effect collection of a deposit prior to either reinstallation of the meter or continued service as the case may be.

(1) Said deposit shall be equal to the average bill for that structure for a two (2) month period which shall be determined as an annual average. (Ord. 48 § 17, Jan. 10th, 1957; Ord. 214 § 2, Nov. 8th, 1978).

18.01.160 Penalties.

Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance is hereby declared to be a misdemeanor, and any person convicted thereof shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed $100.00, or by imprisonment of not to exceed 30 days, or both, for each offense. (Ord. 48 § 18, Jan. 10th, 1957).

Chapter 18.02
Underground Electrical and Communication Facilities

Sections:

18.02.010 Definitions.

18.02.020 Underground installation required.

18.02.030 Variances.

18.02.010 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the term "electrical or communication facilities" shall mean facilities carrying any electrical energy, including but not limited to, electric power, telephone, telegraph and cable television; provided, however, that the terms shall not include the following facilities:

(a) Electric utility substations, surface mounted transformers and switching facilities.

(b) Electric transmission systems of a voltage of 55 KV or more and equivalent communication facilities.

(c) Telephone pedestals and other equivalent communication facilities.

(d) Street lighting standards.

(e) Police and fire sirens or any similar municipal equipment, including traffic control equipment. (Ord. 274 § 1, Nov. 18th, 1981).

18.02.020 Underground installation required.

(a) Transmission lines. All electrical and communication facilities other than electrical or communication services located on private property shall be installed underground by the utility owning said facility in the following cases:

(1) When it becomes necessary to remove existing overhead facilities for a distance of over 500 feet because of a roadway widening project or other similar reason.

(2) When existing overhead facilities for a distance of over 500 feet are to be replaced; provided, however, this provision shall not apply to replacements due solely to casualty damage nor to replacement of wire only.

(3) When any electrical or communication facilities are extended beyond those facilities existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(4) When another utility having facilities along the same street or easement places its facilities underground for a distance of over 500 feet.

All undergrounding of facilities initiated by a utility company must have approval of the Mayor prior to undertaking such project.

(b) Services to be installed underground. All electrical and communications services located on private property shall be installed underground by the owner of the property in the following cases:

(1) All new electrical and communication services from and overhead or underground facility to service connections of structures shall be installed underground.

(2) All rebuilt or relocated electrical or communication service lines from an overhead or underground facility to service connections of structures shall be installed underground unless such rebuilding or relocation involves a change in the overhead service line only without a change in the corresponding service entrance facilities.

(3) All existing electrical and communication services shall be converted to underground by the owner or owners of the property upon which said services are located, or other persons, firms or corporations acting in the owner’s behalf, within 90 days after notification by the City in accordance with R.C.W. 35.96.050 that underground facilities are available. (Ord. 274 § 2, Nov. 18th, 1981).

18.02.030 Variances.

(a) A variance from the underground installation requirements of this chapter may be granted by the DuPont City Council upon the recommendation of the City Planning Agency after receipt of an application from the utility or property owner concerned if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the council that the variance is in the interest of the general health, welfare and safety of the residents of the community and the traveling public and one of the following conditions exist:

(1) It is technologically unsound to require undergrounding of a particular facility or in a particular location; or

(2) That the cost of underground installation when compared to overhead installation is disproportionate in comparison to the benefit to be gained by the property and/or the public and is disproportionately high when compared to other properties or locations; or

(3) Where the area in which undergrounding is required has not established a sufficient growth pattern to permit the determination of ultimate facility requirements or major transmission routes.

(b) When granting a variance, the City Council may attach conditions to the granting of said variance including placing a time limit on the duration of such variance. (Ord. 274 § 3, Nov. 18th, 1981).