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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 6417: AMENDING CHAPTER 110 ARTICLE II DIVISION 2 SECTION 110-67 AND ADDING SECTION 110-71 er P.O. NO. 6417 VRT 10/24/2014 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 110 (UTILITIES) , ARTICLE II (WATER) , DIVISION 2 (CONNECTIONS) , SECTION 110-67 (METERS TO BE UNOBSTRUCTED; DEDUCTION FOR FIRE SERVICE) , ADDING SECTION 110-71 (PENALTIES) TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, AS IT PERTAINS TO ACCESS TO WATER METERS, AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND A PENALTY THEREOF. WHEREAS; it is necessary for the City to have unobstructed access to water meters; and WHEREAS; the current City Ordinance provides that "whenever a meter is set, whether in the sidewalk or area vault, the space occupied by the meter and the box must at all times be kept free from rubbish and obstructions of any kind. The customer shall not obstruct the city' s access to read the meter, i .e . , fences, dogs, etc. " ; and WHEREAS; the City staff has reported numerous problems gaining access to the water meter due to customers placing locks on gates and the location of possibly dangerous dogs in an area that makes it unsafe for the staff member to read or service the water meter; and WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the public interest of the City to amend Section 110-67 and add Section 110-71, as delineated below, to the City' s Code of Ordinance to provide for safe access to water meters and providing a penalty for failure to do so. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2 : That Section 110 of the Code of Ordinance is hereby amended as follows : Section 110-67 : Meters to be unobstructed; deduction for fire service Whenever a meter is set, whether in the sidewalk or area vault, the space occupied by the meter and the box must at all times be kept free from rubbish and obstructions of any kind. The customer shall not obstruct the city' s access to read the meter, i .e. , fences, dogs, etc . The customer shall allow the City safe access to the meter at all times. Section 110-71: Penalties. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this chapter. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 each day. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Section 3 . That a copy of the caption of this Ordinance be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council . Section 4. That pursuant to Section 52 . 013 of the Texas Local Government Code, this ordinance which carries a penalty, s.po6417 Kt is required to be published at least twice in the official newspaper of the City of Port Arthur. Section 5. That this ordinance shall be effective immediately after the date of final publication. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D. , 2014 , at a Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote : AYES: Mayor Councilmembers NOES : Deloris "Bobbie" Prince, Mayor ATTEST: City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Atto ey APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: John A. Comeaux, P.E. Interim City Manager s.po6417