Fiscal Note
Minimal increase in General Fund revenues.
Title
Amending Section 13.06 of the Madison General Ordinances to clarify that the maintenance of water meter pits is the responsibility of the property owner and amending Section 13.22 of the Madison General Ordinances to increase the minimum fine for violations of Chapter 13 from $25 to $50.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: The proposal establishes regulations for the construction and maintenance of water meter pits. Water meter pits are owned by the real estate property owner. The purpose of this proposal is to ensure that water meter pits are safe to enter by utility employees.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Section 13.06 entitled "Access to Premises" of the Madison General Ordinances is amended to read as follows:
"13.06 ACCESS TO PREMISES AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER METER PITS.
(1) Access to Premises.
The General Manager of the Water Utility and persons under the General Manager's direction shall have free access at all reasonable hours to any premises supplied with City water for the purpose of inspecting and examining the water service appliances. No person, firm, corporation or other entity shall prevent, delay or interfere with a City employee while he or she is engaged in the performance of duty pursuant to this section.
(2) Maintenance of Water Meter Pits.
a. Water meter pits are the responsibility of the owner or operator of the property and the owner or operator bears the responsibility for all required pit maintenance and repairs. Water meter pits shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition and shall be free from leaks or standing water. Water meter pits shall be maintained in a manner that provides for adequate accessibility, security, safety and for protection against freezing and flooding for the meter. No plants, landscaping or other physical objects shall limit the accessibility of the water meter pit. The water meter pit lid shall be maintained in safe condition and shall be capable of supporting the weight of pedestrians and lawn care equipment. The owner or operator of the property shall provide for proper grading of the surface around the water meter pit so that water will not collect around or course over the water meter pit lid.
b. Any water meter pit built after the effective date of this ordinance shall meet the standards and specifications of the Water Utility in effect at the time of construction. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the property to ensure that a water meter pit meets such standards and specifications. The Water Utility shall make its standards and specifications available for public inspection at the office of the Water Utility during normal business hours."
2. Section 13.23 entitled "Penalty" of the Madison General Ordinances is amended to read as follows:
"13.23 PENALTY. Any person violating any provision of this chapter for which a separate penalty has not been imposed shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five fifty dollars ($25 50) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). Each day or portion thereof such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
The word "fine" as used in this chapter shall be synonymous with the term "forfeiture"."