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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2663ORDINANCE NO. 2663 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles establishing a low- income utility discount for senior citizens and disabled citizens; setting the qualifications and the procedures for application, calculation and payment of such discount; and repealing Ordinance Nos. 2107, 2206, and 2287. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ANGELES DOES ORDAIN as follows: Section 1. Chapter 13.20 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Chapter 13.20 UTILITY DISCOUNT FOR LOW - INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED CITIZENS Sections: 13.20.010 Purpose and Findings. 13.20.020 Definitions. 13.20.030 Utility Discount. 13.20.040 Information to be Made Available. 13.20.050 Qualifications for Utility Discount. 13.20.060 Application for Discount. 13.20.070 Calculation of Discount. 13.20.080 Penalty for False Information. 13.20.010 Purpose and Findings. The City Council of the City of Port Angeles finds that it is appropriate for the City of Port Angeles to provide a discount on utility charges to low income elderly and disabled residents of the City. The Council further finds that this discount should be accompanied by energy conservation programs. 13.20.020 Definitions. A. "Utility Discount" means a discount granted pursuant to the terms of this Chapter to a low- income senior citizen or a low - income disabled citizen, the amount of which is applied against outstanding obligations of the citizen to the City of Port Angeles -1- for utility services. B. "Low- income senior citizen" means a person who: 1. Resides within the City of Port Angeles; 2. Is sixty -two years of age or older; 3. Receives utility services from the City of Port Angeles; 4. Is the head of a household; 5. Has a total income, including that of his or her spouse or co- tenant, which does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 84.36.381(5)(b), as now or hereafter amended. C. "Low- income disabled citizen" means a person who: 1. Resides within the city of Port Angeles; 2. Receives utility services from the City of Port Angeles; 3. Is the head of a household; 4. Qualifies for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(a) through (f), or a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020, and whose income, including that of his or her spouse or co- tenant, does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 70.164.020(4), or a person who qualifies for supplemental social security benefits due to a disability. 13.20.030 Utility Discount. There is authorized a utility discount for each calendar year commencing January 1, 1992, which discount shall be applied to the monthly utility bills of qualified low - income senior citizens and low - income disabled citizens, in accordance with the terms of this Chapter. 13.20.040 Information to be Made Available. The City's Customer Service Manager shall maintain at all times the following information which shall be current and applicable to current applications for, and awards of, utility discounts under the terms of this Chapter: A. A list of all Federal, State or local energy- related programs which are available to provide fiscal assistance to low- -2- income senior and disabled citizens, for which certification of application must be made by an applicant; B. A list of all conservation or consumption reduction programs of the City for which an applicant for a utility discount must agree to apply, and the requirements for each such program; C. Current application forms. 13.20.050 Qualifications for Utility Discount. A. Each recipient of a utility discount must meet the following criteria: 1. Be a low- income senior or disabled citizen, as defined in Section 13.20.020; 2. Certify that he or she has completed an application for and has either received or been denied, aid for all Federal, State, or local utility- related programs available to provide fiscal assistance to low - income senior or disabled citizens; 3. Agree to participate in available conservation or consumption reduction programs of the City. B. Failure of the applicant to participate in an available conservation or consumption reduction program, after receipt of a utility discount, shall constitute a basis for denial by the City of participation in the utility discount program during the ensuing years. 13.20.060 Application for Discount. A. Applications for utility discounts shall be obtained from and filed with the City's Customer Service Manager. B. Submission of an application for a utility discount shall constitute a verification by the applicant that all information provided in such application is true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge. 13.20.070 Calculation of Discount. Calculation of the amount of the utility discount for eligible low - income senior or disabled citizens shall be in accordance with the following procedure: -3- A. The amount of the discount shall be a percentage of the monthly utility bill. The percentage shall be based on the citizen's annual income in accordance with the following: 1. $0 - $5,999 Annual Income 30% Discount; 2. $6,000 - $9,999 Annual Income 20% Discount; 3. $10,000 - $13,999 Annual Income 10% Discount; 4. $14,000 - $17,999 Annual Income 5% Discount B. The amount of discount to be received by any individual shall be reduced by the amount which the total subsidy, including grants from other (e.g., Federal) sources, exceeds the customer's utility bill. 13.20.080 Penalty for False Information. The wilful provision to the City of false information in an application for utility discount shall forfeit the low - income senior or disabled citizen's eligibility for future credits. Additionally, the low - income senior or disabled citizen shall be required to repay the amount of any utility discount received based upon such false information. Section 2 - Repealer. Ordinance Nos. 2107, 2206, and 2287 are hereby repealed. Section 3 - Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect on the first day of April, 1992. PASSED by the City Council of the city of Port Angeles at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17th day of December, 1991. ATTEST: Becky 3. tlpt i, City Cle k APPROV D AS TO FORM: G A(7 e O M A Y R Craig D Knutson, City Attorney PUBLISHED: December 22, 1991 (By Summary) T -4- Summary of Ordinance Adopted by the Port Angeles City Council on December 17. 1991 Ordinance No. 2663 This Ordinance of the City of Port Angeles establishes a low- income utility discount for senior citizens and disabled citizens, sets the qualifications and the procedures for application, calculation and payment of such discount, and repeals Ordinance Nos. 2107, 2206, and 2287. The full text of the Ordinance is available at City Hall in the City Clerk's office or will be mailed upon request. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Ordinance will take effect on the first day of April, 1992. Publish: December 22. 1991 Becky J. Upton City Clerk