3.2. SR 10-11-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i ~® ITEM NUMBER City Council 3.2. P'\GENDA SECTION IvIEETING DATE PREPARED BY Consent October 11, 2010 Troy Adams, P.E. - ERMU Director of O erations ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By Meter Tampering Ordinance Peter Beck, Ci Attorne REVIEWED BY Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator ~-CTI®N B~EQUE$TED Council motion approving the addition of the proposed new Article IV ELECTRIC SYSTEM to Chapter 78 UTILITIES of the CODE OF ORDINANCES for the City of Elk River. This proposed new Article IV ELECTRIC SYSTEM includes Section 78-341 METER TAMPERING and Section 78-351 PENALTIES. BACKGROUND/DlscussloN Over the past few years, there has been an increase is instances where electric meters have been disconnected, reconnected, or tampered with without authorization by Elk River Municipal Utilities. This is of concern fox multiple reasons. The handling of electrical equipment requires training, proper tools, and proper personal protective safety equipment. Electricity can be dangerous. Elk River Municipal Utilities does not want any person without authorization, training, and proper safety equipment handling electrical meters because of the safety risks. Tampering with ERMU equipment by unauthorized personnel often will result in damage to the equipment. Also, tampering with ERMU metering equipment may also be an indicator of theft of power. For these reasons, there is need for a deterrent for unauthorized personnel to tamper with ERMU metering equipment. Per legal counsel, this deterrent is strengthened by adopting it into City Code. Attached is a proposed meter tampering ordinance that would provide this deterrent through a $250 civil penalty, liability for repair costs, and prosecution as a misdemeanor. Currently, there is not an article in the City Code in Chapter 78 UTILITIES for the electric utility. This proposed meter tampering ordinance is included with a new article for Chapter 78. This new article is designed to provide the frame work that will allow for the addition of future electric utility specific ordinances. The proposed article and meter tampering ordinance were approved by the Utilities Commission on September 15, 2010 to be presented to the City Council for review and consideration. FINANCIAL IMPACT When violations of the proposed section 78-341 METER TAMPERING occur and the civil penalty is applied or misdemeanor offense is pursued, there would be cost associated with City staff time. However, the overall financial impact to the City is believed to be minimal.