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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-028 A Resolution of the City of Arlington Amending the City's Utility Customer Support Program RESOLUTION NO. 2020-028 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON AMENDING THE CITY'S UTILITY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, the Governor of the State of Washington proclaimed that a State of Emergency existed in all counties in the State of Washington due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, the Governor issued an initial proclamation waiving, suspending and prohibiting certain activities relating to utility services; and WHEREAS, on July 2, 2020 the Governor issued Proclamation 20—23.6 extending the prohibition on residential disconnects, refusal to reconnect and charging late fees until August 1, 2020 and further requiring utilities to review existing disconnect, reconnect and payment arrangement policies and to post a Customer Support Program by August 1, 2020; and WHEREAS, on July 6, 2020 City Council adopted Resolution 2020-010 Authorizing an Extension of COVID-19 Economic Relief which waived late fees and shut off for utility customers until July 28, 2020; and WHEREAS, on July 20, 2020 the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-012 Authorizing a Utility Customer Support Program; and WHEREAS, on July 31, 2020 the Governor issued Proclamation 20 -23.7 further extending the prohibition on residential disconnects, refusal to reconnect and charging late fees until October 15, 2020; and WHEREAS, this resolution will amend Resolution 2020-010 and Resolution 2020- 01E to extend the late fee and stuff waiver to the most current Proclamation issued by the Governor and to update the city's Customer Support Program; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON, WASHINGTON AS FOLLOWS: Water/Sewer Accounts: 1. Waiver of late fees and shut off is extended in accordance with the most recent Proclamation issued by the Governor. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-028 2. Upon expiration of the Proclamation prohibiting shut off and late fees, delinquent accounts will have 30 days to enroll into an extended repayment plan. 3. Shut off and late fee processes will resume not less than 60 days following expiration of the Proclamation waiving shut off and late fees, unless the account has been enrolled into an extended repayment plan. 4. Shut off for the month of December will be waived. 5. The extended repayment plan will be for a period of 10 months. The account must pay current charges plus an amount applied to the delinquent balance. If terms of the repayment plan are met, late fees will not be assessed on the account during the period of repayment. 6. If delinquent accounts are not enrolled into the extended repayment plan 30 days after expiration of the Proclamation, the account will be subject to shut off the following month. 7. If an account has entered into an extended repayment plan, and at any time does not meet the terms of the plan, the account will be subject to shut off. 8. If an account is current prior to and up to the time shut off and late fee processes resume, but subsequently becomes delinquent, the payment plan reverts back to the 10 day repayment period. Storm Only Accounts: 1. Waiver of late fees is extended in accordance with the most recent Proclamation by the Governor. 2. Upon expiration of the Proclamation, delinquent accounts will have 30 days to enroll into an extended repayment plan. 3. The extended repayment plan will be for a period of 10 months. The account must pay current charges plus an amount applied to the delinquent balance. If terms of the repayment plan are met, late fees will not be assessed on the account. 4. If delinquent accounts are not enrolled into the extended repayment plan 30 days after expiration of the Proclamation and the balance is 6 or more months past due, the account will be turned over to collection not less than 60 days after expiration of the Proclamation. 5. If an account has entered into an extended repayment plan, and at any time does not meet the terms of the plan, the account will be turned over to collection. 6. If an account is current prior to and up to 60 days after expiration of the Proclamation, but subsequently becomes delinquent, the payment plan reverts back to the 10 day repayment period. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-028 Utility Credits: The City recognizes that COVID-19 has caused substantial financial impacts to citizens from job loss or reduced work hours due to business closures, school closures and/or limited access to child care. Through the customer support program, the city is implementing a one time utility credit to qualified applicants. Residential customers that turn in an application and meet eligibility criteria will receive a one time $125 credit on their water/sewer account until funding is exhausted. Commercial customers that turn in an application and meet eligibility criteria will receive a one time $250 credit on their water/sewer account until funding is exhausted. Utility credits not applicable to stormwater and irrigation only accounts. Residential Eligibility Criteria (must meet all of the following): • Have a utility account with the City of Arlington and water and/or sewer services are billed. • Water/sewer service address must be within the City of Arlington city limits. • Have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19 pandemic either through loss of a job, reduced hours, or childcare/education needs. • Must be the utility account holder or property owner listed on the account. • Must have been current on your utility account as of 4/1/2020. Business Eligibility Criteria (must meet all of the following): • Have a physical location in Arlington city limits (not including home occupancy businesses). • Have a utility account with the City of Arlington and water and/or sewer services are billed. • Water/sewer service address must be within the City of Arlington city limits. • Have a current City of Arlington business license. • Have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19 due to business closure or reduced operating hours. • Business must be the utility account holder or property owner listed on the account. • Must have been current on your utility account as of 4/1/2020. Communications: Details of the customer support program will be communicated to customers in a variety of ways including; on customer utility bills, a-news, social media, the Arlington Update, and on the city website. Recipients of the utility credit will receive a phone call notifying them a credit will be applied to their account. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-028 Customer Outreach: Additional communication to customers notifying them of a past due balance will include; Late notices, phone dialer (twice per month), personal outreach (email and/or phone calls) and door tags. ADOPTED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 51h day of October, 2020. CITY OF ARLINGTON Barbara Tolbert, Mayor ATTEST: ,1,xl,i u-7/1 v� e/ s 51 Wendy Van er Meersche, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Steven J. Peiffle, City Attorney RESOLUTION NO. 2020-028