HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-012 A Resolution of the City of Arlington Authorizing a Utility Customer Support Program RESOLUTION NO. 2020-012
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON AUTHORIZING
A 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 fee until
August 1, 2020 and further requires 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,the city proposes to adopt a Customer Support Program to assist utility
customers being impacted by COVID-19; 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 disconnecting of service is extended until August 30,
2020.
2. Delinquent accounts must be enrolled into an extended repayment plan by
September 15, 2020.
3. The extended repayment plan will be for a period of 8 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 by
September 15, 2020, the account will be subject to disconnection of service on
September 23, 2020.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-012
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 subject to
disconnection of service.
6. If an account is current prior and up to September 15, 2020 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 until August 30, 2020.
2. Delinquent accounts must be enrolled into an extended repayment plan by
September 15, 2020.
3. The extended repayment plan will be for a period of 8 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 by
September 15, 2020 and the balance is 6 or more months past due, the account
will be turned over to collection on September 23, 2020.
5. If an account has entered into an extended repayment plan, and at anytime
does not meet the terms of the plan,the account will be turned over to
collection.
6. If an account is current prior and up to September 15, 2020 but subsequently
becomes delinquent, the payment plan reverts back to the 10 day repayment
period.
Communications:
July—Communicate where to find financial assistance, for example; please visit the
city's website at www.arlingtonwa.go ,to see if you are eligible for a utility rate
discount, to enter into a payment arrangement and to find other State and Federal
resources that are available to you.
• July 1 utility bills
• Utilities Consumer Confidence Report
• Enews
• Social media
• City website (see COVID-19 page, In Need Resources)
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-012
August/September—Communicate details of the customer support program and other
resources available for financial assistance.
• August and September 1 utility bills
• Enews
• Social media
• City website (see COVID-19 page, In Need Resources)
Customer Outreach:
Late notices
Phone dialer (twice per month)
Personal outreach (email and/or phone calls)
Door tags
ADOPTED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 20th day of July,
2020.
CITY OF ARLINGTON
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
ATTEST:
Wendy Van &er Meersche, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
St".J. - Attorney
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-012