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Title:
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Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 11-12 by adding new Section 11-12-212 regarding Voluntary Water Meter Installation Program
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Topic:
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MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS - Title 11 - Utilities & Environmental Protection - Ch. 12 Water Supply & Service
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ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. Chapter 11 -12 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by adding a new Section 11-12-212, as follows:
11-12-212 Voluntary Water Meter Installation Program.
This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Voluntary Water Meter Installation Program." The Commissioner shall develop a program to promote the voluntary installation of water meters by the owners of single-family homes and residential two-flats.
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
"Dwelling unit" has the same meaning ascribed to that term in Section 17-17-
0248.
"Metered rate" means the amount assessed for metered water service pursuant to Section 11-12-310, but does not include any late charges, interest, or penalties.
"Non-metered rate" means the amount assessed for non-metered water service pursuant to Sections 11-12-270 and 11-12-280, but does not include any late charges, interest, or penalties.
"Residential Building" means a building used exclusively for residential occupancy.
"Single-family home" means any single-family type structure with separate and distinct plumbing, consisting of a separate and independent means of controlling the water supply to the unit.
"Two-flat" means a residential building that contains two dwelling units.
The terms of the program shall be as follows:
The Commissioner is authorized to designate geographic areas dispersed within the City, as determined by the Commissioner.
In those areas designated by the Commissioner pursuant to paragraph (b)(1), the owner of a single-family home or a two-flat may request the installation by the City of a water meter on the property occupied by the single-family home or two-flat.
The number of yearly installations pursuant to this program shall be limited to no more than twenty-five thousand, or to the extent that funds are appropriated to it.
There shall be no charge to the owner for the cost of the installation of the water meter of for any minor carpentry work required to create an access door to the service pipe. Such charges and costs shall be paid by the City.
For the first seven years after the date of the installation of the water meter, the City shall bill the owner the metered rate, provided (i) that the total amount charged for the metered rate shall not exceed the annual non-metered rate for water service that would have been in effect at the property at the time ofthe billing if no water meter had been installed, and (ii) that subsection (5)(i) only applies if the following conditions are met during the entire seven year period:
the owner does not sell or otherwise transfer the property;
the owner remains current on the water bills for the property;
the owner permits reasonable access to the property by the City for the purpose of installing, reading, and maintaining the water meter;
the owner does not remove or tamper with the meter; and
there are no leaks, broken water pipes, or other plumbing problems at the property with regard to which the owner has received notice from the City.
(6) Any owner who participates in the program will receive, subject to
availability, at no cost to the owner, a water saving device or kit for the property, if the property
is suitable for a water saving device; provided that if all eligible owners of a block request the installation of water meters, then an owner on the block will be eligible to receive two water saving devices or kits. For purposes of this subsection, "block" means both sides of any street between street intersections.
An owner shall not remove, or request the removal of, the water meter after its installation.
By participating in the voluntary water meter installation program, the owner agrees to give the City access to the property for the purpose of installing the water meter and necessary water meter related devices.
the terms of the program shall not apply to any water meter installed prior to April 1, 2022.
Those sections of the Municipal Code of Chicago related to water meters and water meter service, including installation, water rates, or billing, shall be applicable to this program except to the extent that those sections are inconsistent with this ordinance, in which case subsection (c)(5) shall prevail.
No water meter shall be installed under this program unless the Commissioner has determined that adequate funding for such installations has been appropriated.
The Commissioner is authorized to adopt such rules as the Commissioner may deem necessary for the proper implementation, administration, and enforcement of this section.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect following due passage and approval.