Ordinance No. 977
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
ORDINANCE NO. 977
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON CODIFYING AND AMENDING THE
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE WATER
DEPARTMENT CONTAINED IN APPENDIX III TO
THE VERNON CITY CODE.
3
4
5
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Vernon
6
7
adopted Ordinance No. 872 on November 16, 1976, entitled, "An
Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Vernon Amending
the Code of the City of Vernon, California, 1959, by Amending
the Rules and Regulations of the Water Department of the City
8
of Vernon," which rules and regulations were further amended
by Section 12 of Ordinance No. 933, on December 12, 1982, all
of which have been incorporated as Appendix III to the Vernon
City Code; and
WHEREAS, Articles I, II and III of Chapter 25 of
the Vernon City Code, entitled, "Water," contain additional
regulations pertaining to water rates and control of water
wells; and
WHEREAS, A new billing procedure and system is
being instituted effective February 1, 1989, which will
require an amendment to the time schedule for payment of
bills; and other minor adjustments to the Water Department's
rules and regulations, are necessary.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON HEREBY
ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: Findinas.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds
and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are
true and correct.
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SECTION 2: Repeal.
Ordinance No. 872 of the City of Vernon, Section 12
of Ordinance No. 933 of the City of Vernon, and Appendix III
to the Vernon City Code, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3: Enactment.
Article IV of Chapter 25 of the Vernon City Code,
entitled, "Water Department Rules and Regulations," attached
hereto and made a part hereof by reference, is hereby
enacted.
SECTION 4: Violation.
Violation of this Ordinance or any part hereof, is
punishable by a find of not more than Five Hundred Dollars
($500.00), or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period
of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and im-
prisonment. Each day or any portion thereof during which any
violation of any provision of this Ordinance is committed,
continued or permitted, constituted a separate and individual
offense.
SECTION 5: Severability.
If any provision or clause of this Ordinance or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances is held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of this Ordinance which can be carried out
without the invalid provision or application, and to this end
the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be
severable.
III
III
-2-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SECTION 6: Notice.
There being no newspaper printed, published or cir-
culated in the City of Vernon, the City Clerk is hereby
directed to certify to the passage of this Ordinance and
shall post the same, or cause the same to be posted within
fifteen (15) days after its passage, in three (3) of the most
public places in the city of Vernon, to wit:
The Northwest corner of 38th Street
and Santa Fe Avenue, the Northeast corner
of Leonis Boulevard and Pacific
Boulevard, and on the bulletin board in
the lobby of the City Hall of said City,
located at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, all in
the City of Vernon, County of Los An-
geles, the State of California.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect, thirty (30)
days from and after the final passage of the same.
SECTION 7: Conflicts.
Any ordinance or resolution or parts thereof that
are found to be in conflict with this ordinance are hereby
superseded and shall have no further force or effect.
III
III
III
III
III
3
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
-+11.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS ~~ day of January,
2
1989.
3
4
~,
EONIS C. MALBUR , Mayor
5
6
7
ATTEST:
t/A(/~
8
/Z--
BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk
9
4
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
1
2
3
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)ss.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES)
4
I, BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk of the City of
Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance, being
Ordinance No. 977, was duly and regularly introduced at a ad-
5
6
7
j ourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
8
Vernon,
adopted
Tuesday,
19
20 (SEAL)
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
held on January 10,
a..dj.i)~
at aI\ regular meeting
~.f~:. J cfJS,
rrr
1989, and thereafter, finally
of said City Council held on
, 1989.
AYES:
Councilmen: Ybarra, Gonzales, Davis,
McCormick, Malburg
Councilmen: None
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen: None
/f -0~~
BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
VERNON CITY CODE CHAPTER 25
Article IV. Water Department Rules and Regulations
Sec. 25.60. Purpose.
The Water Department will exercise reasonable diligence
and care to deliver a continuous and sufficient supply of
water to the customer at a proper pressure, and to avoid any
shortage or interruption in delivery.
The Water Department will endeavor to supply a safe and
potable water at all times. Where the use of water on a
customer's premises requires water for specific uses demanding
a better quality of water than that served by the Water
Department, the customer shall provide water treatment
facilities capable of producing water of the desired quality.
Sec. 25.61. Definition of Terms.
Domestic Service.
household purposes.
provision of water for customary
Commercial Service. provision of water to property
where the customer is engaged in trade.
Industrial Service. provision of water to a customer
for use in manufacturing or processing activities.
III
III
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Fire Protection Service. provision of water to
property for automatic fire protection by means of an
automatic fire sprinkler system andlor fire hydrants.
Temporary Service. A service on a fire hydrant for
construction work; irrigation of vacant property and similar
uses, that because of its nature will not be used permanently.
Standby Service. City water service to property which
is supplied in part with water from some source of supply
other than the Water Department.
Water Service. A water service consists of all piping,
valves, meters and appurtenances installed by the Water
Department for the purpose of furnishing water to public or
private property from the Municipal Water Distribution System.
Sec. 25.62. Classes of Service.
All services installed by the Water Department will be
classified as follows:
1. Domestic
2. Commercial
3. Industrial
4. Fire protection
5. Standby
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Sec. 25.63. Types of Service.
The types of service available from the Water Depart-
ment are:
1. Metered rate
2. Standby rate
3. Fire protection rate
4. Temporary service rate
The Water Department will serve water from the City's
water distribution system to the customer's property. When
installed, all components of the water service, up to and in-
cluding the water meter, whether located on public or private
property shall become the property of the City of Vernon and
the City reserves the right to repair, replace and maintain
the water service.
Sec. 25.64. Application for New Water Service.
Before water shall be supplied to any property for
domestic, commercial, industrial and fire protection service,
the owner or customer shall make application to the Water
Department. The Water Department, as a condition to approving
such application and furnishing water to said property, is
authorized to and shall require a payment in advance equal to
the cost of water service installation and any applicable
deposit. The cost estimated by the Water Department must be
3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
deposited in advance, with final adjustment of charges to be
made upon completion of installation and prior to turn-on of
water.
Sec. 25.65. upgrading of Services.
When an existing service must be upgraded due to new
health, fire, safety, andlor plumbing regulations, an applica-
tion shall be filed pursuant to section 25.64. Said applica-
tion shall be considered as applying for a new service.
Sec. 25.66. Temporary Fire Hydrant Connection.
No person except authorized City of Vernon personnel
shall operate or cause to be operated a fire hydrant. Water
for private use from a fire hydrant can be obtained only
through a temporary hydrant connection.
Application for a temporary hydrant connection shall be
made in the same manner as application for regular service,
and all charges and deposits shall be at the applicable rates.
The Water Department will install a water service on a fire
hydrant in such a manner as not to interfere with the free use
of such hydrant for fire purposes, and the applicant shall pay
for all water passing through such service at applicable
rates.
III
III
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
The applicant shall be held responsible for loss or
damage to the water service or services from the time of in-
stallation until the removal, or until forty-eight hours after
notice in writing has been given the Water Department that
termination of the service is desired.
Sec. 25.67. Standby Service.
Application for a standby water service shall be made
in the same manner as application for regular service, and all
charges shall be determined in the manner set forth in Section
25.68. The Water Department reserves the right to refuse to
furnish water and may discontinue standby service to any
premises where such service may be detrimental or injurious to
the service furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.68. Extension of Distribution system.
a. Application. Any applicant who as owner or sub-
divider of a single lot, subdivision or tract of land, desires
the extension of water mains and services to such lot, sub-
division or tract of land, shall file a written application
with the Water Department.
b. Deposit. In the event such application is ap-
proved, said applicant shall deposit with the Water Depart-
ment, cash or other method of payment satisfactory to the City
in an amount determined by the Water Department to be the to-
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
tal estimated cost of such mains and services, including all
labor, pipe, valves, fittings, fire hydrants and all appur-
tenances necessary for a complete system exclusive of customer
services. Customer services shall be paid for as provided in
these rules and regulations.
c. Installation. Engineering and construction of all
new distribution systems shall be done by the City of Vernon
or by private contract, approved by the City of Vernon. If
after completion of construction, the estimated cost is found
to be greater than the actual cost, the difference will be
refunded, and if a deficit exists, the difference will be col-
lected before the turn-on of water. Mains and services in-
stalled shall become and remain the property of the City of
Vernon.
Sec. 25.69. Payment of Bills.
Bills are due and payable on the date rendered and be-
come delinquent twenty (20) days thereafter. If not paid
within this time, service may be discontinued. A reconnect ion
charge in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), a
deposit equal to twice the average monthly bill, and the en-
tire delinquent bill shall be paid in full before service will
be re-established.
If a meter fails to register during any period, the
customer shall be charged with the average daily consumption
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
as shown by the City's records when the meter was operating
correctly.
Sec. 25.70. Meter Testing.
A customer may demand that the meter through which
water is being furnished be examined and tested to determine
if it is registering correctly the amount of water delivered.
Such demand shall be made in writing to the Water Department,
and shall be accompanied by a deposit of one hundred dollars
($100.00) for one, one and one-half, and two inch meters, and
one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for three, four, and six
inch meters. Upon receipt of such demand, the Water Depart-
ment shall examine and test the meter. If the meter is found
to register over two percent more water than actually
delivered, another meter will be substituted and the deposit
shall be repaid to the customer making the application, and
the water bill for the current period adjusted in such manner
as the Water Department may consider fair and just. If the
meter is found to register not more than two percent in
excess, the deposit shall be forfeited and the water bill paid
as rendered.
Sec. 25.71. Unsafe Apparatus.
The Water Department may refuse to furnish water and
discontinue service to any premises where apparatus, ap-
pliance, or equipment using water are dangerous, unsafe, or
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
not in conformity with any applicable laws or ordinances, and
where such service may be detrimental or injurious to the
service furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.72. Customer's Control Valves.
The customer shall install a suitable valve for his use
on his property as close to the meter location as practicable,
the operation of which will control the entire water supply
from the service. No person except authorized City of Vernon
personnel shall enter the meter vault or operate or cause to
be operated the curb stop or valve in the meter box installed
by the Water Department.
Sec. 25.73. Interruption in service.
The Water Department reserves the right to shut off the
water to any premises or portion of the distribution system as
long as necessary, without notice to the customer, if an emer-
gency so dictates. In cases other than an emergency, the
Water Department shall attempt to notify all customers of the
forthcoming interruption of service and the probable length of
time for which the water will be shut off.
Sec. 25.74. Fire Hydrants.
City fire Hydrants are installed adjacent to the curb,
unless otherwise approved by the Fire Chief. The Water
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Department will upon request, subject to approval by the Fire
Department, change the location along the curb, provided the
labor and material costs are paid for by the person or persons
requesting the change. The Water Department shall estimate
the cost of the required installation. The estimated cost
shall be paid to the Water Department in cash or certified
check payable to the City of Vernon. If after the completion
of the change of location, the estimated cost is found to be
greater than the actual cost, the difference will be refunded;
and if a deficit exists, the difference will be collected.
Sec. 25.75. Right of Access and Inspection.
Any officer, inspector, foreman or other authorized
employee of the City of Vernon shall have free access to any
premises supplied City water for the purpose of making an in-
spection of the entire water system upon said premises.
Sec. 25.76. Liability.
All customers shall, upon application for water serv-
ice, consent to and hold the Water Department and the City of
Vernon harmless for any damages caused by fluctuation of water
pressures or interruption of service.
a. Customers' Property. The City of Vernon and/or
the Water Department shall in no way be responsible for any
damage to person or property because of any leakage, breakage
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
or seepage from any pipe, val ve, appurtenance, or equipment
situated on any private property, nor shall they be respon-
sible for any leakage, breakage or seepage from any pipe
situated between the meter installed at the curb and private
property served thereby.
b. Servicing. The City of Vernon andlor the Water
Department shall not be responsible for damage to property
caused by defective piping on the customer's premises and by
spigots, faucets, valves and other equipment that are open
when water is turned on originally or when turned on after a
temporary shutdown.
c. Damaae of Water Department Property. The customer
shall be held responsible for damage incurred to City property
caused by an act of the customer or his agents and any damage
to a meter that may result from hot water or steam backing up
to the meter from the customer's premises. The customer shall
correct the plumbing condition causing the damage and shall be
charged for the cost of repairs to the meter.
Sec. 25.77. Cross-Connections.
To comply with the regulations of the state of Califor-
nia, Code of Regulations, Title 17 Public Health,
"Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections," and with the Ver-
non City Code sections on the water supply which prohibit
unprotected cross-connections between the public water supply
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
II
and any unapproved source of water, a back-flow protection
device shall be installed and maintained by and at the expense
of the customer.
11
1
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
2 STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)
3 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) SS
)
4 CITY OF VERNON )
5 I, BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk of the City
6 of Vernon, do hereby certify that I did, on the 25th day of
have
7 January , 19~, posted three (3) copies of ---------------
8 Ordinance No. 977
9 one in each of the following places, to wit: At the northwest
10 corner of 38th Street and Santa Fe Avenue, at the northeast cor-
11 ner of Leonis Boulevard and Pacific Boulevard, and on the bulletin
12 board in the lobby of the City Hall of the City of Vernon, locat-
13 ed at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, all in said City, there being no
14 newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the City
15 of Vernon.
16
Signed this 25th day of
January
, 19~.
17
B<! v. ~~4~k
18
19
20
21
22
23
and sworn to before me
day 0 f January, 19 J!.2...
. OFFICIAL SEAL
. ...... GLORIA J. OROSCO
.. , Notary Public-californla
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
."
I My Comm. Exp. May 26. 1990
24
25
26
27
28