Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrder ED-14 - Utility Disconnects, Solid Waste Collection and Late Charges Reinstated Supersedeing ED-04 CITY OF BOZEMAN,MONTANA ORDER ED—14 FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC Ordered this 12t" day of June, 2020 Utility Disconnects, Solid Waste Collection and Late Charges Reinstated WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States issued a Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak; and WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, the Governor of the State of Montana issued Executive Order No. 2-2020 Declaring a State of Emergency to Exist Within the State of Montana Related to the Communicable Disease Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus; and WHEREAS, the Health Officer and Board of Health for the Gallatin City-County Health Department are implementing precautionary and protective measures for the citizens of the City of Bozeman; and WHEREAS, On March, 16, 2020 the City Manager issued an Emergency Declaration establishing certain authority and powers which such Declaration is incorporated herein; and WHEREAS, On April 22, 2020, the Governor of the State of Montana issued an Executive Directive to implement the Reopening the Big Sky: Phased Approach- a three- phased plan that provides guidance for reopening operations. On May 19, 2020, the Governor issued a Directive establishing conditions for Phase 2. On May 28, 2020, the Gallatin City/County Health Department adopted Emergency Health Rule 2020-004 Phased Reopening: Phase Two,to provide consistency with the Governor's May 19, 2020 Directive. The provisions of both are incorporated herein. CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA ORDER IMPLEMENTING MARCH 16,2020 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS Pagel of 3 NOW,THEREFORE,as City Manager of the City of Bozeman,Montana, and as chief executive officer of the City, and pursuant to the authority vested in me by the City of Bozeman Charter and the laws of the State of Montana, I hereby issue this Order in fulfillment of the Emergency Declaration dated June 23, 2020. As such, I order the following: 1. Order ED-04 issued March 17, 2020 is hereby repealed in its entirety. 2. Effective immediately, the City of Bozeman will reinstate its policies and procedures regarding non-payment of utility bills. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3,this includes reinstating the application of late fees associated with non- payment of utilities and solid waste/recycling services. Further,water service shut- offs and discontinuation of solid waste/recycling collection for non-payment of fees will resume. 3. Until further notice,penalties for non-payment including late fees and water service shut-offs and discontinuation of solid waste/recycling collecting will remain suspended for customers who make a basic showing to the City that they meet the following criteria: • Customer is a "vulnerable individual" defined as "people over 65 years of age, people with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, or asthma, and people whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer or other conditions requiring such therapy," and; • Customer has suffered a significant financial hardship as a result out of the COVID-19 outbreak, and; • Customer remains sheltered in place. Customers must attest to the City that they meet these criteria will continue to have the aforementioned penalties for late payments suspended until 30 days after the customer ceases to shelter in place, or at the end of the emergency, whichever is sooner. This directive and criteria are consistent with the Governor's May 19, 2020, Directive establishing conditions for Phase 2 4. Nothing herein may be construed as a waiver of the City's authority to charge late fees or to cancel services for non-payment. CITY OF BOZEMAN,MONTANA ORDER IMPLEMENTING MARCH 16,2020 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRLIS Page 2 of 3 5. The contents of this order must be posted on the City's website. 6. City departments must take all steps necessary to implement this Order. Qjff- 1 Jef Lich, City Manager 0� g O� ATTEST: • w w� ♦ N ice.-�(4•.�,'� ~• �7 Mw:, Mike Maas ', •. 1883 •'��Q City Clerk co �10 4 `Tr CITY OF BOZEMAN,MONTANA ORDER IMPLEMENTING MARCH 16,2020 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS Page 3 of 3