CITY OF SEATTLE

ORDINANCE __________________

COUNCIL BILL __________________

AN ORDINANCE expanding emergency bill payment assistance to help avoid water shut-off in low income households with minor children, and amending Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.76.065.

WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.76.040 provides 50 percent utility rate discounts for Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) customers with household incomes less than 70 percent of the state median income; and

WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.76.065 provides once-a-year emergency bill payment assistance for low income SPU customers who face water shut-off; and

WHEREAS, despite the availability of discounted rates and emergency bill payment assistance, non-payment of SPU bills led to water shut-off for at least 138 low income SPU customers in 2012; and

WHEREAS, 68 of the low income households experiencing water shut-off in 2012 were known to have minor children, resulting in children going without clean running water for drinking and hygiene during the shut-off; and

WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to help ensure that children in low income families do not go without clean water needed for health and hygiene; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Effective July 1, 2013, Subsection 21.76.065.C of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

21.76.065 Low income emergency assistance program.

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C. Emergency Credit. Customers with SPU residential accounts, metered for a single family residence, and determined by the Human Services Department to be eligible under SMC 21.76.065.A, shall receive an emergency credit of (( fifty ( ))50(( ) )) percent of the customer's delinquent bills up to a maximum credit defined in subsection (( paragraph )) D, but may only receive such credit once each calendar year (( twelve (12) months )) unless a minor child lives with the customer. When a minor child lives in the household, the customer may receive an emergency credit twice each calendar year .

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Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2013, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this

_____ day of ___________________, 2013.

_________________________________

President __________of the City Council

Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2013.

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2013.

____________________________________

Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)

Meg Moorehead LEG no child without water ORD March 29, 2013 Version #3