Part 4

Fees and Charges[Added by Ord. 76-6]

The monthly service fees for the collection, removal and disposal of refuse within the City shall be established by resolution of the City Council, for all types of properties. In the event that any fee or charge imposed pursuant to this section is not paid, the same may be collected from the assessee of record on the tax roll, as provided in section 38790.1 and 25831 of the California Government Code.

In all cases under this Chapter where the City is required to collect the fee for refuse service, the Finance Department as collection agency for the City shall institute and maintain a system of accounting, adequate and sufficient to provide complete records of refuse operations for which charges are imposed by this Chapter. In addition, the following shall be applicable:

• A. The Finance Department shall bill for said services at the same time and in the same manner as it bills for water service in arrears. Payment and collection for services for refuse disposal, and penalties for nonpayment, shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations and provisions contained in Chapter 4 of Article VII pertaining to water supply facilities. Notwithstanding any provision therein contained, or in any resolution of the City Council enacted pursuant to Chapter 4 of Article VII of the Lakewood Municipal Code, the Director of Finance is authorized to: [Amended by Ord. 78-9]

  1. Approve a termination of refuse services and the fees and charges imposed pursuant to this part upon proof being submitted to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance that the premises for which service otherwise would be rendered are vacant and not in need of the services provided by this Chapter. Such termination may be approved for a vacancy period of not less than sixty days nor more than six months.

• B. The Finance Department shall from time to time send statements to each occupant of said parcel or premises within the City for said refuse collection services, and said statements shall be pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter as to rates.

• C. All fees, rates and charges erroneously paid in a sum greater than that owing the City, according to the City's records, shall be refunded to the person having made the erroneous payment.

• D. In the event the City, through inadvertence, has failed to bill or charge for refuse collection services performed or has billed or charged in a sum less than that due the City, the occupier shall be obligated to pay such corrected charges; provided, that the back billing for sums owing the City for prior services shall not include a past period of refuse service greater than six months. Back billing, however, shall be authorized without limitations as to the time in the event of a violation of the provision of this Chapter.

• E. The charges provided for in this Chapter shall be a civil debt owing to the City from the occupant or the party receiving the services.

• F. The charges provided for in this Chapter billed to any premises receiving water services shall be billed in the name of the person in whom the water account is carried at each dwelling and such person or the occupant of such premises shall pay the same. All payments received by the Finance Department shall be first credited to the charges provided in this Chapter and the balance, if any, to the water bill.

• G. The charges provided for in this Chapter to be collected by the City shall be billed to the name of the person occupying the premises where no water services are provided thereto and shall otherwise be collected in the same time and manner as bills for water services.

• H. Where the City has by contract given the City Contractor the exclusive right to provide special bin service the fees or charges for said service, and the collection thereof shall be set, performed and collected by the Contractor, subject to the terms and provisions of the Contractor's written agreement with the City, and the imposition thereof and the collection thereof shall not be a City function or charge. [Added by Ord. 98-8]