§ 24-5. Emergency authority of city manager during water and gas shortages.

(a)

The city manager is authorized at all times when because of drought or low water from any cause, or because of accident or any other cause it becomes necessary for the public welfare to conserve the city water supply, to put into effect such reasonable limitations and regulations of the use of water as may in his judgment be necessary under the circumstances. He may prohibit the use of water for sprinkling streets, yards or gardens or washing of cars, and may establish such other and further regulations and limitations as he may deem necessary. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any such regulations during the time they are in effect.

(b)

The city manager is hereby given power and authorization at all times during which the city is under a curtailment by the federal power commission with regards to a gas shortage or when any other emergency exists with regards to a shortage of natural gas, as a result of which the city is required to limit the use of natural gas by its customers, to limit, restrict, or terminate if necessary the use of natural gas by industrial and commercial customers of the gas department of the city. In addition:

(1)

If the city council finds that an emergency exists with respect to the quantities of natural gas available to the city and the city manager finds it necessary to limit, restrict or terminate the service of any natural gas customer, reasonable notice shall be afforded to such customer as soon as practicable. Reasonable notice shall be given by publication of the gas shortage and the emergency resulting and of the action therefore required by the gas customers of the city. Such notice shall be given in the local newspaper and on the local radio stations and by personal notice when possible. Such notice shall be given as soon as possible.

(2)

It shall be the responsibility of a gas customer whose service is limited, restricted or terminated to protect his property from the elements by other means.

(3)

Any violation of this subsection shall result in immediate termination of gas service. All gas used in violation of this subsection since the last meter reading shall be billed at ten (10) times the normal rate. The bill must be paid prior to gas service being reconnected.

(Code 1976, § 6-2007)