21-407ORDINANCE NO. 21-407
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON PERMITTING LEAK ADIUSTMENTS TO
WATER BILLS FOR CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO WINTER WEATHER OR
ENERGY EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott certified that severe winter
weather poses an imminent threat of widespread and severe property damage, injury and loss of
life due to prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and freezing rain statewide and
declared a state of disaster for the entire state; and
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2021 President Biden approved the Texas Severe Winter
Storm disaster declaration (EM-3554-TX) for the state of Texas; and
WHEREAS, on February 15, 2021 Mayor Gerard Hudspeth, declared a local disaster due
to the severe winter storm posing an imminent threat of widespread and severe property damage,
injury and loss of life due to prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and freezing rain in
the City of Denton; and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 2021 Mayor Gerard Hudspeth, declared a local disaster due
to the energy emergency posing an imminent threat of widespread and severe property damage,
injury, and loss of life due to power outages and prolonged freezing temperatures in the City of
Denton; and
WHEREAS, the severe weather moved into the City of Denton beginning February 14,
2021 and resulted in unprecedented demand for electrical power, damage to water utility
infrastructure, and unsafe infrastructure within the City, threatening the safety and lives of all
residents; and
WHEREAS, the combination of winter weather, including freezing temperatures and
accumulation of ice and snow, electricity outages, and rolling blackouts created conditions that
caused customers’ water pipes to freeze; and
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2021, Council adopted Ordinance 21-361 extending the
Declaration of Local Disaster and approving the Mayor’s Update Order, wherein the City made
provision for leak adjustments in addition to what is allowed in City of Denton Code of
Ordinance Section 26-128; and
WHEREAS, Council desires to provide for leak adjustments to address the February
2021 winter weather and energy emergency in addition to what is currently allowed; NOW,
THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The recitals contained in the preamble of this ordinance are true and correct,
and are hereby incorporated as if set out fully herein.
SECTION 2. Customers who experienced a substantial increase in water usage as defined by
City of Denton Code of Ordinances 26-128(a) during the timeframe of February 14, 2021 to
February 28, 2021, caused by damage to water pipes due to winter weather or the energy
emergency, may be eligible for an adjustment under 26-128(e) upon completing a written request
as set forth in 26-128(c). In order to be eligible for an adjustment under this section, a request
must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days of the due date of the monthly bill for which an
adjustment is sought.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
The motionjo approve this ur iinance was made by DeV Ar (y\\ n+of
and seconded by (_on{\\ e BHk£f , tB oralance was passed and
approved by the following vote [7 - D :
Aye
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/
V/
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J
Nay Abstain Absent
Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor:
Birdia Johnson, District 1 :
Connie Baker, District 2:
Jesse Davis. District 3 :
John Ryan, District 4:
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5 :
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6:
PASSED AND APPROVED thi, th, LoI d,y ,f mGbCeh , 2021.
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ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
AARON LEAL, CITY ATTORNEY
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