03/08/2016 Ordinances 9578ORDINANCE NO. 9578
An ordinance to amend Chapter 15 of the Grand Island City Code; to
amend various sections of Chapter 15 pertaining to housekeeping issues, terminologies
and organizational structure; to repeal Chapter 15 as now existing, and any ordinance or
parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; and to provide for publication and the effective
date of this ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA:
SECTION 1
modified to read as follows:
That Chapter 15 of the Grand Island City Code shall be
CHAPTER 15
ELECTRICITY
Article I. Licenses; Installations; Inspections
Division 1. Generally
§15-1. Applicability of Article
This article shall apply to all structures, constructed, assembled or placed within the City zoning
jurisdiction, and provides standards for electrical wiring as identified in the Nebraska State Electrical Act.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9366, effective 03-30-2012
§15-2. National Electrical Code Adopted
(A) There is hereby adopted by the City of Grand Island for the purpose of safeguarding persons
and buildings from hazards arising from the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling, and
other purposes, that certain code known as the National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition, recommended by
the National Fire Protection Association, except as modified by this section.
(B) The National Electrical Code is modified by deleting Article 210-52C Subsection 2 and 3.
Articles 320 and 330are amended by § 15-3 of the Grand Island City Code.
(C) One copy of the National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition, shall be on file in the City Clerk's
office for public use and inspection as provided by law.
Amended by Ordinance No. 8990, effective 8-10-2005
Amended by Ordinance No. 9194, effective 11-1-2008
Amended by Ordinance No. 9366, effective 03-30-2012
Amended by Ordinance No. 9508, effective 12-31-2014
Approved as to Form tt
March 7, 2016 tt ity rney
§15-3. Amendments to National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition
The following sections are adopted as amendments to the same numbered sections of the National
Electrical Code, 2014 Edition:
Article 320 — Armored cable (type AC)
Anti short bushings shall be used.
Article 330 - Metal-Clad Cable (Type MC)
Anti short bushings shall be used.
Amended by Ordinance No. 8990, effective 8-10-2005
Amended by Ordinance No. 9194, effective 11-1-2008
Amended by Ordinance No. 9366, effective 03-30-2012
Amended by Ordinance No. 9508, effective 12-31-2014
§15-4. Electrical Plans
Wherever the Building Code of the City requires that plans be iiled with the Building Deparhnent
for the construction and alteration of dwellings and all other buildings and structures in the City, there shall
also be filed a detailed plan of the electrical work to be done on such structures which plan shall show the
outlets, connections, and all fixtures and appliances to be installed. If deviations are made from an
approved set of plans, then the changes shall be submitted for approval. When the electrical work to be
done is for additional wiring only, the Electrical Inspector may approve the same without plans therefor.
§15-5. Installation of Service Conductors
All electrical service conductors shall be installed according to the National Electrical Code with
the following additional requirements. The point of entrance in all cases shall be determined by the Grand
Island Utilities Deparhnent:
Overhead Service
Where the service mast is used for the sole support of the service drop, the minimum size shall be two-inch
intermediate or galvanized rigid metal conduit. The service mast shall be continuous with no interruptions.
The point of attachment shall be a minimum height of twelve (12) feet.
UnderQround Service
The service conductors shall be installed in a continuous approved conduit system from the service head,
transformer or secondary tap box to the main meter socket ar service disconnect. The first ten feet of
conduit out of the ground attaching to a utility pole shall be schedule 40 G.R.C. conduit.
§15-6. Service Entrances
Each service entrance with 2,000 amperes capacity or less shall be provided with a readily
accessible main disconnecting device with appropriate overcurrent protection; provided, each service
entrance larger than 2,000 amperes capacity shall comply with the provisions of the National Electric Code.
The device shall disconnect all ungrounded conductors from the source of supply in one motion or
operation of the hand. For overhead services, said overcurrent protection shall be installed within twenty-
five (25) feet from the weatherhead, and within ten (10) feet from where the conductors enter the building.
For underground services, said overcurrent protection shall be installed within ten (10) feet from where the
conductors enter the building.
(A) Provisions for Metering. The meter socket shall be the "ring type" meter socket for 200 amp
services and below. Meter sockets shall be mounted on the outside of a building with the centerline located
between iive (5) and six (6) feet above finished grade unless prior approval is given by the Utilities
Department and Building Department. Additional provisions for metering can be found in the Metering
Standards set out by the Grand Island Utilities Department.
(B) Single family switches shall be grouped to disconnect them with one motion of the hand.
(C) Multiple Family Units. New multiple family units constructed in compliance with Chapter 8
of the Grand Island Code may be allowed up to 6 switches, one switch per unit. All switches shall be
grouped together in one listed and approved assembly.
(D) Number of Services. One electrical service shall be provided for each tract or parcel of land,
except upon written request and approval by the Utilities Director and Building Department Director,
and/or their respective designee, and in conformance with this Code.
(E) Electric Meter Location. The electric meter shall be located on the property that it is
supplying power to, unless prior approval by the Utilities Deparhnent and Building Department.
(F) Meter Tampering. Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute 25-21, 275, tampering or bypassing
a meter is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disconnection.
(G) Grade Changes. The property owner shall be responsible for any repairs or modiiications to
City owned equipment damaged or deemed unsafe due to grade changes, settlement or erosion.
Amended by Ordinance No. 8990, effective 8-10-2005
Amended by Ordinance No. 9194, effective 11-1-2008
Amended by Ordinance No. 9366, effective 03-30-2012
§15-7. Wiring In Commercial Buildings
(A) Nonmetallic cable shall not be used for the installation of wiring for lights, heat, air
conditioning power, or power in all commercial buildings. These include, but are not limited to, asylums,
hospitals, hotels, motels, theaters, schools, factories, churches, warehouses, mills, grain elevators, food
stores, office buildings, retail sales, stables, garages, meeting halls, buildings of freproof or mill
construction.
Exception: Tray cable systems installed in accordance with Article 392 NEC and permission of the
Electrical inspector.
(B) All dwelling units located within any commercial type building shall be wired to the same
commercial standard.
(C) Wiring above suspended ceilings — all permanent raceways, boxes, cabinets, and fittings shall
be securely fastened to the building structure.
Amended by Ordinance No. 8990, effective 8-10-2005
Amended by Ordinance No. 9194, effective 11-1-2008
§15-8. Wiring In Single and Multiple-Family Units
(A) Multiple family units may have branch circuits in individual units wired with nonmetallic
sheathed cable if construction complies with Chapter 8 of the Grand Island City Code.
(B) Existing residential buildings containing more than six family units not having a two-hour fire
wall rating separation as provided in Chapter 8 of the Grand Island City Code shall not be wired with
nonmetallic cable.
(C) No wiring in basements below the floor joist on exterior walls shall be wired with unprotected
nonmetallic cable.
(D) Smoke alarms shall be installed to comply with Section R314 of the 2012 International
Residential Code.
(E) Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed to comply with Section R315 of the 2012
International Residential Code.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9366, effective 03-30-2012
Amended by Ordinance No. 9508, effective 12-31-2014
§15-9. Repairs In Building Damaged by Fire
Whenever the wiring of any building in the City has been damaged by fire, the Electrical Inspector
shall be notified before permanent repairs to this wiring are started. In replacing such wiring, all the rules of
this article shall be observed.
I
§15-10. Existing Electrical Installations
(A) Extensions to Existing Installations. Extensions to existing installations shall not be made,
attached or connected to any existing wiring where the existing wiring does not confortn to the minimum
requirements as set forth by this article.
(B) Removal of Unused Electrical Wiring. All unused and abandoned electrical equipment,
wiring, conduits, and devices shall be removed from all buildings and structures.
(C) Existing Electrical Wiring. All existing electrical wiring, conduits, equipment, and devices in
existing buildings shall be compliant with the code at the time of installation. Remodeled areas of
buildings shall comply with the current code.
§15-11. Requirements for Electrical Installations
(A) Aluminum Conductors — aluminum conductors may be used for service entrance and feeders
only.
(B) Equipment grounding conductors — an equipment grounding conductor will be required in all
conduit systems except for rigid metal conduit systems with threaded hubs, couplings or fittings.
(C) CSST gas piping shall be bonded to comply with section 1311.14.2 of the 2012 Uniform
Mechanical Code.
(D) Non-grounding receptacles shall not be installed, either in new wark or for replacement, after
December 31, 2014.
§15-12. Reserved.
§15-13. Reserved.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9194, effective 11-1-2008
Amended by Ordinance No. 9508, effective 12-31-2014
Division 2. Permits
§15-14. Permit for Work; Required
No electrical wiring work, unless excepted in this section, shall be undertaken prior to the issuance
of a permit therefor by the Building Department. Such permit shall be issued only to a registered
contracting electrician.
No permit shall be required for minor repair work such as repairing flush and snap switches,
replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, taping bare wires and joints, and repairing drop
cords.
§15-15. Permit; Application
(A) No permit shall be issued to any person to do or cause to be done any work regulated by this
Code, except to a person holding a valid unexpired and unrevoked registration as required by this chapter,
except when and as otherwise hereinafter provided in this section.
(B) A permit may be issued to a properly registered person not acting in violation of any current
contractor licensing law.
(C) Any permit by this Code may be issued to any person to do any work regulated by this Code
in a single family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including the usual accessory buildings
and quarters in connection with such buildings in the event that any such person is the bona fide owner of
any such dwelling and accessory buildings and quarters, and that the same is currently occupied by said
owner, provided, that said owner shall personally purchase all material and shall personally perform all
labor in connection therein. No permit shall be issued to said owner for the installation of a new electrical
service and panel.
(D) If work is done by other than said owner the permit will be voided and said owner will be
subject to possible legal action.
Amended by Ordinance No. 8990, effective 8-10-2005
§15-16. Permit Fees
Upon the granting of a permit for electrical wark requiring an inspection, the applicant shall pay a
fee to the City in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule.
§15-17. Electrical Work; Permit Required; Fee
The person to whom such registration is issued under this division shall be required to first secure
permits to do any electrical work on the premises of such registration as required by ordinances of the City.
Fees for the issuance of such permit shall be the same as now in force and required by ordinance.
§15-18. Investigation Fees; Work Without a Permit
(A) Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without
first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such
work.
(B) An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a pertnit is
then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee
Schedule. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all
other provisions of this Code, nor from penalty prescribed by law.
(C) This provision shall not apply to emergency wark when it shall be proven to the satisfaction of
the Building Department Director that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to
obtain a permit before the commencement of the work. In such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as
it is practical to do so.
§15-19. Reinspection; Fees
A reinspection fee in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule may be assessed for
each inspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when required
corrections have not been made.
§15-20. Reserved.
§15-21. Reserved.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9194, effective 11-1-2008
Division 3. Electrical Inspections; Electrical Board
§15-22. Inspections; Required
All electric apparatus, wires or conduits that are to be hidden from view shall be inspected before
concealment, and any person installing such wires shall notify the Electrical Inspector, giving him twenty-
four hours in which to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed. For residential
installations not exceeding four units per structure, power shall be permitted to be connected under the
terms of a Temporary Electrical Hookup Agreement. This permit shall be obtained from the Building
Department before a request is made to connect power.
Amended by Ordinance No. 8990, effective 8-10-2005
§15-23. Inspection of Electrical Work
Any electrical wark performed under the provisions of this division shall be inspected by the
Electrical Inspectar if the ordinances of the City provide for inspections.
§15-24. Violations
Any electrician, agent, or owner who shall construct, or cause to be constructed, wiring in any
building, or part of such building ar structure or device, in violation of any of the provisions of this article,
and any architect, or other person, designing, drawing plans for, or having charge of such building, or part
of such building or structure or device, who shall permit it to be so constructed, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanar.
§15-25. Designation of Electrical Inspector
Electrical inspections shall be under the supervision of the Building Deparhnent Director. The
inspector in charge of these inspections shall be referred to in this article as the Electrical Inspector.
§15-26. Records
The Electrical Inspector shall keep complete records of all permits issued and inspections made
and other official wark performed under the provisions of this article.
§15-27. Review of Decisions; Electrical Board
When the Electrical Inspector condemns all ar part of any electrical installation, the owner may,
within five days after receiving written notice from the electrical inspector, file a petition for review of such
action of the Electrical Inspector with the City Electrical Board, on receipt of which the Board shall at once
proceed to determine whether such electrical installation complies with this article, and within three days
shall make a decision in accardance with its fmdings.
§15-28. Right of Entry; Inspections; Disconnection
The Electrical Inspector shall have the right, dwing reasonable hours, to enter any building in the
discharge of official duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the installation of electric
wiring, electric device, or electric material contained therein, and the electrical inspector shall have the
authority to cause the turning off of all electrical currents and to cut or disconnect, in case of emergency,
any wire where such electrical currents are dangerous to life or property.
If electrical wiring is found to be hazardous, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to
have the needed repair work started as soon as possible or within forty-eight (48) hours. Extended time may
be given by the Electrical Inspector.
If the service is disconnected for six (6) months or longer, an inspection shall be performed prior
to reconnection. The City of Grand Island shall not be responsible for any damage to customer's property
as a result of disconnection or reconnection.
§15-29. Disconnection or Removal During Fire
The Chief of the Fire Departrnent or the Electrical Inspector, or a competent person delegated by
them, or either of them, shall have the power to at once cause the removal of all wires or the turning off of
all electrical currents where such wires ar current interfere with the work of the Fire Department during the
progress of a fire. Any reconnection of a disconnected service shall be inspected by the Electrical Inspector
prior to reconnection.
§15-30. Electrical Board; Appointment
The Electrical Board shall be appointed by the Mayar annually, with the approval of the City
Council, and shall consist of a master electrician, a journeyman electrician, a representative of the Grand
Island Utilities Department, a representative of the public at large, and the Building Department Director or
delegated Electrical Inspector, who shall act as ex ofiicio chairman of such Board. Three members of the
Electrical Board shall constitute a quorum.
§15-31. Electrical Board; Duties
The Electrical Board shall establish standards and procedures for the qualification, and registration
of master electricians and journeyman electricians and shall issue an appropriate registration to each person
who meets the qualifications therefor. The Board shall keep an official record of all its transactions and
registrations.
§15-32. Reserved.
§15-33. Reserved.
Division 4. Electrical Contractors; Licenses, Registration
§15-34. Intent of Division
It is the intent of this division that no person shall engage in the business of installing, repairing or
altering electrical wiring unless the work performed in the course of such business is under the direct
supervision of a contracting or master electrician licensed by the State of Nebraska and registered with the
City of Grand Island.
§15-35. Registration Required
No person shall engage in the business of installing, altering, or repairing any electrical wiring,
fixtures, or apparatus for any purpose whatsoever in the City of Grand Island without first obtaining a
Certificate of Registration as an electrical contractor.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9265, effective 08-17-2010
§15-36. Registration and Insurance Required
(1) Every registrant shall maintain in full force and effect insurance policies written by a company or
companies authorized to do business in the State of Nebraska, with the following coverages, amounts, and
provisions:
(a) Comprehensive General Liability Insurance covering the operations of the registrant, including
coverage for completed operations, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily
injury and property damage.
(b) A provision making the City of Grand Island an additional insured for any third party claims for
bodily injury or property damage based upon occurrences in connection with the registrant's
operations, including completed operations, within the City's zoning jurisdiction.
(c) The registrant shall furnish the City of Grand Island Building Department a certificate ar
certificates of insurance for the above insurance coverage.
(d) Any registration certificate issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be revoked should the
registrant permit the insurance policy herein required to expire or lapse.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9144, effective 01-01-2008
Amended by Ordinance No. 9265, effective 08-17-2010
§15-37. Reserved
§15-38. Use of Name; Change of Address
No person or concern who has obtained a contracting electrician's registration shall allow his name
to be used by another person or concern, either for the purpose of obtaining permits, or for doing business
or work under such registration. Every person registered pursuant to this article shall notify the Electrical
Board of any change to their street address.
§15-39. Reserved
§15-40. Reserved
Division 5. Master, Journeyman, Apprentice; Electricians
§15-41. Registration; Required
No person shall be engaged in the installation of any electrical wiring, fixtures, equipment, or
devices far any purpose whatsoever in the City without having registered in the office of the Building
Department.
(A) Required. Any applicant for a registration certificate shall be the holder of a valid State of Nebraska
Electricians License.
(B) Renewal. All journeyman electrician's and master electrician's certificates of registration issued by the
Electrical Board shall expire on December 31 of the year in which such certificates are issued, but such
certiiicates may be renewed within thirty days thereafter upon application and payment of fees in
accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule.
Any master electrician or journeyman electrician who does not renew his or her certificate of
registration pursuant to this article within the thirty day grace period provided by this section shall
automatically forfeit such certificate.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9366, effective 03-30-2012
§15-42. Reserved
§15-43. Apprentice Electrician
Apprentice electricians shall be required to have a valid State of Nebraska registration and work
under the direct supervision of a contracting, master, or journeyman electrician.
§15-44. Reserved.
§15-45. Reserved.
Division 6. Registration Certificate Revocation
§15-46. Registration Certifcate; Revocation
(A) Registration Certificate; Revocation. The City Council, by a majority vote, shall have the
power to revoke the certificate of any contracting, master, or journeyman electrician issued pursuant to this
article, upon the recommendation of the Electrical Board, if such registration was obtained through error or
fraud, ar if the recipient thereof is shown to be grossly incompetent, or has a second time willfully violated
any of the provisions of this article. This penalty shall be cumulative and in addition to the penalties
prescribed for the violation of the provisions of this article.
(B) Registration; Revocation. If any person's qualiiications for a registration certificate under
this article shall fail at any time during the term thereof, such certificate shall be revoked and canceled
immediately by the Building Department Director, who shall serve notice of such action by registered mail
to the holder of the certificate.
(C) Registration Certificate; Notice and Hearing. Before a registration issued pursuant to this
article may be revoked, the registrant shall have notice in writing, enumerating the reasons for revocation,
and shall be entitled to a hearing before the City Council not sooner than five days from the date of receipt
of the notice. The registrant shall be given an opportunity to present testimony, oral or written, and shall
have the right of cross-examination. All such testimony before the City Council shall be given under oath.
The City Council shall have the power to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and compel the attendance of
witnesses in such cases.
(D) Decision of Council Final; Reapplication. The decision of the City Council relative to the
revocation of a registration issued pursuant to this article shall be based upon the evidence produced at the
hearing, and such decision shall be final. A person whose registration has been revoked shall not be
permitted to reapply for another such registration within one year from the date of such revocation.
§15-47. Reserved
§15-48. Reserved
Article II. Municipal Service
Division 1. Generally
§15-49. Interconnection Devices
Any energy conservation device generating electricity to be used for domestic purposes shall be
interconnected with the electrical supply of the household, business, or industry finished by the Grand
Island Utilities Department in accordance with plans, speciiications, rules and regulations approved by the
Utilities Director or his designated representative and subject to the inspection of the Grand Island Utilities
Department prior to the conservation device being energized and put into operation.
A customer that has a generation facility (or facilities) that uses as its energy source methane,
wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, or geothermal resources and is interconnected behind their service meter
with and aggregate nameplate of 25 kW or less may be considered as a Qualified Facility (QF) and eligible
for participation in a net metering program. The program will be available for QF customers until the
aggregate nameplate capacity of the participating QF customers meets one percent (1%) of the peak annual
demand of the Utilities Department. The installation of equipment by the QF customer must meet all
applicable safety, interconnection, and reliability standards established by the National Electrical Code
iiled with the Secretary of State and adopted by the State Electrical Board under subdivision (5) of section
81-2104, the National Electrical safety Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the
Underwriters Laboratories; and must be equipped to automatically isolate the QF from the electrical system
in the event of an electrical power outage or other conditions where the line is de-energized. An outside-
mounted visible device shall be installed on the customer's side of the point of delivery/receipt that must be
capable of preventing energizing the Utilities Department's service line and provide for a means for the
Department to operate and lock in place. The Utilities Department will provide a bi-directional meter for
measurement of the flow of electricity in both directions. Energy produced by the QF during the billing
period will be credited at the applicable retail rate for the customer, not including the customer charge.
Energy produced by the QF in excess of the customer's usage will applied as a credit to the customer's
account at the current month cost of energy per kilowatt-hour as defined in Division 6. At the end of the
calendar year, any excess credits may be paid to the customer.
It shall be unlawful for any person to connect an electric generating source to a system supplied
electricity by the Grand Island Utilities Department without obtaining the aforesaid approval and
inspection.
§15-50. Deposit Requirements
(A) Except as provided below, all electric service accounts established under the commercial rate
structure shall be required to maintain a deposit in an amount to be determined by the Utilities Department
as set forth in this section.
(B) Deposits for accounts in existence before September 1, 1983, shall be maintained in the
amount established under the ordinances in effect at the time of the initial deposit, unless said deposit has
been distributed under the provisions of this section.
(C) Deposits for any account created on or after September 1, 1983, and deposits far all accounts
for which service has been reinstated after being disconnected for nonpayment shall be maintained in an
amount of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200), nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000), as
determined by the Utilities Department. The amount of the deposit required shall be equal to two times the
highest billed period of the last 12 billing periods, not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000). For new
construction or properties that have been unoccupied for the last 12 billing periods, a similar property from
an identically zoned business shall be used in establishing the required deposit amount.
(D) From and after October 1, 2010, all deposits required herein shall accrue interest at the
annually adjusted interest rate based on the 3 month LIBOR as of October 1, or the next business day.
Interest shall be payable to the customer only at the time the deposit is refundable as provided in subsection
E below.
(E) The deposit required herein shall be refunded to the customer as follows:
(1) When the electric service has been disconnected, whether at the request of the customer
or for nonpayment of the customer's electric bill, or a new account has been created for said
service with a different customer, and a imal reading has been taken, any deposit on hand plus
the accrued interest thereon, and minus the amount of any unpaid billing statement and other
charges, shall be refunded to the customer; or
(2) After at least two years of continuous service to the customer, if the monthly payments
for the account have been made promptly, with no more than two delinquent payments during
the twenty-four (24) month period immediately preceding the request, the customer may
request the Utilities Department in writing to refund the deposit. Upon receipt of the request,
and if the above conditions of prompt payment have been met, the Utilities Department shall
refund any deposit on hand, plus the accrued interest to the customer. For the purposes of this
subsection, a payment shall be deemed delinquent if made more than fifteen (15) days after
the date set forth on the monthly billing statement.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9275, effective 9-29-2010
Amended by Ordinance No. 9523, effective 3-17-2015
§15-51. Payment Conditions
(1) All bills are due when received.
(2) If full payment is not received by the due date stated on the bill, a late payment charge shall be
assessed in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule.
(3) A service charge shall be collected before reconnection, in each instance of disconnection for
nonpayment of billing. If reconnection is demanded after business hours, an additional fee shall apply. The
charges for reconnection shall be in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule.
(4) A service charge in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule will be assessed for each
check returned for insufficient funds. This charge is in addition to any other charges.
(5) A service charge in accordance to the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule shall be collected, before all
new connections are made by the Utilities Department.
(6) A service charge in accordance with the City of Grand Island Fee Schedule shall be collected, to
transfer service from one occupant to another occupant at the same location.
(7) Service periods are normally for periods of one year or longer. If it appears that services are being
disconnected and reconnected within a twelve-month period, in order to avoid minimum billing charges; an
amount equivalent to the minimum billings for the disconnected period (not to exceed eleven months) must
be paid before the service is reconnected. This is in addition to the normal connection charges.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9523, effective 3-17-2015
§15-52. Rate Assignment
The Grand Island Utilities Deparhnent will attempt to assign customers to the lowest applicable
rate. It is the customer's responsibility to inform the Utilities Department of any changes that may affect the
assignment or billing conditions within a given rate.
The customer is in a better position than the Utilities Department to analyze electric usage. When
more than one rate assignment is applicable, the customer may select the rate considered the most
beneficial. Customer-requested rate re-assignments will not be made mare frequently than once every
twelve months. In no event will the Utilities Department be responsible far losses incurred due to improper
rate assignment.
At customer request, demand metering will be installed by the Utilities Department. The Utilities
Department may, at its option, assess a one-time charge of $200.00 to pay the additional metering facilities.
§15-53. Power Factor
The customer shall install power-factar correction equipment, if necessary, to ensure a power
factor of no less than 90%, lagging or leading.
§15-54. Arc Welders and X-Ray Units
Electric transformer type arc welders or x-ray units shall not be used on Residential or Single
Phase Commercial Services. When used on Three Phase Services, the welder or x-ray unit KVA may be
converted to horsepower for determination of connected horsepower at the rate of 746 watts per
horsepower, minimum connection five harsepower.
Division 2. Residential Service
§15-55. O10 Residential Service
Applicable in urban and rural distribution areas. Available at single phase, through a single meter,
to residential consumers for domestic use in a single-family dwelling unit; but is not available for
commercial or non-domestic use.
Individual single-phase motors, not to exceed 10 HP each, may be connected; however, the
Utilities Department must be notified in writing, if a motor over 5 HP is installed.
This schedule has two sets of rates: one for the summer period of five months, beginning with the
June meter reading; and the second for the winter season of seven months, beginning with the November
meter reading.
Summer Rate Beginning October 1, 2007
Kilowatt-Hours Used Per Month (June — October)
First 300 KWH .............................................
Next 700 KWH ........................... ..................
All additional KWH .......................................
$0.085 per KWH
$0.060 per KWH
$0.067 per KWH
Plus a customer charge of $5.00 per month, in addition to that charged for the electrical energy
used, plus the applicable Power Cost Adjustment charge. The minimum monthly bill shall be $5.00 prior to
the Power Cost Adjustment.
Winter Rate Beginning October 1, 2007
Kilowatt-Hours Used Per Month (November - May)
First 300 KWH .............................................. $0.085 per KWH
Next '700 KWH ... ... ...... ... ... ...... ... ......... ... .....
Additional KWH .........................................
$0.060 per KWH
$0.039 per KWH
Plus a customer charge of $5.00 per month, in addition to that charged for the electrical energy
used, plus the applicable Power Cost Adjustment charge. The minimum monthly bill shall be $5.00 prior to
the Power Cost Adjustment.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 9133, effective 09-18-2007
Amended by Ord. No. 9523, effective 03-17-2015
§15-56. Service Specifications
Residential Service shall be supplied at a nominal voltage of 120/240 Volts or 120/208 Volts
single phase.
Division 3. Commercial Service
§15-57. 030 Single-Phase Commercial Service
Applicable in urban and rural distribution areas. Available for commercial customers, for lighting
and small appliances. Available for single meter apartment units, and combined residential-commercial use,
where the Residential Rate is not applicable. Service shall be through a single meter.
Individual single-phase motors, not to exceed 10 HP each, may be connected; however, the
Utilities Department must be notiiied in writing, if a motor over 5 HP is installed.
Kilowatt-Hours Used Per Month
First 350 KWH ...........................................
Next 650 KWH ...........................................
Next 1,500 KWH .........................................
Next 2,500 KWH .........................................
Next 5,000 KWH .........................................
Over 10,000 KWH .......................................
Rates Beginning
October 1, 2007
$0.090 per KWH
$0.080 per KWH
$0.074 per KWH
$0.070 per KWH
$0.064 per KWH
$0.061 per KWH
Plus a customer charge of $7.00 per month, in addition to that charged for the electrical energy
used, plus the applicable Power Adjustment charge. The minimum monthly bill shall be $7.00 prior to the
Power Adjustment.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 9133, effective 09-18-2007
§15-58. Service Specifications
Single-Phase Commercial service shall be supplied at a nominal voltage of 120/240 Volts or
120/208 Volts, single phase.
§15-59. Discounts for Primary Service
If the Single-Phase Commercial user owns and maintains all necessary transformation equipment
and structures, a 3% reduction will be made in the energy billed. If energy is metered on the primary side
(7.2 KV or above) of the service, a 2% reduction will be made in the energy billed. These discounts,
however, do not apply to the minimum stated.
§15-60. O50 Three-Phase Commercial Service
Applicable in the territory served by the City of Grand Island; and is available through a single
meter at three phase, for any electric service uses where three-phase service is available.
This schedule has two sets of rates: one far the summer period of five months, beginning with the
June meter reading; and the second for the winter season of seven months, beginning with the November
meter reading.
Summer Rate Beginning October 1, 2007
Kilowatt-Hours Used Per Month (June - October)
First 1,000 KWH .............................. $0.087 per KWH
Next 1,500 KWH ..............................
Next 2,500 KWH ..............................
Next 15,000 KWH ............................
Over 20,000 KWH ............ ................
$0.079 per KWH
$0.075 per KWH
$0.069 per KWH
$0.066 per KWH
Plus a customer charge of $10.00 per month, in addition to that charged for the electrical
energy used, plus the applicable Power Cost Adjustment charge.
Winter Rate Beginning October 1, 2007
Kilowatt-Hours Used Per Month (November - May)
First 500 KWH .................................
Next 1,000 KWH ..............................
Next 2,500 KWH ..............................
Over 4,000 KWH ..............................
$0.087 per KWH
0.079 per KWH
$0.066 per KWH
$0.063 per KWH
Plus a customer charge of $10.00 per month, in addition to that charged for the electrical
energy used, plus the applicable Power Cost Adjustment charge.
Minimum
The minimum monthly charge shall be no less than $10.00. The minimum shall in no event be less than
$0.70 per month per connected horsepower.
The billing horsepower shall be determined as follows:
1. Total connected horsepower, if total connected horsepower is less than 20 HP.
2. If total connected horsepower exceeds 20 HP, then the billing horsepower shall be the larger of 20 HP,
or the largest single connected motor.
3. If questions arise as to the actual billing horsepower, the Utilities Department may, at its option, install
demand meters. The Kilowatt reading shall determine the billing horsepower on the basis of 0.75 Kilowatt
= 1.0 HP.
It is the responsibility of the customer, to inform the Utilities Department of changes that may affect
minimum billings.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 9133, effective 09-18-2007
Amended by Ord. No. 9523, effective 03-17-2015
§15-61. Service Specifications
New Three-Phase Commercial Services are supplied at three phase, four wire wye, at 120/208
Volts ar 277/480 Volts. Delta services must operate ungrounded, unless prior written approval is obtained
by the customer from the Utilities Department.
Current unbalance between phases should not exceed 15%.
§15-62. Discounts for Primary Service
If the Three-Phase Commercial user owns and maintains all necessary transformation equipment
and structures, a 3% reduction will be made in the energy billed. If energy is metered on the primary side
(7.2 KV or above) of the service, a 2% reduction will be made in the energy billed. These discounts,
however, do not apply to the minimum stated.
1
Division 4. Power Service
§15-63. 100 Three-Phase Power Service
Applicable in the territory served by the City of Grand Island, available through a single meter at
three phase. Available for any commercial or industrial use of energy.
$8.50
$0.0355
$0.0290
$300.00
Beginning
October 1, 2007
Demand Charge
per KW of billing demand
Energy Charge
per KWH for the first 450 hours of monthly demand
per KWH for all additional usage; plus applicable Power Cost Adjustment
charge.
per month.
Customer Charge
The minimum monthly bill shall be no less than $700. The Power Cost Adjustment charge is
applied to energy consumption only.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 9133, effective 09-18-2007
§15-64. Billing Demand
During the months of June through October, the Billing Demand shall be the Summer Demand.
During the months of November through May, the Billing Demand shall be the measured Monthly
Demand, but not more than the Suminer Demand nor less than 65% of the Summer Demand.
The Monthly Demand shall be the highest rate of use in KW during a time interval of the meter
reading period as established by the Utilities Department, based upon the nature of the business of the
customer. In no event shall the Monthly Demand be less than 50 KW.
The Summer Demand shall be defined as the maximum of the Monthly Demands established
during June through October but not less than the Summer Demand established during the previous eleven
months.
Amended by Ord. No. 9523, effective 03-17-2015
§15-65. Service Specifications
Any standard, nationally recognized, three-phase voltage will be supplied if transformation is
available.
§15-66. Discounts for Primary Service
If Three-Phase Power energy is metered on the primary side (7.2 KV or above) of the service, a
3% reduction will be made in the energy billed. In addition, if the user owns and maintains all necessary
transformation equipment and structures, a 5% reduction will be made in the demand billed. These
discounts, however, do not apply to the minimum stated.
§15-67. Waiver of Demand Charge
For customers developing a new site or significantly expanding an existing facility, the Utilities
Department may waive the charge on the incremental demand for the first twelve months of service.
Customers developing a new site must have an anticipated load of at least 500 KW; these customers will
have the entire demand charge waived for the twelve month period.
An expansion must result in at least 300 KW additional load, based on largest historical Summer
Demand at the facility. During the months from June through October, the demand charge in excess of this
historical Summer Demand will be waived. During the months from November through May, the Billing
Demand for the corresponding month of the previous year will be used as the Billing Demand.
Customers applying for this waiver must remain on Rate 100 for at least twelve months after
resumption of full demand billing. For the twelve months after resumption of full demand billing, the
Summer Demand will reflect the waived demand. The Suuimer Demand for new customers will be not less
than 500 KW. The Summer Demand for plant expansions will be not less than 300 KW above the historical
Summer Demand.
Written application for waiver of demand charge must be made prior to connection of such new
load to the City electric system, and shall be subject to the approval of the Utilities Director.
Division 5. Area Flood Lighting
§15-68. 114 Area Floodlighting
Applicable in the territory served by the City of Grand Island; and is available for any outdoor
area floodlighting of consumer's property from dusk to dawn, where such service can be rendered directly
from existing secondary distribution lines of the City.
Luminare will be selected by Utilities Department and provided from Utilities Department stock.
For installation on an existing wood pole, and connected to existing overhead secondary conductors on
such pole, the rate is $0.76 per watt per year billed on a monthly basis beginning October 1, 2006.
Power Cost Adjustment is not applicable to the Area Floodlighting Rate.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 9064, effective 9-6-2006
§15-69. Contract Period and Conditions
Service under Rate 114 is available for a minimum period of 24 months and thereafter until
terminated by thirty (30) days notice in writing.
The City of Grand Island will install, own, and operate and maintain all area lighting equipment
under this schedule. If underground service is desired, approval of the City must be obtained and the
additional cost therefor shall be paid in advance to the City by the consumer on a nonrefundable basis.
The burning of the lamps shall be controlled by automatic control equipment installed by the City
and burning time shall be approximately thirty minutes after sunset to approximately thirty minutes before
sunrise.
The City shall be notified by the consumer of any operational failure of lamps. Lamp replacement
or repairs will be performed only during regular working hows.
Non-Standard Installations: If underground service is desired or extension of overhead secondary
facilities is required or special materials are requested, approval of the City must be obtained. All additional
cost far materials and labor shall be paid in advance to the City, by the consumer, on a nonrefundable basis.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Division 6. Power Cost Adjustment
§15-70. Power Cost Adjustment
The rates set out in this chapter are predicated upon a base power cost of 15.00 mills per kilowatt-
hour. When the City's cost of energy per kilowatt-hour shall temporarily be greater than 15.00 mills per
kilowatt-hour, there shall be added to the consumer's monthly charge for electricity used; an amount equal
to the number of kilowatt-hours used during the month to which the consumer's charge applies, multiplied
by the amount by which the cost of energy for kilowatt-hour shall be greater than 15.00 mills per kilowatt-
hour.
Cost of energy per kilowatt-hour as determined for any month shall be applicable to all charges
rendered to consumers after the last day of the following month, without any City Council action.
The cost of energy per kilowatt-hour applied to the consumer's monthly charge shall be an average
of the previous six-months cost of energy per kilowatt-hour.
If a permanent increase in the contract cost of energy to the City occurs, beginning with the month
that the cost increase becomes effective, the six-month average of the cost of energy per kilowatt-hour may
be recalculated; using the new increased cost of energy, to compute the affected components of the cost of
energy for the previous six months. This revised six-month average of the cost of energy per kilowatt hour
shall then be applied to the consumer's monthly charge for electricity used without any City Council action.
For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
Cost of Ener� shall mean the power cost for the generating plants owned by the City, consisting of
the monthly natural gas cost and the cost of any fuel oil consumed; the cost of coal and air quality
reagents consumed, including freight and handling charges; plus costs of payments by the City for
power and energy purchased from other power suppliers, less receipts from energy sold to other
electric utilities.
Cost o Ener�per Kilowatt-Hour shall mean "Cost of Energy" as above defined, divided by 95 percent of
the total kilowatt hours; consisting of the kilowatt hour output of the City's electric generating plants, plus
the kilowatt hours pwchased from other power suppliers, less the kilowatt hours of energy sold to other
electric utilities.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Division 7. Interdepartmental Rates
§15-71. Interdepartmental Rates
Municipal accounts shall be assigned to standard retail Rate 30 or Rate 50 as appropriate. An
Interdepartmental discount shall be assigned to non-enterprise accounts. The discount for calendar year
2005 is $0.01 per kWh far Rate 50 Interdepartmental accounts and $0.03 per kWh for Rate 30
Interdepartmental accounts. The discount beginning calendar year 2006 is $0.003 per kWh far both Rate 50
and Rate 30 Interdepartmental accounts.
§15-72. Reserved
§15-73. Reserved
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Deleted by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Deleted by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
§15-74. Rate 116; Interdepartmental; Streetlights
The monthly charge for various size lights used for public street lighting and public parks lighting,
whether City or privately-owned shall be $038 per watt per year billed on a monthly basis beginning
October 1, 2007. Power Cost Adjustment is not applicable to the Interdepartmental Streetlights Rate.
Amended by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 8946, effective 1-5-2005
Amended by Ord. No. 9133, effective 09-18-2007
§15-75. Reserved
Deleted by Ord. No. 8940, effective 1-1-2005
§15-76. Reserved
SECTION 2. Chapter 15 as now existing, and any ordinances or parts of
ordinances in conflict herewith be, and hereby are, repealed.
SECTION 3. The validity of any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this ordinance shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section,
subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be in force and take effect from and
after its passage and publication, within fifteen days in one issue of the Grand Island
Independent as provided by law.
Enacted: March 8, 2016.
Attest:
—���—� �c�
RaNae Edwards, City Clerk
e emy . Jen , Mayor
�i��'GRAND�
'��~�''ls�9
cS y>CA��� 24
* �. •... *
�� 10,1�'
�FBRRS��