HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 07 2/20/2001 I
CITY OF PETALUMA,'CALIFORNIA
: 7
AGENDA BILL
A'gend'a•Title: Meeting Date:
Resolution Declaring Weeds Growing Upon Parcels of Public and February 20, 2001
'.Private.Property a:Public Nuisance /
Department: Director vZ/Contact Person: Phone Number:
Fire Terry K. Out, Michael A. Gi 778-4389
Fire'Chief Fire Marsha
Cost of Proposal: $16,500.00 / Account Number: 2215-6104
Amount Budgeted: $16.500.00 Name of Fund:
N/A
Attachments to Agenda.PacketItem:
1. Agenda`Summary
2. Resolution Declaring Weeds a Nuisance •
3. Copy of Public Notice
Summary Statement: The weed, abatement program has been in effect for over sixteen years. Its
purpose is to reduce the fire threat to stet ctures and property. Many fires or potential fires were stopped
or slowed by weed abatement program: Property owners were encouraged to have the weeds removed
themselves or by a contractor of their choice. Last year 591 property owners were notified to remove or
clear their properties of flammable weeds/brush; 88 parcels required forced abatement by the City.
5 Council Priority: THIS.AGENDA ITEM IS CONSIDERED TO BE_PART OF, OR NECESSARY TO, ONE OR
MORE OF THE 1999-2000 PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 30, 1999
AND MARCH 18, 2000.
Priority(s): Not,Applicable
Recommended City Council Actiori/Suggested Motion:
Pass Resolution declaring weeds growing on public and private property a public nuisance and order
abatement.
Reviewed by Finance Director: Reviewed by City Attorney. Approved by City Manager.
Date:- Date:
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CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 20, 2001'
AGENDA.REPORT
FOR
WEED ABATEMENT — DECLARING WEEDS A PUBLIC NUISANCE
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of brush and weed,abatement is to reduce fuel loads in areas susceptible to
grass/brush fires. The abatement program is a proactive fire prevention measure designed
to accomplish several factors:
1. Prevent ignition by fuel removal or=reduction
2. Slow, stop or confine the spread of afire in the grass/brush •
3. Buy time for fire suppression personnel to respond and extinguish a
threatening fire
4. Reduce the fire threat from properties that adjoin the city limits (vest side of
town)
These factors have proven to be very successful. The finished product typically results in
• grassy areas that are disked under. Disking is the most effective method for abatement
throughout the fire season. Areas of expansive acreage are disked with fire brakes in
strategic locations; Where disking is impractical, mowing or weed eating is permitted.
All grass/brush fires cannot be totally abated,,,but this type of abatement goes a long way
to accomplish the goals noted above.. •
2. BACKGROUND:
For over 16 years the Fire Department (Fire .Marshal's Office) has developed an
aggressive abatement program. The clearing of property, depending on weather, must be
accomplished:by mid-May or early June of a given year and maintained through the first
major rains'of fall..
In order for the<Fire Marshal's Office to conduct abatement activities, the Government
Code-requires the City to pass resolutions declaring weeds/brush a nuisance and to hold a
public hearing for dissension to this action..Very few, if any complaints or concerns are
raised.bythe.public regarding our program
In summary,the•program follows this annual.tinteline:
• Council declares.weed/bntslva%nuisance andorders public hearing to hear objections
• Council holds public hearing and orders abatement.
•
• Parcels°requiring+abatement are identified by an inspector.
1
• Property owners that qualify for grass/brush abatement-are sent notices to clear their
properties by May 15`h. •
• Property owners are highly encouraged to do their own weed abatement. _
• Forced abatement takes place only-after non-compliance with the May T5`h deadline.
• Forced abatement is done,by a contractor hired by the city and under the direction of
the abatement inspector.
• Costs for-the abatement plus an administrative-fee (20%) are-invoiced.to the property
Owner.
• Failure by the,property owner to pay the abatement fees:by August 1 of the calendar
year have their property taxes levied for recovery.
• Council directs unpaid invoices to be levied to property taxes.
• Council releases 10% of fees held by city to abatement contractor upon completion of
work.
3. ALTERNATIVES:.
Other than taking no action on an issue such,as this, there is no other legally efficient
viable alternative.
4. FIN:ANCIAL_IMPACTS:
The funds budgeted for the contractor to perform annual abatement duties are$16;500.
All of moneys expended for the contractor are recovered. In addition, a 20%
administrative fee is added onto the abatement invoice and is used for covering the cost
of the abatement inspector, program management;:and secretarial support. •`
5. CONCLUSION:
The brush and weed abatement program reduces fuel-loads in areas susceptible to
grass/brush fires'.This program proves-to be successful every year and is the best method
for reducing fire threats to our community.
6. OUTCOMES-ORPERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS.THAT WILL IDENTIFY SUCCESS OR
COMPLETION:
1. .Prevent ignition by fuel removal or reduction
2. Slow; stop or confine the spread:of a fire in the grass/brush
1 Buy time for fire.suppression,personnel to respond and extinguish a threatening fire
4. Reduce the fire threat from-properties that adjoin the city limits (west-side of
town)
7. RECOMMENDATION:
The Council approves the resolution to declare weeds/brush a.publiclnuisance. Then in
April 2000 proceed with public'hearing and order abatement.
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DECLARING THAT WEEDS GROWING UPON PARCELS OF PUBLIC
2 AND PRIVATE.PROPERTY; REFERRED TO AND
3 DESCRIBED IN THIS RESOLUTION, CONSTITUTE.AND ARE A
4 PUBLIC NUISANCE WHICH THE CITY-NEEDS TO ABATE
5
6 BE IT RESOLVED that the Council,of the,City of Petaluma hereby declares that all of the weeds
7 now growing upon the parcels of public and private property within the City of Petaluma referred
8 to and described in the list prepared by the Public Works Superintendent, comprised of 157 pages
9 on file in the office of the City Clerk; are weeds which bear seeds of winged or downy nature, or
l o attain such a large growth as to become a fire menace when.dip, 'and/or are otherwise noxious
ti and dangerous, and all such weeds 'gfowing upon such public.and private property are a public.
12 nuisance,pursuant to Government Code Section 39561 which the City proposes to abate; and,
13
,14 BE IT FURTHERED RESOLVED.that the City Council hereby sets the time for a public hearing
i5 as 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter'as can be heard, on April 2; 2001, as•the time when objections
•b 6 will be heard and given due consideration; and,
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1s BE IT FURTHERED RESOLVED that pursuant to Government Code Section 39567.1 the City
19 Clerk shall cause written notice of the proposed abatementto be mailed to all persons owning
20 property described in the list on file in the Office of the City Clerk. Said notice shall_ be
21 substantially in the form provided by Government Code Section'39566.
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