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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Weed Abatement Staff Report.pdf SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: December 16, 2009 AGENDA ITEM: DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson PREPARED BY: Ann Sullivan, City Clerk DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson SUBJECT: 2010 Hazardous Vegetation Program Commencement Resolution RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) as Public Nuisance and Setting Public Hearing. REPORT SUMMARY: The attached resolution represents the first step in Saratoga’s Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Program administered by the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner. The Commissioner has determined that there are parcels that have excessive weed growth in Saratoga. The purpose of the Weed Abatement Program is to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative growth and the accumulation of combustible materials. It would be appropriate at this time for the City Council to adopt the resolution setting a public hearing on January 20, 2010 for consideration of a Declaration of Nuisance as to specific properties containing hazardous vegetation. The Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management Weed Abatement Division mailed a letter to specific property owners on December 7, 2009 notifying them that their property was identified to be containing potential fire hazards from weeds or other debris. A copy of that letter is attached. FISCAL IMPACTS: No fiscal impact to the City of Saratoga if the resolution is adopted. The County of Santa Clara recovers its costs from the administrative portion of the fee charged to property owners. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION: N/A ALTERNATIVE ACTION: N/A FOLLOW UP ACTION: Prior to actual abatement The property owners of the parcels containing weeds needing abatement are sent three notices informing them that the hazardous vegetation must be abated, either by the owners or by the County. The notices inform the property owner that the County abatement will commence if work is not performed by the property owner; and the first two notices inform the property owner how to present any objections to being in the Abatement Program at two public hearings. The public hearings are noticed in the Saratoga News as well. After the public hearing and Declaration of Nuisance as to specific properties on January 20, 2010, the Council will give notice and consider adopting another resolution, this time ordering the actual abatement on properties whose owners did not object or whose objections the Council overruled. ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: Posting of the agenda. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A – Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) as Public Nuisance and Setting Public Hearing Attachment B – December 7, 2009 Letter from Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management with Notice to Destroy Weeds