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