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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017_03_15 Weed AbatementItem 2.1: Consideration of Weed Abatement Program Amendments & Continued Public Hearing on Hazardous Vegetation Program Resolution Declaring Abatement of Public Nuisance March 15, 2017 Weed Abatement Program Concerns •Inadequate noticing and communication •Weed Abatement and Brush Abatement Programs should be more closely aligned •Public nuisance declaration process is unfair •Fees are unfair and billing lacks transparency Weed Abatement Program Recommendation Improve communication, increase alignment with the Brush Abatement Program, eliminate penalties and fees for compliant properties, and improve billing by: •Revising the 2017 Weed Abatement Schedule •Allocating funds for Initial Inspection Fee ($60) for compliant properties and second inspection ($60) before June hearing •Authorizing staff to develop a new Weed Abatement Program process, including authorization to negotiate a new agreement Inspections –April 15 •County Weed Abatement starts inspections of properties currently on Weed Abatement Program List •Non-Compliant Properties: •Sent notice informing owners of issues and May 3 public nuisance declaration hearing •Billed by City for: •$60 Initial Inspection Fee •$485 Failed Inspection Fee •Compliant Properties: •No fees or public nuisance declaration Influencing Resident Concerns: Unfair public nuisance declaration and fees, inadequate noticing and communication, alignment with Brush Abatement Public Nuisance Hearing –May 3 •Declaration of public nuisance on properties that failed inspection •Property owners may raise objections •After hearing, abatement notice sent to property owners •Owners of properties in nuisance declaration responsible for: •$60 Initial Inspection Fee •$485 Failed Inspection Fee Influencing Resident Concerns: Unfair nuisance declaration, inadequate noticing and communication Re -Inspections & Correction Deadline •June 4: Correction deadline for properties that failed to meet Weed Abatement requirements by April 15 and declared to have a public nuisance •June 5 –14: Re-Inspections of properties •City pays for cost of re-inspections Influencing Resident Concerns: Alignment with Brush Abatement Program Abatement Hearing –June 21 •Authorization of removal of weeds/public nuisance by County Weed Abatement Program •Property owners may raise objections •After hearing, abatement work may begin Influencing Resident Concerns: Inadequate noticing, alignment with Brush Abatement Program Weed Abatement Program Billing •County bills City for all program costs and fees •City issues itemized bills to non-compliant property owners for: •$60 Initial Inspection Fee •$485 Failed Inspection Fee •$434 Contract Work Fee •Contractor Weed Abatement Costs Influencing Resident Concerns: Unfair fees, billing not transparent Assessment Hearing –September 20 •Confirmation of assessments on properties for unpaid bills •Property owners may raise objections and Council may adjust assessments •Approve assessments submitted to County Tax Assessor to be applied to 2018 property tax roll Influencing Resident Concerns: Billing not transparent Inspection Costs •$5,000 in FY 2017/18 for $60 Initial Inspection Fee for compliant properties and $60 re-inspection prior to June abatement hearing •Additional funds needed in FY 2017/18 to carry program costs until reimbursed through paid bills or assessments, if bills are unpaid Influencing Resident Concerns: Unfair fees, billing not transparent Program Process & Agreement •Authorize staff to work with County Weed Abatement to create new process that addresses community concerns •Authorize City Manager to negotiate a new Weed Abatement agreement between the City and County Recommended Action •Close Public Hearing •Authorize an amended Weed Abatement Program schedule for 2017 •Allocate funding in the Fiscal Year 2017/18 budget to cover Weed Abatement Program inspection costs (initial inspection for compliant properties and re- inspection prior to June abatement hearing) that would otherwise be charged to property owners and for abatement costs that will be reimbursed through property owner bills or if necessary special assessments on the property •Direct staff to develop a new process for the Weed Abatement Program and authorize the City Manager to negotiate a new agreement with the County of Santa Clara for administration of the modified Weed Abatement Program