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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_06_19 Item 2.1 Supp Attch - Updated Resolution Written Com Item 2.1. Weed and Brush Abatement Program Public Nuisance Declaration and Abatement Order Page 1 of 1 CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum To: Mayor Cappello & Members of the Saratoga City Council From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Date: June 19, 2019 Subject: Item 2.1. Weed and Brush Abatement Program Public Nuisance Declaration & Abatement Order – Updated Resolution After publication of the agenda packet for the June 19, 2019 meeting, several owners of the properties listed on the original Resolution Declaring a Public Nuisance and Ordering Abatement demonstrated compliance with program requirements. As a result, these properties have been removed from the resolution and a revised resolution declaring non-compliant properties in both the Weed Abatement Program and Brush Abatement Program as a nuisance and ordering abatement is attached. The attached resolution also includes removal of a 5th property, 20078 Goetting Court, APN 503-10- 074. A letter from the property owner is attached. Staff is recommending removal of this property from the nuisance declaration and abatement order as the parcel was part of a larger lot that was subdivided into 3 parcels partway through the 2019 Weed Abatement Program cycle. As a result, the owner did not receive the February notice sent to all owners of properties in the Weed Abatement List. If the updated resolution is approved, the prop erty will be inspected by the Code Compliance Officer. If the owner fails to comply with property maintenance requirements by the deadline set by the Code Compliance Officer, the property will be added to the Weed Abatement List for the 2020 cycle. RESOLUTION 19-___ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA DECLARING HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (WEEDS & BRUSH) TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE ON SPECIFIED PROPERTIES AND ORDERING ABATEMENT TO CORRECT THE NUISANCE WHEREAS, hazardous vegetation, including weeds and brush, is growing in the City of Saratoga upon certain streets, sidewalks, highways, roads, and private property; and WHEREAS, the weeds, brush, and rubbish create a fire hazard and/or health hazard; and WHEREAS, said weeds, brush, and rubbish constitute a public nuisance; and WHEREAS, in Saratoga, the Weed Abatement Program and Brush Abatement Program are the two programs that help prevent wildfires by reducing the amount of hazardous vegetation and debris; NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Saratoga hereby resolves the following: 1. That weeds, brush, and/or rubbish that create a fire hazard and/or health hazard are a public nuisance; 2. On February 27, 2019, the City of Saratoga sent notices to properties on the Weed Abatement Program list informing owners of Weed Abatement Program requirements and the April 15 deadline to comply with Weed Abatement Program requirements and this deadline was later extended to May 6 and to May 20 for those properties where an extension was requested; 3. The Santa Clara County Fire Department sent notices to property owners in the Saratoga Wildland Urban Interface area informing owners of Brush Abatement Program requirements and the April 1 deadline for compliance; 4. That a nuisance exists or recurs upon the streets, sidewalks, highways, roads, and private property, noted by parcel number, on the attached report (“Report”); 5. The Report indicates whether a property failed to comply with Weed Abatement Program or Brush Abatement Program requirements; 6. On May 30, 2019, the City of Saratoga sent notices to properties listed on the Report that failed to meet Weed Abatement Program requirements to inform owners of non- compliance and of this Council’s June 19, 2019 public hearing to consider declaring a nuisance on those properties a nuisance and ordering abatement of that nuisance; 7. The Santa Clara County Fire Department sent a notice to properties on the Report that failed to meet Brush Abatement Program requirements to inform owners of non- compliance and of this Council’s June 19, 2019 public hearing to consider declaring a nuisance on those properties a nuisance and ordering abatement of that nuisance and the City of Saratoga on May 30, 2019 sent a supplemental letter to these property owners; 8. A notice regarding the public hearing to consider the nuisance declaration and order to abate was printed in the Saratoga News and posted at City Hall on June 7, 2019; 9. Properties identified in the Report as not complying with Weed Abatement Program requirements, are subject to a $80 Initial Inspection Fee and $495 Failed Inspection Fee; 10. The Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program is hereby designated as the responsible party to, and is directed to, cause abatement of the seasonal and recurring hazardous vegetation (weeds and brush) nuisance on the properties identified in the Report; 11. All properties identified in the Report may be subject to a $806 Contract Work Fee and actual cost of abatement work if the property is not compliant with Weed Abatement Program or Brush Abatement Program requirements when the contractor designated by the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program arrives to perform abatement work; and 12. All properties in the approved Report will be included in the 2020 Weed Abatement Program List to be inspected for compliance with Weed Abatement Program requirements and will remain on that list until inspections have determined compliance for three consecutive years. The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga City Council held on the 19th day of June 2019 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ______________________________ E. Manny Cappello, Mayor ATTEST: DATE: Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk 1 Crystal Bothelio From:Lance Etcheverry Sent:Tuesday, June 18, 2019 4:04 PM To:Crystal Bothelio Subject:Weed Abatement Program - 20078 Goetting Ct. Crystal ‐     Thank you very much for taking the time on the phone to explain the circumstances surrounding the parcel of land we  purchased, and its inclusion in the City’s Weed Abatement Program.  As discussed, please find below a note to the City  Council, which I would be grateful if you could provide to them in advance of the June 19 meeting.      ‐ Lance           * * *    Dear Members of the City Council ‐    My name is Lance Etcheverry and my wife and I are owners of a piece of vacant land located at 20078 Goetting Ct. in the  City of Saratoga ‐ which is one of three parcels in what I understand was a recent sub‐division of a larger parcel.  We are  new to the area and purchased the subject property last year.  Since that time, we have been working with the City on  plans to build our new family home.  The plans have now been submitted; we are just waiting for approval to begin  construction on our home.      During the purchase process, we were not informed that the property was included in the City’s Weed Abatement  Program.  Indeed, we only became aware of the Program itself (and its requirements) in the past few weeks ‐ once we  received a notice of non‐compliance.  Now that we are aware of the Program, and its requirements, regardless of  whether it applies to our parcel, we intend to have the weeds on the property cut to bring it into compliance with the  City’s requirements.      Given our recent purchase of the property, and the fact that we were not previously even aware of the Weed  Abatement Program or given a meaningful opportunity to comply with its terms, we would respectfully request that our  property be removed from the Program and that any fees or penalties assessed be reversed.  In sum, we would like to  be given the opportunity to comply with the City’s requirements before we are deemed to be in violation of them  (through no fault of our own).      Thank you very much for your consideration.  I regret that I am unable to submit this request in person at the June 19  meeting, but I am traveling for business.  I would be happy to discuss this request with any member of the Council or the  City’s staff.    Sincerely,       Lance Etcheverry      P.S.  I’m sure that you’re already aware of this, but Crystal Bothelio is terrific.  She is a wonderful resource for the City’s  residents (like us) and a model for what all of us would hope for in our City’s representatives.