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AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
2 Report: Public Hearing for Weed Abatement Charges for FY 2024-25
1. Resolution confirming weed abatement charges.
COUNCIL ACTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department’s Vegetation Management Program includes 8,904 parcels within the very high fire hazard area that receive annual inspections. Of those, 666 are unimproved, vacant properties. The City has an agreement with the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner for weed abatement services on those unimproved properties.
On March 18, and following a subsequent public hearing on April 15, the City Council approved the declaration list of the vacant properties that constitute a public hazard, permitting the County Agricultural Commissioner to abate the hazards within the City. The Commissioner recovers the cost of abatement through assessment on the current property tax assessment roll. This report describing the cost of the abatement on all the properties inspected by the Commissioner is submitted to the City for review of the charges and approval before forwarding to the County Auditor.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the attached Resolution confirming Weed Abatement Charges as described on the attached County of Los Angeles Weed Abatement Charge List dated July 17, 2025.
ANALYSIS
The City has a Weed Abatement Agreement with the County of Los Angeles, which was renewed in 2022 for a five-year period. Under this agreement, the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner serves as the City’s authorized agent to carry out the removal of noxious and dangerous weed growth. The Fire Department, along with Agricultural Commissioner inspectors, conducts inspections to determine if a hazard exists and requests the Commissioner to carry out abatement.
The Commissioner recovers the cost of abatement through assessment, as permitted under Article II, Chapter 13, Part II, Division 3, Title 4 of California Government Code. As part of our communication program, the Commissioner has been notifying the Fire Marshal of planned and completed work assignments.
For the past several years, the Agricultural Commissioner has been contracting with Item Type: Public Hearing
Approved forJuly 29, 2025 calendar
3 private vendors to minimize the costs of weed abatement. The FY 2024-25 Weed Abatement Charges Report was submitted by the Agricultural Commissioner on July 17, 2025, for the period covering July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The Commissioner has provided a copy of the report, which describes the cost of abatement on all properties to be posted.
The report sets July 29, 2025, as the date it will be submitted to the City Council for confirmation of charges. Once approved, the charges will be forwarded to the County Auditor for entry on the current property tax assessment roll.
The public hearing held on April 15, 2025, approved the County’s Declaration List of properties constituting a public nuisance, which then allowed the Commissioner to abate the identified hazards. Property owners are sent letters (in advance of the actual abatement) when charges are estimated to exceed $750. While this notification letter is not a requirement, it is provided.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The stakeholders include the owners of the 666 properties identified in the approved declaration list. A notice will be mailed to the property owners informing them of the program.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. Property owners will pay the charges through their property tax bill directly to the County.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
NA
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Jeff Brooks, Fire Chief
Prepared by:
Jovan Diaz, Fire Marshal
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
4 EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: 2025 Confirmation Letter for Report on Cost of Weed Abatement Exhibit 2: 2025 Weed Abatement Charge List