TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH
San Mateo County
Alvin L. Royse, Mayor 1600 Floribunda Avenue
Christine Krolik, Vice Mayor Hillsborough, CA 94010
Marie Chuang, Councilmember www.hillsborough.net
Sophie Cole, Councilmember Phone 650-375-7400
Laurence M. May, Councilmember
A G E N D A
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY COUNCIL GOAL SETTING 8:30 a.m.
The meeting will be conducted virtually pursuant to the provisions of Assembly Bill 361 and Government Code Section 54953(e) (and without compliance with section 54953(b)(3)) related to conducting public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Center for Disease Control’s social distancing guidelines which discourage large public gatherings. The Council Chambers will not be open to the public for this Town of Hillsborough Special City Council meeting.
The Town of Hillsborough will be conducting the Special City Council meeting via Zoom which is an independent platform not owned or controlled by the Town. Any member of the public joining the City Council meeting by Zoom should familiarize themselves with Zoom’s various data and privacy policies which can be found at Zoom.us.
Members of the public may view the meeting by logging onto the Zoom meeting listed below. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87575234858?pwd=WHgwdUtaRGlWMVJTSW9vQjFXdTcwQT09 Meeting ID: 875 7523 4858
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Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/keI97bxbLw Members of the public may provide public comments on a consent calendar item, agenda item, or non-agenda item during the general public comment portion of the meeting by requesting to speak using the “raise hand” feature in Zoom or, if calling in by phone, by pressing *9 on the telephone keypad prior to the consent calendar being heard, or prior to the close of the public comment period for agenda items or non-agenda items. In response, the Town will unmute the speaker and allow them to speak up to three minutes. All members of the public will be limited to one comment per consent calendar item, one comment per agenda item, and one comment for non-agenda items. The Town encourages all members of the public to limit any comments that might be repetitive of comments provided by other speakers on the same item.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (8:30 am)
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Agenda – Hillsborough City Council
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
III. PUBLIC COMMENT I
This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the City Council on any matter not on the agenda. Members of the public may provide comments via the Zoom platform by using the “raise hand” feature or, if calling in by phone, by pressing *9 on the telephone keypad. In response, the Town will unmute the speaker and allow them to speak on any topic for up to three minutes. If there appears to be a large number of speakers, speaking time may be reduced to no less than 2 minutes, at the discretion of the Mayor. Members of the public are limited to one comment at this time. State law prohibits the Council from discussing or acting on non-agenda items, and generally limits the ability of the Council to respond to any public comments made regarding nonagenda items.
IV. GOAL SETTING
City Manager’s Project List/Council Priorities
• Review Mission Statement
• Review Focus Areas
• Discuss Work Plan Items and Top Priorities
V. PUBLIC COMMENT II
This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the City Council on any matter not on the agenda. Members of the public may provide comments via the Zoom platform by using the “raise hand” feature or, if calling in by phone, by pressing *9 on the telephone keypad. In response, the Town will unmute the speaker and allow them to speak on any topic for up to three minutes. If there appears to be a large number of speakers, speaking time may be reduced to no less than 2 minutes, at the discretion of the Mayor. Members of the public are limited to one comment at this time. State law prohibits the Council from discussing or acting on non-agenda items, and generally limits the ability of the Council to respond to any public comments made regarding nonagenda items.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you need a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the City Council meeting, or if you need an agenda in an alternate form, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 375-7412 at least 24 hours before the scheduled City Council meeting.
ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL:
Members of the public may provide written comments to the City Council regarding any item on the agenda up to two hours before the meeting to [email protected] or by mail/in person at 1600 Floribunda Avenue, Hillsborough, CA 94010. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda prior to the deadline, except as exempt from public disclosure under applicable law, will be available for public inspection on the Town website, and in the City Clerk’s Office at 1600 Floribunda Avenue, Hillsborough, CA 94010, during regular business hours.
AUDIO / VISUAL ADVISORY:
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AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDINGS:
Please be advised that under the Brown Act, any person has the right to record the City Council meeting, including the audience in attendance, using an audio or video recording device subject to certain exceptions. Please be aware that by attending a City Council meeting, you may be audio or video recorded.
City Council Goal Setting
February 16, 2022
Agenda
1 Welcome from the Mayor
2 Background/Process
3 City Manager’s Project List/Council Priorities
Background/Process
Management Workshop –
January 2022
Major Projects
Accomplishments
Regular City Council
Meeting – February 14
Risk Assessment Update
Budget Overview
City Manager’s Project List
Council Priorities
Mission Statement
The Town of Hillsborough serves the needs of our diverse community by providing for its safety and well-being, while promoting a superior quality of life.
Community
and
Customer
Service
Financial
Stability
Land Use
Planning
Community
Partnerships
Regional
Partnerships
1. Community and Customer Service
2. Financial Stability
3. Land Use Planning
4. Community Partnerships
5. Regional Partnerships
6 Town-wide Goals
Town-wide
Goals
Community and Customer Service
Goal Statement
To provide high quality services to
residents from each department by
continually improving the Town’s
workforce, including residents
serving on community boards,
protecting and improving the
Town’s facilities and infrastructure
and providing for the public’s safety
by utilizing new technologies.
Focus Areas
• Employee Excellence
• Departmental Operations
• Public Safety
• Risk Management
• Community Outreach
Community and Customer Service
Tasks Priority Lead Department Resources Required Timeframe 1A
Improve Transparency
(a) Communications
(b) Policies and Value Statement Implementation
(c) New Agenda Management System
Implementation
(d) New Records Retention System Implementation
CMO Already budgeted Ongoing
1B
Legislative and Regulatory Projects:
(a) SB 1383
(b) Food Service Ware (SMC Ordinance)
(c) Development of REACH Codes
(d) Wireless Regulations and Legislations
(e) Gas Powered Landscape Equipment
(f) Legislative tracking
(g) Drought/SFPUC
Finance
CMO
B&P
Public Works
Under evaluation
SB 1383 and Food Service Ware –
Legal cost for ordinances/
agreements ~$4,000
Preliminary estimates of
compost/mulch program $100,000
to $300,000 per year
Track state mandates
Ongoing
1C Prepare and implement post-pandemic re-opening
endemic plan
CMO, ALL Staff time 2022-23
1D Staff training, development, retention, and
recruitment
CMO Staff time Ongoing
1E Conduct Watersmart Education and Outreach Public Works Staff time Ongoing 1F Facilitate Home for All – Community Engagement
Process
B&P Under evaluation 2022-23
1G Develop Continuity of Operations Plan CMO, CCFD Under evaluation 2022-23 1H Develop Town-Wide Community Outreach Policy All Under evaluation 2022-23 1I Administer General Municipal Election CMO, City Attorney Staff time 2022 Financial Stability
Goal Statement
To develop, implement and
maintain a financial plan that
provides for the Town’s daily
operations, infrastructure needs,
capital improvements and
adequate reserves.
Focus Areas
• Daily Operations
• Infrastructure and Capital
Improvements
• Long-Term Financial Health
Financial Stability
Tasks Priority Lead
Department Resources Required Timeframe
2A
Implement New Town Financial System Finance System contract fully funded FY 21/22B: $106k for third party integration
programming and temp help backfill
2022-23
2B
Conduct Rate Updates and Studies
(a) Water
(b) Sewer
(c) Solid Waste
Finance, PW Staff time
Rate Consultant
Sewer $10,000; Solid Waste $30,000; Water
Update $25,000
Ongoing
2C
Evaluate SWAP Alternatives Track LIBOR Swap
Implementation; conduct SBPA Renewal
Finance Staff time
Consultant $15,000
Ongoing
2D Complete RFP for IT Services and Support CMO ~$250,000 Consultant Ongoing 2D Long-term financing plan Finance Staff time, Consultant $10,000 2022-23 2E Storm Drain Funding Finance, CMO,
PW
Staff time, Consultant/Public Engagement
$50,000
2022-23
2F Pension pre-funding analysis Finance Staff time, Actuary consulting $15,000 Ongoing 2G American Rescue Plan Act (State and Local Fiscal
Recovery Fund Allocation)
CMO, Finance,
Departments Consultant $5,000 Ongoing
2H
Track and apply for grant funding where
available; manage existing grants
Finance
CCFD, CMO,
B&P, PW
Consultant $10,000 Ongoing
2I Update the Public Works CMMS System (Work
order tracking system) PW $150,000 2022
Land Use Planning
Goal Statement
To ensure the Town’s character
and quality of life standards are
continued.
Focus Areas
• Character
• Code Enforcement
Land Use Planning
Tasks Priority Lead
Department(s) Resources Required Timeframe
3A
Housing Element (HE) Update (Includes Safety
Element & Land Use Element and related
Zoning/Subdivision Ordianace Updates & CEQA)
B&P ~$475,000 to fund consultant (partially funded by $65,000 LEAP grant and $20,000 REAP grant) + significant staff time (0.5-0.75 FTE for 2022)
2020-23 (Underway)
3B Update permit tracking software B&P ~$250,000 (partially funded by SB2Grant) + significant staff time
2020- 2021
(Underway)
3C Study of Town Owned Property/Long-Term Use CMO, PW, B&P,
HPD, CCFD
~$150,000 + staff time Ongoing
3D Eucalyptus Pathway Project w/ HBF CMO, PW, B&P ~$20,000/$223,000 + staff time Ongoing 3E Annual Zoning Ordinance Update (State Law and
General Clean up)
B&P, CMO Staff time + attorney costs Annually typically in Nov/Dec.
3F Urban Water Plan and Drought Resiliency Plan PW Staff time, BAWSCA, attorney costs June-August 2021 3G Update the Town’s SCADA Program PW Consultant + staff time $200,000 2021-22 3H General Housing Policy Development: ADUs,
Workforce Housing, etc.
B&P $100,000 + staff time + attorney costs 2021+ (Ongoing) 3I
General Plan (GP) Update & Related Implementing
Document Updates
B&P ~$500,000 (potentially partially funded by pending $100,000 REAP grant application; balance funded by GP maintenance fee applied to development applications) + significant staff time 2021-2024
3J Baywood Donation CMO $10,000 2021+
3K Trails & Open Space Project w/HBF CMO, B&P, PW Staff time + $36,926 in matching funds 2021+ 3L Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program CMO, PW, B&P Staff time, $10,000 2021-2023 3M Storm Drain MRP 3.0 PW, B&P Staff time, >$50,000 annually. Cost to residents significant. 2022 Community Partnerships
Goal Statement
To partner with local schools,
community agencies, non-profit
groups and volunteer
organizations to build mutually
beneficial, lasting relationships.
Focus Areas
• Public and Private Schools
• Establish Community Agencies,
Non-Profit Groups and
Volunteer Organizations
Community Partnerships
Tasks Priority Lead Department Resources Required Timeframe 4A Implement Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Program CCFD None 2022-23 4B Work with Firewise to implement WUI CMO, CCFD $5,500 (Chipping Program) Ongoing 4C Conduct HNN Zonehaven Training CMO, PD, CCFD Staff time Ongoing 4D Participate in Implement Multi-Agency Hazard Mitigation Plan CMO, CCFD, PW Staff time Ongoing 4E
Participate in Community Roundtables
(a) PCE
(b) SBWMA
(c) Airport
(d) County of San Mateo
(e) Hillsborough Recreation
(f) BAWSCA
(g) Community Roundtable Organizations
(h) 21 Elements
CMO None Ongoing
4F Coordinate with Villages of San Mateo County CMO Staff time Ongoing 4G Continue Excellent Public Safety Services PD, CCFD Budgeted/Staff time Ongoing 4H Work with PG&E to provide public education around power outages CMO Staff time Ongoing
4I
Continue to collaborate with community groups
(a) Hillsborough City School District (HCSD)
(b) Hillsborough Beautification Foundation (HBF)
(c) Hillsborough Neighborhood Network (HNN)
(d) Firewise
(e) Concours, Carolands, and other private groups that serve the Town CMO Staff time Ongoing
Regional Partnerships
Goal Statement
To partner with our local
neighboring municipalities and
agencies to build mutually
beneficial, lasting relationships.
Focus Areas
• Neighboring Municipalities
• Inter-Agency Partnerships
Regional Partnerships
Tasks Priority Lead Department Resources Required Timeframe 5A Highline Water Project PW To be budgeted Ongoing
5B
Participate in Peninsula Clean Energy – Solar Projects CMO None Ongoing 5C
Participate in Airport Roundtable CMO None Ongoing
5D
Develop Strategies to Improve Energy Resiliency –
Update Climate Action Plan
CMO, PW Potential for additional
funding
Ongoing
5E
Participate on Countywide SB 1383 Programs
Compost/Mulch Program
CMO TBD Ongoing
17 Council Priorities
Town-wide
Goals
Pesticide Use in
Town Wireless Bike/Pedestrian Safety
Values Statement
Implementation /
Enforcement
SB 9 / ADU
Legislation
REACH Codes Leaf Blower
Ordinance
Town Hall
Property
Planning
Evaluation of
Regional
Partnerships
Senior Services
Dog Park Open Space/
Trails
Tree Protection
Ordinance
Wildfire
Prevention/
Resilience
Sustainability/
Climate Action
Thank You
Town Of Hillsborough
Ph. 650-375-7400 |Fx. 650-548-0859 | 1600 Floribunda Ave., Hillsborough, CA 94010 | www.hillsborough.net
TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH
California
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 10, 2022
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
RE: Firewise Suggestions
Hillsborough Firewise USA’s group held a study session on Thursday, December 9, 2021, to discuss potential revisions to the Hillsborough Municipal Code related to fire safety and prevention. Below is a summary of the suggestions from Firewise. The table contains the suggested code revisions and other suggestions proposed by Firewise as well as responses and considerations provided by Town staff and Central County Fire Department (CCFD).
• Proposed Code Revision #1 – Require properties to include a pedestrian gate on front yard fencing.
• Proposed Code Revision #2 – Prohibit all wood roof coverings, including Class A wood roofs with underlayment elements.
• Proposed Code Revision #3 - Revise minimum remodel trigger for roof replacement to 25% town-wide (WUI and non-WUI).
• Proposed Code Revision #4 - Require all fencing to be wildlife friendly. • Proposed Code Revision #5 – Modify landscaping requirements to prohibit light pollution (and encourage Dark Sky friendly lighting).
• Proposed Code Revision #6 – Update nuisance ordinance related to weeds. • Suggestion #1 (non-Code related) - Create a Property Materials Database for All Residents
• Suggestion #2 (non-Code related) - Creation of Advanced Fire Detection System Code Revision #1 (Pedestrian Gate)
Firewise Proposal Require properties to include a pedestrian gate on front yard fencing Firewise Recommendation:
Revise Chapter 12.12.050 ("other requirements") to include requirement that all front perimeter fences include a pedestrian gate.
Firewise Comments This is both public safety issue as well as a neighborhood character issue. The safety issue is emergency access for firefighters and paramedics. In the event of a power failure, opening a pedestrian gate is easier than attempting to swing open a vehicle gate. In addition, inclusion of a pedestrian gate means that there is a second access point in addition to the vehicle gate, thus offering enhanced Code Revision #1 (Pedestrian Gate)
ingress/egress. this is particularly important in the event of a wildland fire, when crews running hose lines need multiple points of access for direct lays and also safety egress. Pedestrian gates also tend to be closer to structure entrances, thus affording more direct access.
The public perception issue is that it just looks (and feels) unwelcoming and unneighborly to not have a pedestrian gate. When guests are visiting and park on the street, having to walk through a vehicle gate seems awkward, and could be a safety hazard if they are passing through at the same time a vehicle is entering/exiting.
Security issue: It is assumed that the pedestrian gates would be allowed to be lockable, etc. as is current practice.
Staff Proposal Keep existing code language – existing code requires emergency gate key switch.
Staff Comments Same potential issue with pedestrian or driveway gate - locked gates (with no key provided to CCFD) will result in the same method to access the property (hopping over the fence).
There is also an existing municipal code requiring the installation of an emergency gate key switch on all new electronic driveway or entryway gates.
Hillsborough Municipal Code 15.20.055 - Section 506.1, CFC - Key boxes.
Timeline for
Implementation
N/A
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
N/A
Code Revision #2 (Prohibit All Wood Roof Coverings, including Class A) Firewise Proposal Exclude wood roof coverings from Class A designation regardless of underlayment elements
Firewise Recommendation:
Revise 15.03.130 to require stand-alone Class A roofs in WUI areas, and to strongly encourage same in the rest of the Town.
or prohibit wood roofs in entire Town.
Firewise Comments Current Code (15.03.130 - Minimum Roof Classification) specifies Class A coverings but implies that this includes wood roofs if the total assembly includes non-combustible elements. More specifically, there are two ways to qualify as Class A: "stand-alone" (the top material is intrinsically non-combustible), or "by assembly" (the top material is combustible but is underlain by a non-combustible layer).
This presents two WUI-related issues:
(1) Even with a non-combustible underlayment, a wood roof if ignited, still presents an ember chimney risk to neighboring structures. In addition, unless fire response is rapid, even with a non-combustible underlayment, a burning wood roof still presents an eventual ignition risk to the affected house.
Code Revision #2 (Prohibit All Wood Roof Coverings, including Class A) (2) Structure protection in the event of a wildland fire will focus on "winners versus losers" - structure protection units are more likely to be placed around residences which appear to be most defensible. The presence of a roof which is visibly non-combustible (e.g., tile or composition) provides immediate evidence of defensibility to fire crews making rapid structure protection decisions. Thus, a resident who hopes that fire crews will protect their house would do well to have a stand-alone Class A roof.
Staff Proposal Keep existing code language – the majority of new roofs installed are not wood (self-solving problem)
Pursue grant opportunities or additional incentives to encourage non-wood roof replacements
Staff Comments California SFM office is currently revising CBC Chapter 7A requirements, not looking at prohibiting wood roof materials at this time but there's a committee looking into how wood roofs weather, etc.
Data Gathered - In the last 5 years we have issued 508 roofing permits.
Of those over 200 are reroofing permits for wood shake roofs.
Of those reroof permits only 20 decided to reroof in a Wood Shake Class A assembly.
90% of existing Class A roof replacements choose to reroof in other Class A assembly material other than wood.
Consider options for incentives versus penalties - grant opportunities Timeline for
Implementation
Ongoing (pursuing grant opportunities)
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
Staff time (grant applications)
Code Revision #3 (Revise Minimum Remodel Trigger for Roof Replacement) Firewise Proposal Change minimum remodel trigger for roof replacement, code upgrade Firewise Recommendation:
Revise the relevant code section to make the 25% trigger cover the entire Town.
Firewise Comments Current Code (Chapter 15.21.060) sets the upgrade trigger for a residential upgrade at 25% in the WUI. Rest of Town is 50%.
Should the trigger be set at 25% for the entire town?
See also sec. 7a of the state code.
Staff Proposal Keep existing code language – roofing permits occurring organically (more than 100 per year over the last 5 years)
Pursue grant opportunities or additional incentives to encourage roof replacements
Staff Comments Big undertaking in order to justify the cause for the ordinance Code Revision #3 (Revise Minimum Remodel Trigger for Roof Replacement) Property inspections for all properties would require additional resources Timeline for
Implementation
Ongoing (pursuing grant opportunities)
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
Staff time (grant applications)
Code Revision #4 (Require Fencing to be Wildlife Friendly) Firewise Proposal Require fencing to be wildlife friendly Firewise Recommendation:
I could find no reference to wildlife and fencing in the Town Code. However, it would seem that the relevant section is 12.12.050 - Other Requirements.
Los Gatos addressed this issue four years ago and thus might be a source for ordinance ideas. For their draft ordinance, see:
https://www.losgatosca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19736/Hillside-Fences Firewise Comments This has two aspects:
(1) Wildlife (deer) getting trapped between fence slats. This happened next door to us when a deer got caught in the fence, trying to get out. By the time I found it in the morning, it had been trapped for at least 8 hours. I had to use a comealong to open the fence slats and free the deer. However, it died several hours later from compartment syndrome. (I will spare you the pic I took) At minimum, we need to specify that slats must be narrow enough that deer/other wildlife aren't tempted to try to get through, or wide enough that they can pass freely. I recommend consulting with a wildlife specialist to determine the optimal spacing, but believe that 12-inch spacing might be appropriate.
(2) Fenced interference with wildlife corridor movement. We need to specify that all properties above a certain size (1 acre?) must have fencing designed to allow wildlife to pass around/over/through/under the fence in order to prevent blockage of historic wildlife access routes. This could be accomplished either by making fencing porous to wildlife or encouraging property owners to leave open corridors on their property margins. (I have done this on our property and am happy to show our setup if desired)
Staff Proposal Update code language to be wildlife friendly Staff Comments Requires staff to research the topic and bring forward a new ordinance addressing these concerns
Timeline for
Implementation
< 6 months
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
Staff time (drafting ordinance)
Code Revision #5 (Prohibit Light Pollution in Landscaping) Firewise Proposal Reduce light trespass and encourage Dark Sky friendly lighting Firewise Recommendation:
A minimal change would be to add the following language in Chapter 17.56 - Landscaping: " Outdoor lighting fixtures shall direct light downwards and shall be designed that no part of the light source* is visible from the street or adjacent properties.” (this is based in part on the current Los Gatos code). * Note term "light source - this means that one cannot directly see the actual light bulb/emitter, but of course one can still see the indirect glow on the ground Firewise Comments This falls outside fire-related code clean-up but is related to public safety. The current code specifies shielded/indirect 60watt max lighting in certain specific sections, but I can't find a code provision specifically addressing exterior residential lighting.
A key feature of living in Hillsborough is enjoyment of night-time darkness - which is why we don't have streetlights. However, perimeter landscaping lighting and over-bright security lighting on some residences impinges on neighbors and can be quite annoying.
Indirect lighting also provides superior security benefits compared to direct lighting. It sounds counterintuitive, but bright direct lighting (such as flood lights) actually creates a security problem by creating deep shadows that individuals can hide in and bright glare that interferes with the night vision of responders (e.g., homeowner, officers) attempting to investigate a possible intrusion. Indirect lighting eliminates both the deep shadows and light dazzle, and thus enhances investigative response.
We should consider a minimal revision to the Town code (see "recommendation" below, but the Town needs to consider a full lighting review as both the lighting technology and model dark sky codes have changed dramatically in the last few years. A good place to begin is by reviewing the model code published by the International Dark Sky Association's (www.darksky.org) model lighting ordinance:
https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/public-policy/mlo/ There is also an obvious public education dimension to this, in particular, to help residents understand that bright lighting not only annoys neighbors, but also makes their residences less secure. The International Dark Sky Association has extensive public education materials, much as the NFPA Firewise site has sharable educational materials.
Staff Proposal Update code language to be reduce light pollution Staff Comments Requires staff to research the topic and bring forward a new ordinance amendment addressing these concerns
Timeline for
Implementation
< 6 months
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
Staff time (drafting ordinance)
Code Revision #6 (Update Nuisance Ordinance Related to Weeds) Firewise Proposal §8.36.020 – Nuisance
This § presently reads:
The Town council declares that all weeds growing upon private property or streets in the town and all rubbish on private property or streets in the town are public nuisances.
Revise this § to read:
The Town council declares that all vegetation, dead or alive, or rubbish upon private property or streets in the town that are determined to cause unsafe conditions by the Fire Chief or Police Chief, or their designees, are public nuisances.
Firewise Recommendation:
Eliminate the first paragraph of §8.36.030. It is unnecessary given the above revision to §8.36.020.
§8.36.050 through .120, conform to incorporate the revisions described to §8.16 above, and incorporate in §8.36.100 Cost Hearing, that the Town recover the cost of its personnel at their fully burdened rate.
Firewise Comments §8.16.030 Nuisances – Affecting peace and safety §8.16.035 Nuisances – Property
§8.16.037 Violation – Public nuisance
The remedies provided by these §§ are complex, inconsistent and call for a process that is fraught with delay. This has enabled unsafe conditions to remain in place for extended periods of time. These code sections should consider incorporating provisions which avoid the complexities and delays calling for these matters being resolved by the Hearing Panel (see §8.16.050). Consider revising these code sections to allow for remedies determined by the Code Enforcement Officer of conditions where the estimated total costs involved are less than a specific amount (for example $5,000?). If the property owner fails to reimburse the Town for costs incurred within 30 days, fines equal to the Town’s costs will be assessed, (including the costs of the Town’s personnel at their fully burdened rate) to be recovered as described in §8.16.040.
Presently the Codes of the Town often differentiate between WUI and Non-WUI areas. This results in confusion and complexity within the Town’s personnel and its citizens. It also fails to provide the protections and safe practices to properties in non-WUI areas that are provided to WUI properties. The WUI and Non-WUI distinctions should be eliminated.
Staff Proposal Adopt some of the recommended changes to the ordinance:
• 8.36.020 – Revise language; OK with proposed language revision • 8.36.030 – Keep language; this section clarifies the removal of weeds/rubbish. If this section is deleted, the clarification must be made elsewhere
• 8.36.050-8.36-120 – Revise language to combine 8.16 and 8.36; a difference between 8.16 and 8.36 is that 8.36.070 allows the fire chief to cause the removal of the weeds where 8.16 uses the administrative Code Revision #6 (Update Nuisance Ordinance Related to Weeds) hearing panel enforcement process.
o CCFD uses 8.36 for the few non-WUI area vacant lots but with the update of chapter 15.21 for WUI and the detailed nuisances of 8.16 for the entire Town, chapter 8.36 is just another chapter saying the same things.
o So, I suggest comparing 8.16 and 8.36, combine the two chapters and then rescind chapter 8.36. Then, any noncompliant vacant lots can be taken to the administrative hearing panel. Any concern about delays in enforcement/compliance could be addressed within the inspection phase and
administrative hearing findings.
Staff Comments The 2018 community risk assessment that created the WUI map identified various elements that increased fire risk in many neighborhoods (WUI) which weren't found in other neighborhoods closer to ECR (non-WUI).
WUI requirements identify how to reduce the higher fire risk, requiring the same to neighborhoods not in a higher risk area will need other reasonings than the fire risk map in order to justify these requirements.
Timeline for
Implementation
< 6 months
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
Staff time (drafting ordinance)
Firewise Suggestion #1 (Create a Property Materials Database for All Residents) Firewise Proposal Create a Hillsborough wide data base for all residences, perhaps including all the schools, Town buildings and the Country Club. For the residences include the roof, exterior wall, decks, vents, rain gutters, etc.
Firewise Recommendation:
The data base be created by the Town of Hillsborough likely by the planning/building division. Initially the CCFD during its’ WUI inspections can forward this information. A onetime Town of Hillsborough orchestrated request for the same information from the non WUI residences. Thereafter on-going data collection would be required for any new work/ modifications etc.
Firewise Comments §8. At present there is no such data base. This data is most useful for numerous reasons including fire mitigation, insurance, grants creation etc.
Staff Proposal No action – evaluate cost and staffing requirements Staff Comments While the database would be helpful for the reporting required of Firewise to NFPA; there is significant staff time and technology demands to implement a program such as this. Recommend evaluating this in the future.
Timeline for
Implementation
1 year for evaluation of resources requirements
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
To be determined
Firewise Suggestion #2 (Creation of Advanced Fire Detection System) Firewise Proposal Support advanced fire detection: Support creation of a system tailored to fire detection in close-in WUI zones like those in Hillsborough.
Firewise Recommendation:
The Council adopt a resolution supporting the principle of such a system and directing the Town staff to explore ways the Town could help catalyze creation of this system, including collaboration with other jurisdictions in the county, local universities (Stanford and Berkeley have relevant programs), the appropriate county-level agencies, public/private partnerships (The Bay Area Council), and citizen volunteers. (And of course, include the appropriate budget guidance.
Firewise Comments § The Town and its residents have made dramatic progress on defensible space/fuel mitigation. Replacement of flammable wood roofs with fire-proof roofing is also advancing steadily, if perhaps not as quickly as one might wish.
These welcome advances now move the issue of detection and early suppression to the fore. Fires grow exponentially, so early response has an outsized impact on firefighting effectiveness. Simply put, the earlier an ignition is detected, the sooner CCFD can arrive on-scene, and the greater the liklihood the fire can be contained and extinguished before becoming a major conflagration.
We are seeing rapid deployment of mast-mounted cameras in more remote wildland settings (viz., AlertWildfire.com) as a vehicle for early detection. A direct transfer of the AlertWildfire system to an area like Hillsborough would be extremely difficult owing to our geography comparatively small open space areas and absence of suitable mast camera sites (which need existing power, connectivity and above all, a suitable field of view.)
However, the supporting technologies are following a classic digital price/performance curve. Advances in everything from cameras to connectivity and software (in particular, AI-based image recognition) make it possible to build low-cost video surveillance platforms suitable for our terrain and small and inexpensive enough to be placed on a utility pole or hosted in a resident’s back yard. Several startups are already working in adjacent spaces, so it is possible that one might productize the concept. Such a system could even be built on a Citizen Science model as it already being done with weather stations (NWS CWOP program), air monitoring (PurpleAir) and seismic detection (RaspberryShake).
The bottom line: The Town has the opportunity to help catalyze deployment of this new generation of fire surveillance tailored to close-in WUI areas such as Hillsborough.
Staff Proposal No action – evaluate options and cost impacts Staff Comments CCFD considered this possibility through using an AlertWildfire camera, however there are currently no areas of Hillsborough or adjacent areas that are high enough to place a camera to view over Hillsborough. Further evaluation of this Firewise Suggestion #2 (Creation of Advanced Fire Detection System) and other fire detection systems would be needed.
Timeline for
Implementation
1-3 years for evaluation of cost requirements
Resources
Required ($/Staff)
To be determined