From:
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 1:31 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Adoption of FY 25-27 Two Year City Budget - Weed Abatement Appropriation Mayor Gennawey and Members of the City Council,
Tonight, you are scheduled to adopt the City’s First Two-Year Budget as well as the new State Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. With nearly all of the City-owned open space areas (i.e., Salt Creek Corridor, La Hermosa Park, and Crown Valley Community Park) placed in the Very High FHSV category, you have wisely elected to replace the Fourth of July Fireworks Show with a professional Drone Show.
We respectfully request that you consider also increasing the annual appropriation for the Public Works – Weed Abatement Program. The proposed $75,000 appropriation for FY 25-26 and FY 26-27 is the same as FY 24-25 and less than what was spent in FY 23-24.
Laguna Niguel residents and Homeowners Associations with properties within the Very High FHSV will be required to do more in the future to comply with the State’s Defensible Space Regulations.
We believe that the City should serve as the role model for others to emulate.
Please consider increasing the Public Works – Weed Abatement Program budget to at least $150,000 per year.
This would allow the City to effectively double its Weed Abatement efforts on City property that abuts major residential neighborhoods including Beacon Hill, Marina Hills, the Palisades, Ivy Glen, and Kite Hill.
Public Safety is the City’s No. 1 Strategic Plan Goal. In light of the Coastal Fire, please commit to doing more than what is minimally required for Weed Abatement, Fuel Modification and Vegetation Management in the City owned open-space areas adjacent to residential neighborhoods.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim and Rosalind Casey
Laguna Niguel
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