CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: July 13, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. __-26,
DECLARING THE COSTS OF ABATEMENT TO BE A SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT LIEN ON THE PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO FORWARD THE ASSESSMENT TO THE
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR FOR
PLACEMENT OF THE ASSESSMENT ON THE TAX ROLLS FOR THE
PROPERTY AT 319 GLORIA DRIVE
SYNOPSIS
The City Council is holding a hearing on a report and assessment for a recent weed abatement action for the property at 319 Gloria Drive. After multiple attempts to gain compliance for overgrown weeds at the noted property, the City Council declared the conditions on the subject property to constitute a public nuisance, ordered the abatement of said conditions, and after the property owner failed to abate the conditions, the City completed the weed abatement. After notice, the weed abatement cost has not been paid by the property owner; thus, the City Council may declare the costs to be a special assessment lien against the property and authorize the City Manager to forward the assessment to the Contra Costa County Tax Assessor for inclusion on the tax rolls for recoupment of costs.
DISCUSSION
Background
In April 2025, the City received multiple complaints about overgrown weeds at 319 Gloria Drive that were determined to be unsightly and a potential fire hazard. In accordance with the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code (PHMC), the City issued two notices to abate the property conditions with unsuccessful results. As a result of continued noncompliance, in August 2025 the City Council held a hearing declaring the property condition to be a public nuisance and authorized the City to abate the hazardous conditions.
After notice of the Council’s declaration and an opportunity to abate the illegal conditions without compliance, on October 25, 2025, the City, using a private contractor abated the hazardous conditions. Once the work was completed, the City notified the property owner of the cost incurred and requested payment to cover the costs expended by the City to abate the public nuisance. When the property owner did not pay the costs, pursuant to Chapter 7.45 (Weed Abatement) of the PHMC, this hearing was scheduled for the Council to declare the costs of abatement to be a special assessment lien on the property and authorize the City Manager to forward to the Contra Costa County Assessor/Tax Collector for inclusion on the tax rolls for collection, the cost of abatement of hazardous weeds at 319 Gloria Drive.
Analysis
Property Information
The property is located on the south side of Gloria Drive, abutting 313 and 325 Gloria Drive and adjacent to the single-family residential lots at 312, 318, and 324 Belva Lane. The 7,300-sq-ft lot is developed with a 1,484-sq-ft single-family residence with a 360-sq-ft garage.
Weed Abatement
After the City Council passed a resolution declaring the conditions on the property to be a public nuisance and ordering the City to abate the nuisance. City staff reached out and received three proposals to complete the weed abatement. After review of the proposals, City staff selected 5 Star Tree and Landscape LLC as the contractor to complete the work. Prior to the abatement, the City provided notice to the property owner. Absent compliance by the property owner, on October 25, 2025, the conditions on the property were abated.
Weed Abatement Costs
The costs for this abatement included contractor billing to remove the weeds and City staff administrative time spent to abate the weeds on the property, which included time spent on getting a contractor to do the abatement and completing all necessary administrative activities to follow PHMC provisions.
In compliance with PHMC provisions, a letter was sent to the property owner requesting payment (Attachment B) in the amount of $3,573.64. After no response, the City has now noticed and placed this item on the City Council agenda to ask the Council to declare the costs to be a special assessment lien on the property and authorize the City Manager to forward this assessment to the Contra Costa County Tax Assessor/Collector for placement on the tax rolls for collection.
FISCAL IMPACT
The action proposes to place a special assessment lien on the property with the Contra Costa County Tax Assessor/Collector which will result in the repayment of staff and contractor time spent on weed abatement for the property, thus, this action will not have a negative fiscal impact to the City.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Move to adopt the resolution declaring the costs of abatement to be a special assessment lien on the property and authorizing the City Manager to forward the assessment to the Contra Costa County Tax Assessor/Collector for placement of the assessment on the tax rolls for the property at 319 Gloria Drive.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Do not adopt the resolution and provide further direction to Staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Proposed Resolution
Attachment A - Notice Provided to Property Owner of Weed Abatement Assessment Attachment B - August 4, 2025 City Council Staff Report Declaring Public Nuisance and Order of Abatement (No Attachments)
Attachment C - August 4, 2025 City Council Resolution No. 34-25 Prepared by: Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
Reviewed by: Janet Coleson, City Attorney
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager