CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: October 19, 2026October 19, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. __- 26 DECLARING A PUBLIC NUISANCE
DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF WEEDS AND ORDERING THE
ABATEMENT OF SAME ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 319
GLORIA DRIVE
SYNOPSIS
Pursuant to Pleasant Hill Municipal Code (PHMC) section 7.45.050, this is a public hearing for the City Council to consider declaring a public nuisance and ordering the abatement of extensive weed growth at 319 Gloria Drive. City Code Enforcement (CE) learned of the conditions onsite in June 2026 through an anonymous complaint. CE staff has issued two formal written notices, and a notice regarding this hearing to the property owner, who has taken no action to date to address conditions onsite. Staff is requesting the City Council adopt the resolution, declare a public nuisance, and order an abatement.
DISCUSSION
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.
Background
This has been a seasonal and recurrent issue with the property since at least April of 2023, where first and second notices, as well as administrative citations were issued. In July of 2023 the property owner attempted to pay one of the citations, however the check was returned by the bank.
The property remained in this condition until the rainy season. The issue was repeated in 2024, however, to better address issues such as this, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 973, Weed Abatement Chapter §7.45.
Subsequently after another rainy season, in 2025, the City received the same complaint about the property. In accordance with the new ordinance, the City issued two notices to abate or show cause in the same previous manner with similar unsuccessful results. As a result of continued noncompliance, on July 28, 2025, CE staff issued notice of this hearing to the property owner via regular and certified mail and posted the notice in a conspicuous place on the property.
On August 4, 2025 at a regular meeting of the City Council, the property owner failed to appear to appeal the notices and conditions at the property. The City Council declared the property a public nuisance and ordered staff to abate the property per PHMC §7.45.110. Thus, the property was abated on October 23, 2025, and the costs associated with the abatement were billed to the property owner who failed to pay them. The cost of the abatement was later recorded as a special assessment on County Tax rolls under City Council Resolution No. 52-26.
Subsequently after another rainy season, in June 2026, the City received the same complaint about the property. In accordance with City provisions (Chapter 7.45), the City issued two notices to abate or show cause, with unsuccessful results. As a result of continued noncompliance, on September 17, 2026, CE staff issued notice of this hearing to the property owner via regular and certified mail and posted the notice in a conspicuous place on the property.
On September 21, 2026, hearing notice was posted at the property; however, due to conditions at the property, including an overflowing mailbox, the City Code Investigator requested a welfare check of the property owner. Police officers found the front door unlocked, opened it and, without entering, made verbal contact with property owner advising her that they were there to check on her well-being. The property owner was hostile to the officers telling them to leave her alone and go away. In addition, the City Code Investigator attempted to speak to the homeowner through the door, but was refused and told to leave the premises. In attempting to explain the posting of the hearing notice to take the property before City Council, the property owner responded that the City should do what we need to do. Based on the continued noncompliance to address the hazardous and unsightly weed condition, CE staff requests City Council’s approval to abate and resolve the issue.
Violation Description
The property owner has allowed the proliferation of overgrown weeds onsite at 319 Gloria Drive since June 2026. The existing condition poses a health and safety risk and fire hazard in violation of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code.
Findings
After proper notification of the issue, the property owner failed to contact code enforcement to discuss the merits of the case or seek any form of redress from code enforcement actions. In an attempt to gain compliance, the City Code Investigator visited the property. While there the property owner did speak to the City Code Investigator through the door, yelling at him to leave and refusing to come to the door. The City Code Investigator attempted to explain the posting was for notice for a hearing before the City Council to which the property owner responded that the City should do what we need to do. This interaction should serve as prima facie evidence that the property owner was aware of the violation, but took no action to contact code enforcement, correct the conditions at the property, or seek redress from code enforcement actions.
Other Requirements
Pursuant to PHMC section 7.45.090, a property owner may object to the proposed declaration of public nuisance and removal of weeds, rubbish, refuse, and dirt from the property during the public hearing on the matter. In accordance with PHMC sections 7.45.070 and 7.45.080, CE staff sent notice of this hearing via regular and certified mail to the property owner at the last known address, as shown on the assessment roll of the city, and conspicuously posted notice onsite at 319 Gloria Drive.
If the property owner appears before the City Council to appeal the notice, as set forth in PHMC section 7.45.090, the City Council shall hear and consider all objections to the proposed removal of weeds, rubbish, refuse, and dirt. The City Council may adopt the resolution declaring a public nuisance exists and order an abatement.
Next Steps
If the City Council declares a public nuisance and authorizes staff to abate, staff will move forward with the abatement at 319 Gloria Drive, after which an invoice will be sent to the property owner for the cost of abatement. If the invoice is not paid within 30 days of notice, pursuant to PHMC section 7.45.140, CE staff will return to the City Council to request approval to place a lien against the property for the cost of abatement via county tax rolls.
Additionally, under the authority of PHMC §7.45.100 notice on future occurrences on the specified parcel, within the same calendar year, may be declared to be seasonal and recurrent nuisances. Such seasonal and recurrent nuisances shall be abated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and no further City Council hearing need be held.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. Any funds expended on abatement would be recovered via invoice payment or property lien recorded on the county tax rolls.
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
Adopt the Resolution to Declare a Public Nuisance and Order Abatement of Same
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Continue the item to a later date with direction provided to staff, or afford the property owner additional time to bring the property into compliance.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Proposed Resolution
Attachment A Pleasant Hill Ordinance No. 973, adding Chapter §7.45 – Weed Abatement Attachment B Notice of Hearing
Prepared by: Luis Martinez, City Code Investigator
Reviewed by: Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager