DATE: JANUARY 11, 2022
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: MEGAN HUNTER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: ALEXIS MEJIA, ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE
THROUGH: LORENZO SANCHEZ, CODE ENFORCEMENT MANAGER
TITLE: 2021 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve the attached resolution approving the 2021 Weed Abatement charges and collect the unpaid charges from the property owners.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council approve the proposed resolution approving charges for the abatement of weeds on four properties within the City of Salinas, as listed in Exhibit A, and direct the Finance Director to collect the charges from the property owners.
BACKGROUND:
Section 14-28 of the City Code requires a public hearing to review the Weed Abatement Program and the work performed. The Weed Abatement program provides a vital community service that eliminates dangerous conditions, enhances public safety, and eliminates visual blight in neighborhoods at a very reasonable cost to the City, as well as to property owners. The hearing allows Council to consider all protests and objections from property owners whose properties were cleared of weeds by the City.
DISCUSSION
At the commencement of the weed abatement season, 170 previously identified properties to be in violation were sent a warning notice advising to clear potential fire hazards from the property. Of those 170, 86 properties were ordered to clear fire hazards that were present at the time of inspection. All but four property owners complied with the City's requests. The City abated weeds on the four (4) parcels listed in the attached Exhibit A, and abatement costs in the amount of $3,600.00 have been paid from the General Fund. The property owners have not paid and have been notified of their total charges, which include a 25% administrative fee as outlined in Exhibit A and summarized in the table below. Property owners were also notified 10 days in advance of this public hearing.
Charges
Paid
Outstanding
Abatement Amount
$ 3,600.00
$ -
$ 3,600.00
25% Admin. Fee
$ 900.00
$ -
$ 900.00
Citations Issued
$ 300.00
$ -
$ 300.00
Total
$ 4,800.00
$ -
$ 4,800.00
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Implementation of this program and assessment of the charges is a collaborative effort among the Community Development Department (Code Enforcement Division), Fire Department, Finance Department, and City Attorney’s Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The Weed Abatement Program promotes the City Council’s initiative of promoting “Operational Efficiencies” and “Public Safety” by conducting pro-active outreach to reduce community blight, and by elimination of hazardous fire conditions.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Upon approval of this report, the Finance Director will provide notice to the tax collector that the special assessment of the unpaid balance should be imposed against each of the properties with outstanding fines at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary municipal taxes. Adoption of the Resolution directs the Finance Director to assess the subject properties in July of each fiscal year, and reimbursement will close these cases in their entirety.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Exhibit A – Weed Abatement Charges for 2021
Public Hearing Notice to Property Owners
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