3 4
6 5
CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: July 15, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Department: City Manager's Office
Subject: Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with the County of San Bernardino for Fire Hazard Abatement Services,
consenting to the reassignment of the program’s
administration from the Land Use Services Department to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and
extending the agreement through June 30, 2031. (All
Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, approve Amendment No. 1 with the County of San Bernardino and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) for Fire Hazard Abatement services consenting to the novation and assignment of the agreement to SBCFPD and extending the term of the agreement through June 30, 2031.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
The City currently contracts with the County of San Bernardino for Fire Hazard / Weed Abatement (FHA) services, which have previously been administered by the County's Land Use Services (LUS) Department. Effective July 1, 2026, the responsibility for administration and delivery of the FHA program transitioned from the LUS Department to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD). Amendment No. 1 to the City’s agreement for FHA services recognizes this change by assigning all of the County's contractual rights and responsibilities to SBCFPD. The amendment also extends the agreement through June 30, 2031, while maintaining the original annual contract amount of $12,209.
3 4
6 5
Background
On July 5, 2018, the Mayor and City Council approved an agreement with the County of San Bernardino to provide Fire Hazard Abatement Services. Under the agreement, the County’s Land Use Services Department assumed responsibility for administering the City’s semi-annual fire hazard abatement program at a cost of $1.90 per vacant parcel, for a total annual contract amount of $12,209. The services performed under the agreement included:
Conducting two property surveys per year to locate and identify fire hazards on vacant parcels in the City.
Responding to calls for service consisting of complaints received from the public concerning vacant properties with fire hazards.
Issuing abatement notices to property owners whose parcels were found to be in violation.
Re-inspecting properties to determine compliance.
Issuing Administrative Citations to property owners who failed to correct violations after receiving notice.
Performing abatement on properties that remained in violation after the compliance period expired.
Recovering abatement costs by placing liens and special assessments on the secured property tax roll for parcels where citations and invoices remained unpaid.
Prior to contracting with the County, the City administered its own weed abatement program at a total annual program cost of $194,070. Program expenses included $121,320 in personnel costs for one (1) full-time Weed Abatement Coordinator and two (2) part-time employees, and $48,256 in mailing and noticing expenses. In enforcing the program, the City only recovered $72,750 through fines and other penalties, resulting in a net program cost of $121,320, or $37.91 per parcel. Because the County was able to provide the same service at a significantly lower cost, the Mayor and City Council approved Contract No. 18-555 with the County's Land Use Services Department to administer the Fire Hazard Abatement program.
Discussion
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) recently assumed responsibility for administering the County’s Fire Hazard Abatement Program from the County’s Land Use Services Department. To recognize this change in program administration, a contract amendment is required that replaces all the County’s rights, title, interest, duties, liabilities, and obligations under the Agreement and assigns them to SBCFPD. Amendment No. 1 also extends the agreement’s term through June 30, 2031, and maintains the original annual contract amount of $12,209. All other terms and conditions of the original agreement will remain in full force and effect. 3 4
6 5
Strategic Targets and Goals
Approving Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with the County of San Bernardino and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District for Fire Hazard Abatement Services aligns with Key Target No. 3: Improved Quality of Life.
Fiscal Impact
The annual fiscal impact to the General Fund is $12,209. There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget to accommodate the agreement.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, approve Amendment No. 1 with the County of San Bernardino and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) for Fire Hazard Abatement services consenting to the novation and assignment of the agreement to SBCFPD and extending the term of the agreement through June 30, 2031 Attachments
Attachment 1 – Amendment No. 1 to the Fire Hazard Abatement Agreement Attachment 2 – Original Fire Hazard Abatement Agreement with the County of San Bernardino
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
July 5, 2018 Mayor and City Council approved an agreement with the County of San Bernardino to provide Fire Hazard Abatement Services.
CC
Eric Levitt, City Manager