702-20-2024 Item #6
City Council Hearing
Item
Public Hearing: Adoption of a
Resolution Ordering the
Abatement of a Nuisance on
228 Identified Parcels
CITY Consisting of Growing Weeds
in Accordance with City
1852 Code Chapter 8.15 and in
THE MISSION CIN Association with the County
Weed Abatement Program,
for 2023-2024
February 20, 2024
1 City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Contract Agency
• The City has contracted with the Santa Clara County for Weed Abatement Services since 1976
• County of Santa Clara, Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency is currently in charge of the Weed Abatement program
• City benefits greatly from Economies of Scale
- Campbell, Milpitas, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Undeveloped parcel in San Jose, and Unincorporated County areas.
• Partnership minimizing impacts to the City's General Fund 2 2
POST MEETING MATERIAL
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Background
At a minimum Council action is required on three occasions each year:
1. Resolution Declaring Weeds to Be a Public Nuisance and Setting a Hearing Date for the City Council to Hear Public Input Regarding the Proposed Destruction or Removal
2. Resolution Ordering the Abatement of a Nuisance Consisting of Weeds in the City of Santa Clara
3. Resolution Confirming the Weed Abatement Report and Ordering Cost of Abatement to be a Special Assessment on the Respective Properties Described Therein
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Background
• Before Council this evening is Step 2:
- Public Hearing: Resolution Ordering the Abatement of a Nuisance Consisting of Weeds in the City of Santa Clara
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
2023 Program Data
• 123 parcels or lots of land at a cost to Property Owners of $105,043.94 - 62 parcels/lots received Inspection Only fee totaling $5704.00 - 42 parcels/lots failed a subsequent inspection and received additional penalties totaling $25,662.00)
- 19 parcels/lots were abated totaling 73,677.94
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Complaint Based, Cost Recovery Program
• Moe Kumre, County Weed Abatement Manager
• Complaints can be reporting at County's online platform or by email:
- https://weedabatement.santaclaracounty.gov/report-overgrown- vegetation-fire-hazard
- [email protected]
• Complaints regarding the program to the City are infrequent - County staff do an outstanding job of addressing community concerns 6 City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Fees
• Appear as a Special Assessment on the next Property Tax statement.
WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM FEE 2023)
FEE FEE DESCRIPTION
$92.00 Inspection Fee (minimum of 3-years)
$519.00 First Administrative Fee (i.e., failed
inspection/work order processing)
$891.00 Second Administrative Fee (i.e., contractor invoice processing)
Actual Abatement Costs 100-percent of the County Contractors costs are assessed to property owner, in addition to County
fees.
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
2024 Commence Report
• 228 parcels or lots of land
• Once added to the Commence Report for non-compliance properties are in the program from a minimum of 3-years
• There are no warnings (County program is entirely funded by fees) • If the County weed abatement program where to experiences a financial short-fall the City would be responsible for its pro-rata share per the contract between the City and County
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Inspections
• Parcels are added to the Weed Abatement Program in a number of ways:
- County Inspector sees the hazard (most common)
- Complaint received online or by email
- Referrals from City Departments/Divisions
• County Inspectors verify all complaints
- Photographs are taken, and the location of the parcel is recorded with Global Positioning System (GPS).
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Fire Safety Through Vegetation Management
More FaR:
MINIMUM FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS (MESS)
Fire Safety
Through
Vegetation
Management
Santa Clara Coraty
Weed Abalamart Program
583 kge ties
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS)
1. Hazardous vegetation must not exceed 6 inches in height any time after the compliance deadline (March 1st, for the City of Sant Clara)
2. Maintain grasses and weeds below 6 inches for 10 feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways, including driveways and access routes. Roads and driveways must maintain a clearance of 10' width by 13'6" high for all vegetation.
3. Clear flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around any structure, occupied or not. Ornamental vegetation should be kept clear of dead material.
Some conditions, such as slopes, may require up to a 100 foot clearance.
4. Parcels one acre or less shall be completely abated. Parcels over one acre up to five acres require 30 foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines. Additional 30 foot cross fuel breaks may also be required. 11 City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS)
5. Parcels larger than five acres require 30 foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines in addition to 30-foot cross fuel breaks as needed to separate the remaining vegetation into sections no larger than five acres.
6. Keep property clear of accumulation of combustible debris, such as trash, wood, and dead vegetation. Stacked firewood and neatly piled yard waste is not considered to be combustible debris.
7. Keep vegetation cleared from under the eaves of houses.
8. Trim tree branches to at least 10 feet away from chimneys. Trim tree branches up from the ground to provide at least 6 feet of vertical clearance.
9. Clear leaves, pine needles and debris from roof and gutters. 12 12
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Appeals
• SCC §8.15.050 Hearing on proposed destruction or removal - At the time stated in the notice, as set out in SCCC 8.15.040, the City Council shall hear and consider all objections to the proposed destruction or removal of such weeds and may hold such hearings whenever needed. The City Council by motion or resolution shall allow or overrule any objections, after which the City Council shall thereupon be deemed to have acquired jurisdiction to proceed and perform the work of destruction or removal of such weeds.
• If Council removes any properties from the 2024 County Commencement Report additional Council action would be required 13 13
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Mobility or Accessibility Challenges in the Community
• Fire Department makes referrals to the Santa Clara Firefighters Foundation
• The Foundation are always ready to lend a helping hand to individuals needing assistance in our community
SCFF Foundation
Our mission is to promote
the welfare of the
community by providing
service & support to
youth, seniors, disabled,
and disaster victims
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City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
Weed Abatement Program
Conclusion
• 228 Parcels or Lots of Land on the 2024 Commencement Report • Staffs recommendation is adoption of the Resolution Ordering the Abatement of a Nuisance Consisting of Weeds in the City of Santa Clara • County and Fire Department staff are available for questions 15 15