CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date: May 16, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Honorable City Councilmembers
From: Interim Fire Chief Jack Piccinini
Subject: Resolution Declaring Weeds a Public Nuisance
Recommandation : Staff recommends adoption of the attached Resolution in order to proceed with the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
Funding: Currently Budgeted: _______ Yes _________ No __X___ N/A Net General Fund Cost: None
Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) AK (verified by Administrative Services Department)
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
This item is to request City Council to approve the attached Resolution declaring weeds growing upon private properties within the City a fire hazard and a public nuisance and set a public hearing date on June 6, 2023 for those who object to the proposed removal of weeds from their lots.
BACKGROUND:
Every year a number of private properties are declared to be a fire hazard, therefore a public nuisance and in need of abatement. The resolution is passed and adopted, and a date set for a public hearing for those owners who object to this resolution. The hearing date will provide us sufficient time to legally notice all of the affected property owners of the public hearing. This is an annual program for weed abatement in the City. City Ordinance #647 provides for an abatement procedure and hearings.
DISCUSSION:
The attached Resolution signifies the beginning of the City’s Annual Weed Abatement Program. The Resolution declares weeds a public nuisance and sets a date for public hearing in order to provide property owners a means of protesting the removal of weeds on their property.
The parcels of land listed on Exhibit “A” (attached) have been inspected and, at that time of inspection, were found to have weeds thereon. These weeds have the potential to become a fire hazard in the very near future as summer weather patterns cause the weeds to become dry and combustible.
If the weeds on these parcels are not removed by June 15th, 2023, the City will abate the fire hazards and bill the property owners for the cost of abatement plus administrative costs.
City Council / General Plan Goals:
This item reflects the City Council Goals and Values as listed below:
The City of Sebastopol is committed to maintaining a high quality of life for current and future members of our community, through excellent public service and careful stewardship of its financial, human, and natural resources.
Agenda Item Number 7 Agenda Item Number 7
City Council Meeting May 16, 2023
Goal 6: Maintain a highly qualified Staff that works to provide services to serve and protect the residents of this community.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, a consent calendar item may be requested to be removed from the consent calendar if a member of the Council or public requests to provide public comment on this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact with this item tonight; however, if the property owner fails to abate their lots, a contractor hired by the Fire Department will abate the lots and the property owner will be billed for the cost of abatement plus administrative costs.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the attached Resolution in order to proceed with the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
Attachment(s):
Resolution
Exhibit “A”
Agenda Item Number 7 Agenda Item Number 7
City Council Meeting May 16, 2023
Exhibit "A"
Weed Abatement Listing
Parcel Number Street Owner Address City State Zip
7716 Bodega Avenue
7760 Bodega Avenue
7950 Bodega Avenue
7951 Bodega Avenue
8086 Bodega Avenue
7816 Brookside Avenue
6828 Depot Street
1208 Enos Avenue
7095 Fellers Lane
7154 Fircrest Avenue
763 First Street
1020 First Street
215 Golden Ridge Avenue
220 Golden Ridge Avenue
778 Gravenstein Hwy South
955 Gravenstein Hwy South
995 Gravenstein Hwy South
1011 Gravenstein Hwy North
1009 Gravenstein Nwy North
1003 Gravenstein Hwy North
Giusti Court
Giusti Court
Giusti Court
586 Harrison Street
7005 Hazel Cotter Court
1209 Jean Drive
1213 Jean Drive
950 McFarlane Avenue
385 Murphy Avenue
333 North Main St
Springdale Street
Springdale Street
Springdale Street
530 Swain Woods Terrace
6732 Walker Avenue
6733 Walker Avenue
7836 Washington Avenue
7850 Washington Avenue
7854 Washington Avenue
7870 Washington Avenue
Agenda Item Number 7 Agedna Item Number 7
City Council Meeting May 16, 2023
RESOLUTION # ________________
RESOLUTION DECLARING WEEDS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE #647
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief has reported that certain owners of properties have not abated and removed weeds and other fire hazards from their property, and WHEREAS, Ordinance #647 provides for an abatement procedure and hearing, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the weeds on properties listed on the attached Exhibit “A” are hereby declared to be a Public Nuisance, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a hearing is hereby set for 6:00 p.m., June 6th, 2023 to hear any objections to the proposed destruction and removal of said Weeds and Fire Hazards; and that the expense thereof shall be assessed upon the lot or lands from which such weeds shall have been destroyed or removed.
The above and foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved and adopted at a meeting by the City Council on the 16th day of May, 2023, by the following vote:
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by City of Sebastopol City Council following a roll call vote:
VOTE:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
APPROVED:
Mayor Neysa Hinton
ATTEST:
Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Larry McLaughlin, City Attorney
Agenda Item Number 7 Agenda Item Number 7
City Council Meeting May 16, 2023