CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: May 7, 2024
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Interim Fire Chief Todd Derum
Subject: Resolution Declaring Weeds a Public Nuisance
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council adoptsthe attached Resolution in order to proceed with the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
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 4, 2024 for those who object to the proposed removal of weeds from their lots.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
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 thisresolution. The hearing date will provide ussufficient 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.
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) historically have weeds thereon. This list is adjusted as parcels are developed or we are notified of repeat locations. 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 6 th 2024, the City will abate the fire hazards and bill the property owners for the cost of abatement plus administrative costs.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month, the ongoing threat of vegetation fires and pursuant to City Ordinance #647, staff recommend the continuation of the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date.
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.
OPTIONS:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Exhibit A
REVISED: RESOLUTION CORRECTED AND ATTACHED
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting May 7, 2024
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 5.1.2024
CEQA Determina�on (Planning): Approval Date: 5.1.2024
The proposed ac�on is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) If it is a project – Planning will need to include language Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: 5.1.2024 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 5.1.2024
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 5.1.2024
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting May 7, 2024
RESOLUTION NUMBER 6585-2024
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL 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 4th, 2024 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 7th day of May 2024.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City of Sebastopol City Council by the following vote:
VOTE:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
APPROVED:
Diana Gardner Rich, Mayor
ATTEST:
Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Larry McLaughlin, City Attorney
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting May 7, 2024
Parcel Number Street
004-350-024-000 7950 Bodega Avenue
004-370-017-000 7951 Bodega Avenue
004-350-076-000 8086 Bodega Avenue
004-281-021-000 7816 Brookside Avenue
004-052-001-000 6828 Depot Street
004-470-048-000 1208 Enos Avenue
004-124-001-000 7095 Fellers Lane
004-320-005-000 7154 Fircrest Avenue
004-172-017-000 763 First Street
004-340-020-000 1020 First Street
004-490-002-000 215 Golden Ridge Avenue
004-420-030-000 220 Golden Ridge Avenue
004-102-027-000 778 Gravenstein Hwy South
004-390-003-000 955 Gravenstein Hwy South
004-390-009-000 995 Gravenstein Hwy South
060-261-026-000 1011 Gravenstein Hwy North
060-261-028-000 1009 Gravenstein Nwy North
060-261-029-000 1003 Gravenstein Hwy North
004-660-031-000 Giusti Court
004-660-032-000 Giusti Court
004-660-033-000 Giusti Court
004-312-027-000 586 Harrison Street
004-390-011-000 7005 Hazel Cotter Court
004-470-042-000 1209 Jean Drive
004-470-043-000 1213 Jean Drive
004-340-025-000 950 McFarlane Avenue
004-291-043-000 385 Murphy Avenue
004-670-022-000 333 North Main St
004-272-052-000 Springdale Street
004-272-053-000 Springdale Street
004-272-054-000 Springdale Street
004-161-029-000 530 Swain Woods Terrace
004-083-025-000 6732 Walker Avenue
060-120-003-000 6733 Walker Avenue
004-272-057-000 7836 Washington Avenue
004-272-055-000 7850 Washington Avenue
004-272-060-000 7854 Washington Avenue
060-240-052-000 7870 Washington Avenue
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting May 7, 2024