CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: June 4, 2024
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Division Chief Dave Bray
Subject: Weed Abatement Public Hearing
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council conduct the public hearing regarding weed abatement and adopt the attached resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City’s weed abatement program exists to address safety issues pertaining to overgrown. Qwners of vacant parcels are notified of their responsibility to remove overgrown weeds in a timely manner. This program plays a crucial role in maintaining the City’s health and safety by mitigating the spread of potential fires and by enhancing the community’s aesthetic appeal.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
At the May 7, 2024 City Council Meeting, the Council adopted a Resolution declaring weeds a public nuisance and set a date for Public Hearing of June 4, 2024 in order to provide property owners a means of protesting the removal of weeds on their property.
If after hearing any and all objections from property owners identified for abatement, the City may conduct onsite assessment and remove any parcels it deems appropriate from the weed abatement program.
After those properties are removed, if any, then the attached Resolution may be acted upon. This Resolution empowers City Staff to enter upon identified properties and abate weeds/fire hazards and invoice the property owners for the cost of abatement plus administrative costs.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
With 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. The property owners have been notified.
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
Agenda Item Number 8
Agenda Item Number 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: June 4, 2024
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 5-29-2024
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 5-29-2024 The proposed action 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:5-29-2024 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No X N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 5-29-2024
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 5-29-2024
Agenda Item Number 8
Co
Agenda Item Number 8 City
uncil Meeting June 4, 2024
Agenda Item Number 8
Agenda Item Number 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: June 4, 2024
RESOLUTION # XXXX-2024
RESOLUTION DECLARING WEEDS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE #647
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Sebastopol did, by Resolution No. 6585-2024 adopted on May 7, 2024, declare that all weeds growing upon any private property or in any public street or alley, constitute a public nuisance; and WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 647 of the City of Sebastopol provides for an abatement procedure and hearing, and due notice has been given to certain owners of properties upon which, or in front of which, such weeds are growing; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2024, a public hearing was held by the City Council of the City of Sebastopol to consider all protests to the proposed removal of weeds and such protests have been given due consideration; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief has reported that certain owners of properties have not abated and removed weeds and other fire hazards from their property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sebastopol that all objections, if any, presented to said City Council at said public hearing are herewith overruled; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager, Fire Chief, employees or agents, are hereby expressly authorized to enter upon private property and abate such nuisances by having all weeds referred to, which have not heretofore been removed, removed from said properties as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, provided, however, that the property owner shall have the right to destroy or remove at his own expense such weeds prior to the arrival of the City Manager or his authorized representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RSOLVED, 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 4th day of June, 2024 by the following vote:
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED: ___________________________________
Mayor Diana Gardner Rich
Agenda Item Number 8
Agenda Item Number 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: June 4, 2024
ATTEST: __________________________________________________________ Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:____________________________________________ Larry McLaughlin, City Manager/Attorney
Agenda Item Number 8
Agenda Item Number 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: June 4, 2024
Exhibit "A"
Weed Abatement Listing
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
004-330-041-000 7983 Covert Lane
004-052-001-000 6828 Depot Street
004-470-066-000 1208 Enos Avenue
004-320-007-000 7102 Fircrest Ave
004-320-005-000 7154 Fircrest Avenue
004-490-046-000 215 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
004-213-006-000 7600 Leland Ave
004-171-008-000 7649 Leland Ave
004-124-012-000 887 Litchfield
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
004-502-001-000 8286 Valley View Dr
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 8
Agenda Item Number 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: June 4, 2024