Agenda Item Number 4
CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: May 20, 2025
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Dave Bray, Division Chief, Gold Ridge Fire District Subject: Resolution Declaring Weeds a Public Nuisance
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the attached Resolution Setting the Public Hearing in order to proceed with the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
=========================================================================================== EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This item is to request the 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 17, 2025 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. Sebastopol Municipal Code Chapter 8.56 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 a public hearing to provide property owners with 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 July 30th, 2025, 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 National Wildfire Awareness Month, the ongoing threat of vegetation fires, and pursuant to City Sebastopol Municipal Code Chapter 8.56, staff recommends continuing the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, staff has not received any public comments. If staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting.
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 the scheduled meeting date. The City has also used social media to promote and advertise the City Council Meeting Agenda Items.
Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting May 20, 2025
Agenda Item Number 4
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.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopts the attached Resolution Setting the Public Hearing in order to proceed with the City’s Weed Abatement Program.
OPTIONS:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Exhibit A
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Bray Approval Date: 5/5/2025
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 5/5/2025
The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: 5/1/2025 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 5-5-2025
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 5-5-2025
Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting May 20, 2025
Agenda Item Number 4
ATTACHMENT 1: Resolution
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 17th, 2025 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 20th day of May 2025 by the following vote:
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED: __________________________
Mayor Stephen Zollman
ATTEST: __________________________________________________________ Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:____________________________________________ Alex Mog, City Attorney
Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting May 20, 2025
Agenda Item Number 4
ATTACHMENT 2: Exhibit A
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
004-470-066-000 1208 Enos Avenue
004-320-005-000 7154 Fircrest Avenue
004-340-020-000 1020 First Street
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 Hwy 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
004-272-052-000 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 4
City Council Meeting May 20, 2025