CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: June 17, 2025
=========================================================================================== 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. Owners 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 20, 2025 City Council Meeting, the Council adopted a Resolution declaring weeds a public nuisance and set a date for Public Hearing of June 17, 2025 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 Sebastopol Municipal Code Chapter 8.56, 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: 11 Agenda Item Number: 11
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 17, 2025
APPROVALS:
Department Head Responsible for Agenda Item: Dave Bray Approval Date: 6-10-2025 CEQA Determination (Community Development/Planning): Emi Theriault Approval Date: 6-10-2025 The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it is exempt under the General Rule pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Administrative Services (Financial): Ana Kwong Approval Date: June 6, 2025 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A
City Attorney Approval Alex Mog Approval Date: 6-10-2025 City Manager Approval: Mary Gourley Approval Date: 6-10-2205 Agenda Item Number: 11 Agenda Item Number: 11
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 17, 2025
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, Sebastopol Municipal Code Chapter 8.56provides for an abatement procedure and hearing,
WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing on June 17, 2025, at which time they heard comments and protests from all interested property owners.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the weeds on properties listed on the attached Exhibit “A” are hereby declared to be a Public Nuisance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if a property owner fails to abate or destroy such nuisance weeds, the Fire Chief is hereby ordered to abate or cause to be abated such nuisance weeds pursuant to Sebastopol Municipal Code Chapter 8.56, 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 17th day of June, 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: 11 Agenda Item Number: 11
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 17, 2025
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: 11 Agenda Item Number: 11
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 17, 2025