13 Staff Report - Public Hearing-Hazardous Vegetation Abatement (Weeds)(
\
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
December 5,2003
MAYORANDTOWNCOUNC~
DEBRA J.FIGONE,TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE:1/5/04
ITEM NO.13
SUBJECT:PUBLIC HEARING-HAZARDOUS VEGETATION ABATEMENT (WEEDS)
ADOPT RESOLUTION ORDERING ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS
VEGETATION (WEEDS)
RECOMMENDATION:
·1.Open and hold the public hearing.
2.Close the public hearing.
3.Adopt resolution ordering abatement of hazardous vegetation (weeds).
BACKGROUND:
The Council annually adopts a Hazardous Vegetation (Weed)Abatement Resolution in coordination
with the County Fire Marshal's Office.This program is regulated by the health and safety code and
has been in place for twenty-five years.The purpose of this program is locating annual herbaceous
vegetation,noxious weeds,and combustible debris for removal.The County Fire Marshal's Office
conducts annual site reviews prior to the fire season and maintains a listing of properties where
.removal has been identified.The property owners on this list receive a notice from the County Fire
Marshal's Office to remove the vegetation by a specified date.On December 1,2003,the Town
Council passed a resolution declaring hazardous vegetation (weeds)a public nuisance and set
January 5,2004 as the date for public hearing.The required posting and publishing has been done.
Property owners were notified on December 4,2003.
In addition to the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Program,the County Fire Department created
a Brush Abatement Program in 1995,after the Oakland Hills fire.In this program,properties are
inspected in April and property owners receive abatement notices from this program also.This is
a separate program from the County Fire Marshal's Office.The focus of this program is the
identification of perennial vegetation,brush,trees,and shrubs in designated high fire hazard areas.
Earlier this year,properties in Town were inspected,and where hazardous vegetation (brush)was
observed,notices were sent to property owners to remove the brush in accordance with fire safety
standards.~"..(.•.'-.c.UNv~.
PREPARED BY:HNE.CURTIS
irector of Parks andPublic Works
Reviewed by:~Assistant Town Manager ]i£Attomey __Clerk'--__.Finance
__Community Development Revised:12/5/03 3:28 pm
Reformatted:5/30/02 N:\B&E\COUNCILREPORTS\WEED1404.public.hearing.wpd
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
\,SUBJECT:PUBLIC HEARING -HAZARDOUS VEGETATION ABATEMENT (WEEDS)
DECEMBER 5,2003
DISCUSSION:
These properties are then incorporated into the Hazardous Vegetation Management Program list with
the County Fire Marshal's Office.On May 5,2003,Council passed a resolution declaring hazardous
vegetation (brush)a nuisance.A public hearing was held on August 4,2003,and staff reported that
all of the identified properties achieved voluntary compliance.
There are two programs operated by the County to identify hazardous vegetation locations and to
notify property owners that the vegetation is a fire hazard and must be removed.The two County
departments are effectively working together to coordinate these programs.The time table for the
Brush Abatement Program is consistent with the generally accepted procedures throughout Santa
Clara County as recommended by the County Fire Marshal.
CONCLUSION:
The Town annually declares hazardous vegetation (weeds)a nuisance due to fire danger and enters
into a contract (along with other municipalities)with the County to abate the hazardous vegetation
(weeds)not removed by property owners.
FISCAL IMP ACT:
None
Attachments:
1.Resolution overruling objections and ordering abatement (with Exhibit A -Notice of Public
Hearing)
2.Letter to Property Owners (with attachments)prepared by the Office ofthe County Fire Marshal
Distribution:
Debbie Craver,Program Coordinator,Hazardous Vegetation Management Program,Santa Clara
County Fire Marshal's Office,70 W.Hedding Street,7th Floor,San Jose,CA 95110
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
OVERRULING OBJECTIONS AND
ORDERING ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (WEEDS)
AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE
WHEREAS,on December 1,2003,the Town Councilofthe Town of Los Gatos adopted
.Resolution 2003-134 entitled,"A RESOLUTION DECLARING HAZARDOUS VEGETATION
(WEEDS)A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR ABATEMENT,"directing the
giving ofnotice that hazardous vegetation (weeds)will be abated by the Town and the cost thereof
made a lien upon the private properties from which they are removed ifthe owners thereof fail to do
so,and establishing the January 5,2004 meeting,as the time for a public hearing by the Town.
Council,during which all property owners having any objections to the proposed destruction or
removal of such hazardous vegetation (weeds)might be heard and given due consideration;and
WHEREAS,that the Director of Parks and Public Works of the Town of Los Gatos gave
notice of the passage of said Resolution No.2003-134 by causing'copies of the NOTICE TO
DESTROY WEEDS (Exhibit A)in the same form as annexed to said Resolution No.2003-134 to
be published in the Los Gatos Weekly Times,a newspaper of general circulation published in the
Town of Los Gatos on December 17,2003 and December 24,2003 respectively,and causing said
notice to be posted on December 12,2003,in three (3)prominent places in the Town ofLos Gatos;
and
WHEREAS,pursuant to said resolution and notice,the Town Council conducted a public
hearing this date with respect thereto,at which time all property owners having any objections to the'
proposed destruction or removal of such hazardous vegetation (weeds)were heard.
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the
Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos,County of Santa Clara,State of California,that all
objections,if any,to the proposed destruction or removal of such hazardous vegetation (weeds)are
hereby overruled,and the Director of Parks and Public Works,or his representative,is hereby
,-
ordered to abate such nuisance,or cause the same to be abated,by having the hazardous vegetation
(weeds)referred to destroyed or removed by cutting,dicing,chemical spraying,or any other method
which may hereafterbe determined by the Town CounciL
Attachment 1
FINALLY RESOLVED,that the Director of Parks and Public Works of the Town of Los
Gatos,qr his authorized agent or representative,and the Town Clerk,are directed to proceed with
the matters set forth in Section 11.20.010 through Section 11.20.045 of the Los Gatos Town Code.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the day
of by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS,CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS,CALlFORNIA
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARlNG
TO DESTROY WEEDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 1,2003,pursuant to the
provisions of Section 11.20.020 of the Town Code of the Town of
Los Gatos,the Town Council of said Town adopted a Resolution
(2003-134)declaring that all weeds growing upon any private
property·or in any street,sidewalk or alley,as defined in Section
11.20.010 of such Code,constitute a public nuisance,which nuisance
must be abated by the destruction or removal thereof.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that property owners shall,within thirty
(30)days after the adoption of such resolution,or within the time
specified in a written agreement with the Director of Parks and Public
Works of the Town of Los Gatos,or the Director of Parks and Public
Works'representative,whichever time shall be later,remove all such
weeds from theIr property,the abutting sidewalks,and the abutting
half ofthe street in front,and alleys,if any,behind such property,and
between the lot lines thereof as extended,or such weeds will be
destroyed or removed and such nuisance abated by the Town of Los
Gatos,in which case the cost of such destruction or removal will be
assessed upon the lots and lands from which,or from the front or rear
ofwhich,such weeds shall have been destroyed or removed,and such
cost will constitute a lien upon such lots or lands until paid;and will
be collected upon the next tax roll upon which general municipal
taxes are collected.All property owners having any objections to the
proposed destruction or removal of such weeds are hereby notified to
attend a meeting of the Town Council of such Town to be held in the
Council Chambers of said Town,at 110 East Main Street,MONDAY,
JANUARY 5,2004,AT 7:00 P.M.or as soon thereafter as the matter can
be heard,when and where their objections will be heard and given
due consideration.
A COMPLETE RECORD OF THE ABOVE IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE
OF THE TOWN CLERK
/s/Marian V.Cosgrove
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PUB:December 17,2003 and December 24,2003
EXhibit A
County of Santa Clara
Department of Agriculture and Resource Management
Office of the Fire Marshal
County Government Center,East Wing
70 West Hedding St,7th Floor
San Jose,California 95110-1705
(408)299-5760 FAX:(408)279-8537
December 15 1,2003
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ABATE WEEDS
Dear Property Owner,
Your juriSdiction,as stated in the attached notice,has contracted with the County of Santa Clara to
operate a Hazardous Vegetation (Weed)Management Program to protect your property and
the area surrounding IT from possible fire.The County is providing this information and notice
packet to you as part of the Program.We encourage you to read the information carefully,and·
do not hesitate to call us for clarification or other information.'
Your jurisdiction has adopted or will adopt a resolution declaring your property as one that may
contain potential fire hazards from weeds or other debris.In addition,your jurisdiction will be
conducting a public hearing to further consider an abatement order to require you to remove any
hazardous vegetation or combustible debris.The public hearing will be held on the date and at
the place stated in the attached notice to destroy weeds.The public hearing provides an
opportunity for you to raise any objections to the requirement that you remove fire-hazardous
vegetation/debris from your property prior to the deadline provided in the attached abatement
schedule.
If the Hazardous Vegetation Management Program is approved for your property during the
public hearing,the County will be authorized by its contract with the cities,and by state law,to
perform an inspection of your property to determine whether or not the property has been
cleared of hazards according to Minimum Fire Safety Standards (see enclosed brochure).
Inspections will begin after the abatement deadline for your jurisdiction.This notice does not
relieve you of your responsibility to complete the necessary work prior to the deadline for your
jurisdiction.After the inspection,the County will order any and all necessary abatement work,and
have that work completed by a County contractor.The County will choose the least costly
method of abatement considering the physical characteristics of your property and environmental
concems.Added to the cost of abatement is a County administrative fee.These fees are
detailed in the attached price list.The total amount will be included as a special assessment on
your property tax bill following confirmation of the charges by your jurisdiction.Notice of the date
of that meeting will be posted at a location prescribed by your jUrisdiction (typically at the Civic
Center)at least three days prior to the meeting.
You can avoid all costs by completing the abatement work yourself according to
Minimum Fire Safety Standards (see enclosed brochure)prior to the abatement
deadline for your jurisdiction and maintaining the Minimum Fire Safety Standards for
the duration of fire season,which typically runs through October.
In preparation for this program,please take the time to complete and retum the enclosed Reply
Form so that wa understand your intentions regarding maintenance of your property.This form is
used to provide us information such as changes to property ownership,and information on
access and entry to locked/fenced properties.
If we do not receive this information,you will have consented to the entry of authorized personnel
on your property for inspection purposes and for any necessary abatement;and,.in the case of
Board of Supervisors:Donald F.Gage,Blanca Alvarado,Pete McHugh,James T.Beall,Jr.,Liz Kniss
County Executive Peter Kutras Jr.
Attachment 2
locked properties,you are consenting to county contractors accessing your property using
whatever reasonable means are necessary.
If you designate in your reply that you intend to abate the weeds yourself,you are
expected to complete the abatement before the deadline listed on the abatement
schedule and maintain fire safe conditions for the duration of fire season.Responding
that you intend to provide maintenance yourself does not release you from this
responsibility to have th.e maintenance completed before your deadline and repeatsd
as necessary to maintain Minimum Fire Safe Standards.County contractors Will
proceed to abate hazardous vegetation as necessary after the deadline for your
jurisdiction.
Enclosed you will find the following information:
./A Reply Form specific to your property.Please complete and return promptly.
./A Notice To De~troy Weeds informing you of an upcoming public meeting that
you must attend if you have any objections to the proposed removal of
hazardous vegetation or debris from your property•
./A Hazardous Vegetation Management Program Schedule for your city and a
current County price list..
./A Brochure about the Hazardous Vegetation Management Program.
Please be aware that any abatement performed by the County contractor must be in compliance
with all applicable environmental protection regulations.If your property falls within an area
designated as possible habitat for burrowing owls or any other protected species of··bird or
animal,the methods of vegetation clearing may be regulated by specific laws or local ordinances.
If you are no longer the owner of the property identified by this mailing,please notify the County
immediately..If you sell your property after the date of this letter,failure to properly.notify the
new owner may make you liable for all hazard abatement charges assessed to the property:
Our goal is voluntary compliance with the Minimum ·Fire Safety Standards,and it is our objective
to ensure that all properties are safe from fire .at .all times during the year.If you have any
questions about your property or need on-site advice to help you achieve compliance with the
Minimum Fire Standards,please call the Santa Clara County Hazardous Vegetation
Management Program at (408)299-5765.
Sincerely,
Debbie Craver,Program Coordinator
Hazardous Vegetation Management
Attachments
UNION PACIFIC CORP2004ReturnReplyForm
('\
I ,
I..ORTANT:Please complete this form and mail back to the Fire Marshal's
Office no later than JANUARY 15,2004.Thank you.
TRA:3003
UNION PACIFIC CORP
10031 FOOTHILLS BL
ROSEVILLE CA 95747-0000
Please check the box that
applies for each parcel
(see explanations below):
00
Parcel Number
409-04-052
Site Address
lG
A
o
B c
A)I am no longer the owner of this property,and the new owner information is listed below.Please return Reply Form immediately.
;end to maintain this parcel in a manner consistent with the Minimum Fire Safety Standards from April 1,2004 through the
B )end of the fire season.All parcels on the abatement list remain subject to inspection to ascertain compliance.Non-eompliance
will result in the abatement of weeds by the County contractor and the resulting charges added to the property tax.
C)I request that the County Contractor perform weed abatement work on this parcel.Charges for this work will be added to my
-property tax.Work may commence on or about March 1st.
Please provide any additional information such as new owners,presence of piping,irrigation,crops
or other improvements in the spaces provided below.If your property is fenced/locked,please
provide instructions on how to enter the property.Thank you.
Signature Name (please print)Date Day time phone
Fold Here First
Return Address
Fold Here Second
Use Tape to Secure
HAZARDOUS VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE MARSHALS OFFICE
EAST WING 7TH FLOOR
70 WEST HEDDING STREET
SAN JOSE CA 95110·1705
TRA03
Notice To Destroy Weeds
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 1,2003,pursuant to the provisions of Section
11.20.020 of the Town Code of the Town of Los Gatos,the Town Council of said Town adopted a
Resolution declaring that all weeds growing upon any private property or in any street,sidewalk or
alley,as defined in Section 11.20.020 of such code,constitute a public nuisance,which nuisance
must be abated by the destruction or removal thereof.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that property owners shall within thirty days after the adoption of
such resolution,or within the time specified in a written agreement with the Director of Parks and
.Pubic Works of the Town of Los Gatos,or the Directorof Parks and Pubic Works'representative,
whichever time shall be later,remove all such weeds from their property,the abutting sidewalks,and
the abutting half of the street in front,and alleys,if any,behind such property,and between the lot
lines thereof as extended,or such weeds will be destroyed or removed and such nuisance abated by
the Town of Los Gatos,in which case the cost of such destruction or removal will be assessed upon
the lots and lands from which,or from the front or rear of which,such weeds shall have been
destroyed or removed;and ·such cost will constitute a lien upon such lots or lands until paid,and will
be collected upon the next tax roll upon which general municipal taxes are collected..All property
owners having any objections to the proposed destruction or removal of such weeds are hereby
notified to attend a meeting of the Town Council of such Town to be held in the Council Chambers
of said Town at 110 East Main Street,Los Gatos,California,on Monday,January 5th 2004,at
7:00 p.m.,or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard,when their objections will be heard arid
given due consideration.
The language and format for this notice is required by California Health and Safety Code Sections
14891 Et.Seq.
(over)
TRA03
LOS GATOS WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE
January 5th,2004
April 1st
July/August
Public hearing to consider objection to Abatement List.
PARCEL ABATEMENT DEADLThffi
Parcel must be free from hazardous vegetation by this date
or Inspector will order abatement.
Assessment Hearing date to be scheduled by Town <;ouncil.
Santa Clara County Hazardous Vegetation Management Program
2004 COUNTY CONTRACTOR'S WEED ABATEMENT PRICE LIST*
Disc Work**Handwork $92.08ParcelSize1stDisc+2nd Disc =Total Discs Handw6rk priCe is per0-5,000 sq.ft.$276.25 $92.10 $368.60
5,001 -7,500 $292.48 $97.50 $389.98 person,per hour.A one
7,501 10,000 $316.85 $105;65 $422.50 hour minimum.per person will-f112.l21¥;10,001 -12,000 $341.20 $113.75 $454.95
12,001 -15,006 $357.50 $119.15 $476.65
15,001 -18,000 $373.75 $124.60 $498.35 Flail Mowing $194.98 Per Hour
18,001 -21,000 $398.10 $132.70·$530.80
21,001 -25,000 $414.38 $138.13 $552.51 Loader Work $200.43 Per Hour
25,001 -30,000 $438.75 $146.28 $585.03
30,001 -35,000 $454.98 $151.68 $6()6.66 Dump Truck $200.43 Per Hour
35,001 -1 Acre $479.38 $159.80 $639.18
Per acre charge $438.75 $146.28 $585.03 Brush Work $211.25 Per Hour
**It is required that parcels be disced twice a year.The cost for the first discing is higher due to
additional work normally required during the first discing.
Drop Charge $100.00
Added to orders with distant or
difficult access.
*Prices include~150 %County administrative fee
Dump Fee 100%
Added to orders with debris
removal at 100%of the dump
site charge.
Please Note-This program does not offer herbicide application as a method of abatement.
(over)
----------------
70 W.Hedding Street
7th Floor,East Wing
San Jose,CA 95110·1705
Phone:(408)299-5765
Fax;(408)279-8537
Fire Saletv
Through Hazardous
Vegetation
Management
Santa Clara Cluntv
Fire Marshal's Office
Hazardous Vegetation Management
Program
Freeway Daisy
Ice Plant
Ivy
Morning Glory Bush
Rock rose
Clear
combustible v6gotot;Qn
and debris Irom beneath
decks.
{}
Clear
house number,in an emergency.
Ihe address should be easily seen
audraudable trom the street.
0Ji!0
{J
Groundcover:
Aaron's Beard
Australian Daisy
Candyluft
Capeweed
~Clear
laaves,twigs and other
combustible debris off~...........-...roo:::-",":=:::r
Maintail.
the grasses nnd weeds on your properly betow 6".Areas 01 1 Bcre
or more may b<,complel6iy dlsced,fire broken or grazed with perimeters
molnlained.Plu8se call tor requlromenls for your porticuh..parcel.
Escallonia
Hopseed Bush
Italian Buckthorn
Lemonade Berry
Texas Privet
'.;"'-:':.:':':_:':':.;:;.:'_':.:O::'::~•.':~
Trim
overhanging tmes
10'from c:himruty.
Limb larg8 trees
around structures.
Trim ~
overhanging trees
10'Irom chimney.
Limb large trees
around structures.
{J
Maintain
minimum 30'clearance of brush
and combustible vegetation
around all slructure".
Dlsp....se
of trAsh,refuse,rubbish,trimlnings and
other combu"Uble debris by having it
hauled 10 local dumping ground,,_
Fire Resistant Landsc8plnu
The following is a partial list of fire resistant plants that you may choose to use around your home to reduce the risk of fire.Contact your
local nursery for selections appropriate to your area.
Trees:Shrubs:
Afncan Sumac Bearberry
Brazilian Pepper Carmel Creeper
Calnomia Pepper Carolina Cherry
Catalina Cherry
MINIMUM fiRE SAFi!TY STANDARDS.--
1;Vegetation must not exceed 6 Inches In height any time after the compliance deadline.
Maintain grasses and weeds below six inches for ten feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways,including
driveways and access routes.
Clear flammable vegetation a minimum of thirty feet around any structure,occupied or not.Ornamental vegetation
--should be kept clear of dead material.Some conditions,such as slopes,may require up to 100ft of clearance.
Parcels up to one acre shall be completely abated.Parcels one to five acres require SO-foot clearance around
structures and perim~er property lines.Additional SO-foot cross fuel breaks may also be required.
Parcels larger than five acres require 30-foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines in addition to 30-
foot cross breaks as needed to separate the remaining vegetation into sections no larger than five acres.
Keep property clear of accumulation of combustible debris,such as trash,wood,and dead vegetation.Stacked
firewood and neatly piled yard waste is not considered to be combustible debris.
Keep vegetation cleared from under the eaves of houses.
Trim tree branches to at least ten feet from chimney.
leaves,needles and debris from roof and gutters.
•The County contractor uses several methods of abatement
inclUding discingand handwork.The property owner is free
to select whatever method they choose,provided the
MFSS of all federal,state and local laws are met.
•The Fire Marshal's Office will place charges for County
contractor services plus a County administrative fee on the
property owners tax bill during the next fiscal year.
The Hazardous Vegetation
.Malagemelt Program
The Santa Clara County Fire Marshal's Office and your
city ~rt)working together to protect your community
frQmfir~.We need your help.Please read and
thl;!di~ions provided in this brochure regarding fire
prevention on your property.The purpose of the
Hazardous'vegetation Management Program (HVMP)
is to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative growth
and the accumulation of combustible materials.
The Fire Marshal's Office inspects parcels that have
been'included in the Program throughout the year.
Work is ordered by Inspectors and completed by the
County.contractor on any parcel where such work is
requested,or on parcels where the Minimum Fire
Safety Standards (MFSS)have not been met at the
time of the inspection.If the County contractor provides
abatemElnt services,the contractor's charges plus a
County administrative fee is included in your property
taxbiU.
Our Goal Is Voluntan Compllalce
Property Owner's Responslblllities
•Do not allow a fire hazard to exist on your property.
ThEl Minimum Fire Safety Standards (MFSS)in this
brochure give you guidelines to follow in order to
m~intain your property and protect against a fire
h~rd.
,M~ke,arrangements to have your property
m~jlltained throughouUhe year.Contractors can be
f041ld.in the yellow pages.You may choose.to have
thffCounty contractor maintain your property.A
ClJrT{3nt price list is included in your packet.
•Please complete and return the Reply Form provided
in your mailing·packet by the date on the form.
Indicate your preference regarding performance of
weed abatement services..Be sure to note any
sp~cific conditions on your property such as new t
buildings,piping,irrigation;."boundi;uy and ..surveyor;
markers,crops and plantings SO .that we may aVQjd
damage to''r property.
~Ire MI"h'I~•.gJllQ'·D'~PiQI§'h.,....."..•l1L ,,
#j;•Hazardous Vegetation Inspectors will perform periodic
inspections on all·parcels included in the Hazardous
Vegetation Management Program.
,•Inspectors will order the County contractor to perform all
~necessary abatement work on any parcel where the MFSS~are not met.This work will be performed withollt any
further notice to the property owner.
•On properties where the MFSS have been met,but a fire
hazard still exists,the Fire Marshal's Office will send a
letter to the owner specifying additional work that needs to
be performed.
I ·If this work is not done within ten days of the additional~notice,the County contractor will perform the work.
~
m
l?~~
~These small owls nest in abandoned ground squirrel burrows.
~Discing collapses the burrows and kills the young.These owlsIIarelistedasastateSpeciesofSpecialConcernandare
Mprotected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.If you
~suspect burrowing owls on your property you must use another
J form of weed abatement such as mowing or weed eating.If you
!1 request the County perform abatement services,please notify
,:the Hazardous Vegetation Management Program (HVMP)or
..•your City if burrowing owls are known to exist on your property.
~Frequentlv Asked OuesDons
~(
~
HIi Q.Why have I received an ,AbatementNotlce?*A.Anyone who received an abatement notice is on the HVMP.Ii Typically,a property is placed on the program if a HazardousiVegetationInspectoridentifiedafirehazardontheproperty.
i1 Fire Departments and other agencies also submit complaints to~the Fire Marshal's Office.
~1
~Q:Whatis required otme now thallam on the Program?
"i A.All prope.rty~()wners are required to maintain their property
.free of fire hazards throughout the year.
0;'"-',:'c;,:•.:",,'.':,",,.'.:
~M'rJfAg;,'.
i Q.What Is the Hazardous Vegetation Management ~
!Program?
;A.See first two paragraphs of this brochure for specifics.
i Q.How long willi be on the Program?!
.A.Your property will remain on the Program for three years.!.
i It no hazards are found during that time your property may I
i be removed from the program.ij
;Q.How much will this coslme?I A.There will be no cost to you iflhe Minimum Fire Safety Ii
,Standards (MFSS)are met by the given deadline and ~
i maintained through the fire season.If work is required by the !
:County contractor you will be charged for the contractor's 1
i services plus a County.administrative fee.Our goal is to 1iensurethattheMFSSaremetatthelowestpossiblecosttoI
i the property owner.J
;Q.How willi be billed?,
I·A.If the County contractor performs abatement work on your I
;property,the charges will appear as a special assessment ~
,on your property tax bill.;
i Q.Why have you performed work on my property while ~
:the vegetation Is stili green?-;
:A.Tall dry grass and weedS or piles of combustible debris ~
i can be hazardous at anytime during the year.Abat~ng I
:hazards throughout the year helps us to be more effective ~
;during the peak fire season.~
;Q.Will you notify me prior to beginning abatement ~
I~~I
·A.Property owners are responsible for preventing fire i
,hazards on their property.If the MFSShavabeen met,but i
i further work is necessary J you will receive notice prior to the I
·County contractor pe.rforming the work.If the MFSS have 1
·not been met,the County contractor will perform work with !
I no further notice.~
I Q.I belong to a Homeowner's Association who i
I maintains the grounds.Why did I receive a Notice?j
;A.As a member of a homeowners or condominium I
I association,you and other members share ownership of all I
common areas.If a hazard was identified on any portion of j
i...the comm.on ar.eas all members mu~t be notified.Ch.~ges i
;assessed to any common area will be equally'diVIded I
:among asSociation members;_!
i Q.Where can I find SOlll8()ne to provide abatement ;
;services?;
A.Weed Abatement contractors can be found in the Yellow I
Pages under 'Weed Control Services"or 'Viseing Services".!
You may have the County contractor perform the necessaryi
work;see your mailing packet for a current price list.f