Staff Report
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/05/2019
ITEM NO: 12
DATE: JANUARY 31, 2019
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: OPEN AND CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ABATEMENT LIST
AND ORDER THE ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (WEEDS)
RECOMMENDATION:
Open and close a public hearing to consider the Abatement List (Attachment 1) and order the
abatement of hazardous vegetation (weeds).
BACKGROUND:
Hazardous vegetation (weeds) pose a fire threat during the summer months and it is the
individual property owner’s responsibility to control them. To eliminate hazardous vegetation
(weeds), the Town adopted a Hazardous Vegetation (Weed) Abatement Program (Town Code
Chapter 11, Article II).
Since 1978, the Town’s Hazardous Vegetation Abatement of Weeds Program has been
administered through a contract with Santa Clara County. The County’s Department of
Agriculture and Environmental Management (Weed Abatement Division) identifi es properties
in Los Gatos with hazardous vegetation and/or weeds and notifies the property owners. The
property owners are given a specific timeline to remove the vegetation, and if they do not, a
contractor selected by the County removes the vegetation. The cost for the abatement is then
passed on to the owner as an assessment on their property tax bill.
On December 4, 2018, the Town Council passed Resolution 2018-053 (Attachment 2) declaring
hazardous vegetation (weeds) a public nuisance and providing for their abatement and set
January 15, 2019 as the date for a public hearing for the abatement order.
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: OPEN AND CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ABATEMENT LIST
AND ORDER THE ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (WEEDS)
DATE: JANUARY 31, 2019
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2019\02-05-19\12 Weed Abatement\Staff Report.docx 1/31/2019 10:44 AM SH
DISCUSSION:
The County’s Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management mailed property
owners a notice of the January 15, 2019 Public Hearing for the Los Gatos jurisdiction and
guidelines on the Los Gatos Weed Abatement Program. Unfortunately, the letter contained
incorrect dates and the notice was resent with the correct information. For this reason, the
hearing was continued to the February 5, 2019 Council meeting. The deadline for property
owners to adhere to the parcel abatement is April 15, 2019.
On August 5, 2019, the Town Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed hazardous
vegetation (weed) abatement charges with a Council resolution conf irming or modifying
assessments. The Town Clerk will file a confirmed report of parcel charges to the County Office
of the Assessor to enter on the County tax roll as a special assessment, charged to the property
owners.
If a property owner from the list of identified properties objects to the abatement requirement,
the Council may hear the objection, and make and provide the necessary direction specific to
that property.
CONCLUSION:
Open and close a public hearing to consider the Abatement List (Attachment 1) and order the
abatement of hazardous vegetation (weeds).
COORDINATION:
This report has been coordinated with the County of Santa Clara’s Department of Agriculture
and Environmental Management (Weed Abatement Division).
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are provided in the FY 2018/19 Operating Budget to cover the cost of publishing all
required legal notices.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: OPEN AND CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ABATEMENT LIST
AND ORDER THE ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (WEEDS)
DATE: JANUARY 31, 2019
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2019\02-05-19\12 Weed Abatement\Staff Report.docx 1/31/2019 10:44 AM SH
Attachments:
1. 2019 Weed Abatement Program Commencement Report
2. Resolution 2018-053 Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) a Public Nuisance and
Providing for their Abatement
Distribution:
Moe Kumre, Manager, Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, County of Santa Clara,
1553 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA 95112