14 Desk Item - Weed Abatement with attachment
PREPARED BY: Stefanie Hockemeyer
Executive Assistant, Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Director
of Parks and Public Works
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 406-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/04/2020
ITEM NO: 14
DESK ITEM
DATE: August 4, 2020
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Open and Close a Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the 2020 Weed
Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming
the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges
REMARKS:
Attachment 4 contains public comments which contain five protests received between
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Two of which were
received by County Weed Abatement staff on July 29th and inadvertently not received by the
Town Clerk until August 4, 2020; therefore, not included with the staff report, but instead with
this Desk Item.
The protests are for parcel numbers:
424-07-065
527-03-003
532-17-028
537-30-004
537-23-028
Town staff reviewed the protests of the proposed assessments with the County and
recommend the fees should be assessed.
Attachments previously received with the August 4, 2020 Staff Report:
1. 2020 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report.
2. Resolution 2020-XX Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment
Charges.
3. Resolution 2019-060 Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) a Public Nuisance and
Providing for their Abatement.
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: Open and Close a Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the 2020 Weed
Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the
Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges
DATE: August 4, 2020
Attachment received with this Desk Item:
4. Public comments received between Wednesday, July 29, 2020 and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday,
August 4, 2020
From: zukinp@comcast.net <zukinp@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2020 7:31 PM
To: Clerk <Clerk@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Protesting 2020 weed abatemennt assessment
My property, APN 527-03-003 at 145 Drysdale Drive has had the weeds abated by RN Pearman
Landscaping Co every May. This year the work was done on May 20, 2020, at the cost of $1500.00 paid
by my personal WellsFargo check #13672.
Thank you.
Margaret S. Zukin
ATTACHMENT 4
From: Jai Hakhu
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2020 1:05 PM
To: Clerk <Clerk@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Written Protest - Proposed 2020 Weed Abatement Assessment Charges APN 532-17-028
Dear Town Clerk:
We have been owners of 16481 S Kennedy Rd property for the last 22 years and have been completing
weed abatement. We understand the value and importance of the annual Weed Abatement program
and strive to comply with the necessary deadlines for the benefit of everyone in the Los Gatos
community and in the Bay Area. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, this year we were unable to enlist the
services on our own for weed abatement by the April 15, 2020 deadline. When it was possible,
however, we were able to complete the weed abatement in late May 2020 (please see the attached
pictures).
Due to the unique circumstances this year, we kindly request the $582.00 first administrative fee (failed
inspection/work order processing) be waived from our proposed assessment of $683.00 indicated on
Exhibit A1 in the 2020 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report Town of Los Gatos (report date:
June 24, 2020) from the July 17, 2020 notice we received.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
Jai and Nalini Hakhu
16481 S Kennedy Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95030
408-307-8807
APN 532-17-028
From: Balazs, Blasius, Bo Brezoczky
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2020 4:52 PM
To: Clerk <Clerk@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] CONTESTING THE 2020 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM ASSESSMENT on 16060
Cerro Vista Dr. APN 537-30-004
According to the S.C. county inspector; they came and took some pictures on March 13 2020.
We have cleared the property: bulldozed the growing bushes, and cut the grass prior April 1st 2020.
($2500.-), therefore we are opposing your assessment of $623.
Sincerely: B. Brezoczky
P.S.: Prior year S.C. in mail specified the clearing until April 1.
From: Kumre, Moe <Moe.Kumre@cep.sccgov.org>
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2020 7:06 AM
To: Stefanie Hockemeyer <SHockemeyer@LosGatosCA.gov>
Subject: CONTESTING THE 2020 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM ASSESSMENT on 16060 Cerro Vista Dr.
APN 537-30-004
Parcel 537-30-004 was inspected on May 13 pictures are attached the property failed that inspection
and is being charged for the inspection and the work order processing fee for a total on $683.
Moe Kumre
Weed Abatement manager
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
office: (408)282-3123 email: moe.kumre@cep.sccgov.org
APN 537-30-004
SCC WeedAbatement
From: Red Dogue
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 2:34 PM
To: SCC WeedAbatement
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Contestation of weed abatement fine/tax
Hello.
My name is Doug Ownbey. I own the property at 155 Wooded View Drive in Los Gatos, APN: 537‐23‐028. Please
consider this my contestation of the weed abatement fine/tax proposed by the Town of Los Gatos and Santa Clara
County.
Until this past week, when I contacted the SCC weed abatement department, I was not aware that my property was in
violation. Apparently, my propery was in violation in 2017 and 2018.
Had I known I was in violation, I would have taken immediate action to fix the problems. I have made multiple requests
for copies of the violation notices, but have received nothing but a picture of my property from 5/11/2018 showing tall
green grass.
I was told that my property was not in violation for 2019 and 2020, and that it will be removed from the list if it is not in
violation in 2021.
I request that my property not be fined/taxed under the weed abatement program. I was not notified of previous years'
violations and my property has been in compliance for the past two years.
Respectfully,
Doug Ownbey
On Jul 29, 2020, at 1:52 PM, Red Dogue <reddog1106@gmail.com> wrote:
Who do I submit them to, the Town?
Get BlueMail for Android
On Jul 29, 2020, at 12:19 PM, SCC WeedAbatement < scc.weedabatement@cep.sccgov.org> wrote:
Hello,
APN: 537‐23‐028 has had the same mailing address since at least 2016, notices are sent to the mailing address on file.
We send notices to the same place the tax bill is sent.
Submit you written contest for fees associated with 2020 fees by 3pm today.
Brian Rosa Weed Abatement Inspector
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency Weed Abatement Service Number: (408) 282-3145 Building 1, 1553 Berger Drive - San Jose, CA.
95112
From: Rosa, Brian <brian.rosa@cep.sccgov.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 2:08 PM
To: Stefanie Hockemeyer <SHockemeyer@LosGatosCA.gov>
Subject: RE: Weed abatement assessment - APN 537-23-028
Hey Stefanie,
I attached the contests I am aware of in the Town. Parcel 537-23-028, last violation on record,
5/11/2018. Owner never contacted program on the appropriate years to request or contest decisions
made by the program. First communications on record was on 7/23/2020. The fee is $101 – initial
inspection.
Request is inappropriate for the purpose of the hearing. Purpose of the hearing is to contest fees
associated with this fiscal year, Aug 2019 – Aug 2020. My notes indicate I replied with the 2018 notice,
he could have replied for more data. Please detail what you would like from previous years, I can
provide that in the form of a snip from the database.
1
SCC WeedAbatement
To:Christina Le
Subject:RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: APN 424-07-065 Contest
Hey Christina,
I placed the updated contest into the Los Gatos folder for submission to the Town Council.
Brian Rosa Weed Abatement Inspector
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Service Number: (408) 282-3145
Building 1, 1553 Berger Drive - San Jose, CA. 95112
From: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 3:21 PM
To: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: APN 424‐07‐065 Contest
Hi Brian,
Thank you for the call just now. As we clarified over the phone, this property is located in Los Gatos so the contest
request is for the August 4th Los Gatos meeting.
Here is the updated written request to contest:
To The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos,
This request is acknowledging receipt of the notice dated July 17, 2020 regarding the Weed Abatement Program for
parcel number #424‐07‐065 located at 14823 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95032, owner (14823 Lgb LLC, 965 Page Mill
Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304). We would like to contest the inspection fee of $101 and Non Compliance fee of $582 due to
hardship from the COVID‐19 pandemic. We have been maintaining the landscape and weeds on the property, which was
last addressed the end of 2019. Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic of COVID‐19 and the Public Health Ordinance
to shelter in place, our day to day operations were significantly impacted. We have corrected our operations to make
sure this does not happen again. The weeds on the 14823 LGB property have been addressed and we are requesting to
have the fees waived. Please see photos attached. Thank you in advance for your understanding and consideration
regarding this matter. I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
2
3
Christina Le
Property Manager
Direct: 650 413 9876
cle@shpco.com
From: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 2:23 PM
To: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: APN 424‐07‐065 Contest
Hearing Officer requires a couple of weeks normally, this is not a normal year, maybe 3 weeks? Not sure.
From: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 1:16 PM
4
To: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: APN 424‐07‐065 Contest
Hi Brian,
Thank you for confirming our submission.
Unfortunately we did not receive the notice dated 5/6. How and when will we know if our request was approved?
Thank you,
Christina Le
Property Manager
Direct: 650 413 9876
cle@shpco.com
From: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 1:12 PM
To: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Subject: APN 424‐07‐065 Contest
Hello,
Thank you for participating in the County Weed Abatement Program Assessment Hearing process.
Your written contest has been processed for submittal to the hearing officer.
The Hearing Officer is a neutral party whose decision is final. According to the record a courtesy notice was sent to the
mailing address on file. Inspected 4/29 & Notice Sent 5/6.
Brian Rosa Weed Abatement Inspector
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Service Number: (408) 282-3145
Building 1, 1553 Berger Drive - San Jose, CA. 95112
From: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 12:47 PM
To: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Weed Abatement
Hi Brian,
Was there a notice sent regarding the inspection on 4/29/20? If so, we did not receive it. Yes, I would like to contest.
Please let me know if I need to include anything further.
5
To whom it may concern,
In regards to the notice dated July 17, 2020 regarding the Weed Abatement Program for parcel number #424‐07‐065
located at 14823 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95032, owner (14823 Lgb LLC, 965 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304)
would like to contest the inspection fee of $101 and Non Compliance fee of $582. We have been maintaining the weeds
on the property and it was last addressed the end of 2019. Due to the global pandemic impact of COVID‐19, our day to
day operations have been significantly impacted. The weeds on the 14823 LGB property are being addressed today we
are requesting to have the fees waived. I can send completion photos should you require it. We appreciate your
consideration regarding this matter. I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Christina Le
Property Manager
Direct: 650 413 9876
cle@shpco.com
From: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 12:06 PM
To: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Weed Abatement
Hello Christina,
Fees were Incurred upon failed inspection on 4/29/2020.
Initial inspection fee of $101 & Non Compliance fee of $582.
If you want to contest, submit your written statement with an e‐mail reply by 3pm, so we can prepare it for the hearing
tomorrow.
Brian Rosa Weed Abatement Inspector
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Weed Abatement Service Number: (408) 282-3145
Building 1, 1553 Berger Drive - San Jose, CA. 95112
From: Christina Le <cle@shpco.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 10:55 AM
To: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Weed Abatement
When were the charges incurred? We had the weeds addressed last fall and due to COVID‐19, we’ve had to modify our
facilities schedules and unfortunately was not able to address until we received the notice.
Christina Le
Property Manager
6
Direct: 650 413 9876
cle@shpco.com
From: SCC WeedAbatement <SCC.WeedAbatement@cep.sccgov.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 10:28 AM
To: cle@shpco.com
Subject: Weed Abatement
The charges are to recover cost already incurred by the county.
First Name: Christina
Last Name: Le
Street Address: 14823 Los Gatos Blvd
City: Los Gatos
State: CA
ZIP Code: 95032
Telepohone Number: 650‐413‐9876
Best Time To Call: Weekday Midmornings
E‐mail Address: cle@shpco.com
Question or Concern
Concern: Received notice of meeting regarding Weed Abatement Program letter dated July 17th. Our property made it
to the list, but we have a landscaper addressing the weeds today. How do I go about sending photos of completion and
having charges removed.
APN: 424‐07‐065