14 Staff Report - Weed Abatement
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
DATE: July 29, 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
RECOMMENDATION:
Open and close a public hearing to consider objections to the 2020 Weed Abatement Program
Assessment Report (Attachment 1) and adopt a resolution (Attachment 2) confirming the
report and authorizing collection of the assessment charges.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the Weed Abatement program is to prevent fire hazards posed by vegetative
growth and the accumulation of combustible materials, as defined in the Town Code, Chapter
11, Article II, Section 11.20.010. This is a monitoring program and the primary objective is to
mitigate the spread of fire via voluntary compliance.
Typically, a property is placed in the program after a County inspector identifies a potential fire
hazard on the premises. Fire Departments, Code Enforcement, Public Works and other public
agencies also submit complaints to the County's Consumer and Environmental Protection
Agency - Weed Abatement Program (County). Once a parcel is placed in the program, it will
remain until it displays compliance for three consecutive years, at which point it will be
removed.
The Program is administered by the County on behalf of the Town and is funded from fees
charged to residents. Every year while in the program, the property owners are charged the
inspection fee, and abatement fees if performed by the County.
PAGE 2 OF 3
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: July 29, 2020
BACKGROUND (continued):
On December 3, 2019, the Town Council passed Resolution 2019-060 (Attachment 3) declaring
hazardous vegetation (weeds) a public nuisance, providing for their abatement, and set January
21, 2020 as a public hearing date for the annual program.
The County mailed property owners a notice of the January 21, 2020 Public Hearing for the Los
Gatos jurisdiction and guidelines on the Los Gatos Weed Abatement Program.
DISCUSSION:
The 2020 Weed Abatement Assessment Report list includes assessment charges for inspection
fees and for performing weed abatement. The attached resolution affirms these costs and
acknowledges the costs will be assessed by the County Tax Collector against the respective
properties.
The Town of Los Gatos mailed property owners a notice of the August 4, 2020 Public Hearing
for the Los Gatos jurisdiction, along with the assessment charges. This public hearing is an
opportunity for residents who received an assessment to object to that assessment.
CONCLUSION:
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.
COORDINATION:
This program has been coordinated with the County's Consumer and Environmental Protection
Agency - Weed Abatement Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds allocated in the adopted Operating Budget cover the cost of publishing the legal notices
for the program. The County’s cost to administer and carry out the program are recovered
through the tax roll assessment charges levied against the affected properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
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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: July 29, 2020
Attachments:
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.