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: 08/03/2021 ITEM NO: 14
DATE: July 28, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Weed Abatement Program Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the 2021
Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution
Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges
RECOMMENDATION:
Conduct a public hearing to consider objections to the 2021 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 Weed Abatement Program is a different, but complimentary program to the Brush
Abatement Program, that works to protect the Town by preventing fire hazards created by
vegetative growth and the accumulation of combustible debris with the goal of voluntary
compliance.
The Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code Chapter 11, Article II et seq requires property owners to
prevent potential fire hazards based on the California Health & Safety Code to provide
protection for the property and any nearby structures by clearing hazards according to
Minimum Fire Safety Standards. It also authorizes the County to remove the weeds if the
property owner fails to do so and to recover costs through an assessment on the property tax
bill for each parcel.
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 can also submit complaints to the 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.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Weed Abatement Program Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the 2021 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges DATE: July 28, 2021
BACKGROUND (continued):
The Program is administered by the County on behalf of the Town and is funded from fees
assessed on the properties included on the assessment list. Every year while in the program,
each of the property owners are charged an annual compliance inspection fee and some incur
costs for additional inspections, administrative, and abatement fees.
On December 1, 2020, the Town Council passed Resolution 2020-046 (Attachment 3) declaring
hazardous vegetation (weeds) a public nuisance, providing for their abatement, and setting
January 19, 2021 as a public hearing date for the annual program. The County mailed property
owners a notice of the January 19, 2021 Public Hearing for the Los Gatos jurisdiction along with
guidelines on the Los Gatos Weed Abatement Program.
DISCUSSION:
The 2021 Weed Abatement Assessment Report list includes assessment charges for the annual
compliance inspection fee of $84, and any additional inspection, administrative, and abatement
fees as described in Attachment 4. 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 3, 2021 Public Hearing
for the Los Gatos jurisdiction, including detailed information on the assessment charges and
contact information for potential questions pertaining to the assessments (Attachment 5). This
public hearing is an opportunity to allow property owners who are on the assessment report to
object to the assessment.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Council conduct a public hearing to consider objections to the 2021
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 (CEPA) - Weed Abatement Program.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Weed Abatement Program Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the 2021 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and Adopt a Resolution Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment Charges DATE: July 28, 2021
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 properties included in the
assessment report.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. 2021 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report.
2. Resolution 2021-XXX Confirming the Report and Authorizing Collection of the Assessment
Charges.
3. Resolution 2020-046 Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) a Public Nuisance and
Providing for their Abatement.
4. County Letter to Property Owners (December).
5. Town Letter to Property Owners (July).
6. Public Comment Received.