08 Staff Report - Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation (Brush)~p'N H 0~r
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
JULY 21, 2008
MEETING DATE: 814108
ITEM NO:
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (BRUSH)
A. CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE THAT ALL IDENTIFIED PRPOERTIES
ACHIEVED VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCEWITH REGARD TO THE
ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION FOR THE 2007-2008
SEASON
B. TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Consider the report of the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office that all identified
properties achieved voluntary compliance with regard to the abatement of hazardous
vegetation for the 2007-2008 season.
2. Take no further action.
BACKGROUND:
Hazardous vegetation (brush) poses a serious fire danger during the summer months and should
be controlled by individual property owners. To ensure that hazardous vegetation (brush) is
eliminated, the Town Council established a Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) Abatement Program
in cooperation with the County. The program, which is similar to those in neighboring
jurisdictions, is modeled after the Town's nuisance abatement process. It begins each year in late
spring with the adoption of a resolution declaring hazardous vegetation (brush) to be a public
nuisance, and ends the following summer with a public hearing to confirm charges against
properties on which brush was abated by the County's contractor.
PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works
NAENGMEBRMACOUNCILREPORTS12007 Reports\brnsh.8408.100%compliance.doc
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Reviewed by: _ Assistan Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator V?4A Finance Community Development
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION (BRUSH)
JULY 21, 2008
DISCUSSION:
Earlier this year, the County inspected properties in the Town and notified the owners of those
on which hazardous vegetation (brush) was observed to remove the brush in accordance with fire
safety standards.
Staff is pleased to report that 100 percent of the identified properties achieved voluntary
compliance. Therefore, staff recommends that no further action be taken on this item.
CONCLUSION:
The fact that full compliance was achieved voluntarily speaks well for the cooperative efforts
between the property owners and the County.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None for the Town. The County costs to administer and carry out the program are recovered via
charges levied against the properties served by the program.
Distribution:
Dirk Mattern, Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention, Central Fire District, 14700 Winchester
Boulevard, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Greg Van Wassenhove, Director, County of Santa Clara, Department of Agriculture and
Resource Management, 1553 Berger Drive, Building #1, San Jose, CA 95112
Moe Kumbre, Program Coordinator, County of Santa Clara, Department of Agriculture and
Resource Management, 1553 Berger Drive, Building #1, San Jose, CA 95112