REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Adoption of a Resolution Confirming the Weed Abatement Report and Ordering the Cost of Abatement to be a Special Assessment on the Respective Properties Described Therein
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
On February 23, 1976, the City Council approved a partnership with the County of Santa Clara (“County”) to administer the City’s Weed Abatement Program. Over the past four decades, the County has managed the program efficiently and effectively. The program plays a crucial role in mitigating risks associated with overgrown vegetation and the accumulation of combustible materials, which can pose fire hazards, while also maintaining community aesthetic standards to prevent urban blight. This agreement has significantly reduced program costs for the community through economies of scale.
The 2024 County Weed Abatement report, approved by the City Council on July 16, 2024, had a total of 205 non-compliant lots or parcels of land with an assessed cost of $57,398 to property owners. Of this amount, 161 parcels required only ongoing compliance inspections, totaling $15,360. Forty-one parcels failed the inspection and received a first administrative citation, amounting to $26,322. The County’s contractor abated four parcels for $15,716.
The contract between the County and the Santa Clara City Code designates the City Council as the final arbiter of all appeals. On February 25, 2025, in accordance with Title 8, Chapter 15 of the Santa Clara City Code (SCCC), the City Council held an initial public hearing and declared weeds a nuisance. A second public hearing was convened on March 25, 2025, to address objections regarding the inclusion of certain properties in the 2025 County Weed Abatement Commencement Report and to order the abatement of the nuisance caused by growing weeds.
In response to public input received at the March 25th hearing, the City Council directed staff to undertake the following actions:
• Conduct a thorough review of all property owner appeals to ensure each contested case was carefully evaluated.
• Continue working with the County to improve community engagement and the notification process.
The Fire Department, Community Development Department, and County Weed Abatement Program reassessed all applicable properties and continued to collaborate on improving the overall process.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 appeal process and the Council resolution ordering the abatement of weeds on March 25, 2025 (Attachment 1), the County Weed Abatement Program Manager directed County staff to conduct inspections that began on April 15, 2025, and instructed the contractor to abate identified hazards on properties within Santa Clara that remained out of compliance. This report contains the initial and secondary inspections and some abatement activities that were completed as of June 12, 2025. The County must acquire a Warrant to enter private property to complete the abatement needed. Warrant applications are still in process for several properties in Santa Clara that need abatement.
DISCUSSION
The Santa Clara County, Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency, Weed Abatement Program Manager has prepared the 2025 County Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report (“Weed Abatement Assessment Report”) listing the respective lots or parcels of land within Santa Clara upon which the County conducted inspections and/or abatement services.
The 2025 Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program identified a total of 195 non-compliant lots or parcels of land. Subsequently, the County notified the property owners of the costs associated with inspections and/or the abatement as outlined in the City of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Assessment Report - Exhibit A (Attachment 2), totaling $94,616. Of the 195 parcels, fifty-two (52) parcels failed the initial inspection, and charges totaling $27,426 were added for additional inspection and work order fees. Six (6) additional parcels initially failed, yet they contacted the County and demonstrated compliance, so they were not assessed any additional fees. Therefore, as of June 12, 2025, 143 parcels required only ongoing compliance inspection fees, totaling $15,015. Abatement charges carried over from the 2024 season totaled $52,175. The abatement fees for 2025 have not yet been assessed and they will be carried over into 2026.
In accordance with SCCC 8.15.090, this Public Hearing provides the public an opportunity to object to the inclusion of properties in the County's report. It also allows the Council to modify or confirm the report and order that the cost of inspections and abatement be added as a Special Assessment to the respective properties described therein. Staff recommends that the Council conduct the public hearing, consider all written and oral testimony presented, make any necessary and appropriate modifications to the property lists presented, and take action to approve Weed Assessment Report. The next step would be to present the assessment report to the County Assessor for implementation of the special assessments on the properties in the assessment amounts listed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City of Santa Clara contracts with the County of Santa Clara to perform and implement the weed abatement program within the City. The County of Santa Clara has determined the Weed Abatement Program to be Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Guideline 15308.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Santa Clara administers the weed abatement program in collaboration with the Santa Clara County Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency. The County's costs for inspection or abatement services, including administrative fees, are assessed on the respective lots or parcels of land. The assessments totaling $94,616, detailed in Exhibit A of the City of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Assessment Report, will be imposed as liens on the listed properties and will not be borne by the City. All charges for weed abatement services will be included as a special assessment on the following year's property tax statement.
In accordance with the 2022 Amended and Restated agreement, if the tax assessments are insufficient to cover the program's costs, the County will invoice the participating jurisdictions/agencies for their pro-rata share of the program's shortfall in December. Currently, there is no fiscal impact on the Fire Department's budget.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Per SCCC 8.15.080, notice of this Public Hearing was published in the Santa Clara Weekly and posted with a copy of the County's Weed Abatement Assessment Report on July 2, 2025, and July 9, 2025. The cost report prepared by the County Weed Abatement Program was posted on the bulletin board outside the City Council Chambers at City Hall located at 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050, on the bulletin board in the lobby of City Hall; and at the entrance of the Fire Department, located at 777 Benton Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050.
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Conduct the public hearing, consider all written and oral testimony presented, and adopt a Resolution confirming the 2025 Weed Abatement Program Assessment Report and Assessment List pursuant to SCCC 8.15.090 and directing the imposition of special assessments on the properties and in the amounts listed.
Staff
Reviewed by: Ruben Torres, Fire Chief
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Fully Executed Resolution Ordering Abatement of Weeds 2025 No. 25-9427
2. Exhibit A - City of Santa Clara Weed Abatement Assessment Report 6.12.2025
3. Resolution Confirming the 2025 Weed Abatement Report and Assessment