REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Adoption of a Resolution Ordering the Abatement of a Nuisance on 228 Identified Parcels Consisting of Growing Weeds in Accordance with City Code Chapter 8.15 and in Association with the County Weed Abatement Program, for 2023-2024
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The City Council, on February 23, 1976, approved a partnership with Santa Clara County to administer the Weed Abatement program. Over the past forty-seven years, the County's Department of Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency has efficiently managed the program, yielding satisfactory results for Santa Clara residents. The program enjoys broad community support and complaints are rare. Complaints that are received are expeditiously addressed by County staff. This collaboration has significantly reduced the City's costs associated with weed abatement.
Aligned with the California Government Code, Santa Clara Municipal Code Chapter 8.15 outlines the procedures for weed abatement. Property owners are mandated to conduct timely weed abatement activities on their properties. Despite notification, a relatively small number of property owners fail to maintain their properties in accordance with the County's minimum fire safety standards (Attachment 3). In such instances, the City authorizes the Santa Clara County Department of Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency to inspect, remove, and destroy weeds on non-compliant parcels or lots of land.
The County Weed Abatement program is solely funded on program fees charged to property owners by the County of Santa Clara. Typically, a property is placed in the program Commencement Report by a County Weed Abatement program inspector who identifies a potential fire hazard during inspections within the City. The County can also receive referrals for potential hazards from community members or through service requests from City staff. A Count...
Click here for full text