For City Council Meeting [April 10, 2018]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Robb R. Steel, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Sean Grayson, Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 7316 and Set a Public Hearing for April 24, 2018, to Consider Ordering the Abatement of Weeds on Various Properties within the City limits, and to hear any Objections to Imposing the Abatement Cost Therefore as a Lien Against Parcels of Property Set Forth in Exhibit A.
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BACKGROUND:
The California Government Code gives Cities the power to declare weeds, rubbish and refuse upon private property, and dirt upon the parkways and sidewalks in their jurisdictions a public nuisance by resolution. The attached resolution gives the Fire Chief the authority to notice property owners to abate conditions where weeds, rubbish or debris constitute a public nuisance. Additionally, the resolution authorizes the Fire Chief to approve a contractor to perform the abatement, to charge an administrative fee and to place all contractor fees plus the administrative fees on the County of San Bernardino Tax Rolls for collection from parcel owners who do not comply with the abatement notice. The resolution also sets the date for a public hearing for the Council Meeting on May 08, 2018 for any affected property owners to raise any objections to such proposed abatement and the charges for service
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The Weed Abatement Program is an important fire prevention program, which promotes safety in the City of Rialto. Approximately 784 vacant parcels exist within the boundaries of the City of Rialto. In fiscal year 2016/2017, the City abated 135 parcels. The cities of Rialto, Colton, Redlands and the County of San Bernardino follow a similar weed abatement process. The City mails letters to all vacant property owners notifying them to abate their properties, and the Fire Prevention Division surveys vacant properties for compliance during the months of ...
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