For City Council Meeting [April 9, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Brian Park, Interim Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to Conduct a Public Hearing on the 2019 Weed Abatement Program and Consider any Objections to Imposing any Abatement Cost therefore as a Lien against parcels that are not in Compliance with the Ordinance.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
At the City Council Meeting held on March 26, 2019, the Rialto City Council passed Resolution No. 7483 which requires that all noticed properties be cleared of weeds and debris no later than May 1, 2019. The resolution also set a Public Hearing for April 09, 2019 to hear any objections to liens that may be placed upon properties that are not in compliance with the ordinance.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Under the authority of the California Government Code and in accordance with City Resolution No. 7483, the Fire Chief has the ability to notice property owners to abate conditions where weeds, rubbish or debris constitute a public nuisance. Additionally, the resolution authorizes the Fire Chief to arrange for a contractor to perform the abatement and place the associated fees on the County of San Bernardino Tax Rolls for collection from parcel owners who do not comply with the abatement notice.
The City's Weed Abatement Program promotes safety in the City of Rialto by reducing combustible vegetation that may contribute to destructive fires. Approximately 707 vacant parcels exist within the boundaries of the City of Rialto. In fiscal year 2017/2018 the City abated 146 parcels. The City mails letters to all owners of vacant property in the City notifying them to abate their properties. The Fire Prevention Division then surveys the vacant properties for compliance during the months of May and October. Fire Prevention identifies the non-abated properties, and the parcel numbers are referred to a weed abatement contractor. The weed abatemen...
Click here for full text