For City Council Meeting May 14, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, Acting City Manager
FROM: Chris Jensen, Fire Marshal
Title
Request City Council to Conduct a Public Hearing to consider Adoption of Resolution No. 8201 an 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.
(ACTION)
Body
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 14, 2024, for any affected property owners to raise any objections to such proposed abatement and the service charges.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Weed Abatement Program is an important fire prevention program, which promotes safety in the City of Rialto. Approximately 600 vacant parcels exist within the boundaries of the City of Rialto. In fiscal year 2022/2023 the City abated 70 lots, which is an 80% increase from previous years. The cities of Rialto, Colton, Redlands, and the County of San Bernardino follow a similar weed abatement process. The City mails letters (exhibit C) to all vacant property owners notifying them to abate their properties, and the Fire Prevention Division surveys vacant prope...
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