Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing and Resolution to Determine and Declare a Public Nuisance and Conduct Weed Abatement for Spring 2024.
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publichearing
• Staff Report
• Mayor and City Council Questions for Staff
• Comments or Presentation from Applicant
• Comments from Appellant (If Applicable)
• Public Comments
• Mayor and Council Member Discussion
• Council Action
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From: Jake Ngo, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Veronica Johnson, Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Overrule any objections received at the subject Public Hearing for the abatement of the weeds; and
B. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING AND DECLARING THAT CERTAIN WEEDS ARE GROWING UPON CERTAIN STREETS, SIDEWALKS, PARKWAYS, AND PRIVATE PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, AND RUBBISH AND REFUSE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED UPON SIDEWALKS, PARKWAYS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY IN THE CITY, AND THAT THE SAME ARE A PUBLIC NUISANCE; ORDERING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO HAVE SAID WEEDS DESTROYED AND TO HAVE RUBBISH AND REFUSE REMOVED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.”
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BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department administers the Weed Abatement Program for the City of Westminster, enforcing the abatement of weeds, rubbish, and debris from vacant parcels of land in the City. The program is repeated twice a year, Spring and Fall. The objective of the program is the removal of weeds, dirt, rubbish, and debris from vacant lots, since these represent a potential fire hazard, and in order to maintain our neighborhoods clean.
Property owners who own vacant lots where weeds are growing or debris is deposited have been notified. The notification took place by certified mail, informing them that they will be liable for the weed abatement assessment if they do not immediately advise the Maintenance Yard that they will abate the weeds.
The property owners have had more than 15 days since the notices were mailed on April 17, 2024,and have until May 17, 2024 to remove the weeds. In the case that the property owner does not remove the weeds and/or debris, and if there are no protests or objections, the City’s weed abatement contractor will commence the Weed Abatement Program on May 20, 2024. Once the lots are cleaned by the City’s contractor, the total cost is sent to the County to assess the specific property owner as part of the property tax bill.
There are 20 vacant lots currently on the weed abatement list. At the time of City staff’s inspection on April 12, 2024, five (5) properties have not complied with the request to remove the weeds and trash.
A list of affected parcel numbers is included with the Resolution, and this list has been posted on the door of the Council Chambers as required by law.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for the abatement, based on the typical square footage of the residential properties, is estimated at $1,537.35. The property owners would then have to reimburse the City for the abatement cost plus a 25% administrative fee. The reimbursement would be deposited into Account No. 53000-39069.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
As of April 12, 2024, City staff’s inspection confirmed that there were five (5) properties that have not complied with the request to remove the weeds and trash. If the properties listed in the public notice are not cleaned by May 17, 2024, the City’s contractor will start the weed abatement on May 20, 2024. The cost of the abatement, plus a 25% administrative fee, will be sent to the County to assess the specific property owner as part of the property tax bill.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Affidavit of Mailing
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager