REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Jennifer Villasenor, Director of Community Development
PREPARED BY: Jimmy Hoang, Code Enforcement Manager
Subject:
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Adopt Resolution 2025-50 Confirming Cost Report for Weed Abatement on Private Parcels within the City for the 2025 Season
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Statement of Issue:
The City identified properties with weeds and rubbish as nuisances, notified the owners, and held a public hearing for objections. Six properties did not comply by the deadline of May 20, 2025. The City removed the nuisances and compiled a cost report for these services, which is now submitted for City Council approval (Attachment 2).
Financial Impact:
A one-time special assessment totaling $3,608.63 will be added to the Orange County property tax roll. This amount will reimburse the City’s General Fund, which covered the initial expense from Account No. 10060301.64620 for Weed Abatement Contracts.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-50, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Confirming the Report of the Public Works Director Regarding the Cost for Weed Abatement on Private Property Within the City for the 2025 Season,” and
B) Direct that all charges listed thereon be certified to the Orange County 2025/26 Property Tax Roll.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the resolution, resulting in the City not being reimbursed for the weed abatement costs on the six properties.
Analysis:
Chapter 8.16 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) mandates the removal of weeds and rubbish on private property. Weeds and rubbish can pose several risks, including fire hazards, health risks from pests such as rodents and insects, and negative impacts on neighborhood aesthetics.
Each spring, as part of its annual weed abatement program, Code Enforcement identifies properties where the owners have failed to address weed and rubbish nuisances in violation of the HBMC. Property owners are given notices and a deadline to comply. After no objections were received during the public hearing on May 6, 2025, the City proceeded with the abatement on six properties that did not meet the deadline. The total cost of $3,608.63 for this work is documented in the 2025 Weed Abatement Cost Report (Attachment 2). These costs were posted for public review on July 1, 2025.
By approving the cost report and securing property tax liens for the listed charges, the City ensures that the costs are recovered and reinforces the importance of property maintenance, promoting a safer and more pleasant environment for residents.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. The actual activity of weed and rubbish removal from undeveloped private properties was previously found by the City Council to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(h).
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution No. 2025-50 “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Confirming the Report of the Public Works Director Regarding the Cost for Weed Abatement on Private Property Within the City for the 2025 Season”
2. 2025 Weed Abatement Cost Report
3. PowerPoint Presentation