REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Tom Herbel, PE, Acting Director of Public Works
Subject:
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Adopt Resolution No. 2020-43 confirming the report of the cost for weed abatement on private property within the City for the 2020 season
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Statement of Issue:
In accordance with Chapter 8.16 Weed Abatement of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, the Director of Public Works shall submit to the City Council a cost report of the actual costs incurred for the abatement of weeds on private properties.
Financial Impact:
A special assessment totaling $13,804.57 will be charged to the Orange County property tax roll and reimbursed to the City’s General Fund by the County of Orange as part of the ordinary collection process. These costs were charged to General Fund Account No. 10085416.64620.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Adopt Resolution No. 2020-43, “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 2020 Season;” and,
B) Direct that all charges listed thereon be certified to the Orange County 2020/21 Property Tax Roll.
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Alternative Action(s):
Deny approval of the resolution and forego reimbursement to the City for the cost for weed abatement services performed on 31 properties.
Analysis:
Chapter 8.16 Weed Abatement of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code includes a provision for the removal of weeds on private property. In accordance with Section 8.16.010 Removal Required, "all persons owning any real property in the City are required to keep their property free from weeds… or other flammable materials that endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard." If a property owner does not remove the weeds or flammable materials by a prescribed time, the City Council may order the Director of Public Works to do the work at the expense of the property owner.
Pursuant to City Council direction on March 16, 2020, the City has cleared 31 such properties. The cost of the work totals $13,804.57 as reported on the attached 2020 Weed Abatement Cost Report in Exhibit A of the resolution. In accordance with Government Code Section 39575, these costs must be posted for public review prior to City Council approval. The costs were posted on the City Council Chamber bulletin board on Monday, July 20, 2020. Excepting objections to the cost report, the Director of Public Works recommends confirmation and approval of the 2020 Weed Abatement Cost Report.
Environmental Status:
The removal of weeds, refuse, and rubbish from undeveloped private properties is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(h), which exempts the maintenance of existing landscaping and native growth.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non-Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution No. 2020-43, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Confirming Reports the Public Works Director Regarding the Cost for Weed Abatement on Private Property Within the City for the 2020 Season”