Weed Abatement - 2012-2013Report
Item: 17
Category: Public Hearing
Date: July 16, 2013
TITLE Placing the Cost of Abating Hazardous Vegetation on the Property Tax
Assessment Roll {ResoiutionlRoll Call Vote)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1. Adopt a resolution, placing the cost of abating hazardous vegetation on the
property tax assessment roll.
DISCUSSION
Abatement of hazardous vegetation (weeds) is managed through the Weed Abatement
Division of the Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental
Management, upon action of the City to notice and authorize abatement.
On November 20, 2012, the Council declared weeds to be a public nuisance, allowing the
County to send notices to property owners whose properties were overgrown with weeds. The
notice advised that the weeds must be voluntarily removed or that removal would be
performed by the County at the owner's expense.
On January 7, 2013, the City Council held a public hearing to receive protests from property
owners whose properties were identified as having a weed problem and to direct the County
to proceed with abatement on those properties where weeds were not voluntarily removed by
the owners.
County Weed Abatement Division informs staff that of the 40 properties identified as having
overgrown weeds as of the January 7th Council meeting, abatement was ordered for eleven
properties, with the other properties being cleared by the owners. Exhibit A of Attachment 1
identifies the eleven properties where weed abatement services were ordered and the cost of
the service (the assessment). The list also identifies one additional property that was placed
on the list for the first time (incurring a $41 filing fee), but where weeds were voluntarily
removed. The assessments for the properties will be placed on the property tax roll as a lien
and collected together with all other property taxes.
FISCAL IMPACT
None to the City, if placed on the assessment roll.
ALTERNATIVES
1) Bill each property owner separately.
RESOLUTION NO.
BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAMPBELL PLACING THE COST OF ABATING HAZARDOUS VEGETATION
ON THE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT ROLL.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Campbell did on the 16th day of July,
2013, hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing any objections by any of the
property owners liable to be assessed for the work of abating hazardous vegetation
on their property; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental
Management recommended that the cost of abating nuisance of hazardous
vegetation on such property shall constitute special assessments against such
property and shall constitute a lien on such property for the amount of such
assessments, as outlined in Exhibit A and made a part hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Santa Clara County Department
of Agricul#ure and Environmental Management sha11 cause the amount of
assessment to be entered on the City assessment roll opposite the description of
the particular property and the amount shall be collected toge#her with all other
taxes thereon upon the property. Thereafter, such amounts shall be collected at
the same time and in the same manner as general City taxes. All laws and
ordinances applicable to the levy, collec#ion and enforcement of City taxes are
hereby made applicable to such special assessment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the property owners have the option, if they so
desire, of paying the assessment directly to the Collector's Office before said entry
on said assessment roll as outlined in Exhibit A and attached hereto.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2013, by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: ~ Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSTAINED: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
APPROVED:
Evan Low, Mayor
ATTEST:
Anne Bybee, City Clerk