75B - PH - WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM RPT 09/10

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION ~ ~ r,. CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: JULY 6, 2010 TITLE: APPROVED ? As Recommended PUBLIC HEARING -WEED ABATEMENT PUBLIC ? As Amended ? Ordinance on 1St Reading NUISANCE REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 ? Ordinance on 2"d Reading ? Implementing Resolution ? Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution affirming the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Weed Abatement Program Report and authorize the transmittal of uncollected weed abatement charges and postings to the Office of Auditor-Controller, County of Orange. DISCUSSION The Public Works Agency operates ayear-round program to maintain private properties free of weeds and rubbish. City sanitation inspectors post properties notifying owners of unsightly or unsafe conditions. Property owners have ten days to abate the conditions or the City will perform the work through its contractor. When posting a property a second time within 12 months for the same violation, the City assesses a posting charge. The property owner is notified of such outstanding charges every 30 days until the charges are paid. Each year the City finds it necessary to seek legal recourse in order to recover the uncollected costs of posting violations and cleaning various parcels throughout the City. This year there is $76,299 in outstanding charges for parcels cleaned by the City contractor and posted by City crews (Exhibit 1). The most effective method of collection has been to submit these charges to the Office of the Orange County Auditor-Controller. The fees are included in the property tax rolls and, if in default, are payable when the property changes ownership. The County's deadline for inclusion is August 10, 2010. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. 75B-1