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BACKGROUND <br /> In the City of Pleasanton, LPFD combats fire hazards resulting from an overgrowth of <br /> grasses, weeds, shrubbery, and trees through the LPFD Weed Abatement Program. <br /> This program has been established in compliance with Government Code sections <br /> 39560-39588. The LPFD Weed Abatement Program's goal is to establish a fire-safe <br /> community through property owners' voluntary compliance with the LPFD's weed <br /> abatement standards. <br /> Weed abatement involves the following steps, the first of which is addressed in the <br /> resolution that accompanies this agenda report: <br /> 1. Inspection, Declaration of Nuisance, and Notification. Identify parcels that are or <br /> may become hazardous due to an overgrowth of grasses, weeds, shrubbery and <br /> trees and/or the presence of dirt, refuse and rubbish. Identified properties are <br /> presented to the City Council. The City Council reviews the list and declares that <br /> some or all of the parcels are public nuisances, requiring abatement. The City <br /> Council may also find and declare that weeds on specified parcels are seasonal <br /> and recurrent nuisances. Property owners are given notice to abate the nuisance <br /> on their properties. <br /> 2. Protest Hearing and Order to Abate. The City Council hears and considers all <br /> objections to the abatement proposed and then orders abatement by a <br /> contractor. <br /> 3. Re-inspection and Abatement.. Fire inspectors inspect the parcels on the <br /> abatement list. If a hazard exists and abatement has not occurred by the May 31, <br /> 2023, deadline set by the LPFD, the contractor abates the weeds. <br /> 4. Tax Lien. The property owners are sent an invoice for the abatement costs, plus <br /> an administrative charge and, if related litigation is required, all attorneys' fees, <br /> expenses and costs. Any amount not paid by the property owners is placed as a <br /> special assessment on the property owner's tax bill. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached resolution. Upon adoption, LPFD <br /> will notify all listed property owners (see Exhibit A) of the public hearing set for April 18, <br /> 2023, as well as the May 31, 2023, deadline to complete the abatement. <br /> Submitted by: Fiscal Review: Approved by: <br /> Joseph Testa Susan Hsieh Gerry LBeaudin <br /> Fire Chief Finance Director City Manager <br /> Attachment: <br /> 1. Resolution <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br />