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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1g - Weed Abatement Services AgreementG�IIFOgnt9`y� * a ' —d AuBUSt i, IY03 C ° -.Aq°n;ty°t ° ee � STAFF REPORT Fire Department DATE: April 1, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Kurt Norwood, Acting Fire Chief By: Yvonne Yeung, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF THE WEED ABATEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ARCADIA AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER/WEIGHTS AND MEASURES DEPARTMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2014, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2019 Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY The existing Weed Abatement Services Agreement between the City of Arcadia and the County of Los Angeles expires on June 30, 2014. Through the agreement, the County inspects vacant properties and takes corrective actions to ensure that they do not become public nuisances. It is recommended that the City Council approve the renewal of the agreement for an additional five -year period from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2019. DISCUSSION Under the terms of the existing agreement, the County of Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Department performs weed abatement functions within the City of Arcadia. As part of the City's fire prevention efforts, all designated improved properties and unimproved properties that are not adequately maintained by the property owners are cleared of weeds, brush, or rubbish, as directed by the Arcadia Fire Department. The cost of all work performed is assessed and placed on the tax roll of subject properties in the manner set forth in Government Code Sections 39573 to 39585. In addition, any parcels (except tax - exempt parcels) upon which weeds, brush, or rubbish are declared to be a public nuisance are assessed the County- approved inspection fee whether or not it was necessary to perform abatement work upon the parcel. The collection of such assessments is then paid over to the County. Renewal of Weed Abatement Services Agreement April 1, 2014 Page 2 of 2 This program has worked very effectively in the past. The services provided by the County for the removal of weed growth and debris from vacant properties are in compliance with the County's and the City's hazardous vegetation clearance standard. Therefore, it is recommended that the City continue to contract with the County for this service. FISCAL IMPACT There is no direct cost to the City of Arcadia for this service, and minimal staff time is required to administer this agreement. The inspection fee and cost of all work performed by the County is assessed and placed directly upon the tax roll of subject properties. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize and direct the City Manager to approve the renewal of the Weed Abatement Services Agreement between the City of Arcadia and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Department for the period of July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2019. Approved. Dominic Lazzare�t City Manager