1994 MIN AUG 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Gonzales declared the public hearing open. City Clerk Ramos submitted the affidavits of publication and reported she had received 4 protests. In accord with Resolution R-19-94, Fire Chief Hall commented on the action taken to implement the weed abatement program. He explained there were two parts to this program: Spring with emphasis on weeds and annual grasses and fall with emphasis on tumbleweeds. He informed that applicable notices were mailed for the spring season, pursuant to State law, with abatement having started on May 1, 1994 for those parcels not completed by the owners. He reported that spring abatement has been completed and staff has prepared a written report of costs on those parcels for which no payment has been received prior to August 1, 1994. Approximately 150 parcels were completed for spring weed abatement season resulting in the assessment of $9,000 in administrative fees in addition to the contractor's charges. Councilmember Sandoval asked who conducted the inspection of property. Fire Marshal Sork replied that he personally conducted the survey of the entire city, having driven every street, and marked lots and parcels on a map. Councilmember Sandoval asked if hilly portions of land were abated and if abatement was conducted in apartment complexes. Fire Marshal Sork answered that only flat portions were abated with no hillside done because of the erosion factor. He stated that abatement was carried out on vacant parcels of land or where there were vacant houses. Dr. Donald Peterson, 244 Lawton, Loma Linda, said he owned approximately 26 acres of unimproved property in Reche Canyon. There are no structures on the property. He insisted that he had not received any notice of abatement; however, upon receipt of notice of possible lien, he immediately submitted payment of $500, which included two administrative fee charges. Having owned this property for thirty years, Mr. Peterson said he has visited the property on a regular basis and it has never been a nuisance. He protested the disking done to his property as he had not asked that it be done nor had he received appropriate notice of a nuisance. He argued that the disking to the flatland would now encourage growth of unwanted weeds such as tumbleweeds and mustard weeds. Dr. Peterson requested that the entire $500 be refunded to him. Having personally inspected the subject property, Fire Chief Hall said he found it to be a fire hazard with dry grass, waist high and he declared it to be a nuisance. Mayor Gonzales asked for further public comment. Motion by Councilmember Beltran, seconded by Councilmember Rios, to terminate �. the public hearing. Unanimous vote. 10 AUG 0 2 1994