HomeMy WebLinkAbout0009_1_Hazardous Abatement Fees - SR
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Grant Yates, City Manager
Prepared By: Nicole Dailey, Senior Management Analyst
Date: May 31, 2016
SUBJECT: Resolution Establishing Fees for Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish
Abatement Program
Recommendation
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHING FEES FOR HAZARDOUS VEGETATION AND RUBBISH
ABATEMENT PROGRAM.
Background
The City’s Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program requires property owners
within the City to alleviate potentially hazardous conditions and to maintain their property
throughout the year. The mission of the City’s Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement
Program is for the annual removal of combustible fuel such as weeds, brush, dead trees and
rubbish from unimproved properties within the City limits including abatement of nuisances such
as fill dirt and debris from illegal dumping, through the cooperation of affected property owners in
accordance with the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code.
In February 2015, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2016-1349 amending the Lake
Elsinore Municipal Code, Chapter 8.18, regarding Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement
to establish more efficient and effective procedures that encourage greater compliance and
ensure adequate cost recovery for the program.
Key changes to the program included: transferring responsibility of the program to the City’s Fire
Marshall; subcontracting the inspection and/or clearing of properties to an outside contractor;
streamlining the program by reducing the steps that require formal approval and/or adoption by
the City Council; and establishing new procedures that include physical property inspections,
additional property documentation and mailed notices to property owners.
Discussion
One of the key objectives of the new Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program is
to improve the City’s ability to recover costs. However, the existing fee schedule does not
adequately reflect all of the costs incurred by the City for the administration of the program and/or
the abatement of private properties. Currently, the City’s fees include an abatement cost of $0.02
per square foot plus an administrative fee of $306. Both of these are only assessed if, and when,
Establishing Fees for Abatement Program
May 31, 2016
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a non-compliant property is abated by the City. As such, the fees are not punitive in comparison
to the costs of hiring a contractor to clear a property and they do not adequately reflect the cost
of more time intensive tasks including tree trimming, hauling or handwork. Therefore, some
property owners may choose to wait to see if the City actually clears their property rather than
urging self-compliance.
In addition, last month the City Council awarded agreements to two contractors to more effectively
implement the City’s program. The contractors will provide inspection and abatement services on
behalf of the City through Fiscal Year 17/18 at an estimated cost of approximately $365,000 per
year. Therefore, it is essential that the City’s fees more accurately reflect all costs associated with
the program.
To determine the schedule of fees, staff conducted a cost analysis using the proposed costs for
the contractors providing inspection and abatement services on behalf of the City. Proposed costs
include inspections, record-keeping software, abatement fees and related City costs to administer
and manage the program. Based on this analysis as shown in Exhibit B, staff is recommending
the following fee schedule as outlined in the resolution:
Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Fee Schedule
Administrative Fee: $350.00 Assessed Upon Failure to
Comply by Notice Deadline
Abatement Fees:
If a property is abated by the City or a City Contractor, the following fees will be charged:
Tractor Mowing Abatement
Single Parcel - Less than one (1) acre $155.25 Fixed Fee
Single Parcel - Over one (1) acre $155.25 Per Acre
Discing
Single Parcel - Less than one (1) acre $138.00 Fixed Fee
Single Parcel - Over one (1) acre $138.00 Per Acre
Hand Labor $0.12 Per Square Foot Cleared
Tree Trimming $51.75 Per Cubic Yard of Material
Dozer Operation (if needed)
Rate $575.00 Per Hour
Move-On Fee $143.75 Fixed Fee
Debris/Rubbish Removal & Hauling
Removal & Hauling $143.75 Per Cubic Yard of Material
Dump Fees TBD Actual Cost
Excavator Brush Cutting Machine $0.58 Per Square Foot Cleared
Skip Loader (if needed) $115.00 Per Hour
Miscellaneous Fees Per Parcel
County Assessment Fee for Non-Payment $50.00 Placement on Tax Roll
Late Fee/Penalty for Non-Payment 10%
Appeal Filing Fee $50.00 *Refunded if Appeal is Granted
Establishing Fees for Abatement Program
May 31, 2016
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Going forward, staff believes these fees will allow the City to adequately recover all costs and
ensure the City does not incur significant administrative burdens and additional expenses in
administering the Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program.
Upon establishing the fee schedule, staff intends to include the proposed fees with all 15-day
notices and on the City’s website to help educate property owners about the fee changes.
Fiscal Impact
The Hazardous Vegetation and Rubbish Abatement Program is a cost recovery program. The
City will see a positive fiscal impact through the streamlined procedures and program including
an overall reduction in staff costs and improved cost recovery for the City’s abatement efforts.
Cost recovery will vary on a case by case basis. The City does not retain any revenues. All
revenues will be used for the program.
Exhibits
Exhibit A: Resolution
Exhibit B: Cost Analysis