HomeMy WebLinkAbout006 - Weed Control ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO , 6
TO: Department Heads August 31 , 1978
FROM: Lee Kraft , City Manager ;41�
SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON WEED CONTROL ,
This order is to give effect to Ordinance No . 1972 (Pasco Municipal Code
Chapter 12 . 12) , the tree and vegetation control ordinance adopted July 10 , 1978 .
This is the new ordinance that not only pulls together all of the weed control
regulations , but also covers trees , shrubs , and other vegetation ,
The new ordinance makes several noteworthy changes over prior code regulations .
The most significant is that the abutting property owner is made responsible for
all nuisance vegetation on that portion of the public right-of-way which abuts the
affected property owner' s property , This applies to undeveloped , as well as
developed rights -of-way . It also applies to parking (planting) strips which now
are the responsibility of the abutting property owners , whereas formerly the Parks
and Recreation Department had the responsibility for maintaining these strips ,
Under Section 2 of P , M , C , 12 . 12 , 020 , the Manager is given authority to
designate the department or departments he feels best can administer the
provisions of the ordinance , Pursuant to this authority , the following assignments
are made for the type of enforcement as indicated:
PARKING (PLANTING) STRIPS : The Director of Parks and Recreation , or his
designate , is assigned responsibility to administer the new regulations as they
• concern these strips , Periodic inspections of these strips are to be made by the
Department during the growing season for vegetation , and violaters are to be
notified to abate any nuisances relating to vegetative matter as spelled out in the
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Weed Control August 31 , 1978
new ordinance . The Department will use the procedure for abatement as
specified in the ordinance . Other City personnel , especially the Environmental
Control Inspector , noting violations relating to parking strips or receiving calls
about alleged violations , are to refer these complaints to the Director of Parks
and Recreation for investigation and remedial action as necessary .
The Park Department shall also be responsible for sight obstructions at
intersections .
OTHER RIGHTS- OF-WAY , DEVELOPED OR UNDEVELOPED: The Director of
Community Development , or his designate , is assigned responsibility to
administer the new regulations as they concern these areas . Periodic inspections
are to be made of these areas during the growing season , and the abatement
process is to be applied against the offending abutting property owners . All
complaints concerning these areas are to go to the Department of Community
Development for investigation and remedial action .
VACANT LOTS : The Director of Community Development , or his designate , is
assigned responsibility to administer the vegetation controls over both public and
private vacant lots . Periodic inspections during the growing season shall be
required so as to identify offending properties . This suggests the preparation of a
master map showing the location of all vacant lots and tracts , together with the
identification of the names of the owners or those people controlling the
property , and their addresses . This will expedite communication when offenses
are noted by our City inspectors .
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Weed Control August 31 , 1978
The applicable standard for vegetation control , as stated in the cited ordinance ,
is that weeds , brush , or other uncultivated vegetation growing to a height of
12 inches or more , is deemed to be a menace to the public health , safety and
welfare , of our City . Accordingly , the City can require the cutting of the
offending vegetation and can require its removal or destruction to avoid further
nuisance . Where voluntary cooperation from the offending property is not
forthcoming within a reasonable time , then the ordinance gives clear authorization
to abate the nuisance and to charge the cost thereof against the property by
filing a lien against the property . A resolution must be adopted by the City
Council before the abatement/lien procedure can be consummated . Keep in
mind that any bill which is to be involved in a lien procedure must be itemized as
to the type of expense (labor , rental , etc .) entailed .
FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITY: The Fire Department has overlapping
responsibility with all the other departments named herein for vegetation control
in terms of fire hazards . This grant of authority comes from the Uniform Fire
Code which the City has adopted by reference , and from P . M . C . 12. 12 .
Whenever possible , it is the intent of this regulation to require the Fire Chief , or
his designate , to coordinate closely with the named departments so that our
enforcement actions carry the full weight of the law behind them , so that
whenever possible we can call an offense a fire hazard as well as a public
nuisance . Whenever a violation of P . M . C . 12 . 12 constitutes a fire hazard , the
Fire Department should use the enforcement power of this Chapter , because it
has a lien procedure that is superior to the Uniform Fire Code ,
The City Manager will expect the affected Department Heads to develop a mechanism
that creates this kind of coordination on a continuing basis .