To: GENERAL GOVERNMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
From: Supervisor Haschak
Meeting Date: October 23, 2024
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Haschak |
Phone: |
707-463-4221 |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of an Update Regarding Mendocino County Code (MCC) Chapter 8.77, Titled “Hazardous Vegetation, Combustible Material, Rubbish, and Weeds” (Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Nuisance Ordinance) and Progress Towards Potential Funding Sources for Implementation
(Sponsor: Supervisor Haschak)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Accept update regarding Mendocino County Code (MCC) Chapter 8.77, titled “Hazardous Vegetation, Combustible Material, Rubbish, and Weeds” (Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Nuisance Ordinance) and progress towards potential funding sources for implementation.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On February 23, 2021, the Board adopted an ordinance creating Mendocino County Code Chapters 8.77 providing for the abatement of hazardous vegetation and combustible material to reduce fire hazards. On January 23, 2024, Board of Supervisors referred the consideration of potential revisions and potential funding sources to the General Government Standing Committee (GGC). This item was first discussed by the GGC on February 28, 2024, and again on May 22, 2024. On July 9, 2024, the BoS approved the proposed revisions and reallocation of funding.
Summary of Request/Referral:
Staff to update GGC on progress made regarding repurposing the two grants.
MCC Chapter 8.77 titled “Hazardous Vegetation, Combustible Material, Rubbish, and Weeds”, was originally adopted as an “intentional broad framework” with an expectation set by the Board that there would be additional modifications to the ordinance, identification of dedicated resources, and/or Board direction committed to a multistep process developing this as a functional enforcement tool to reduce fire hazards in the County.
Staff has submitted an amendment to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to combine two existing grant projects into a $295,000 planning project. The project will research approaches taken by other communities to encourage and enforce hazardous fuel abatement requirements to ensure public safety, complete a comparative analysis of existing ordinance language to refine the County’s existing, unworkable ordinance language, develop a recommended approach for Mendocino County’s fuel abatement program, develop updated ordinance language and create a forecast of the resource allocation needed for the County to adopt and implement the plan to aid in future implementation of the ordinance. Although HCD has approved the concept, the County is waiting for the amendment to be executed with HCD to begin work.
Additionally, staff have stated it is reasonable that collaboration and coordination with local fire entities remains a critical matter to successfully address hazardous vegetation, with the County perhaps in a supporting role.
Finally, there are hazardous situations in the County that need to be addressed, especially in regards to absentee owners. In some instances, community organizations have received grants for fuel reduction and hazardous vegetation abatement work, but they are unable to proceed for lack of authorization from absentee owners. All options should be explored, including acquisition or transfer of deadbeat properties to an entity that will be responsible stewards of the properties.
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: Dependent upon recommendation from GGC to BOS and action taken by BOS. |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe) Yes |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
CEO Liaison: Executive Office
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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