4. Discuss amending City Code Section 1020.31for tall grass, weeds, and encroaching brush abatement and penalty fees
Memorandum
Public Works Department
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jay Strachota, Streets & Parks Superintendent
Cc: Mike Mornson, City Manager
Date: April 12, 2016
Subject: Discuss amending City Code Section 1020.31for tall grass, weeds, and encroaching
brush abatement and penalty fees
Staff would like to discuss amending City Code Section 1020.31 for tall grass, weeds, and
encroaching brush abatement and penalty fees. Staff proposes changing from customized
invoicing to a flat fee for these services. The current system involves the detailed tracking of
personnel and equipment so each billing is customized. Itemizing each invoice is very time
intensive. Also with the current billing method, no fees are collected to defray the cost of staff
time spent inspecting, sending notices, or billing; per City Code Section 615.08 Subd 3 these are
billable expenses.
By setting flat fees, the billing process will be significantly simplified yet remain fair.
The proposed Nuisance Abatement fees are as follows:
A/S/B Fee to Abate Penalty Fee
LLEYIDEWALKOULEVARD
MT Tall Grass/Weeds
OW OR RIM
st
Failure to Mow/Trim – 1 Offense$180 N/A
nd
Failure to Mow/Trim – 2 Offense$180 $25.00
rd
Failure to Mow/Trim – 3 Offense$180 $50.00
Each Additional Violation $180 Double the
Previous Amount
ML– Fee to Abate Penalty Fee
OW OT
PF Tall Grass/Weeds
ARTIAL OR ULL
st
Failure to Mow – 1 Offense$260 N/A
nd
Failure to Mow – 2 Offense$260 $25.00
rd
Failure to Mow – 3 Offense$260 $50.00
Each Additional Violation $260 Double the
Previous Amount
Brush, Yard Waste Bag and Bulk Item pick-up fees will apply.
\\2016 April 12 Work Session Memo
Staff reserves the right to bill as needed for staff time and equipment required in
extreme cases.
Below is an example of a residence that was abated twice in 2015 and how those charges
compare to what is being proposed.
2015 Proposed 2016 Notes
08/28/15 $168.80 $210.00 Trimmed trees/bushes along sidewalk.
Hauled away 15 yards of brush.
($180 + $30 brush
pick-up charge)
11/02/15 $195.62 $285.00 Mowed/whipped entire property, front
& back. Blew sidewalks, cleaned up
($260+$25 penalty)
trash. Trimmed bushes along sidewalk
\\2016 April 12 Work Session Memo