Council adopts fire-inspection ordinance and approves weed‑abatement services; asks staff to study repeat‑offender fees

The council unanimously adopted an ordinance amending municipal code Chapter 15.29 to establish a fire-inspection program and also approved a new fire-prevention services contract covering weed and litter abatement on May 6. The ordinance was the subject of a public hearing and received unanimous council support. Separately, the council approved a contract (Fire Prevention Services) that authorizes periodic weed‑abatement operations and associated fee schedules.

Councilmembers discussed the annual list of properties cited for overgrown weeds and recurring “frequent flyers” whose parcels were repeatedly abated. Councilmember Molina asked staff whether the existing fee schedule contained an enhanced penalty for repeat offenders; Fire Chief Sergio Mora and Chief Robert Hernandez said it was an ongoing operational issue and that adding a repeat‑offender fee likely would require work with the city attorney and might be implemented separately from the contractor agreement. The council made a motion to approve the resolution as described in the agenda but directed staff to return with options for a repeat‑offender fee.

Chief Mora and a representative from Fire Prevention Services described the program as a pass‑through contract in which the private contractor performs abatement and the city recovers its costs by billing property owners. Fire staff said the contract is time sensitive because the prior contract term was ending; councilmembers and staff agreed that the contractor agreement should move forward while staff explores a repeat‑offender surcharge.

Council voted to adopt the fire‑inspection ordinance (motion approved unanimously) and to approve the fire‑prevention services agreement with the additional direction that staff research and report back on fee options for repeat violators.