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Cambria board adopts resolution to abate hazardous weeds on about 117 parcels
Summary
The Cambria Community Services District board on July 16 adopted a resolution ordering abatement under its Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program, approving contractor abatement for roughly 117 parcels, billing property owners a $100—$200 administrative fee and allowing unpaid charges to be placed on the county tax roll for fiscal year 26—27.
The Cambria Community Services District board on July 16 adopted a resolution ordering abatement of hazardous weeds and debris under the district's Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program, authorizing contractor work on about 117 parcels and the billing of property owners for abatement costs plus a $100 to $200 administrative fee.
The vote followed a staff presentation and two public comments during a special meeting called by the chair. General Manager McElhaney told the board that 1,901 parcels were identified and noticed this year and that most owners either abated their lots or arranged for compliance; the number requiring contractor abatement is now down to about 117. McElhaney said the district pays contractor charges and staff time up front and then bills property owners for reimbursement and administrative fees; funds not recovered would be placed on the county tax roll for fiscal year 26—27.
Crosby, a public commenter, urged the board to make more information public about follow-up actions and year-to-year authority, saying, "The annual updated list of noncompliant parcels should be made public," and that notices and the district's intended steps (including use of lead abatement contractors, postcards to owners and the billing procedure) should be spelled out in the resolution. The chair and legal counsel said the process is statutory and that the district follows an annual calendar and a step-by-step procedure; legal counsel Hirsch noted the resolution includes an attached list of APNs and that the procedure for declaring nuisances and placing costs on tax rolls is established in statute.
Fire Chief Berkey told the board the district's newer inspection tools improved speed and accuracy. "With Esri...and the Starlink application, we didn't have any cell service issues, and it was phenomenal," Berkey said, adding that crews completed what normally takes a week in a single day and that the district is coordinating with a contracted tree service for abatement work.
Director Craig moved to adopt the resolution with two textual changes to the recitals, including correcting a listed hearing date to 07/16/2026; the motion was seconded (the second was not named on the record). The board closed the public hearing and approved the motion on a unanimous 5-0 roll-call vote. The chair then thanked counsel and commenters and adjourned the brief meeting.
The resolution and staff report, as described at the hearing, authorize contractor abatement on the listed parcels, billing to property owners for contractor charges plus the specified administrative fee, and placement of any unrecovered funds on the county tax roll for the indicated fiscal year. The record shows the board corrected a date in the resolution's recitals during the adoption motion.
Next steps: the district indicated it will proceed with contractor abatement on parcels that remain noncompliant, pursue billing and administrative fees as described, and place unrecovered charges on the tax roll if necessary; staff did not provide exact counts of how many owners live in Cambria versus out of state beyond saying a majority of the 117 owners are out of state.
