LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport City Council declared more than 90 properties to be public nuisances at its regular meeting on Tuesday, giving the green light for staff to abate the hazardous dry weeds that are currently on them.
According to Community Development Director Kevin Ingram, the declaration for 92 lots was needed since the Lakeport Fire Protection District — which handed out the notices back in May — doesn’t have the city’s administrative authority to order people to remove weeds that are considered a fire threat.
“If the Clayton and Valley fires taught us anything, urban areas aren’t immune from fire risk,” Ingram said. “They don’t have a mechanism to go after an abatement on these.”
Sent on Wednesday, the orders will give property owners until Sept. 19 to remove the weeds or face a $100 citation.
But as quickly he would like to see it done, Ingram wanted to remind people to use caution and use lawn equipment in the morning because it is still hot outside.
“We really want them to be careful in the 90-plus degree weather,” he said.
In addition to the abatement orders, the council also discussed the possibility of changing the city’s municipal code that requires weeds to be removed on the first business day after the Fourth of July to the beginning of summer.
“That’s just too late,” Ingram added.
City and fire protection staff will be looking at getting an ordinance passed by next fire season. The vote was unanimous, 4-0, with Councilwoman Mireya Turner absent
