STAFF REPORT JOEL ARANAZ, FIRE CHIEF - FIVE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY CJJ

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1 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: STAFF REPORT DI HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL JOEL ARANAZ, FIRE CHIEF - FIVE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY CJJ CONSIDERATION OF STANDARDIZING THE PROCESS OF WEED ABATEMENT AND THE PROCEDURES FOR THE SALE OF SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS WITHIN THE FIVE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES BACKGROUND The purpose of this report is to provide the Council with a discussion of the efficiencies to be gained through the standardization of the weed abatement process as well as the procedures for the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks. The City of Grover Beach administered its weed abatement and fireworks sales programs annually until the formation of the Five Cities Fire Authority. Since 2011, the Authority has administered each program according to the ordinances of the City of Grover Beach. The Authority administers similar programs for the City of Arroyo Grande and the Oceano Community Facilities District according to their ordinances. The cities of Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and the Oceano Community Services District created the Authority for the purpose of providing more efficient and effective fire protection services within the agencies respective jurisdictions. The standardization of these programs under one ordinance established by the Five Cities Fire Authority will provide greater efficiencies in the delivery of fire protection services. DISCUSSION Weed Abatement Each year throughout the Authority there exists numerous lots and parcels of real property exhibiting weeds, dry grass and other flammable material which endangers public safety by creating a fire hazard. The Five Cities Fire Authority has been tasked with administering the weed abatement program for the cities of Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and the Oceano Community Services District. APPROVED FOR FORWARDING Please Review for the Possibility of a Potential Conflict of Interest: ~None Identified by Staff 0 Lee o Peterson 0 o Bright 0 Nicolls Meeting Date: February Agenda Item No.

2 Staff Report: Standardizing Procedures for Weed Abatement and Fireworks February 19, 2013 Page 2 Each city and/or district has its own distinct timetable and process for the abatement of weeds and dry grass. Because of the differing schedules and processes, administration of the program is cumbersome for the staff at Five Cities Fire. Each entity has separate dates for their adoption of the weed abatement resolution, separate dates for notifying landowners, differing clearance deadlines and differing public hearing dates. Because of the differing schedules, separate and distinct letters must be mailed and processed for each city or district. Section 5B and M of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement authorize the Authority to set fees and collect and maintain fee revenue for services provided by the Authority (5B) and adopt rules, regulations, policies, bylaws and procedures governing the operation of the Authority (5M). By standardizing the abatement of weeds under a process established by the Five Cities Fire Authority and amending municipal codes to reflect the processes established by the Authority, one set of dates can be established in providing for weed abatement. Residents owning property in multiple areas will have a single public hearing to attend and one set of dates to adhere to for clearing vegetation. Monies collected on properties which are abated by the Authority contractor and any liens submitted to the County Auditor for assessment on the County Tax Roll will continue to go to each city or district as is the practice now. Administrative fees will continue to be divided between the city or district and the Authority. The proposed process/time frame for weed abatement is as follows: FCFA Board adopts resolution: Identify lots needing clearance: Notify property owners: Clearance deadline: Re-inspect lots for violations: Public Hearing declaring violations: Contractor abatement: Public Protest Hearing: Report to County Auditor: April Board meeting By end of April By May 1 By June 1 First Week of June Second Friday of June June Special July Board meeting Prior to July 20 Sale of Fireworks The issue with the administration of sales of fireworks is the same as with weed abatement. The Authority administers the program, inspects the booths and enforces the dates and time of sales. Again, each entity has set its own procedures and timeframes making it difficult for the Authority to administer three different sets of rules.

3 Staff Report: Standardizing Procedures for Weed Abatement and Fireworks February 19,2013 Page 3 Currently, the dates for the application opening/closing process vary, by community, from March 1 to April 15 (Arroyo Grande); April 3 to May 31 (Grover Beach) and April 2 to April 30 (Oceano). Sales of Safe and Sane fireworks also differ throughout the Authority from 0900 July 1 through 2100 July 4 (Arroyo Grande); 1200 June 28 through 1200 July 5 (Grover Beach and Oceano). Discharge of Safe and Sane fireworks also varies for the July holiday with Arroyo Grande allowing discharge on July 4 only from hours; Grover Beach allows the discharge from July 3 through midnight July 5 and they allow a second discharge over the New Year holiday; Oceano allows the discharge of fireworks all day every day of the year. All three communities have limits on the number of booths, rules on how the non-profit groups rotate through the years and which groups have first right of refusal. The Authority has no desire to, and will not alter the number of booths or the non-profit groups operating the booths. For administrative purposes, the Authority only seeks to enforce one set of dates and criteria for the application process, sales and discharge dates. The proposed time frames for sales of Safe and Sane fireworks: Application process opens: Application process closes: Booths begin sales: Booth sales end: Discharge of Safe and Sane firework: ALTERNATIVES The Council has the following alternatives to consider: March 1 April 30 No sooner than noon June 28 No later than noon July 5 Not before noon July 3 and not after midnight July 5 and from noon December 30 through midnight January 1 in Grover Beach 1. Approve staff recommendations and direct City Attorney to return with necessary amendments to the Grover Beach Municipal Code and related actions to reflect the processes established by the Five Cities Fire Authority. 2. Do not approve staff recommendations and keep the processes as they are; or 3. Modify the recommendations and approve; or 4. Provide alternate direction to the Fire Chief of the Five Cities Fire Authority. RECOMMENDED ACTION It is recommended the Council agree to pursue the standardization of the weed abatement process and the procedures for the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks throughout the Five Cities Fire Authority jurisdictional boundaries and direct the City Attorney to return with necessary amendments to the Grover Beach Municipal Code and related actions to reflect the processes established by the Five Cities Fire Authority.

4 Staff Report: Standardizing Procedures for Weed Abatement and Fireworks February 19, 2013 Page 4 FISCAL IMPACT No financial impact is projected. It is estimated implementing this recommendation will reduce the amount of staff time necessary to administer the weed abatement program and fireworks sales process. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Attachments: 1. Weed Abatement Matrix 2. Safe and Sane Fireworks Matrix

5 CATEGORY ARROYO GRANDE I GROVER BEACH I OCEANO WEED ABATEMENT MATIUX-ATTACHMENT1 ARROYO GRANDE GROVER BEACH OCEANO Ji1VE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY Adopt Resolution 412/12 4/11112 April Board Meeting Identify Lots Needing Clearance Send Reminder Notice to Property Owners to Clear Clearance Deadline 4/3-4/10/12 4/3-4110/ / /1112 4/14/12 5/ /6/12 6/3112 End of April May 1 June 1 Re-Inspect Lots for Violations Public Hearing Declaring Violations and Scheduled Contractor Work Contractor Abatement Public Hearing to Contest Contractor Clearance Work Report Costs to County Auditor Ongoing /12 N/A /12 N/A 6/6-7/1/12 6/ /12 N/A 7/16/12 7/1112 N/A 7120/12 7/20/12 First Week of June Second Friday of June 6/ July Board Meeting Prior to July 20» ;: (') :::r 3 CI> :::I......

6 ARROYO GRANDE / GROVER BEACH /OCEANO SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS MATRIX-. ATTACHEMENT 2 CATEGORY ARROYO GRANDE GROVER BEACH OCEANO FIVE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY Application Period March I" - April 15 th 2"" Tuesday in April and no later than the last business day in May From April I" to April 30 th From March I to April 30 List of Items Required When Submitting Application Packet: Application Filing Fee Proof of Incorporation, Chartering, or Tax ID # Current Roster of Organization Letter of Agreement from Property Owner Proposed Disposition of Profits Location and Method of Storing Fireworks During Non-hours of Sales - $75.00 (Refundable) No - $400 including $500 refundable cleaning deposit No No No (Mandatory 50%) (Mandatory 50%) (other than booth) No, but can store FW in booth during non-hours of sales No - $75 (Refundable) (Mandatory 50%) State Fire Marshal's Permit, by June I", by June 15 th (At mandatory meeting) General Liability Insurance Policy, by June I" By property owner request (At mandatory meeting) How are Non-profit Organizations Chosen Number of Permits Issued --- By established list Pursuant to Ord # 05-04, GB Chamber of Commerce shall have the right of first refusal for one permit; GB Police & Fire Asso. shall have the right of first refusal to share one permit. A selected drawing will be held if more than the number of permits allowed. Review by Board of Directors No change from current regulations No change from current regulations» Sf C) :;;; 3 - CD :::I '"

Permit Fee CATEGORY ARROYO GRANDE I GROVER BEACH I OCEANO SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS MATRIX-ATTACHEMENT 2 ARROYO GRANDE GROVER BEACH OCEANO $690 Paid before June I ~ $690 $400 FIVE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY

7 Permit Fee CATEGORY ARROYO GRANDE I GROVER BEACH I OCEANO SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS MATRIX-ATTACHEMENT 2 ARROYO GRANDE GROVER BEACH OCEANO $690 Paid before June I ~ $690 $400 FIVE CITIES FIRE AUTHORITY $690 (At mandatory meeting) I I i Mandatory Meeting 1 st Monday in June Scheduled during the 2 0 ' June week of No First week of June, Ordinance Date and Time Booths Can Start Being Set Up Fire Inspection of Booths Sanitary Facilities Dates and Times for Selling Fireworks Dates and Times Allowed to Discharge Fireworks? The week prior to July I ~ The week prior to June 28 th 8:00 a.m. June 25 th Prior to 9:00 a.m. on July 1st Beginning at 10 a.m. on June 28 th starting June 25 th ; 9:00 a.m. - By appointment with FD 3:00 p.m. Proof in written form No July 1~_4th Noon on June 28 th Noon on June 25 w until noon until noon on 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. July 5 th on July 6 th July 4th Only 6:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. Noon July 3 to July 5 w at Midnight; Noon December 30 to MidnightJanuary I" 24/7,365 days (FCFA) The week prior to June 28 th Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on June 28 th Noon on June 28 th until noon on July 5 th 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Noon July 3 to July 5 at Midnight; Noon December 30 to Midnight January 1 st Locations Legal to Discharge Fireworks City Parks, Driveways, Preestablished Cul-de-sacs No restrictions Within the boundaries of Oceano; Not on State property No change from current regulations Disposition of Unsold Fireworks, Booth, etc. List of How Proceeds Serve the Citizens Due Date for Financial Statement Unsold fireworks stock shall be removed from booth by 9:00 a.m., All unsold fireworks stock, litter, July 5 th ; Booth must be removed no and booth must be removed by None later than the Sunday of the weekend Noon on July 7 th following the 5 th of July. Organization will document in Due when application is submitted Due when application is the coming year how they submitted were spent in order to participate again October 31~ May I" the following calendar year Beginning of application period the following year NOTE. Except for Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Oceano, fireworks are illegal to possess, discharge, and sell in San Luis Obispo County. Other exceptions include: Templeton Fire District (Safe and Sane fireworks may be discharged from noon June 28 th through midnight July 4'h) San Miguel Fire District (Safe and Sane fireworks may be discharged from July I" through midnight July 4th) City of Morro Bay (Safe and Sane fireworks may be discharged only on private property) By Noon July 5 th, booth removed by Noon July 7 th Due with application submittal October 31 st 2

Staff Report: TOT Measure Placement on November 2018 Ballot Page 2 July 23, 2018

10 Staff Report: TOT Measure Placement on November 2018 Ballot Page 2 July 23, 2018 marketing district assessment funding Visit SLO CAL. Adding a future 1-2% TBID assessment would lead to a total tax rate