City Council

(10) 23-1095 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the proposed decision and recommendations for the 2022 Brush Clearance Assessment Appeals. Recommendations for Council action: CONFIRM and APPROVE the 2022 Brush Clearance Assessments, as recommended by the Board of Fire Commissioners (BFC) at its meeting held on October 3, 2023 and detailed in the October 3, 2023 BFC report, attached to the Council File. AMEND the 2022 Brush Clearance Assessments for the following appeals: Waive the administrative fee of $1,398 and confirm the total assessment of $2,648 for the parcel identified as APN 2277-022-043, situs address located at 3277 Longridge Terrace, Sherman Oaks, California 91423. Waive the administrative fee of $1,398 plus $674 reinspection fee, and confirm the total assessment of $3,398 for the parcel identified as APN 2727-022-067, situs address vacant lot located at 22406 West Summit Ridge Circle, Chatsworth, California 91311. Waive the cost of clearance of $27,950, waive the administrative fee of $1,398, and confirm the total assessment of $29,348 for the parcel identified as APN 5302-010-129, situs address not applicable. Waive the cost of clearance of $4,300, waive administrative fees but retain the $33 inspection fee and $674 reinspection fee, and confirm the total assessment of $5,698 for the parcel identified as APN 5567-020-007, situs address not applicable. Waive the administrative fee of $1,398 and reduce the cost of clearance to $550, and confirm the total assessment of $2,498 for the parcel identified as APN 5454-011-030, situs address not applicable. DIRECT the Los Angeles Fire Department to: Mail notification letters to the property owner regarding the Board findings, conclusion and proposed assessment. Transmit the October 3, 2023 Board report and proposed decision of the hearing officers to the City Attorney. Forward the October 3, 2023 Board report, attached to the Council file, upon approval by Council, to the Los Angeles County Tax Collector for placement on the Los Angeles County 2024 Property Tax rolls. Fiscal Impact Statement: The BFC reports that property owners are assessed an administrative fee of $1,398.00 plus the cost of clearance to abate the hazard for failure to comply with brush clearance requirements. The typical cost of clearance is from $1,000 to 5,000.  For the 2022 brush season, 56 appeal requests were received from property owners electing to appeal their assessments. Of the 56 appeals received, 3 were granted resulting in a full or partial fee reduction. The Brush Clearance Assessment Hearings estimated total revenue is $458,080.