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HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1983-0221 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 DATE March 10, 1981 ORDINANCE NO. INTROVUCED BY Hansey PROPOSED BY County Executive �J 11 , `ice 83 -22 AN ORDINANCE .AMENDING ORDINANCE 81 -61, W.C.C. CHAPTER 2.27 RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT POWERS OF THE NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL BOARD WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. 81 -61 the Whatcom County Council activated a County Noxious Weed Control Board as authorized by R.C.W. Chapter 17.10, and WHEREAS, it now appears that the control and prevention of the spreading of noxious weeds necessitates the implementation of procedures set forth in R.C.W. 17.10 for the creation and enforcement of liens against properties which are not in voluntary compliance with. the weed abatement requirements of that Chapter. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that in accordance with the provisions of R.C.W. Chapter 17.10, Ordinance No. 81 -61 (now codified as W.C.C. Chapter 2.27) is hereby amended to include the following new sections: 15. (a.) Whenever the Weed Control Board finds that Tansy Ragwort is present on any parcel of land, and that the owner thereof is not taking prompt and sufficient action to abate and control the same, pursuant to the provisions of R.C.W. 17.10.140 and 17.10.150, it shall notify. such owner that a violation of R.C.W. 17.10 exists.. Such notice shall be in writing and order prompt control action, and specify the time, of at least ten-(10) days from issuance 'of the notice, within which the prescribed action must be taken. (b.),If the owner does not take action to control the noxious weeds in accordance with the notice, the county board may control them, or cause their being controlled, at the expense of the owner. The amount of such expense shall constitute a lien against the property. Each such lien created may be collected by the Treasurer in the same manner as a delinquent real property tax, if within thirty (30) days from the date the owner is sent notice of the lien, including the amount thereof, the lien remains unpaid and an appeal has not been made pursuant to Section 16 infra. (c.) Written notice of said lien shall be sent to the property owner in the manner set forth in R.C.W. 17.10 .290 and shall include notice of the right to appeal provided by Section 16, infra. (d.) The County Auditor shall record in his office any lien created under this chapter, and any such lien shall bear interest at the rate of twelve 02) percent per annum and such interest shall accrue, as of the date of the notice. (e.) The owner shall be liable for payment of the controlling the weed, and nothing in this chapter construed to prevent collection of any judgment expense of shall be on account 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 thereof by any means available pursuant to law, in substitution for enforcement of the lien. Funds received in payment. for the expense of controlling noxious weeds shall be transferred to the County Noxious Weed Control Board to be expended as required to carry out the purposes of this Ordinance. 16. (a.) Any owner, upon request made within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing of the notice required under section 15 (a), supra, shall be entitled to a hearing before the Weed Control Board on any charge or cost for which such owner is alleged to be liable. The board shall send notice by certified mail, to each owner residing within the county at his last known address, as to any such charge or cost and as to his right of a hearing. If the owner does not reside within the county, such notice shall be sent by certified mail. . (b.) The Weed Board shall schedule a public hearing within thirty (30) days of its receipt of a valid request for hearing. At such hearing the board shall receive evidence and take testimony on the following issues: 1.) Was the action to control or abate tansy ragwort on the appellant's property necessary under the terms of R.C.W. Chapter 17.10? 2.) Was the cost and scope of the action taken reasonable in relation to the severity.of the problem? 3..) Was the action done in a negligent manner such that the appellant is entitled to offset the costs charged with the losses suffered as a.result of such negligence? (c.) The findings of the Weed Board shall be in writing, and the decision on the appeal shall be issued within twenty (20) days of the close of the public hearing. Final decisions and actions of the board shall be subject to judicial review as provided by R.C.W. 17.10.180. 17. Any lien for labor, materials, or equipment supplied in controlling noxious weeds shall be created in accordance with the requirements of R.C.W. 17.10 including, but not limited to, Sections 17.10.290 and 17.10.300.. APPROVED this ATT9972 ti 7th day of April , 1983. Clerk 0r',, The Council WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL W COM COUN T/ ; W HINGTON C COLE Chairperpo (�) APPROVED ( ) VETOED JOHN OUWS Coun y Executive April 8, 1983 DATE =1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 APPROVED AS TO FORM: r BRU E Le DISEIND, Civil Deputy Proseeutin_g Attorney Published on 4 .43.483 . and 4/15/83 This ordinance becomes effective on 4/18/83