HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06251985 - 1.94 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Phil Batchelor, Contra
FROM: County Administrator
Costa
DATE: June 5, 1985 County
SUBJECT: Herbicide Spraying �`�
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
Accept this report in response to the Board' s February 12, 1985 referral of
the types of herbicides used in the County and the application procedures .
employed and in response to -a letter received by. Mr. Michael Warner, 5960
Park Avenue, Richmond in regards to the County' s herbicide program.
BACKGROUND/REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION
On February 12, 1985 the Board of Supervisors requested that my office
prepare a report to the Board on the types of herbicides used in the County
and the application procedures employed. Specifically Supervisor Fanden
referred to a letter she received from Michael Warner, 5960 Park Avenue,
Richmond expressing his concern with respect to the use of herbicides and .
the methods of application as a mitigation measure for the control of
weeds. In response to the Board' s referral, my office requested informa-
tion from the Public Works Director and the County Agricultural
Commissioner-Director of Weights and Measures in regards to this matter.
A listing of the chemicals used by both departments is attached. The
purpose of the County Public Works and the Agricultural Department' s
program is to control vegetation and protect the public. In agricultural
fields, control is necessary in order to maintain agricultural resources.
Along drainage channels, control is necessary to maintain capacity for fire
abatement and to protect the public from flooding. Along roadsides,
control is necessary to keep roadside ditches clear so they function
properly, to keep vegetation from damaging pavement, to allow vehiculars
site distance, to aid in fire abatement, and to promote safety for citizens
using the roadways.
The County staff who apply the herbicides are trained professionals. A
great deal of planning goes into. operating a safe and effective program.
In addition, the use of herbicides is extremely cost effective. In 1983
the Public Works Department compared the cost of using herbicides versus
mechanical or manual control of vegetation. The cost to chemically treat
2, 550 acres of roads, 326 acres of creek banks and beds, and 1,116 acres of
channels totaled $444,500. To accomplish the same results mechanically or
manually would have cost over $3,000,000.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:_ YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
YUNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: County Administrator ATTESTED LAI-jo? � '15' fT; /7 U 5
PLtbl is Works PHIL/�BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Michael Warner SU RVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 �7 (/
BY � . DEPUTY
2.
In regards to the specific issues raised by Mr. Warner in regards to the
Public Works Department spraying in the Park Avenue and McBryde Avenue
areas of Richmond, representatives of the Public Works Department and my
office have contacted Mr. Warner to discuss his concerns. The Public Works
Department Weed Abatement Supervisor reviewed with Mr. Warner the types of
chemicals used and the application methods. In response to Mr. Warner' s
concerns, the department has agreed not to spray certain areas of greatest
concern to him so long as Mr. Warner and his neighbors abate the weed
problem. However, Mr. Warner. continues to be concerned specifically as to
why herbicides are used in his general nighborhood area. The County' s use
of herbicides is in conformance with all applicable safety standards. As a
matter of general policy, the County' s weed control program is carried out
in an effective and safe manner.