Mayor Steve DeBrum made it clear Tuesday that what is good for the gander is good for the goose.
In this case the gander refers to the citizens of Manteca and the goose is the city when it comes to abating weeds.
DeBrum made comments prior to the council awarding a contract for $103,582 to the Greater Valley Conservation Corps to abate weeds on municipal property that he wanted the staff to develop a plan so it would be taking care of its own weed-infested properties at the same time they are forcing private property owners to abate weeds under the threat of costly citations.
The conservation corps won’t finish municipal weed abatement until sometime in August or roughly three months after nearly 600 property owners failed to heed notices to clear weeds and debris by a May 1 deadline. Property owners are also subject to a $100 fine for the first infraction and $200 fine for subsequent infractions. The Manteca Fire Department’s annual citywide weed inspections start on April 1.
DeBrum not only was critical of the city not abating fire hazards as they require of the private sector in a timely manner, but he also emphasized the city’s foot dragging also degrades Manteca’s visual appearance.
After the meeting Tuesday, DeBrum said he would like to see funding and a strategy to issue a contract in place before next spring.
The issue was brought up a year ago in July of 2017 by the council when they issued the 2017 contract for weed abatement to the conservation corps. At the time staff indicated the problem was funding wasn’t included for the work in the prior year’s budget that covered the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. That meant work last year couldn’t be done until the staff presented — and the council adopted — a budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
The Great Valley Conservation Corps helps those between 18 and 25 years of age with academic instruction, employment opportunities, green job training, life skills and more. It is based out of the San Joaquin County Office of Education complex in Stockton.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
