SNAG SCUTTLES BRUSH FEE, AT LEAST FOR NOW; COUNCIL CITES ERROR BY FIRE DEPARTMENT; SUSPENDS $13 CHARGE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

A $13 brush clearance inspection fee that infuriated hillside homeowners was put on hold Wednesday when the City Council decided the Fire Department bungled notifying the public about the new assessment.

``The Fire Department's notification was sent without benefit of any public information campaign to explain the new fees and requirements, resulting in confusion for property owners,'' said the motion introduced by Council President John Ferraro. ``Further, questions have been raised regarding how fees are assessed to condominiums.

``While it is critical that property owners proceed with the clearing of any hazardous brush in what is expected to be a particularly dangerous fire season, the public deserves a better explanation of the fee.''

The council approved the $13 fee last fall to cover the cost of routine inspections to ensure properties are clear of flammable vegetation because of the high fire danger posed by a wet El Nino winter followed by a dry La Nina winter.

Notification of the fee last week took the council, and the public, by surprise.

Notices were sent to owners of 180,000 properties in areas of high brush fire risk, including those along the San Fernando Valley's perimeter, raising the rancor of owners who flooded council members' offices with calls about the fee.

``It's unfortunate that they did something like this because they got a lot of people excited, and we've gotten a lot of calls to our office and we've had to explain to them that the Fire Department sent this out without the council's knowledge,'' said Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents the Northwest Valley.

In addition, he said, the fee was applied to parcels in flatlands nowhere near brush-covered hillsides.

Assistant Fire Marshall Michael Fulmis said the department kept city officials informed of its plans to enforce the new fee during City Council and committee meetings.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged: ``I think there was some confusion among property owners about what was going on. This took a lot of property owners by surprise.''

The letter informed property owners of the inspection fee, warning that failure to pay on time would result in a fine of double the $13 fee.

To meet brush clearance standards, owners must clear brush to a height of three inches within 200 feet of a structure and comply with other rules on brush near roads, fences, trees, chimneys and roofs.

The rules apply to all properties in the mountain fire district and buffer zones - including Valley neighborhoods south of Ventura Boulevard and north of the Ronald Reagan Freeway, dipping down as far south as Devonshire Street in some spots, Fulmis said.

Fire officials will return to the council in 10-14 days with a revised letter explaining the need for brush abatement, the reasons for the new fees and information on how to do a self-inspection or hire a private fire inspector in lieu of paying the fees.

It also will review how fees are assessed to condominiums and will likely re-evaluate its brush fire risk zones, Fulmis said.

Fulmis said inspections and brush clearance will continue uninterrupted while the department revises the letter.

West Hills Property Owners Association President-elect Chuck Gremer said his neighbors were confused by the complex rules but don't oppose the program in concept.

``If they clarify it and make it to where people can understand it I think they'll comply,'' he said. ``It's obviously a good thing in the Valley.''