Memorandum
Date: February 4, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Director
Marcus Beltramo, Code Enforcement Manager
Subject: 11:00 A.M. - HEARING - Consideration of Request for Post-Abatement Hearing on Account and Proposed Assessment of Summary Abatement- 6439 Fifteenth Avenue, Lucerne, CA / APN#034-212-10
Executive Summary:
From February 2, 2024 to February 6, 2024, Lake County Code Enforcement (CE) performed a summary abatement for the property located at 6439 Fifteenth Avenue, Lucerne, CA (property), the property owner as reflected on County records is Rhonda Morrill. In accordance with Lake County Code Chapter 13, Article I, Section 13-42, the Board of Supervisors shall hear and consider the account and proposed assessment, together with objections and protests thereto. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board may make such modifications and revisions of the proposed account and assessment as it deems just and may order the account and proposed assessment confirmed or denied, in whole or in part or as modified and revised.
Property Information:
Property Owners: Rhonda Morrill
Zoning Designation: “R1” Single Family District
Lot Type: Improved, with a manufactured home
Investigation Background and Fact(s):
On January 24, 2024 - While conducting code enforcement activities in the area, a UPS drive flagged down Code Enforcement Officer Chris Colen and alerted him to the issues occurring at the property. Colen proceed to the property and conducted a site inspection and observed in the front of the property large amounts of trash, refuse, and open and outdoor storage (Attachment B). Based on the extensive health and safety concerns witnessed in the front area of the property, Code Enforcement determined the conditions existed to request a summary abatement.
Between January 24, 2025 and January 31, 2025, In addition to the serious health and safety violations observing to be existing on the exterior of the property, Code Enforcement had concerns the interior of the property may also constitute a serious health and safety concern and worked to obtain an inspection warrant. On February 1, 2025 an inspection warrant was obtained and further serious health and safety concerns were discovered in the interior (Attachment C).
On January 25, 2024, Code Enforcement determined there was no water service to the property and posted 72hr Notice to restore water and later would post red tags for violation of the California Health and Safety Code 17920.3 (a) (5) - lack of hot and cold running water to the plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit. On February 2, 2024 a red tag was posted ordering the property to be vacated and to not be occupied. (Attachment D)
On February 2, 2024 the summary abatement request was approved and code enforcement proceeded with the abatement of those issues that presented and immediate or imminent risk to the health and safety of the general welfare of the public. Code Enforcement was granted approval to conduct a summary abatement for the following violation(s) existing on the property:
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (4) - Any condition dangerous to human life, unsafe, or detrimental to the public health or safety.
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (5) - Any use of land, buildings, or premises established, operated, or maintained contrary to the provisions of this Chapter and Chapter 21.
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (7) - The existence of garbage, rubbish, refuse, or waste matter, and weeds upon the premises contrary to the provisions of Chapters 9 and 21 of the Lake County Code and/or which creates a fire hazard.
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (8) - Any items causing an unsightly appearance which is visible from the scenic corridor or public right of way or sites of neighboring properties or which provides harborage for rats and/or other vermin, or creates other potential health hazard or public nuisance.
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (10) - The existence of hazardous substances and waste unlawfully released, discharged, or deposited upon any premises or onto any County property.
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (13) - Abandoned, dismantled, wrecked, or inoperable motor vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trailers, campers, boats or parts thereof.
• Chapter 13, 13-3.1 (e) (15) - Any property with dirty water, sewage, or any other substance, including but not limited to, urine, or other bodily matter, discolored water, contents of septic tanks, cesspools or privy vaults, which flows onto public or private property.
• International Property Maintenance Code 702.1 - [BE] 702.1 General. A safe, continuous and unobstructed path of travel shall be provided from any point in a building or structure to the public way. Means of egress shall comply with the International Fire Code.
• CA Health & Safety 17920.3 (a) (12) - Infestation of insects, vermin, or rodents as determined by a health officer or, if an agreement does not exist with an agency that has a health officer, the infestation can be determined by a code enforcement officer, as defined in Section 829.5 of the Penal Code, upon successful completion of a course of study in the appropriate subject matter as determined by the local jurisdiction CA H&S 17920.3
• CA Health & Safety (d) - All wiring, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation if it is currently in good and safe condition and working properly
• CA Health & Safety (h) - Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste, or vegetation that, in the opinion of the chief of the fire department or his deputy, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause
• CA Health & Safety (j) - Those premises on which an accumulation of weeds, vegetation, junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rodent harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials, and similar materials or conditions constitute fire, health, or safety hazards
• CA Health & Safety (a) - Inadequate sanitation shall include, but not be limited to, the following; (5) Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit.
• CA Fire Code 603.6 - Extension cords. Extension cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring and shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 817. Extension cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. Extension cords shall be used only with portable appliances. Extension cords marked for indoor use shall not be used outdoors
Abatement:
As of February 6, 2024, the violations constituting an imminent or immediate health and safety violation were corrected. Code Enforcement enlisted the services of 360 Junk Haul & Removal to perform the abatement. The total costs of the summary abatement is $9,339.96; contract cost in the amount of $7,900.00 (Attachment E). plus administration fees in the amount of $1,439.96 (Attachment F).
__________________________________________________________________________________
Evidence:
Attachment(s) - A - Notice of Assessment
B - Initial site inspection photos
C - Photos from Inspection Warrant
D - Post Summary Abatement Photos
E - Contractor Invoice
F - Task Sheet (cost recovery)
County Witness(es):
Marcus Beltramo, Code Enforcement Manager
Norman Valdez, Code Enforcement Supervisor
Chris Colen, Code Enforcement Officer
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Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
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Recommended Action: Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors approve a lien in the amount of $9,339.96 and direct staff to record the lien against the property with the Lake County Recorders Office, after recordation, shall be delivered to the County Auditor who shall enter the amount of the lien on the assessment roll as special assessments.