Memorandum
Date: December 19, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Department Director
by: Marcus Beltramo, Code Enforcement Manager
Subject: Report to the Board of Supervisors explaining the emergency conditions that necessitated the summary abatement for the property located at 3025 Spring Valley Rd / APN# 062-331-04
Executive Summary:
On December 8, 2023, Code Enforcement requested and was granted a summary abatement pursuant to Lake County Code Chapter 5 and 13 of the Lake County Code to remove and disconnect all electric in direct contact with the ground and electric not in compliance with the code which creates a fire risk, including exposed wiring, solar panels, transformers, surge protectors, and car batteries occurring at/on 3025 Spring Valley Rd, Clearlake Oaks (property). Pursuant to Chapter 5, Article IX, Section 5-42.2 of the Lake County Code, “The Director shall provide a report to the Board of Supervisors at the next scheduled meeting explaining the emergency conditions that necessitated the summary abatement.”
Facts leading to request for summary abatement:
Between November 13, 2023 to December 4, 2023, Code Enforcement received three (3) separate online complaints alleging persons moved two (2) recreational vehicles onto the property and are living in them, along with chickens with no fencing; the persons are using a campfire to cook and stay warm; there is an inoperable truck and junk spread along the fence line; concerns about a lack of septic and disposal of human waste.
On December 5, 2023, Code Officer Chris Colen and Code Enforcement Manager Marcus Beltramo conducted a site visit to the subject property. The property is a vacant lot, with two recreational vehicles situated on it. Observed on the property was unpermitted electrical, including solar panels propped on a propane tanks, wiring laying on the ground, connected to transformers and car batteries, and surge protectors and wiring dangling outside of one of the RVs. The immediate issues creating a potential fire risk was exposed wiring that was not covered or in a conduit in direct contact with the ground connected to a power source and jumper cables laying on the ground connected to a power sources that. (Attachment A - Site Photos)
Summary abatement:
On December 8, 2023, a 48 Hour Summary Abatement was posted at the property citing the following violation(s): (Attachment B)
Chapter 13, Article I, Section 13-3.1 of the Lake County Code: (4) Any condition dangerous to human life, unsafe, or detrimental to the public health or safety;
Chapter 13, Article I, Section 13-3.1 of the Lake County Code: (5) Any use of land, buildings, or premises established, operated, or maintained contrary to the provisions of Chapters 5, 9, 13, 21 of this Code;
Chapter 5, Article I, Section 5-4F, California Fire Code Chapter 6, Section 603.2 - Conditions that constitute an electrical shock or fire hazard shall be abated.
Chapter 5, Article I, Section 5-4F, California Fire Code Chapter 6, Section 603.2.1 - Electrical wiring, devices, equipment and appliances that are modified or damage, constitute an electrical shock or fire hazard, shall not be used until repaired or replaced in accordance with this code.
Chapter 5, Article I, Section 5-4F, California Fire Code Chapter 6, Section 603.2.2 - Open junction boxes and open-wiring splices shall be prohibited. Approved covers shall be provided for all switch and electrical outlet boxes.
On December 11, 2023, Code Enforcement, along with a Lake County building inspector and assisted by Lake County Sheriff Deputies visited the subject property to conduct the summary abatement. It was determined by a Lake County Building Inspector the immediate unpermitted electrical violations had been abated. A Notice of Nuisance and Order to Abate was issued against the property for the remaining violations of the Lake County Code. (Attachment C - Site Photos.)
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Recommended Action:
Staff does not have a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors as the current proceeding / report is a statutory requirement and does not require an action by the Board of Supervisors.