Woodland Hills condo owners awaiting resolution on a recent hillside slippage issue addressed Southgate city council Wednesday to express their frustration and ask for the city’s support.
Mayor Jim Hamberg responded with concern and said the city is monitoring the situation. However, he said, the issue involves private, not public, property and the city could not be directly involved.
Hillside slippage impacts three dozen
In July, about three dozen residents of Woodland Hills condominiums were informed by their homeowners’ association that nearby excavation and construction work had potentially caused a shift in the hillside.
Sanitary District 1, known as SD1, had been conducting a sanitary sewer upsizing project in the area. For their safety, residents of the affected buildings were asked to temporarily evacuate while SD1 engineers investigated the matter.
Owners found shifting in their units, including cracks in the floor, bulging walls and corners that no longer connected.
As SD1 engineers investigated, representatives of the utility said they would work with the homeowners association to develop a plan to help with relocation and to address residents’ needs.
On July 30 several of the affected owners joined a class action suit against SDI claiming the utility did not conduct earth moving activities and excavation in a reasonably safe manner.
The suit asked for relocation expenses, financial assistance, mortgage and homeowners fees and other financial relief, including damages for the loss of fair market value of their real estate.
In response to the lawsuit, SD1 ceased its efforts to provide relocation assistance. In a letter to homeowners, the utility said they would continue to lead the hillside stabilization process but would suspend any relocation communications.
The statement, released in August by Chris Cole, the director of enterprise communications for SD1 is as follows:
Sanitation District No. 1 has been actively working to establish a relocation program for some of the residents of Woodland Hills Condominiums. SD1 began this process not as an acknowledgment of liability, but because we felt that we were in the best position to help with relocation.
On July 30, a class-action lawsuit was filed against SD1 by residents. Despite the lawsuit, SD1 continued with its attempts to assist residents with relocation.
However, on July 31, at the direction of attorneys for the plaintiffs, SD1 suspended relocation communications.
Once SD1 has been notified by the plaintiff’s counsel as to preferred next steps, we will determine how best to proceed.
In the meantime, SD1 will continue to lead the hillside stabilization process in hopes of getting the residents back into their homes as quickly as possible.
Frustrated residents ask city for help
Condo owner Terry Petering told council she was frustrated and disappointed that the city had not spoken up about the issue.
“I just feel like you kind of threw us under the bus. I think you could have a little something to say to SD1, maybe have our back a little bit. And I just don’t feel like it’s been there,” Petering said.
Hamberg explained the property involved is a private entity and the city could not get involved directly. City officials have been speaking with residents, SD1 and the homeowners association to monitor the situation and to provide any support the city could, he said.
And, yet, he said this does not mean the city is unconcerned. He asked what the city could do to help.
“We are listening to what’s going on…We do support the owners down there…We do provide police and fire protection, and that’s really what we can provide for you in this case, but we are monitoring the situation,” he said.
Asking for help, advice
David Basinger, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Association, also addressed council. He said he has been meeting with the mayor to keep him informed of the situation.
“I just have a few questions,” said Basinger. “I didn’t know if there was any kind of federal fund or county fund or city fund that would help us finance repairs that we are facing there. If there’s any government agency that would intervene with SD1?”
Basinger claimed that the cost to stabilize the hillside is around $1.2 million, and he said, “SD1 claims zero liability. They want to blame the contractors, which is fine, but we need to fix this yesterday.”
“In communities like ours, do we have any protections?” asked Basinger. “Are there any kind of government protections that protect poorly engineered projects that cause this situation?”
Hamberg responded, “I deeply understand. I get it. I don’t know if there’s anything out there federally, if there’s anything out there that could be done. Certainly, we can look to see if there is… I think what’s going to happen is they’re probably going to tell you to wait for the insurance.”
Basinger said they are waiting and just received a letter that the insurer is still working with the underwriter on the issue.
As the lawsuit continues in the courts and the homeowners wait for assistance, the matter remains under investigation.
Hamberg said residents could use the city’s facilities for any meetings they would like to hold. He asked fire and police representatives to monitor the vacant homes, especially as the cold weather sets in.