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Board approves $9,339.96 lien after summary abatement at 6439 15th Avenue in Lucerne
Summary
Following a county summary abatement to remove hazardous waste and refuse, the Board of Supervisors approved a lien of $9,339.96 to recover contractor and administrative costs; the property owner disputed the scope and handling of the work during public comment.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 on Feb. 4 to authorize a post‑abatement lien of $9,339.96 against 6439 15th Avenue, Lucerne (APN 034‑212‑10), after county code enforcement contractors removed refuse and hazardous materials that staff said posed an immediate health risk.
Code enforcement manager Marcus Beltramo and Deputy Community Development Administrator Shannon Walker Smith told the board the county received a complaint, inspected the site and documented large amounts of refuse, medical pads containing human waste and an apparent lack of running water. Staff said the conditions created imminent health and safety risks and that an initial inspection warrant and a 72‑hour notice were issued before the county authorized a summary abatement for the immediate hazards.
Contractor charges and administrative costs County staff said 3‑60 Junk Removal and Hauling performed the clearance work; contractor charges were about $7,900 and county administrative costs were $1,439.96, producing a total lien amount of $9,339.96. Code enforcement said approximately 16,480 pounds of material posing a health risk were removed.
Property owner’s objections Property owner Rhonda Murrell attended the hearing and objected to some removals and to property damage she says occurred during the abatement. Murrell told the board that certain structures and personal items had been discarded or damaged and that she had not been given materials she expected to be preserved. Staff said county crews cleared material needed to eliminate the imminent hazard and that some disputed items may be the subject of separate follow‑up with the department.
Why it matters: County code enforcement uses the summary abatement authority when conditions meet the legal threshold for imminent danger to health or safety. If a lien is recorded and not paid, the county may place the amount on the property tax roll as a special assessment.
Board action and next steps After hearing staff’s presentation and public comment, Supervisor Sabatier moved to record the lien and direct staff to forward the lien for recordation and assessment; the motion passed 5–0. Staff said it will follow up with the property owner on disputed items and clarified that future administrative citations and code enforcement processes remain available to address outstanding violations.
