The Cerritos Property Preservation Commission on Oct. 28 adopted resolutions finding seven properties in Cerritos constituted public nuisances under Chapter 6.20 of the Cerritos Municipal Code and set abatement periods for each property.

Staff said inspections documented exterior disrepair, missing or dead landscaping, trash or debris stored in public view, and other code violations at addresses across the city. In several cases owners or neighbors appeared and described partial progress; in other cases staff reported no contact from owners. The commission voted to adopt resolutions in all seven cases.

Commission context: findings and votes

- 11000 block of Gonzales Place: Staff (Senior Code Enforcement Officer Kim Artema) reported wood and stucco siding in need of repair and paint, a rusted wrought-iron gate, trash cans stored in public view, disturbed planters and bare ground cover. Artema said multiple notices were mailed between May and October and the property was posted for public hearing on Oct. 15. Owner Maritza Savadra told the commission that cinder blocks and debris had been removed and that trash cans had been stored away but that painting remained outstanding. "I asked if I could have until Christmas time when I get my Christmas bonus so I could pay for it," Savadra said. Staff recommended adoption of a resolution and the commission approved the resolution, setting a 30-day abatement period.

- 16300 block of Joanna Avenue: Officer Kim Artema reported repeated notices after inspections beginning June 6, 2025, and said staff observed dead and dying grass and inconsistent compliance. A neighbor, Emilio Cattley (16302 Joanna Ave.), spoke at the hearing and said work was underway: "On the gate ... they're still painting it. It's not done yet. On the ground, it's not done yet. I planted green grass already." Staff recommended a resolution; the commission adopted a resolution with a 30-day abatement period.

- 13100 block of Carolyn Street (case 6c): Code Enforcement Officer Brian Lane told commissioners inspections beginning April 3 found weeds, lack of landscape maintenance, uplifted driveway edging and other issues. Staff said the tenant indicated plans to move and the property showed partial improvement but not full compliance. Staff recommended adopting a resolution with a 21-day abatement period. Commissioner Brian Ferrer moved the resolution; Vice Chair Celia Spitzer seconded. The motion carried.

- 13800 block of Acoro Street (case 6d): Lane reported inspections beginning June 5 documenting lack of landscape maintenance, bare ground cover and trash cans stored in public view. Staff said the owner told inspectors they were reseeding and watering the lawn and staff observed partial improvements. The commission adopted a resolution setting a 21-day abatement period. The motion was moved by Commissioner Eric Westfall and seconded by Commissioner Brian Ferrer; the vote was recorded 5-0.

- 13200 block of Carolyn Street (case 6e): Lane reported repeated attempts to contact the owner and that mailings to the owner and water-billing customer were returned undeliverable. Staff found no compliance on Oct. 15 and recommended a resolution with a 21-day abatement period. The commission adopted the resolution; the motion was moved by Vice Chair Celia Spitzer and seconded by Commissioner Francis Robles. The vote was recorded 5-0.

- 12200 block of Everly Place (case 6f): Officer Darnell Jerry reported inspections beginning June 18 documenting debris stored in multiple areas of the property, a vehicle parked across the sidewalk (subsequently removed after notice), and intermittent removal of items followed by recurrence. Staff said an inspection the day of the hearing found most debris removed but a few items remained; staff recommended adoption of a resolution with a seven-day abatement period. Commissioner Brian Ferrer moved the resolution; Commissioner Eric Westfall seconded. The vote carried 5-0.

- 13000 block of Essex Lane (case 6g): Jerry reported inspections beginning June 17 documenting structural disrepair, debris and trash cans stored in public view and an oil stain on the driveway. Jerry said contractors were observed working on repairs during recent visits and that trash and debris were no longer publicly visible; the oil-stain area was covered with a mat. Staff recommended a resolution with a 30-day abatement period. Vice Chair Spitzer moved the resolution; Commissioner Westfall seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Why it matters

The commission enforces the city's property-maintenance standards under Chapter 6.20 of the Cerritos Municipal Code, using administrative resolutions and abatement orders to prompt correction of exterior hazards and nuisance conditions. Abatement periods set by the commission give owners a chance to correct violations before the city takes further enforcement action; the staff reports indicate a mix of voluntary compliance and repeated nonresponse.

Meeting details and next steps

Staff recommended waiving full reading of each resolution and asked the commission to adopt the findings and set abatement timelines; the commission approved every staff-recommended resolution. Where owners were present they described partial progress or asked for additional time; staff said it would work with owners to monitor compliance. The commission confirmed its next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. The adopted resolutions direct staff to monitor compliance for each address and return to the commission if violations persist.