Residents press Cerritos to hold Southern California Edison accountable for overgrown lot, tree-root damage

Multiple residents pressed the City Council to require Southern California Edison (SCE) to maintain a parcel on Studebaker that speakers said is overgrown, spreading seeds, attracting pests and impairing neighboring properties.

Elaine McGee described repeated algae/seed problems, insect infestations and clogged pool filters she attributes to SCE property near her home. "We are simply asking for accountability," McGee said, asking the city to require the utility to maintain its lot to the same standard private property owners must meet.

Several other residents from Kensington Circle, including Fernando Sandoval and Sona Bach, reported long-standing tree-root damage to sidewalks, driveways and block walls and said they had followed the city's claims process. Sandoval said previous tree-removal projects left roots in place and that repeatedly repairing private property without addressing the underlying roots was creating recurring costs for homeowners.

City Manager Robert Lopez said staff had contacted the utility’s government affairs representative the day after the previous council meeting; according to Lopez, Edison scheduled inspections and had a pest-control contractor spray the area. Lopez said he would ask code enforcement to contact Edison and would personally follow up with Edison staff to prioritize maintenance and ensure acceptable standards are met.

Residents raised additional concerns that overgrown vegetation could increase fire risk, particularly around July 4 fireworks activity. Several speakers asked for preventive maintenance schedules and clearer coordination between Edison and city code enforcement to avoid recurring private-property claims.

Next steps: city staff will have code enforcement reach out to Edison, the city manager will follow up with his Edison contact, and residents present materials and photos to staff for record and follow-up.