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Bellflower council authorizes potential lien after remediation at 9070 Artesia Blvd.
Summary
Council voted unanimously to authorize staff to record a special assessment lien for $198,568.87 against 9070 Artesia Boulevard to recover city abatement costs after toxic‑material remediation, demolition and repeated trespass and blight issues; staff said they are cautiously optimistic the owner will pay without lien recording.
The Bellflower City Council on Jan. 26 authorized staff to record a notice of special assessment for nuisance abatement against the owner of 9070 Artesia Boulevard to recover city costs incurred removing hazardous materials and securing a vacant building.
Assistant City Attorney Tim Campan summarized abatement work dating to May 2024 and two significant abatement actions in February 2025 and May–December 2025. Campan said testing found mold, asbestos and lead and explained that the city conducted remediation and contractor demolition in compliance with South Coast AQMD requirements.
"Adding those costs up comes to a total of $198,568.87," Campan said, asking council for authority to record that amount as a lien against the property if the owner does not pay after demand. He also asked the council to correct a typographical error in the draft resolution’s Section 4 showing a different total.
Council members questioned whether the property was in full compliance; staff said portions remain under ongoing enforcement and that the owner had made improvements including demolition and lot cleanup but more work remained. City attorney staff explained billing details are privileged for attorney‑client reasons and that the provided itemization captures staff and contractor costs; additional departmental overhead was noted as likely not fully captured in the recovery amount.
Council member Dan Coops asked whether the costs were attributable to the current owner; staff confirmed the listed charges date to May 2024 and thereafter and are being pursued against the present owner. Council member Morse and others praised staff’s enforcement work in the neighborhood.
Motion and vote: Council member Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez moved to authorize recording a notice of special assessment and adopt Resolution No. 26‑03 as amended; the motion passed by unanimous roll‑call vote.
What happens next: City staff will send a demand letter and, if the owner fails to pay, record the lien as authorized. Staff said they are optimistic the owner has the means to pay and may do so before recording becomes necessary.
