MOORPARK : Lawyer Urges City to Work With Landlord

A lawyer representing about 60 tenants, who live in 14 small, run-down bungalows across from City Hall in Moorpark, claimed this week that the city has kept her clients out of discussions on the fate of the buildings.

A demolition order for two of the homes has already been issued, and five others may also be taken down as the city tries to correct or eliminate more than 200 building code violations at the site.

Some of the small wood homes have faulty plumbing, exposed wiring, leaky roofs and cracks in the walls, but tenants there say the low-rent homes are their only option in Moorpark, where rents are among the highest in Ventura County.

Attorney Barbara Marci-Ortiz, who represents most of the tenants, told the Moorpark City Council on Wednesday night that the city should consider working with the landlord to make repairs to some of the structures.

She said the city should back away from taking legal action against the landlord.

“A senseless march to the courthouse would not accomplish anything,” she said.

But city officials said that the lack of a response from the landlord, Lynnette Scaroni of Somis, left them few options.

“This is not a ‘senseless march to the courthouse,’ ” Mayor Paul Lawrason said. “And I take exception to that characterization. You are not the only person frustrated by this situation.”

Lawrason said the city has given the landlord ample time to comply with its orders, and must at some point demand action to correct the problems that could pose a danger to tenants.

“I do understand the rights of the people that live there,” Lawrason said. “But from a legal standpoint the dealings between the city and the landlord do not include them.”

Councilman Bernardo Perez said that some progress has been made with the landlord, who turned in plans to repair seven of the structures last week. The question remains though, if she will be able to pay for the repairs, which she estimates will cost about $50,000. Meanwhile, the two buildings slated for demolition will have to come down within the next 30 days, city officials said.