HOMEOWNERS THREATEN SUIT AGAINST SANTEE OVER SINKHOLES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot, NBC 7

March 28, 2017 (Santee) – Several Santee residents have a sinking feeling – due to sinkholes that have undermined their properties, prompting threats of a lawsuit against the city  

The damage was reportedly caused by metal pipe storm drains installed in the 1950s that ruptured and collapsed during the January storms.

An attorney hired to represent Sergio Guerra and Vernon Gilmore says the sinkholes have affected the stability of their homes and the land beneath the residences on Hartland Circle, where six-to-eight foot holes have opened up.  The attorney, Patrick Catalano, claims the sinkholes have caused damage that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair for each home.

Gilmore old NBC 7 he cares for an aging mother-in-law and a 3-year-old grandchild. “I thought this is where I was going to stay forever but like I said, if it's not safe, it's not worth staying around,” he said.

The city doesn’t own the drainage easements and the old metal pipes are on private property.  Although city staff has said the city isn’t responsible for them, the Santee City Council and Mayor John Minto initially approved an offer to start repair work up to $75,000, the San Diego Union-Tribune.

But Catalano says that’s not enough. Moreover, he told Council that there are more property owners with similar issues near Mast Boulevard and Carlton Hills Boulevard—and four more lawsuits will be filed. 

The attorney argues that the city has made repairs on the line before and that under state law, when a city uses pipes on private property to funnel water from a public street, the pipe is considered part of the city’s water system—so the city is responsible for its upkeep.

The attorney rejected the city’s offer and asked that Santee pay for 100% of repair costs to the properties. Because of the legal threat, Council adjourned to closed session and promptly withdrew its offer to immediately begin repairs. So for now, nothing is being done to fix the damage or prevent it from getting worse.

City staff estimated that there are 95 private corrugated metal pipe storm drains in the city similar to those that have failed.  So, problems faced by Santee homeowners could become part of a much bigger problem-leaving even more city residents with a sinking sensation.

On the Santee, CA Today’s Current News page on Facebook, resident Barbara Romio questioned why the city was taking what she viewed an “irresponsible attitude” toward the sinkholes. She urged city officials to “suck it up,” adding, “Repair the problems, City of Santee.”