Wall Without Owner May Find a Guardian : Structure: Rossmoor homeowners group seeks a vote on tax to pay for its maintenance and repair.

The Rossmoor perimeter wall, long a political orphan, may finally have found someone to adopt it.

The question of who owns the 1 1/2-mile-long wall, built 37 years ago, has been a puzzle to most residents of this 3,500-home community as public agencies--the county, the cities of Seal Beach and Los Alamitos and the Rossmoor Community Service District--have refused responsibility.

But after a 100-foot section collapsed during an earthquake last year, the wall became a safety issue.

Now some members of the Rossmoor Homeowners Assn., saying that the wall has historical value to the community and that it may topple down on their children, are willing to tax themselves to pay for the wall’s repair and maintenance.

But first it has to be put to a vote.

“We want to know if we’re willing to put our money where our mouth is,” said Shirley Bailey, president of the homeowners association, which is behind the effort to put the issue on the ballot.

On Wednesday, Bailey and other association members asked the Rossmoor Community Service District board to hold a special election. She said voters will be asked if the service district should add to its current functions the repair and maintenance of the wall.

If voters agree, a special assessment district may be established for collection of the assessment, she said.

The service district currently provides street sweeping, lighting, landscaping and tree trimming for the unincorporated area through a five-member board of directors who are elected by voters.

Board members said Wednesday that before an election can be called, a survey of all residents must be conducted to determine if such a vote would be necessary.

A special election would cost from $9,000 to $14,000, according to the service district general manager, Bill Sheldon.

Bailey said the homeowners association is willing to help pay the cost of the election, which could be tied to the municipal election in Seal Beach in March.

Milt Petersen, vice president of the homeowners association, said that in a survey conducted in September last year, 96% of Rossmoor residents who responded said the wall is a community asset that must be preserved.

More than 600 residents responded to the survey, Petersen said, but only 40% said they are willing to pay for the repair and maintenance of the wall.

Petersen, an engineer, said the cost of repairing the collapsed portion of the wall and a section that has been weakened is estimated at $100,000. The maintenance would cost about $3,000 a year.

“It’s charming. I love to drive by it. But I am not going to pay for it,” said Melissa Parris, one of several residents who spoke against the service district assuming responsibility for the wall.

“The residents must be given all the facts before we’re asked to decide,” said Jeanette Martin.

Bailey said the survey to determine if residents want a special election will be conducted within two weeks and could be tabulated in a month. The survey will be sent to all residents, including those living in apartments.

“This (wall) is what makes Rossmoor Rossmoor,” Bailey said. “We want to know if the residents feel the same way.”