Moorpark Moves to Condemn Edison Land for Bridge

Frustrated after months of fruitless negotiations with Southern California Edison, the City Council on Tuesday formally notified company officials of its intent to condemn property needed for construction of a footbridge across the Arroyo Simi.

City officials had offered the company $7,700 for access rights to the land, which lies on the stream’s southern bank near the spot where 11-year-old Joel Burchfield drowned in January. But after Edison refused the offer last week, Moorpark council members said their only alternative was to seize what they needed in court.

“At least we’re moving forward now, after months of going nowhere,” Mayor Paul Lawrason said.

The council is scheduled to vote on condemning the land at a Nov. 6 meeting.

The decision came after two weeks in which the bridge project--long stalled as city and Edison officials argued over the disputed land--suddenly lurched forward.

Negotiations on an easement actually began before Joel’s death. But until this month, Edison had insisted that the city give it greater access to another strip of company property through an Arroyo Vista Community Park road in return for the company’s cooperation, a condition city officials refused.

With pressure mounting from residents to build the bridge near Liberty Bell Road, council members voted Oct. 9 to make Edison a final offer before starting condemnation proceedings. However, Edison Regional Manager Rudy Gonzales said the company did not have enough time or information to evaluate the offer before an Oct. 21 deadline set by the council.

Edison officials declined the offer and advised the city to begin what they term “friendly condemnation” proceedings, Gonzales said. Under this process, the company said it will not argue the city’s right to take easements to the land but will haggle with the city in court over the price.

“So in the meantime, the city can get the property and go forward with this,” Gonzales said.

City Manager Steve Kueny estimated that the city would have the easements it needs by the end of February.

Last week, the council also voted to seek bids from construction companies interested in building the concrete span, which is expected to cost $390,000.

Moorpark residents who have filled recent council meetings with sometimes tearful pleas to build the bridge have also applied pressure on Edison during recent weeks.

Joel’s parents, Dan and Laura Burchfield, distributed fliers to neighbors, asking them to write company officials urging them to reach an agreement with the city.

Dan Burchfield said Tuesday that more than 100 letters had been written. Laura Burchfield said she thought the letters had made an impact, perhaps prodding the company into quickly responding to the city’s offer to buy the easements.

“Even though they rejected the offer, at least they made a response,” she said.

Deputy City Manager Richard Hare said the city is also talking with officials at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme to build a temporary bridge across the stream.