Calabasas Landfill Litigation Update — April 8, 2025

 

Several updates for the community regarding City of Calabasas v. County of Los Angeles, et al., the litigation concerning the disposal of fire debris into the Calabasas Landfill.

 

1.  Time-line of future events.  Earlier today, the County filed its Demurrer.  A Demurrer is a common motion in a civil proceeding.  Filed by the defense, a Demurrer contends that even if everything the plaintiff alleges is true, there is no merit to the case.  If the Demurrer is granted, the case would be dismissed.  The deadline for the City to file an opposition to the Demurrer is April 21st, after which the County can file a response by April 25th.  The hearing on the Demurrer is set for May 2nd, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.  By June 1st, the City must file its application for a Preliminary Injunction.  A Preliminary Injunction seeks to stay the defendant’s actions until the trial.  In this case, if granted the Preliminary Injunction would stop the County from continuing to use the Calabasas Landfill for disposal of fire debris until the trial is held.  The County’s opposition to the Preliminary Injunction is due by June 13th, after which the City may file a reply by June 20th.  The hearing on the Preliminary Injunction will be held in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 27th.

 

2.  Depositions.  The City has begun to take depositions of various County officials as part of its pre-trial preparations.  As part of the discovery process, we are also seeking a large volume of documents in the County’s possession.  Both of these actions are common in civil proceedings.

 

3.  Testing.  The City has initiated its own scientific testing of the fire debris being deposited into the Landfill, and is scientifically monitoring the air in the areas immediately surrounding the Landfill.

 

4.  Resolution 2025-1953.  On April 9th, the Calabasas City Council will consider enactment of a new resolution to address the large number of dump trucks carrying fire debris that are parking along Agoura Road.  If the resolution is approved, we can start issuing citations for this conduct.

 

5.  AQMD.  On April 10th, officials from the Air Quality Management District will be coming out to tour the areas in Calabasas affected by the truck routes bringing fire debris to the Landfill.  They will be joined by officials from Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, and Westlake Village.

 

Additional information on the foregoing, along with all public documents associated with the case, can be found on the City’s web site.  The site will be updated regularly.

 

Finally, please understand that Calabasas City officials cannot comment extensively on the lawsuit or the strategies being employed in this litigation, because it involves privileged matters.  Discussing such things publicly could jeopardize the City’s case.  I do encourage you to visit our web site for further information. [www.cityofcalabasas.com]

 

James R. Bozajian

Mayor pro Tem, City of Calabasas