Clearlake city officials have validated complaints reported to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) regarding the dilapidation of the CLAWS Thrift Store and have added a couple of violations of their own.
Senior Code Enforcement Officer Janine Lowe and city building inspector Scott Spivey conducted an investigation of the facility on June 12 — one day before the Clear Lake Animal Welfare Society Board of Directors” permanent closure of the store. Findings as a result of the inspection were forwarded to Lake County”s Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division.
In its June 13 memorandum to employees and volunteers explaining the thrift store”s closure, CLAWS directors cited major repairs that were needed in the Clearlake facility. The thrift store operated as CLAWS” chief source of revenue to support its spay/neuter voucher program but during the last nine months it was losing $3,000 a month.
City officials cited several violations found in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.
Lowe cites that “Mold was detected in several different areas of the building as well as a strong odor of mold as you enter the building; employees state that on several occasions there is raw sewage that backs up from the plumbing and floods the floors. This was actually happening today when we arrived to inspect; there are electrical problems that need to be corrected per a licensed electrician; there are cobwebs in the building with insects in several locations, employees state there are rodent droppings in the building as well; there are two bathrooms but no sink to wash their hands making it an unsanitary environment. The employees claim they have had no hot water in a year and a half; there are no exit signs posted.”
Lowe further states, “The dilapidation and substandard conditions that exist are an immediate danger to the welfare of the employees and to the general public.”
In her response to OSHA, Board President Laurelee Roark states that she had conducted a site inspection of the facility on June 9 during which she “noted a quarter-sized circle of a dark substance” but could not confirm whether the spot was mold or mildew. “Nonetheless,” Roark states, “the only spot noted was this one small area.”
In reference to faulty plumbing and the back up of raw sewage, Roark reported to OSHA that she had spoken with an unidentified employee who said that a particle of clothing had fallen into the drain beneath the utility sink, plugging up the drain. She states that the employee further reported that upon removing the clothing some water went onto the floor and that she had immediately cleaned up the mess and that this was a one time occurrence.
In addressing an allegation that extension cords were being used in lieu of permanent wiring, Roark informed OSHA that she had unplugged several items and instructed employees to only have two things at a time plugged into any one single duplex outlet.
CLAWS operated booth at flea market before it opened local thrift stores
CLAWS was established in 1993 for the purpose of providing seniors and low income residents with assistance in spaying and neutering their pets. Prior to opening its first thrift store on March 7, 1994 in Lakeport, CLAWS had operated out of a booth at the Clearlake Flea Market. The organization had maintained both locations for some time before moving the flea market location to 14106 Olympic Drive, known as the CLAWS Thrift Store.
In June 2004, the building was purchased by the CLAWS organization for an estimated amount believed to be $169,045.45 from E.A. Robey and Company.
In April 2006, approximately eight months after moving the Lakeport store to another location, the thrift store was closed. The Clearlake location was closed on June 13 and all paid employees were laid-off.
According to Board President Laurelee Roark, the organization has no intention to reopen the Clearlake store. “No, we are not going to reopen the store. In fact, we are going to try to sale it or lease as it is. If we can get some of the stuff fixed at reasonable rates, then we will. We can”t afford much. But if we can find volunteers in the community or a licensed contractor; my husband said he might know someone to get it done.”
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
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