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Mayor Sanders Declares State of Emergency Following Landslide

San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders has declared a state of emergency after yesterday's catastrophic La Jolla landslide in order to access state and federal funds. Both he and the city attorney addressed th

Mayor Sanders Declares State of Emergency Following Landslide

San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders has declared a state of emergency after yesterday's catastrophic La Jolla landslide in order to access state and federal funds. Both he and the city attorney addressed the issue of liability. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Mayor Sanders says the city is already working to get federal and state money to help cover the millions it will undoubtedly cost to rebuild roads and homes destroyed in the landslide. He also said the city will hire geologists to look into the cause.

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Sanders : As of today I have been told by the city's geologist that there is no evidence of this happened as a failure of a city utility. I would ask everyone -- and I repeat everyone -- suspend judgment on this subject until we are able to thoroughly determine the circumstances that led to this catastrophic failure.

City Attorney Mike Aguirre said he believes the evidence will show the city is not liable. However he read an earlier letter from the city to homeowners warning them of problems and advocated for the homeowners rights to know the truth.

Aguirre : And I also think that we should not be discussing this is closed session unless there is a very specific reason to do so which I have yet to hear.

Council President agreed discussion in closed session is not appropriate unless it involves litigation. A San Diego attorney has already contacted La Jolla homeowners with a vewi to filing suit. Patrick Catalano recently settled a landslide case against Carlsbad for $12 million.

Alison St John KPBS News.