UPDATE: Tensions are escalating in Blue Lake as negotiations over the city’s water tank reach a critical tipping point. Erin McClure, trustee of the land housing the aging water tank, is demanding immediate action from the city council as her frustrations boil over.
Negotiations have dragged on for over two years, with the city recently issuing what it calls a “last, best offer” in a public letter. McClure, who has voiced her grievances at city council meetings, argues that the city’s slow response and changing terms have stymied progress. “I’m tired of not being paid for the lease,” she declared during public comments this week.
The stakes are high as Blue Lake faces ongoing water leaks from the tank, threatening the local water supply and increasing urgency for a resolution. McClure has been vocal about her discontent, posting videos on social media showing the leaking tank and accusing the city of negotiating in bad faith.
The city attorney’s letter, released this week, claims McClure’s shifting positions have hindered the agreement. The attorney stated that despite multiple attempts to engage, McClure has not adequately responded, leading to prolonged negotiations. The city’s final offer includes a $55,000 lump-sum payment, a $6,000 annual fee that escalates by 3.2% annually, and a commitment to provide 300,000 cubic feet of no-charge water annually.
Complicating matters, McClure is adamant about receiving a “fair market value lease,” citing that the original agreement, established by her great-great-grandmother in 1911, is outdated. The original lease, which included only $100 per year in payments, is worth approximately $3,314 today, according to inflation calculations. She insists that the new terms should reflect current market values, which she believes have been undervalued.
McClure, a fifth-generation resident of the land, expressed her concerns during an interview, stating, “I don’t want the city to take the property. I will not let my grandfather’s property go by eminent domain.” The city’s letter indicates a deadline for acceptance of the offer, demanding a response by December 1, 2025. If not accepted, the city will assume the offer has been rejected.
The ongoing dispute has led to heightened tensions during public meetings, with residents like Kent Sawatzky weighing in on the property’s value. Sawatzky has argued that the land is worth significantly more than the city’s appraisal, which pegged it at $32,000. This has spurred further debate and conflict within the community.
Amid the turmoil, McClure has taken drastic measures, including locking the gate to the tank site to prevent city access without her consent. “I couldn’t believe it, it made me sick,” she said of the situation. She has invited city officials to meet with her to resolve the issues directly, but frustrations continue to build as discussions stall.
With the community divided and the clock ticking, the Blue Lake City Council faces mounting pressure to finalize this agreement. As leaks from the aging tank continue to threaten water resources, both sides are feeling the heat to reach a resolution, making the next few weeks critical for the future of Blue Lake’s water supply.
Residents are urged to stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, with the potential for significant implications for local governance and community resources.
