The city of Claremont’s eminent domain case against Golden State Water Company took two steps back on Thursday, following a Los Angeles Superior Court judge’s ruling on the water giant’s motion to dismiss the case.

Claremont’s legal team and City Manager Tony Ramos attended a hearing in downtown Los Angeles this morning where Judge Richard Fruin heard arguments from both sides on Golden State Water’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. The motion, filed on March 20, 2015 by the water company, sought to dismiss the city’s eminent domain complaint, claiming the property description within and the city’s pre-litigation offer to purchase Golden State’s Claremont Water System were inadequate.

According to a press release issued by the city, the court ordered them to file an amended complaint within 60 days. To comply with the court’s order, the city will update its offer letter and amend its resolutions of necessity and complaint. 

The city anticipates scheduling a hearing on amended resolutions of necessity in the coming weeks.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com