Westlake Village in great shape, mayor says
By John Phane
Thousand Oaks Acorn Editor

Categorizing the past year as an era of "collaboration and cooperation," Westlake Village Mayor Iraj Broomand addressed an audience of about 100 at an annual state-of-the-city luncheon last week at the Hyatt Westlake Hotel. The Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce sponsored the affair that was attended by dignitaries from both municipalities.

Broomand, 68, started by saying that he’s thankful Westlake residents have given him a chance to serve the community and that he was taking time away from his "day job" to do what he loves most––"serving the people."

Looking back over the past 365 days, Broomand next reminisced on the groundbreaking for the city’s proposed city hall and library.

"I believe that the architects have successfully incorporated the feeling (a city in the county) of our city into the design," Broomand said. Construction should be done by next October, he said.

The structure, which will double the size of the current Westlake Village library, should stay close to its project $8.7 million budget, the mayor said.

Thanking the Chamber for sponsoring the luncheon, Broomand said that he believes, and has been told by many residents and business people, that the unification of the T.O. and Westlake chambers has been highly beneficial to members.

From there, Broomand commented on the success shared between the city council and health and safety officials over keeping Westlake Village a safe place to live and work.

"The crime rate (for part 1 crimes) went down 22 percent in the last year," Broomand said.

But the city of Westlake Village must increase its effort, he said, to provide adequate park facilities.

"However, with our new contract with the Conejo Valley Recreation and Park District (CRPD) to provide programs, and the joint use policy we are pursuing with Oaks Christian High School, we will soon have more to offer," Broomand said.

The city is negotiating to enter into a joint-financing agreement to build playfields at the new multimillion-dollar school site that would allow for the city to use fields for American Youth Soccer Organization games, baseball and girls’ softball games, along with other uses.

The city entered an agreement with CRPD, the agency that provides recreational activities in Thousand Oaks and surrounding areas, to provide recreational programs for Westlake Village.

Broomand said that currently Westlake Village is enjoying its strongest fiscal position ever, with an estimated $9 million general fund reserve.

Looking to the future, Broomand said that one of the largest projects the city will face soon is completion of a "Master Plan" for a new city streetscape.

"The ad hoc committee on this has been meeting and moving right along," Broomand said. "We should see plans for the first phase of the project in only a couple of months."

From there, Broomand talked about healthcare, saying that in the wake of a hospital closing several years ago in Weslake, that the city needs expanded health services.

"This is not something that the city council can do by itself," Broomand said. "The community must be involved."

Broomand also said that dialogue continues with Dole Food Co. concerning a proposed hotel next to its facility.

Dole officials are expected to make a decision of whether to build a 182-room hotel and day spa on vacant land at its headquarters at Lindero Canyon Road and Via Colinas by next September.

"It is from the partnerships and collaborations that have occurred in the past year that Westlake is benefiting," Broomand said at the end of his speech, referring to his opening remarks on cooperation and collaboration.

"Now, we find the city is strong, healthy and robust," Broomand said.

Broomand shares his goals in a page 4 guest opinion.