Water district hires city councilman

By Stephanie Bertholdo
Acorn Staff Writer

Agoura Hills Mayor Jeff Reinhardt was recently hired by Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) as customer service and public affairs manager, overseeing a staff of 15 employees.

In his new position, Reinhardt disseminates information to the public on various programs that LVMWD offers to the public.

For the past 12 years, Reinhardt and his wife, Melissa, have co-owned and operated Reinhardt and Reinhardt Marketing, concentrating their expertise on high tech companies, law firms, publishers and other business-to-business clients. While the firm continues to be successful, Reinhardt said, business dropped after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

It’s time to try something new, he said. Melissa will continue to operate Reinhardt Marketing.

The new job complements his work on the Agoura Hills City Council, according to Reinhardt. "It’s been a great extension into the community, particularly because of the (water district’s) strong commitment to public service," Reinhardt said.

A city councilman since 1997, Reinhardt’s term as mayor ends in December. He’s up for reelection in two years, if he chooses to run.

Reinhardt emphasized there’s no conflict of interest in working for two government agencies. "The two agencies are not related," he said.

Arlene Post, director of resource conservation and public outreach and Reinhardt’s boss, said, "Jeff’s expertise in communications and management shone through in what was the highly competitive selection process. His familiarity with our area has made it possible for him to jump right in as part of the district’s customer service and outreach team."

Reinhardt complimented the high caliber water district staff. "They are great, a really knowledgeable staff," he said. The corporate culture has been a slight adjustment for Reinhardt, but he’s been impressed, he said, with LVMWD’s dedication to its customers.

"The water district is powerfully committed to providing base services, and they have a strong commitment to conservation of resources in both supply of potable water and the reclamation of water once it’s been used," Reinhardt said. LVMWD is also dedicated to maintaining and improving the Malibu watershed and Santa Monica Mountains.

As a city councilman and mayor, Reinhardt has already demonstrated his personal commitment to public service. He’s been active in improving the 101 Freeway/Kanan interchange. He helped secure a $10 million grant to improve it and a $650,000 grant to widen Agoura Road and construct bicycle lanes. Reinhardt is currently working on the Agoura Village project.

He’s a founding member of the Agoura Hills Disaster Response Team and a board member of the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation. In January 2000, he called for a transportation summit meeting that resulted in a $4.5 million state and federal grant to examine traffic problems plaguing the 101 Freeway. He spearheaded a meeting between local cities, Caltrans, Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Southern California Association of Governments to address those traffic problems.

Reinhardt and his family have lived in Agoura Hills for many years. He has two children, Jessica, 23, who recently graduated from college, and Steven, a senior at Agoura High School.