Hamburger is city's new 'drive time' employee
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

With just one year under his belt as assistant to the city manager in Agoura Hills, Nathan Hamburger has made his mark, not only with his help coordinating the city's freeway interchange improvements, but in several other areas as well.

At a recent City Council meeting, Hamburger unveiled some of his pet projects--a slick new city website (www.ci.agourahills.ca.us/) and a colorful newsletter.

Hamburger, 29, launched the new website and newsletter in time for the city's yearlong 25th anniversary celebration.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TRAFFIC MAN- Agoura Hills Assistant City Manager Nathan Hamburger points out the city's next freeway undertaking: a proposed renovation of the outdated Reyes Adobe interchange.

The website is brimming with information for residents, visitors and businesses. Besides the usual links to meeting schedules, city services and recreational opportunities, the website includes sections dedicated to the history of Agoura Hills, calendars, health hazards, publications, county services and other useful information.

The website was enhanced to meet residents' needs. A section called "C-Mail" invites the public to join the city's mailing list. When residents sign up for C-Mail, they will be alerted to upcoming City Council and planning commission meetings and receive the newsletter and recreation brochures electronically. Updates on local projects will also be sent via email through the program.

"The goal is to try to keep the website and newsletter interesting and attractive and reflective of the people and the information they want," Hamburger said.

He said his first task was to make it easier to include emergency updates on the website. More forms are now available online and a community calendar was added. While Hamburger writes the content of the website and newsletter, an outside firm, Vision Internet, handles the graphic design.

The website overhaul cost the city $35,000.

The new quarterly newsletter is called the Agoura Hills Leaflet. The January edition features a front page article on the city's history and growth. Another section addresses identity theft. Information about the Dole Great Race is also included. There are spring landscaping tips and information on upcoming emergency training sessions. Hamburger expects to include useful, user-friendly information in every newsletter.

"Everything is going in an information and technology direction," said Greg Ramirez, city manager. "Nathan came in and redid both of these elements and did a fabulous job."

Married with two children, Hamburger said he loves the city of Agoura Hills. "It's a great community. I like the greenery around us. I really like the involvement of the community, including homeowner association involvement, and the (recreational) opportunities (like) the concerts in the park."

Prior to joining the Agoura Hills' staff, Hamburger worked for the city of Walnut for 6 1/2 years, starting as an intern and leaving as a senior management analyst.

Hamburger earned his undergraduate degree at Cal State Fullerton and a master's degree in public administration from USC.

"Nathan is a gem," said Ramirez. "He's extremely resourceful and an excellent generalist, meaning he has a very broad breadth of knowledge in everything we do in the city."