Weber finds mayor's job familiar

Denis Weber The Agoura Hills City Council reorganized on Dec. 1, with John Edelston completing his first term as mayor, and Denis Weber moving back into the job for the fourth time.

William Kohler, who was elected to the council in 2005, was inducted as mayor pro tem.

Local and state dignitaries attended the meeting at Agoura Hills City Hall. They delivered proclamations and commendations to celebrate Edelston's term as mayor and the city's successes over the past year.

The year ahead

Before getting down to business, Weber honored each City Council and staff member with stories that illuminated their dedication, character and integrity.

The last time Weber served as mayor in 2005-06, work on the Kanan Road interchange was just beginning. The Reyes Adobe interchange project, which was supposed to be completed in 2008, will begin in 2009, Weber said.

"I look forward to another project in my term that will mess up roads," he kidded, and said, "Stay tuned for the roundabout," a traffic circle being planned for the intersection of Kanan and Agoura roads.

Business growth and development will characterize Weber's new term in office. A business round table and regular meetings with the business community are planned, he said.

Recently, members of the city's Business Task Force and City Council participated in a "walkabout" to every business in the city.

"We want to eliminate barriers to success and not put out hurdles," Weber said regarding his plan to help businesses succeed despite the nation's economic downturn.

As the representative of the Council of Governments, a coalition of cities in the Conejo Valley and Malibu, Weber pledged to keep a check on upcoming environmental mandates from the county that could cost local cities millions of dollars. Agoura Hills is being required to reduce pollution to Malibu Creek. Weber said the city will launch a pilot program to catch stormwater runoff and clean the effluent before it pollutes the ocean.

Community projects are also central to Weber's plans for the year. He said a new Agoura Hills Community Center is being planned—the city's parks and recreation headquarters to be built at Forest Cove Park.

"Building a city may be easy," Weber said, "but running it is tough."

Health and environment

Edelston recapped the city's accomplishments in 2008 with his State of the City address. He said he was pleased to have served his first year as mayor during the city's silver anniversary. Agoura Hills was incorporated in 1982.

Promoting healthy lifestyles for Agoura Hills' residents has always been a focus for Edelston. At the beginning of the meeting he proclaimed May 2009 to be "Healthy Communities Awareness Month."

During Edelston's term, the city hosted the "Planet Expo and Health Fair" at Sumac Park, which offered residents a nutritious picnic lunch and the opportunity to learn about leading healthy family lifestyles.

National Seniors Health Day provided medical screenings to local senior citizens. A drive-thru flu shot clinic was also offered.

To fight obesity and its health risks, the city introduced a "WeightLoss Challenge." Edelston said 16 people are participating in the challenge, and the city will announce its own "biggest loser" at the end of the program.

The city continues to have a healthy budget, Edelston said. The City Council was able to put to use excess reserves for projects that didn't require ongoing funding. Sidewalks were updated and several parks were improved over the year.

In 2008 the city set aside $15million worth of bonds for infrastructure projects, including affordable housing. The council also approved the Agoura Village Specific Plan, and in July, developer Bill Tucker submitted plans for a revitalized Whizin's shopping center.

The city also kept an eye out for its busineses.The council relaxed its sign and banner ordinance and temporarily suspended business permit fees for the year-end the holidays. Agoura Hills also introduced a "buy local program" to encourage residents to support their local businesses.

Preserving open space continues to be a priority for the city, Edelston said. Agoura Hills recently acquired 18.3 acres of parkland at the end of Reyes Adobe Road.

The Lindero Creek site represents Agoura Hills' seventh and largest park acquisition, Edelston said. The city obtained $747,000 from federal, state and local sources to pay for the property.

The city partnered with the city of Westlake Village to beautify Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Edelston said. The partnership saved the city more than $50,000, he said.

Community service programs over the year included hazardous and electronic waste collection programs and a new mass communication system to use during emergency situations.

And a new program initiated during the past year enabled residents to watch City Council meetings on their home computers via web streaming.

The Community Emergency Response Team was revitalized under Edelston's leadership. When he was elected to the council five years ago, the CERT was inactive. Today the group has more than 50 members.

The environment was also discussed. The city approved a "Green City Initiative" this year and Edelston said Agoura Hills will serve as a model city for environmental responsibility.

Taking office

Weber and Koehler were sworn in by Judge Lawrence Mira. Rabbi Moshe Bryski offered the invocation, touching on the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

"Let evil not prevail," Bryski said. "Devote life to bringing light to a dark world."