Mayor’s address touts Agoura’s accomplishments





PARTNERS—Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber gives Steve Hilton, president of the Conrad Hilton Foundation, a gift in appreciation for the organization’s donation to the city’s new recreation center. Weber named the Hilton Foundation the Community Partner of the Year.

PARTNERS—Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber gives Steve Hilton, president of the Conrad Hilton Foundation, a gift in appreciation for the organization’s donation to the city’s new recreation center. Weber named the Hilton Foundation the Community Partner of the Year.

Family values, fiscal responsibility, public safety and strong partnerships between businesses and schools were emphasized by Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber in his State of the City address at the Sheraton Hotel on Oct. 30.

Weber shared details of the city’s accomplishments over the year, including its ability to balance a budget during the tight economy. He said the city spends slightly less than it takes in from taxes (about $12 million), and remains fiscally sound.

Despite a smaller budget, the city did not reduce services or programs this year, Weber said.

“Agoura Hills continues to do more with less,” he said.

Public safety continues to be the city’s largest expense.

Agoura Hills was able to acquire grant money to complete public works projects and this year laid the foundation to widen Agoura Road from two to four lanes, and Weber said it was the city’s responsibility to “keep the infrastructure strong, sustainable and safe.”

Weber, a longtime resident who who has served on the City Council for two decades, discussed the city’s partnership with the Las Virgenes School District.

A new sidewalk was installed at Yerba Buena Elementary School, and the “Walk to School with the Mayor” and student “Mayor for a Day” programs were again a hit with students.

Weber said he was especially proud of the “One City, One Book” program this year. He chose the bestselling book “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption,” by Laura Hillenbrand.

Louis Zamperini, a World War II prisoner of war about whom the book is about, came to Agoura Hills to speak about his experience. Weber wrote Zamperini a letter of thanks and was surprised when the 93-year-old called him at City Hall to chat.

“It really hit home with that guy,” Weber said.

A video was played that showcased the city’s year in review.

The ninth annual Reyes Adobe Days at the historic site welcomed families from throughout the region.

“Reyes Adobe Days is an example of what the city does to encourage community participation,” Councilmember John Edelston said.

The new Kanan Shuttle was also touted in the video and so was the Medea Creek clean up. Councilmember Illece Buckley Weber spoke about the city’s plan to naturalize a section of Medea Creek.

The city’s relationship with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was trumpeted. The charitable group, which built its headquarters in Agoura Hills last year, gave the city $2.3 million to help pay for a new recreation center to be finished by next year.

“We were looking at how we could be a good neighbor,” Hilton said to Weber during the video interview. “It was great timing. We happened to have extra money.”

Weber said, “When you come home to Agoura Hills you want to feel good about where you live.”

The Foundation was honored as the Community Partner of the Year. Weber presented Hilton with a personalized copy of the book “The Santa Monica Mountains: Range on the Edge,” by Tom Gamache and Matthew Jaffe.

The city commissioned Gamache to photograph various scenes of the Santa Monica Mountain range for display at the Hilton Foundation.

“The Santa Monica Mountains are now a part of your home,” Weber said.

Hilton accepted the award and said, “I love this place. I love the mountains, (and) I love the oak trees and the people.”

Kristen Davis, chair of the board of directors of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, said 2013 was an outstanding year for the Chamber and that many of its members were able to withstand the impact of the recession.

Davis also talked about the Chamber’s tourism initiative with member cities, including Agoura Hills.

“Our plan is to put more heads in Conejo beds,” she said.


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