Westlake Village Council sets goals

Acorn Staff Writer


The Westlake Village City Council recently set goals for this year. Some objectives were mentioned several times.


Councilmembers weren’t universal in agreement. And according to Mayor Pro Tem Chris Mann, more review is possible.


"There seems to be more goals on the list this year than there have been presented in numerous years," said new City Councilman Robert Slavin, "and everybody seemed really excited." The city expects to open and host events at Foxfield Park on Foxfield Drive. Construction should begin soon.


The city would like to continue efforts to acquire Lot 79 on the western portion of Lindero Canyon Road, north of T.O. Boulevard. It’s currently tied up in court, according to Mann.


Councilmembers would like to continue to identify and pursue more joint ventures for active parks and fields with local schools, the YMCA and other public entities.


To expand youth and senior activities in Westlake Village, Mann said, the council would like to undertake a study to assess potential uses of a small city-owned parcel of land at the southeast corner of Agoura Road and Oak Crest Drive.


"There is a boys’ and girls’ club interested in establishing a facility in the area," Mann said. If a facility were built on the parcel, Mann said, children and teens would probably use it during after-school hours and senior citizens could use it at night.


Another goal is to work with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to promote land donations and the use of local hiking trails. Councilmembers also suggested a review for potential recreation uses of the Westlake reservoir, including greater access to hiking in the area, Mann said. But it’s a touchy subject with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, he said. "There’s the issue of water contamination, so we’ll need to stay away from the water itself."


To boost volunteerism in the city, councilmembers would like to promote more opportunities and increase recognition for community involvement through presentations of certificates, plaques, etc.


Westlake Village would like to open its doors to students to help them learn how a city operates. Promoting student tours of the new civic center and lending assistance for mock city council meetings could be very educational, Slavin said.


The council would like to enhance communications between the Canyon Oaks Homeowners Association (HOA) and the YMCA regarding an alternate location for a new YMCA facility. Everyone wants a YMCA, according to HOA president Scott Yanke, but not in their own backyard. Canyon Oaks homeowners oppose it, too, for their neighborhood.


The city of Westlake Village will continue to lobby for its residents regarding hassles and inconveniences associated with golf balls from the Lake Lindero driving range in Agoura Hills. But nobody should expect miracles, Mann said, because the range sits in the city of Agoura Hills.


While crime is low in Westlake Village, the council agreed to try enhancing the law enforcement activities by implementing a Volunteers in Policing program, encouraging neighborhood watch programs and setting up forums to address crime prevention.


Following completion of the new civic center, the city will likely develop a comprehensive program to encourage and promote public use. An invitation is open to artists and musicians who might display artwork or perform at the site.


The council would like more money for the new library.


For those who give, a bookshelf or other amenity could be named after the donor.


Other goals included: reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at all council and committee meetings, the reinstatement of prayer at council meetings and other city functions, establishing a better system for calling councilmembers and more.


For more information, call city hall at (818) 706-1613.





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