Mayor reflects on accomplishments of 2007, shares his outlook for 2008
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Much has been accomplished in Moorpark in 2007, and city leaders look forward to continued progress in 2008, said Mayor Patrick Hunter in an interview with the Moorpark Acorn.

Hunter served on the City Council for four years before he was elected mayor in 1996. "I've been very fortunate and grateful over the last 11 years to serve as the city's mayor. It's a responsibility that I take very seriously," he said.

The mayor, who is a lieutenant with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, said his top goal is and has always been to keep people safe and provide whatever level of law enforcement is appropriate and needed in Moorpark.

The fundamental responsibility of government is to ensure the safety and security of residents, he said.

With respect to other issues, Hunter said his priorities have evolved to adapt to the changes that have taken place in town in the past decade.

The City Council reviews and reestablishes its goals every year because projects get completed and the city's needs keep on shifting. "It's a healthy thing to do privately and in business," Hunter said.

Since Hunter was elected in the mid-1990s, Moorpark has grown to exert greater influence over both East County and countywide affairs. The city now has representatives on some of the most influential and important boards in the county, said Hunter, who chairs the City Selection Committee that includes all 10 cities in Ventura County.

Furthermore, Hunter said he's also satisfied with the response he's been receiving from Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy. Foy was elected to represent the East County in 2006.

"He's not only listening, he responds and acts as an advocate for the residents in this community on the board of supervisors," Hunter said.

The mayor, who will be up for reelection in 2008, said he hasn't decided yet whether he'll run again, but he will consider the matter early next year.

"I still feel as if I have a contribution to make, and I'd like to continue to serve as long as I enjoy the support of the public and I continue to feel I'm a valuable member of the team," he said.

Hunter reflected on some recent city accomplishments and challenges, sharing his ideas about crime prevention and sustainable economic objectives for Moorpark.

Library

Hunter said he's pleased with the improvements that were made at the new Moorpark City Library. The City Council voted in 2006 to secede from the Ventura County Library District and in January 2007 created a municipal library because local officials weren't satisfied with the level of service provided.

Since then the local library has increased hours of operation, and has gathered an enhanced collection of books. The facility has new computers and new furniture, and the database was improved to better serve local residents, according to Hunter.

The Moorpark City Library is a member of the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System. The library offers free online tutoring for young patrons. City librarians have also been meeting with local school librarians and educators to gather project lists and discuss how the city library resources and databases can serve local students.

Eminent domain

Although the Moorpark Redevelopment Agency attempted to reinstate its authority to use eminent domain to potentially acquire private properties for redevelopment purposes, officials voted to abandon the effort this summer.

Many downtown residents attended City Council meetings to express their objections because they were concerned that the agency may abuse its authority and displace longtime residents. These concerns were unfounded, according to city staff, because the eminent domain amendment didn't include residential properties, but the council acquiesced nevertheless.

"It was the essence of the democratic process. People had a voice. They came down and expressed their opinion, and the appropriate decision was made," said Hunter.

The city had to follow the law to get to the culminating meeting, and the process worked very well, he said. "It's important to realize that that process was statutorily defined," Hunter added.

Ongoing traffic issues

In addition to completing several road improvement projects, city leaders are working to synchronize traffic lights on main corridors in Moorpark. That was done on Tierra Rejada Road, said Hunter.

However, while the city is working on streets within its boundaries, it can't make improvements on Los Angeles Avenue because the road is a state highway managed by Caltrans.

"This is a big flaw for Moorpark, and it frustrates me because I'm powerless over that," Hunter said, adding that local leaders have to accept that fact, and they continue to work with the state to make needed improvements on the city's main artery.

Concerns about traffic on Walnut Canyon, which also is a state highway, will be partly alleviated when the new Spring Road bypass, constructed by the developer of the Moorpark Highlands, opens in the first quarter of 2008, Hunter said.

Cars will be allowed to use the road to get from Los Angeles Avenue to Walnut Canyon, north of City Hall. Trucks will remain on Walnut Canyon, as they will not be allowed on the new road.

Graffiti and vandalism

City leaders are working to curb graffiti, which has proliferated in 2007. According to Hunter, the problem tends to be cyclical, resulting from incarceration and release of the culprits, and it increases when there's an increase in tension between tagging crews in various cities. The mayor said he's pursuing proposals to address these concerns.

"I would like to work with the district attorney and the courts in Ventura County to enable prosecutors to try and convict graffiti artists in absentia," he said.

This can be accomplished because graffiti is very individualized, like DNA, so even if the vandals weren't seen when they committed the crime, a warrant could be issued for the arrest. The concept is being refined in the west end of the county, Hunter said.

Graffiti is a difficult crime to prosecute, but we have to live with its effects, emotionally and financially, said Hunter.

Economic growth

"My goal for 2008 is to diversify our local economy, because a diverse local economy brings stability and ensures longterm growth and prosperity," said Hunter.

Many people drive long distance because they don't have employment opportunities in the region, so the city needs to ensure that everyone is represented and has a place to work in Moorpark, he said.

Moorpark's economy is mainly reliant upon retail and commercial income, so to alleviate that the city needs to make space available for more offices as well as industrial and research and development uses to create a balance, said Hunter.

It's easy to look at the shortterm horizon, but you also have to look at five to 10 years down the line so that when the city is built out it's sustainable because it's diverse, he said.

"You don't get a second chance. Once the city is built out, you can't unring the bell," Hunter said.

In addition to facilitating the conversion of vacant buildings for smaller businesses and redeveloping the downtown area to accomodate new retail businesses and office space, the city must provide convenient access to these areas, Hunter said.

A portion of High Street was set aside for public parking to accommodate growth and draw people to new retail and office developments proposed by Aszkenazy Development Inc.

Hunter also said he would like to add a residential component to Aszkenazy's proposal. That concept should be considered even if it's not feasible in the end, he said.