Local officials confer in Washington
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

In an effort to reduce train noise and ease the burden of flood insurance for Simi Valley residents, city officials met with federal agency representatives as part of a national summit held in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.

The National League of Cities conference gave city officials the opportunity to personally meet with administrators from the Federal Railroad Administration.

New safety regulations to be implemented later this year will require longer, louder and more frequent train whistles. With approximately eight miles of railroad track running through the city and crosses about a dozen highways, train noise and safety are important issues.

Mike Sedell, Simi Valley city manager, said adequate safety measures are currently in place at the railroad crossings and that the city would like to avoid the added whistles.

The new safety measures will include the construction of 100-foot-long medians on both sides of the railroad track and the installation of two guard arms instead of just one.

City councilmember Glen Becerra said the city officials also met with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to discuss recent steps to minimuze flooding in Simi Valley. After erecting detention basins and making improvements to the city’s flood control channel, the city hopes FEMA will draw new flood zone maps.

Lessening the threat from floods will save residents money when purchasing flood insurance, the city said.

Becerra said the face-to-face meeting with federal officials will help the city greatly. Councilmembers gained insight and background knowledge and will be able to give better direction to city staff, he said.

Several past trips resulted in substantial grants for the city. The recent trip proved unproductive in that regard, however.

"Overall, I think it’s important for us to participate," Becerra said.