Council wants committee to address sustainability
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

At its annual reorganization meeting Monday night, the Simi Valley City Council established a new committee that would be responsible for starting up a "green" building program and taking steps to enhance community sustainability.

The fivemember Sustainable Simi Valley Committee will include one planning commissioner, one representative of the Chamber of Commerce and one representative of the Building Industry Association.

Council members Michelle Foster and Glen Becerra, both of whom volunteered to represent the City Council on the committee, agreed that it could expand in the future to include representatives from other agencies like utility companies and the park district.

"The committee really needs to be more comprehensive ultimately," Becerra said. "These are folks that we should tap into for their expertise."

On Nov. 19, the City Council directed city staff to come up with a proposal for establishing a committee that could work with other community stakeholders in reducing resource consumption, improving air and water quality, and initiating environmentally responsible practices consistent with building "green."

Foster, the newly appointed mayor pro tem, said the committee could help create a "whole new way of thinking" for the community in regard to boosting resource efficiency and meeting environmental goals.

"This is not just about building per se," she said. "It's about a mindset of a community."

Foster 's appointment to mayor pro tem is consistent with the City Council's annual rotation policy.

She takes the place of Councilmember Steve Sojka, who was appointed mayor pro tem on Dec. 11, 2006.

Members of the City Council also made changes to appointments on various boards, commissions and committees requiring council representation.

Becerra replaced Mayor Paul Miller on the Affordable Housing Subcommittee. Miller replaced Foster on the Community Gang Task Force. Foster replaced Miller as the Simi Valley Council on Aging liaison.

Sojka replaced Councilmember Barbra Williamson on the Tapo Street Revitalization Committee and Ventura County Transportation Committee. He also replaced Foster on the Ventura Intercity Service Transit Authority.