Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer presented her State of the City Address on December 1, and focused primarily on the City Council’s new Strategic Plan, which will be revisited and updated every two years.
The vision for the plan is that “Calabasas will preserve both its character and natural resources and will lead in addressing the critical environmental, social, health, safety and economic issues that impact our community.”
The plan has five priorities.
Under “Environmental Leadership” the goals are to acquire property for future parks or open space, increase drought preparedness and work on a climate action and adapation plan.
The “Fiscal Resiliency” priority is to create an economic plan that will attract business, fill vacant properties and promote the advantages of doing business in Calabasas, a city with the highest credit rating with both Moody’s and Standard and Poors. The city has also created a multi-year Capital Improvement Plan to set aside funds for infrastructure improvements.
Three objectives for “Public Safety and “Emergency Preparedness” include conducting a study on where to safely place cell towers to expand coverage – vital especially during a disaster like the Woolsey Fire. A second goal is to provide emergency preparedness training for City staff and Council, and the third is to look at contract enhancements with the new Sheriff to realign funding to reduce crime.
Maurer related that work on public safety concerns is already underway. A solar battery backup was installed at the City’s repeater site, a mobile Emergency Operations Center was purchased and FLOCK system cameras were installed at five locations throughout the city to help the Sheriff gather information about robberies and other crimes.
The “Recreation, Youth and Senior Services” element of the plan is focused on reopening the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, upgrading playground equipment and completing the build-out of Wild Walnut Park.
Maurer pointed to the recreational activities that resumed post-COVID, including the 4th of July festivities, back to school pool party, Pumpkin Festival and the reopening of the Senior Center.
The final priority of the Strategic Plan is “Development and Infrastructure” – building for the future in Calabasas. First on that list is to complete the annexation of Craftsman’s Corner where Parkway Calabasas dead-ends, and develop a plan to annex other properties within the City’s sphere of influence. Second is to provide options to relieve traffic congestion.
Maurer pointed to the many accomplishments in the past year, including the completion of the Old Town refurbishments, new power supply systems, bike and pedestrian improvement and more. She also named Dr. Negin Ghaffari, a Calabasas business owner and Commissioner as 2022 Resident of the Year.
