SIMI VALLEY : Council Backs Plan to Attract Business

To help attract new businesses, the Simi Valley City Council gave preliminary approval Monday to a plan to have City Hall pay some local fees when firms relocate to the city and to offer help to the firms’ employees to buy houses.

Simi Valley officials said an aggressive economic development plan is needed to attract and retain businesses that create local jobs and bolster the city’s economy.

The council in January ordered staff members to propose incentives to achieve this goal, and the ideas were adopted at Monday’s meeting. “We’re obligated by the health of the economy and of the county to do what we can,” said City Councilwoman Judy Mikels.

The housing assistance plan for companies moving to Simi Valley would help employees who are first-time buyers purchase houses in the city. The city could also financially help businesses with planning fees, water and sewer connection charges, and business taxes.

Under the plan, part or all of the fees would be paid by the city’s redevelopment agency for companies that ask for assistance, said Brian Gabler, assistant to the city manager. The plan also calls for an increase in advertising by the city and its redevelopment agency.

The amount of additional money to be channeled into the city’s marketing campaign will be decided during an upcoming review of the redevelopment agency’s 1992-93 budget.

Under the plan, city staff members urged the appointment of an ombudsman to represent the interests of businesses at City Hall. City officials suggested that the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce appoint this ombudsman, possibly by naming a former chamber president to the post.

The city staff also suggested arranging van pools and offering other assistance to companies as a way to help meet county goals in reducing air pollution.

The proposal will come back before the council for a vote within the next month, officials said.