MOORPARK : City to Pay Part of Woman’s Legal Bill

The Moorpark City Council has decided to pay half the legal expenses and travel costs of a former resident who was the target of an aborted legal prosecution by the city.

After commenting briefly on the request for reimbursement at its meeting Wednesday, the council moved its discussion behind closed doors, saying the matter may be subject to litigation.

The city cited Marlene Garcia in August for the illegal conversion of a garage.

The matter, however, was dropped in October after Moorpark City Atty. Cheryl Kane recommended in a letter to Municipal Commissioner John V. Paventi that the charges be dismissed.

Garcia, who now lives in Nevada, had sought $1,046 in attorneys fees, air fare, telephone bills and lost time.

She said Thursday that she will consult with her attorney before deciding on whether to accept the city’s offer of $523 or sue for the entire amount.

“What are they saying, that they’re half wrong?” Garcia said.

“I think they should pay for all of my expenses. . . . I think they’re liable for it.”

Garcia’s dispute with the city began last summer when she asked code enforcement officers to make sure her rental property on Ruth Avenue was not overcrowded.

The inspection officers wound up citing Garcia for a small playroom that her husband built in their garage years earlier for their children.

Garcia contends that the room was never used by anyone other than her children and that city officials had told her not to worry about the addition when the misdemeanor citation was written.

Because of the citation, Garcia was forced to return to Ventura County for a mandatory court appearance.