MOORPARK : 1st Redevelopment Chief Starts to Work

The city of Moorpark has moved to address one of the most frequent criticisms leveled against it--namely, that it does little to promote economic development at home.

Last Monday, Steven Hayes reported for work as the city’s first economic and redevelopment manager, a $53,000-a-year position created to administer the city’s newly implemented redevelopment agency and encourage economic growth.

Hayes, 51, spent the past five years working as an Anaheim-based economic development, redevelopment and planning consultant. The move to private practice came after a lengthy career working for the cities of Anaheim, Norco, Fontana, Orange and El Monte.

“I’ve always liked the public sector better,” Hayes said. “It’s more of an opportunity to work with people and to work with ongoing projects that you really see come to completion. As a consultant, you’re basically paid and

you’re gone.”

Hayes will report directly to Deputy City Manager Richard Hare, who said the new manager will help administer redevelopment projects while trying to attract new businesses to Moorpark and acting as the city’s liaison to existing businesses.

Hare said Hayes was selected over more than 20 qualified applicants because of his 21 years of experience in the field. “He comes highly recommended from the cities that he has worked for in the past, both as an employee and a consultant,” Hare said.

Councilman Scott Montgomery said that bringing Hayes on board signals that the City Council is serious about its commitment to redevelopment and attracting revenue-generating businesses.

“He adds deeds to the words ‘We want to revitalize our economic base,’ ” Montgomery said. “Although there’s a lot of economic development about to come, there’s a lot more to look forward to.” K mart, Carl’s Jr., Shell Oil and McDonald’s all are expected to open outlets in Moorpark by late summer or fall, Montgomery said.

For his part, Hayes said he was surprised at the amount of economic development in Moorpark in recent years and sees room for more.

“I think there’s just a lot of potential for development in the future. I’m not sure what direction that’s going to take,” Hayes said. “I’ve got a wide background of experience from very small cities to very large cities and whatever council direction takes place, I think I can assist in that.”