OXNARD : Council Seeks Funds for Metrolink Service

The Oxnard City Council has made it clear that it wants the Metrolink commuter rail service to stop at Oxnard to help reduce traffic congestion aggravated by earthquake-caused damage to area highways.

On Tuesday, the council approved an emergency ordinance seeking federal disaster funds to help subsidize the $4 million it would cost to extend Metrolink service from Moorpark through Camarillo to Oxnard.

Local officials have already approved extension of Metrolink to Camarillo at a cost of $1.9 million.

Oxnard is ineligible for disaster funds because the Federal Emergency Management Agency initially placed it outside the boundaries of the disaster area.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss Oxnard’s request. Next week, a state task force will take up the county’s request. Oxnard’s plea will be given greater weight if county transportation officials lend their support.

According to the proposal, FEMA would pay 75% of the cost of extending the service to the two Ventura County cities through June 30, with the state and local communities picking up the remaining cost.

If federal disaster officials designate Oxnard as an eligible recipient, the city would have to furnish $50,000. Without the federal aid, Oxnard would be required to pay $800,000.

At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Thomas Frutchey said Oxnard was harder hit by the Jan. 17 earthquake than Camarillo and therefore deserves federal assistance.

“Our public buildings alone suffered $250,000 damage, whereas Camarillo did not experience any damage,” Frutchey said. Nevertheless, federal officials initially included Camarillo in the disaster area while omitting Oxnard.