Need to Strengthen Area Reservoirs Cited by Analysts

Fearful that a disaster could strand thousands of residents without water, Ventura County analysts Thursday outlined several construction projects needed to shore up shaky reservoirs in Simi Valley, Fillmore and Piru.

The water projects top a county wish list of a dozen measures needed to repair vital infrastructure damaged during the January Northridge earthquake.

Other key needs include: constructing a Tapo Street bridge to provide a backup getaway route for employees in Simi Valley’s Brandeis-Bardin industrial park, improving traffic flow into the North Fillmore Industrial Park, and repairing damaged curbs, gutters and sidewalks in Simi Valley.

The total price tag for all improvements would top $13.5 million--a whopping sum that neither Simi Valley nor Fillmore could come up with, officials said.

“The (city’s) dollars don’t go far enough,” said Simi Valley Councilwoman Judy Mikels, who will soon represent her city on the Board of Supervisors. “For a lot of these projects, there are no quick fixes. They take a lot of money.”

To help the battered cities pay for the projects, Ventura County supervisors Tuesday will consider applying for a $5-million federal grant.

“They’re certainly very important needs,” said Supervisor Maggie Kildee, who represents Fillmore and Piru. “It’ll be wonderful if we’re able to (get the grant).”

Mary Ann Krause, senior county administrative analyst, said she believes there is a “very high probability” the federal Economic Development Administration will meet the county’s request within two months.

If the county does pull in a $5-million grant, officials could use some of the money to help cities issue municipal bonds--thereby doubling the money available for the improvements, Krause said. “There may be ways to leverage the money so all the projects can be done,” she added.

To secure the federal grant, Fillmore and Simi Valley must put up 10% of the projects’ costs.

City officials said they would very likely be able to find that money in reserve accounts stocked with developers’ fees or redevelopment funds.

“There are a whole lot of different checkbooks we’ve been pulling money out of (for quake repairs),” Fillmore Councilman Roger Campbell said. “If we can get a federal grant to help us, that would be great. It sounds incredible.”

The federal Economic Development Agency will dole out $50 million to quake-shaken Southern California over the next few months, Krause said. Ventura County’s application is due Nov. 30, and officials expect a verdict by Jan. 15.

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Many of the projects on the list are designed to add jobs or stimulate development as well as repair earthquake damage. Under federal guidelines, any infrastructure improvement that helps lift a hard-hit city from economic doldrums is eligible for the grant, Krause said.

“These are all extremely important projects to us,” Fillmore Councilman Mike McMahon said. “Everything on that list is something we’ve been trying to find the money for. If the county can help us out, that’s just great.”

If approved by the supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting, Ventura County’s grant application will include the following projects:

Simi Valley

* Upgrading pipes in a major water-storage tank to hold up better during quakes. Cost, $1.1 million.

* Providing emergency backup power at the sewage-treatment plant. Cost, $2 million.

* Restoring damaged pavement, curbs, sidewalks and driveways throughout the city. Cost, $850,000.

* Constructing a Tapo Street bridge to provide a backup route to the Brandeis-Bardin industrial area. Cost, $930,000.

* Installing an ultraviolet disinfection system at the water quality control plant to eliminate the use of hazardous chlorine gas, which could leak during an earthquake. Cost, $2.25 million.

Fillmore

* Replacing two wrecked reservoirs. The city has lost more than one-quarter of its water-storage capacity, and another 25% is at risk because of a damaged roof. Cost, $3 million.

* Installing emergency generators to increase the city’s water-pumping capacity. Cost, $750,000.

* Relocating the William L. Morris auto dealership from a quake-damaged building to a new parcel on California 126 off C Street. The grant will pay for public improvements on the dealership’s new site. Cost, $320,000.

* Improving the intersection of A Street and California 126 to provide better access into the North Fillmore Industrial Park. Cost, $820,000.

* Preparing downtown for a proposed redevelopment that would bring in tourist attractions and office space. Cost, $700,000.

* Constructing a public parking lot to serve the redeveloped downtown. Cost, $350,000.

Piru

* Replacing a cracked and leaking reservoir that serves the unincorporated neighborhood. Cost, $475,000.