Official to Manage Environmental Efforts

Hoping to eliminate what one official called a piecemeal approach to managing its environmental programs, Calabasas has created a position that will oversee all such city programs.

The new assistant planner, to be hired after the new fiscal year begins in July, will coordinate recycling programs and monitor mitigation measures required of developers when their projects are approved, city officials said. The person will also coordinate transportation programs with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and serve as a liaison to the city’s Environmental Standards Committee, city officials said.

The salary will range from $34,620 to $41,580.

“This will allow us to take a more comprehensive approach,” said Calabasas City Manager Chuck Cate.

The assistant planner will answer to Steve Craig, an independent consultant for the city on environmental matters, officials said. Craig’s duties will also increase.

“We have a number of programs we have to fit together,” said City Councilwoman Lesley Devine. “The piecemeal way we’ve been doing it, you’ve got little things that slip out of control. It’s cost us money, because we’ve lost grant opportunities.”

The city plans to phase out the services of Willdan Associates, another environmental consultant that does work for Calabasas. The assistant planner will take over some of the duties performed by Willdan Associates, whose services city officials deemed too expensive, Devine said.