Disputes on Hold as Gavel Passes to New Mayor in Thousand Oaks : City Council: Slow-growth proponent Jaime Zukowski steps aside as Andy Fox takes over the mayoral duties. He hopes to ease dissension on the panel.

The two warring factions on the Thousand Oaks City Council temporarily dissolved into diplomatic smiles and friendly quips Tuesday night as outgoing Mayor Jaime Zukowski turned the gavel over to Andy Fox, a colleague with whom she frequently disagrees.

Fox started his one-year term as mayor with a bang, emphasizing his desire to tone down the dissension that plagues the council and streamline meetings that often last five hours and often more.

“It will come as no surprise to anyone that in the next year all of us need to focus most on our council relationship,” Fox told an audience full of family members, friends and former city officials.

“It is incumbent upon all of us to bring dignity and respect of our elected offices to City Hall no matter how we feel about the issues,” he added.

The obstacles most likely to hinder his attempts are the deep-seated political disagreements that separate slow-growth proponents Zukowski and Elois Zeanah and the three other council members: Fox, Mike Markey and Judy Lazar, who tend to be more friendly to business interests.

At the council’s last meeting on Nov. 21, bedlam ruled for several minutes while members fought over tabling an item strongly supported by Zeanah: campaign reform. Four of the five were trying to speak simultaneously, as Zukowski rapped with her gavel, vainly attempting to restore order.

As soon as Fox settled into the center seat on the dais, he made it clear he wants things to be different. “We need to let the majority carry the vote and then move on,” he said.

In the frank, no-nonsense style that has become his trademark, Fox suggested using a workshop format to settle some of the differences on the council, starting with a session at the Hill Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant. The council is divided 3 to 2 on whether to raise sewer rates to fund a massive $75-million upgrade and expansion at the city’s sewage treatment plant. Without at least a 4-1 vote, the rate cannot be raised.

The council Tuesday also unanimously selected Lazar to be mayor pro tem. Members rotate into the mayor’s position on an annual basis.

As she left office, Zukowski was praised by city officials and residents for her hard work and dedicated effort in carrying out a job that isn’t always easy--controlling the council and leading the meetings.

“You were the model of grace under pressure,” Planning Commissioner Linda Parks said as she presented Zukowski with an enormous bouquet of white and pink flowers.

On behalf of the entire city staff, City Manager Grant Brimhall thanked Zukowski for the presents that appeared as if by magic whenever she dropped by City Hall.

“When Jaime comes into the office she does it so quietly,” Brimhall said. “But frequently you’ll find flowers or a little gift. The staff appreciates that.”

The upbeat mood in council chambers was reflective of Zukowski’s State of the City address given earlier Tuesday at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon attended by about 160 local business leaders.

Touching on topics from policing programs to new commercial development, Zukowski discussed the accomplishments of her term as mayor, giving frequent thanks to individual residents, other council members and city staff members.

“I appreciated the fact that she struck a very positive note,” said Judy St. John, chairwoman of the chamber’s board of directors. “And she didn’t make it sound like, ‘I did this’ or ‘I did that.’ ”

With reorganization the only item on Tuesday’s meeting agenda, the council adjourned just before 8:30 p.m., with the new mayor taking a quick look at his watch.

Fox smiled and said, “8:25. Job’s a piece of cake.”

But few expect a short meeting next week, when the council will hold a public hearing on a 750,000-square-foot shopping complex proposed on part of 450 acres owned by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The project also includes the relocation and updating of an existing church-run school and retirement housing.