Funding Sought for Landscaping Survey

Councilwoman Barbra Williamson wants the city to pay for a survey to determine whether residents would support a multimillion-dollar bond issue to pay for landscaping along California 118.

“I think when you come in the front door of the community, we are sorely lacking aesthetically,” she said. “I think the residents of this community really want to see the freeway cleaned up.”

Williamson was expected Monday night to suggest the council spend $8,000 for a professional survey of at least 1,000 residents to determine community interest.

Williamson estimated the landscaping project she has in mind would cost several million dollars. A bond issue to pay for it would probably cost each homeowner about $10 per year for five years, she said.

“Everybody I’ve talked to has said, ‘Of course, I’d support it,’ ” Williamson said.

Without detailed plans, it is impossible to say what the landscaping would cost, said Caltrans spokesman Presley Burroughs.

“It depends on the type of plants,” he said. “It depends on the soil conditions.”

“It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight,” Williamson said, “but I do think it’s something we need to start working on.”

Unless the city were to hold a special election on the bond measure, which is unlikely, the measure would go before voters in November 2000, said Williamson, who would be up for reelection at that time.

Beautifying Simi Valley has been one of Williamson’s priorities as a council member. Before her 1992 election to the council she was a member of the city’s Planning Commission.

With the city focused on revitalizing Tapo Street and producing a citywide guideline for design, making certain the freeway is also cleaned up makes sense, she said.