City Officials Head for D. C. Conference

Three Simi Valley council members and the city’s top staffers are heading to Washington, D.C., today.

Mayor Bill Davis and council members Glen Becerra and Steve Sojka will join top city staff members at a National League of Cities conference, which gives city leaders from across the country a chance to hear the latest on what’s coming out of the Capital and possibly get a head start on applying for new programs.

In addition, the trip gives city officials and staff a chance to meet with the nation’s decision makers.

The trip will cost taxpayers $9,600 for food, lodging and air fare.

Davis said the benefits are well worth the cost, noting that last year’s trip led to Simi Valley getting a $1.2-million grant for police computers, despite the city’s high FBI ranking for safety.

The Simi Valley contingent will lobby for higher rent subsidies for low-income residents.

They will also push for a home loan program for first-time buyers, Davis said.

While most of the group will fly back Tuesday, Davis will stick around until March 17, primarily to meet with Reps. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) on Metrolink issues.

As chairman of the Metrolink board, Davis is lobbying for millions of dollars to rehabilitate a tunnel that connects Simi Valley to the San Fernando Valley.