Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildfire Preparedness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Agoura Hills council highlights wildfire tech, open-space funding and intergovernmental talks
Summary
Council members reported intergovernmental work on 'Zone 0' regulations, a $4 million boost to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy revolving fund and a Burnbot wildfire-mitigation demonstration suggesting new tools for local fuel reduction.
The Agoura Hills City Council heard updates Wednesday on regional wildfire preparedness and open-space funding, as council members described steps to bolster brush-clearing capacity and explore new technologies.
Council Member Anderson told the council the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy increased a revolving fund from $8,000,000 to $12,000,000 to manage reimbursement timing and rising project costs, and discussed a contribution toward a larger land purchase by the Conejo Recreation Park District. "We increased the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy revolving fund from $8,000,000 to $12,000,000," Anderson said, describing the fund as necessary because many grants are reimbursed after work is completed.
Mayor Sylvester described attending a demonstration of Burnbot equipment designed to scale up fuel treatments. She said the technology includes a large remote-controlled machine that "goes along the ground and it burns a path" to create low-intensity fire breaks and a separate masticator that removes vegetation. Sylvester said the machines can operate on slopes up to 60 percent and would be deployed by a hired operator team rather than city crews.
The council also discussed intergovernmental coordination on so-called "Zone 0" regulations. Sylvester said the Council of Governments plans to circulate a letter asking for greater regulatory consideration and noted Senator Ben Allen is "on board"; an in-person COG meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18 with Zoom participation available.
Council members flagged brush clearance as an ongoing concern tied to the Woolsey and Palisades fires and said both short- and long-term solutions are being pursued. Anderson said discussions at the Conservancy included who bears responsibility and cost for brush-clearing work. "It's very much a conversation that is being had," Anderson said, emphasizing the need to harden the city and preserve open space.
No formal council action or ordinance was taken on these items at the meeting; the presentations served as information and direction for future intergovernmental engagement and staff follow-up.
