Residents urge council to act on e-bike safety, toxic dumping and climate during public comment

During the public-comment period at the March 25 Agoura Hills City Council meeting, two residents urged the council to respond to safety and environmental concerns.

Richard Lawson, who identified himself as a 39-year resident of Agoura Hills, thanked the council for honoring the library manager and recalled bringing his children to the library. Lawson said he had previously raised concerns about toxic-waste dumping in the area and noted testing had been done but said “only time will tell” whether the contamination is resolved. He also criticized the appearance of a large cinder-block building that, he said, blocks views eastbound on U.S. 101 and called for future buildings to have more aesthetic value.

Lawson also raised safety concerns about electric bicycles and scooters, saying several of his former students have missed physical education because of e-bike accidents. He suggested the city consider an educational event such as an e-bike derby run in partnership with the sheriff’s department to teach young riders safety and proper use.

Shannon Toma, who said she has lived in Agoura Hills since age 4 and rebuilt her home after the Woolsey Fire, used her time to press the council to add more climate-action items to future agendas. Noting upcoming Los Angeles Climate Week and recent record heat waves, Toma described personal actions — switching to a plant-based diet, avoiding air travel and rebuilding her home all-electric with solar and batteries — and asked the council to keep climate on its agenda and tell residents how they can do more.

The mayor thanked both speakers and said staff could follow up on the concerns they raised; no formal council action was recorded on the items during the meeting.