City Addresses Environmental Issues

Every few months, the Environmental Responsibility Subcommittee, lead by council members Illece Buckley Weber and Harry Schwarz, meets to review important issues impacting our environment. The most recent took place May 9.

"Right now we have 10 different subcommittees that meet," said Buckley Weber.

Environmental for Buckley Weber who hopes to to push many environment-related issues to the forefront.

"These meetings are basically informational. Our staff reports their findings on key issues and we decide from there if the next step is to take them before the full council," she said.

Though no public testimony is taken during the subcommittee meetings, Buckley Weber says that the community is more than welcome to sit in.

One issue that both Buckley Weber and Schwarz pushed for further discussion and research is the "Plastic Bag Ban," which has successfully been implemented in Calabasas.

"What a lot of people don't understand is that even though many do re-use their plastic bags, and that's wonderful, they eventually end up in the trash rather than in the recyclables," she said. "Ultimately, we find them in trees, in our creeks."

Buckley Weber and Schwarz recommended that the staff approach the local big box stores directly, asking them to voluntarily ban the bags. "If not, we will look into a next step," she said, which might also include educating the public about the use of plastic bags versus reusable bags.

Another issue discussed was naturalizing our creek bottoms. "That is a big deal to me," said Buckley Weber. "What they've done in Calabasas is fabulous."

Information disclosed during the meeting included research that such a project might be doable along Agoura Road.

"That is something I'm very excited about," she said. "That's where our Agoura Village will be [near the Whizin's Center] ... [The area] already has walking paths."

Buckley Weber hopes that some day, all of Agoura will be walkable or at least bikeable.

Other issues discussed during the meeting included the Habitat Conservation Fund Program and the Dark Skies Ordinance.

Buckley Weber invites the community to voice their opinions and concern through letter writing and by attending City Council meetings. She can be contacted directly at ibuckleyweber@ci.agoura-hills.us.org