Thousand Oaks · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Thousand Oaks public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Moorpark Road storm drain repair
Forecasters are warning of a potentially historic El Niño winter, and the city says it's ready: storm drains cleared, trees trimmed, sandbags stocked, and battery backups at every traffic signal. Residents are being asked to do their part now — sign up for VC Alert, prep their homes, and pick up free pre-filled sandbags before the rain starts.
Water supply for new development
Speakers questioned adding housing during drought conditions. Staff responded the project adds less than 1% to city water use, multifamily uses far less water than single-family homes, and citywide usage has dropped 20% since 2021.
2025 Urban Water Management Plan Adoption
The city adopted its five-year update of the long-range water plan through 2050, plus a drought contingency plan. Water use is down about 40% since 2007, and supplies are projected to meet demand even in multi-year droughts — though the city remains 100% reliant on imported water.
Hill Canyon Treatment Plant biosolids improvements (CI 5683)
A five-year sole-source contract keeps the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant's screening equipment running — the plant treats 8 million gallons of wastewater daily.
Water pipeline upgrades near Calleguas turnouts (CI 5493)
The Las Virgines–Triunfo JPA will build a brine pipeline through city streets, with temporary lane closures expected. The pipeline could also let local biotech firms pipe concentrated wastewater instead of trucking it out daily.
South Branch Arroyo Conejo floodplain study delays and costs
The floodplain study has grown from $262,000 to nearly $500,000 and slipped from spring 2024 to June 2027. Residents and Council Member Newman questioned why the city, not the county watershed district, is paying and leading.
Municipal Service Center Electrification and Microgrid
The council approved a $14.9 million project adding EV chargers, batteries, generators and a microgrid at the city's public works hub, so city fleets and buildings run off-grid during power shutoffs and fires.
Lang Ranch Pump Station Backup Power
A new battery and generator backup will keep the pump station — serving over 10% of the city's water customers — running during power shutoffs, protecting water supply for homes and firefighters in a very high fire-risk zone.
SB 125 transit grant funds
The city accepted $1.35 million in state transit grants — $750,000 for future transit vehicle replacements and $600,000 for electric bus charging infrastructure.