Agoura Hills Mayor Talks Local Champions, COVID-19

AGOURA HILLS, CA — In his seventh term as mayor, Denis Weber addressed the Agoura Hills community Wednesday for his annual state of the city address.

Weber caught the community up on city projects and accomplishments and thanked residents and city personnel alike for their dedication to Agoura Hills.

Here are the major talking points you may have missed.

Special Mentions

Weber gave a shoutout to two local celebrities: Tara Davis, an Olympic athlete who graduated from Agoura High School in 2017, and Italia Deli and Bakery, Agoura Hills' business of the year.

Davis competed with Team USA track and field in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and took sixth in the long jump.

Before she took the national stage, Davis made Agoura High proud with plenty of awards and record-breaking performances. She was named the U.S. Track and Field And Cross Country Coaches Association's All American athlete four times, broke the state record with her long jump and more.

"I had such an amazing time representing the U.S. in the Olympics ... Agoura will always be my hometown and number one city," Davis said.

Italia Bakery and Deli, located at 5657 Kanan Road, was founded in 1971 by Philip and Maria Magnanimo and Benit and Gina DeGiosa. It is a family-run enterprise to this day.

"If you haven't been to Italia Deli you are missing out on the most delicious foods ... which are to die for," Weber said.

Traditions And Events Return

Agoura Hills was able to put on some of its beloved traditional events this year after most were canceled during the pandemic, Weber said.

"We're on our way to making this house feel like a home again," Weber said.

The first event to move back in person this year was Agoura Hills' community service days in May, during which locals picked up trash around the city. But the work wasn't done yet: in September, nearly 100 locals participated in the city's 23rd annual Creek Cleanup.

The community also returned to leisure activities, with concerts in the part returning over the summer, and the mayor's art show returning to display works of art about unity — a major theme for the city this year.

The locally beloved Reyes Adobe Days returned for a one-day stint, with a beer garden, live music and children's activities.

"It was a beautiful day," Weber said.

COVID-19

Agoura Hills participated in a vaccine clinic hosted with Westlake Village, Calabasas and Hidden Hills early in the pandemic that administered over 1,000 vaccines, Weber said.

Additionally, local businesses adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by using social media, expanding restaurants outdoors and working with the mayor. Weber said the Agoura Hills community rallied behind local businesses.

Projects

Weber noted some municipal projects that are either ongoing or just broke ground.

The city hosted a ribbon cutting for the Palo Comado Bridge in May, the last of three bridge improvements on the State Route 101 (Ventura Freeway) in Agoura Hills, the Acorn reported.

"It's a gentle reminder how wonderful this scenic town we call home is," Weber said.

The Sumac Park playground renovation began in August and continues today, Weber said. The renovations will focus on the park's bathroom as part of a project to renovate all six parks in Agoura Hills.

The city is working to alleviate traffic at the Kanan Agoura intersection while still protecting the oak trees in the area, as residents have shown concern both about the traffic and the preservation of the tress. The city has found a solution with traffic professionals, and is looking for final approval to begin work in the area.

This article was updated on Nov. 8 to fix the address and name of Italia Deli & Bakery.