City Council Votes to Contribute to Lawsuit Against the State

The Moorpark City Council voted to contribute money toward a lawsuit against the state of California at its meeting Tuesday evening. It also agreed to contribute money to a countywide low-income housing fund, purchase some land from the Redevelopment Agency and named a library board and members of.

After asking for and receiving $400 from the city in March to go toward legal costs to defend local redevelopment agencies against measures called for by the State to eliminate the agencies in order to help balance its budget, the California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities recently asked for another $400. The organizations based the contribution amount it asked from each city on a tax-related formula. The Council voted to contribute the second $400 and authorized additional money, not to exceed a total of $1,500, for the cause.

The vote was unanimous, but at least one council member voted with some hesitancy.

“It’s unfortunate that some government agencies have to sue others because some of these issues have to be resolved through the judicial process,” said Councilmember David Pollock, “but that always bothers me that we would use public funds to sue other public agencies.”

“I’m supporting it because so far it’s been modest contributions for us,” he said, adding later that he would be concerned if the City were to be asked for contributions much beyond $1500.

The City Council also voted to contribute $150,000 to the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund, which will be used as part of a grant-matching program from which cities can use funds to help build low-income housing.

As well, the Council agreed to purchase 39 parcels of land from the Redevelopment Agency. The intent of the purchase is to allow completion of planned Redevelopment Agency projects in the event the Agency is eliminated with the recent passing of the California budget.

The Council also appointed five members to the newly established library board and two City residents to serve as commissioners to the Ventura County Area Housing Authority.