Day laborer site gets good grades from county grand jury
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

The city of Thousand Oaks has had problems with day laborers gathering near busy streets for nearly two decades, according to city officials. The current answer to that problem, a designated site to laborers to gather while searching for work off Hampshire Road, was recently criticized by a citizen to the Ventura County grand jury. The grand jury offered recommendations to the city that could remedy the issues brought up and the city will look at those recommendations in July, said Thousand Oaks Deputy City Manager Scott Mitnik.

Grand jury members visited the day laborer site at Fairview Road and Royal Oaks and other areas where day laborers gather and made few recommendations for the Fairview/Royal Oaks location. Overall, the Grand Jury report says that the city of Thousand Oaks did a commendable job in trying to resolve safety issues with day laborers.

"The city is pleased with the report," Mitnik said. City staff, he said, had already planned to review the site in July as part of the site’s one-year anniversary, and would make necessary recommendations to the council if needed. The review will now include the ideas presented in the grand jury report, Mitnik said.

The grand jury’s suggestions to improve the site include:

• Permanent toilet facilties should be installed

• A traffic safety study should be conducted at the corner of Hampshire Road and Royal Oaks to determine if the site has created a traffic hazard that would warrant the installation of "No Parking" signs in the immediate area

• Permanent signs should be posted at the turnaround indicating where contractors and the general public can pick up day laborers

Mitnik said the city already approved another $50,000 for improvements on the site, but to spend those dollars will take additional council approval.

Though some people have commended the city for their solution to the day laborer problems, others still dislike the idea. Some just don’t want day laborers near their homes. Former gathering sites were dangerous because workers would huddle near streets and cause safety issues that concerned motorists who drove by.

The site wasn’t the best solution for the dilemmas that were brought up to the city, Mitnik said, but it was the best alternative. People still complain about day laborers, he said, but at least now there’s no safety issue.

While complaints continue, Mitnik said, they are far fewer than in previous years. The site is off the public right of way.

Mitnik said he and the city always welcome public comment and suggestions. With the review coming in July, it’s a good time for residents to respond.

The city has 90 days to reply to the grand jury’s recommendations.