City will donate $250,000 to help Katrina recovery

Recognizing the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina as “unprecedented,” the Thousand Oaks City Council agreed to donate $250,000 to relief efforts.

How the money will be spent will be decided at the next council meeting on Sept. 27. At the suggestion of both Councilmember Dennis Gillette and Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña, the council agreed to look into appropriating some or all of the money to helping hurricane-affected families who’ve relocated to Thousand Oaks rather than donate the entire amount to a large nonprofit. Interim City Manager Scott Mitnick will compile a list of potential beneficiaries for the council’s consideration on Sept. 27.

Mitnick initially asked the council if they’d like to contribute, and he suggested doing the same thing the city of Moorpark had done earlier— giving $1 per resident, with a total contribution from Thousand Oaks of about $127,000.

Taking that thought a step further, Councilmember Dennis Gillette recommended increasing the figure, despite concern over the amount by Councilmember Jacqui Irwin. Both Gillette and Mitnick reassured Irwin that the city has enough in reserves—$70 million—to cover the donation.

“This is an unprecedented situation that calls for an unprecedented response,” Gillette said.

Councilmember Andy Fox suggested a goal of $1 million in combined donations from all 10 Ventura County cities.

––Sophia Fischer