A bill seeking to improve the transparency of local government from Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, made one of the first steps on its way to becoming law, officials said.
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AB 951, which would require the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District to meet in Santa Clarita instead of Whittier, the usual meeting place, was approved by the Local Government Committee on Wednesday.
“The people have a right to redress their government,” Wilk said. “Requiring ratepayers to drive over 50 miles to Whittier to give public input is undemocratic.”
The bill’s impetus was a public relations fiasco by the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District that sprung from their outreach, or an alleged lack thereof, over a brine well plan.
The state-regulated Water Quality Control Board is mandating the county agency (SCVSD) to remove chloride (also known as salt, or brine) from the water being sent downstream to Ventura County.
However, hundreds of westside residents angered by the county agency’s 11th-hour change to the proposed brine-removal well plan — which put the construction site within chipping range of the 16th hole of the Valencia TPC golf course — said there was outreach ahead of time.
The Sanitation District board still is investigating well sites, but the fact that SCVSD officials regularly meet in Whittier is an issue, Wilk said.
“This bill will provide us with better government by creating greater transparency and public oversight on the actions of SCVSD Board of Directors,” he explained.
The last three meetings regarding the Santa Clarita Valley’s chloride plan were moved locally in response to complaints, but there is no set plan to keep them local permanently.
The 38th Assembly District encompasses Simi Valley, the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.
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