CITIES PLAN MEETINGS IN CAPITOL DELEGATES TO PRESS ISSUES.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

Delegates from the cities of Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley will be in Sacramento today, meeting with local legislative members of key budget committees to discuss issues of area concern.

The officials meet annually with the lobbyist hired by the cities, and take advantage of the trip to talk with legislators about locally important issues, such as freeway improvements.

``Legislators make critical decisions on things that affect cities so it's important to interact with them face to face,'' said Thousand Oaks City Manager MaryJane Lazz. ``It's also a way of thanking them for the work that they do for you.''

Thousand Oaks officials said their top priority is to secure money to widen, landscape and build sound walls along the Route 23 Freeway.

Those traveling to the state capital today include Lazz and two deputy city managers, all five members of the City Council, as well as the city's finance director, the city clerk and the city attorney.

Lazz said the trip will cost taxpayers $3,850 - or $350 for travel, meals and lodging for each of the travelers.

The city of Simi Valley is sending Mayor Bill Davis, Councilmen Glen Becerra and Steve Sojka, City Manager Mike Sedell and Deputy City Manager Laura Magelnicki.

Magelnicki said Simi Valley does not have a specific agenda for the trip, but looks forward to having the ear of key legislators.

``One of the issues that has been significant for us and many other cities is what, if anything, can be done at the state level to return some of the local funding that has been diverted over the last few years,'' she said.

The trip will cost $1,370 for the five representatives, including air fare, lodging and transfers.

This afternoon, city officials are scheduled to hear talks from several legislators representing tax, budget and housing committees.

Among them are Sen. Richard K. Rainey, R-Walnut Creek, chairman of the local government committee, and Sens. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, and Steve Peace, D-La Mesa.

Assemblymen John Longville, D-San Bernardino, and George Runner, R-Lancaster, and John Chlang, a board of equalization member, will speak to the group as well.

Later, a dinner meeting will be held with Assemblymen Tony Strickland, R-Camarillo, and Tom McClintock, R-Granada Hills, and Sen. Cathie Wright, R-Simi Valley.

Thousand Oaks is hosting the events on behalf of its lobbyist, the Gonsalves firm, which receives $2,750 a month from Thousand Oaks and $2,500 a month from Simi.

As host, Thousand Oaks' duties will include making arrangements for speakers and sending out invitations to each of the 30-plus cities that are clients of the firm.