COONS TO DIRECT VENTURA COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS.

Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Simi Valley Public Works Director Ron Coons, who oversaw construction of the city's civic center and Wood Ranch development, was named as the Ventura County Public Works director and will assume his post June 19.

Coons, a 54-year-old Simi Valley resident, will make $123,042 a year plus benefits and will oversee a staff of 395. He replaces Art Goulet, who retired in March after 21 years with the department.

Coons, chosen from a pool of 25 candidates, said he plans to meet soon with the county staff and said he's ready for the challenge.

``I'm very pleased about this,'' Coons said. ``It will be quite an opportunity for me. This is Public Works Week, and I have to say it has been a beautiful week. I'm pleased to serve the county.''

The county's Public Works Agency is made up of five departments including solid waste management, flood control, transportation, water resources and development and central services.

County officials say they're happy to have him aboard.

``I'm delighted that he's coming to the county,'' said Supervisor Judy Mikels, whose district includes Simi Valley. ``I think he brings a different perspective because he's worked with the county as a city and knows that side of the fence. When he gets to the county he will have a good understanding of the city issues.''

Coons has worked for the city of Simi Valley since 1976 and had been the city's director of utilities, city engineer and traffic engineer. He also worked as a traffic engineer for the city of San Fernando.

During his tenure in Simi Valley, the city's wastewater treatment plant in 1995 won an award as the best large facility in the state. It has been recognized as the best facility in the Tri-Counties area three consecutive years. Earlier this year the city's water department was acknowledged for its energy conservation.

Coons oversaw the building of the city's civic center, the Indian Hills development and the Wood Ranch community, which he compared to a small city. But Coons said one of the biggest challenges he and his staff faced was restoring water and making repairs following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

``We had round-the-clock shifts to return sanitation and water facilities to operations,'' Coons said. ``It was a tremendous effort by the work force to get everything back in service.''

One of the projects his department has been working on is installing six storm water detention basins at several locations around Simi Valley that will remove 4,300 homes from flood plains - saving each homeowner $550 annually in flood insurance.