COUNCIL TO CONSIDER SIGNS WELCOMING DRIVERS TO CITY.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

Saying Simi Valley is a city to be proud of, city officials are considering erecting monument signs to welcome residents and visitors into the community at major streets, at a cost of up to $7,500 apiece.

The use of welcome signs is a common expression of civic pride that has a positive effect on a city's image, officials said Sunday.

"We have civic pride without the signs, but I certainly think it adds to it," Councilwoman Barbara Williamson said. "It makes people who already live here feel good about themselves. It makes them feel they're finally home in their valley, while people who are visiting here know that they're welcome."

But not everyone is convinced the use of tax dollars to erect signs would be a prudent decision.

Fred Harrison, a city resident for 12 years and a City Council watcher, questioned the justification of such an expenditure.

"If it's going to cost money, what good is it going to do us?" he wondered.

But city officials think otherwise.

At the City Council's direction, city employees installed "Welcome to Simi Valley, Relax and Slow Down" signs in November in the vicinity of eight Ronald Reagan Freeway interchanges where about 75 percent of traffic enters the city.

On Jan. 8, the City Council directed staff to investigate and report back concerning alternatives for installing monument or other types of welcome signs where major streets enter the city.

The City Council will consider such alternatives when it meets at 6:30 p.m. today at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.

City officials will consider installing signs near city limits on four major streets: Madera Road, Tierra Rejada Road, West Los Angeles Avenue and Kuehner Drive.

Although some welcome signs already exist at these roads, officials said they are either not placed at city limits or have been damaged.

At its meeting, the City Council will consider designating two members to work with staff to complete the design of welcome signs and set aside funding for the fiscal 1996-97 budget.

The cost of the signs could vary from $250 to $7,500, officials said.

Mayor Pro Tem Bill Davis said he likes the idea of erecting new signs at major roads entering Simi Valley.

"It's civic pride," he explained. "It lets you know that you're coming into the the city of Simi Valley and leaving Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks or Moorpark. I think you find almost all cities use these type of signs. Even across the United States, a lot of them have welcome signs. They're proud of their community, and they want people to know."

But Simi Valley resident Harrison said he hopes the City Council will seriously look at spending tax dollars on more crucial public services than erecting expensive welcome signs.

"I think it's kind of a waste money," he said.

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Photo Motorists could soon be seeing a new sign welcoming them to Simi Valley on Los Angeles Avenue. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News