ONE-CITY RULE PUSHED COUNCIL BEEFS UP EFFORT TO ESTABLISH SWAY OVER VALLEY.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The third time may be the charm, but the city of Santa Clarita isn't taking any chances.

As the effort reaches a crucial stage, the Santa Clarita City Council voted to spend an additional $25,000 on its campaign to establish its sphere of influence throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Local Agency Formation Commission is expected to rule in the next few months on how far city government's influence ultimately will reach into the Santa Clarita Valley.

``This is genuinely, extremely important; we've got to win this one,'' Councilman Bob Kellar said.

``We've said it for so long: one valley, one city,'' said Councilman Frank Ferry. ``Now it's time to make that happen.''

While there are no guarantees that all territory designated as being under a city's influence will ever be annexed to the city, residents often see LAFCO designations as a precursor to annexation.

At Stevenson Ranch, officials on the town council and in the civic association have expressed interest in having their property annexed to the city, while Castaic community leaders have told Santa Clarita officials they do not want their area in the city or even in a LAFCO-designated city sphere of influence.

Part of the city's $25,000 will be used on direct mailings to about 60,000 homes in the Santa Clarita Valley, full-page newspaper and magazine advertisements and door-to-door campaigning.

``People don't know what a sphere would do,'' said Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste. ``There is a lot of misinformation out there.''

Planning Director Jeff Lambert said he would meet with local auto dealers this week to ask for their support, and the city planning manager, Vince Bertoni, snagged an endorsement from Fillmore city government for Santa Clarita's efforts.

The city has spent $95,000 so far in promoting its application to have the Santa Clarita Valley formally declared its sphere of influence - territory in which Santa Clarita will remain the only city ever incorporated. Pushing for that was a campaign promise from each council member.

So far $45,000 has been spent lobbying lawmakers and other elected officials. The city spent $25,000 on studies supporting its proposal, including surveying surrounding areas such as Castaic and Stevenson Ranch.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Karin Nelson is heading an effort to gather 10,000 signatures in support of the city proposal and so far has collected 1,000, Lambert told the council.

``This effort is incredibly important,'' Lambert said. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich ``has told us that he would be looking to see if the residents, and not just the city (officials), support the sphere,'' Lambert added.

Six Flags Magic Mountain owners oppose having their property included in Santa Clarita's sphere of influence. They say the city's sway should end at the Golden State Freeway.

Lambert said he would continue to work with leaders in other communities, such as the San Fernando Valley and Calabasas, also interested in formally establishing community spheres of influence.

``It'll give us a stronger face downtown,'' Lambert said.

Councilman Cameron Smyth asked for and received his colleagues' approval of his plan to accompany Mayor Jo Anne Darcy to next month's meeting of the Stevenson Ranch Civic Association. Annexation is scheduled to be discussed, he said.