T.O. DRAFTS 5-YEAR WISH LIST FOR CITY; IMPROVING SEWERS, STREETS, BUILDINGS WOULD COST $161 MILLION.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Daily News Staff Writer

City officials hope to spend $161 million over the next five years on 208 projects to improve streets, public buildings and wastewater disposal in Thousand Oaks.

Along with the five-year plan, the City Council tonight will review the draft of a capital-improvement budget for two years in which $115 million would be spent on 152 of the 208 projects.

``I think it's important we look at the merit of (each) project and look at the value of it to the community as a whole and come to a determination . . . if it merits the full support and funding of the capital improvement plan,'' said Councilman Dan Del Campo. ``There are some things that need to be done - there's no question about it - but again: Are we getting the best possible value for dollars being spent?''

The proposals have come from city staff officials and City Council direction. The Planning Commission will review the draft two-year plan in May, and the council is expected to adopt it with any amendments in June.

A major proposal is to spend $50.5 million to rehabilitate the city's aging wastewater-disposal system. The spending would include $3.9 million to build a new operations center at the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant and $1.7 million to demolish the Olsen Road Wastewater Treatment Plant and replace it with a lift station and sewer lines.

Another hefty expenditure would be $34 million for road improvements, including $8.9 million to modify the Borchard Road interchange from the bridge to Michael Drive with new ramps, signals and storm drains.

The council also is considering spending $27 million to upgrade the shabby Los Robles Golf Course with new irrigation and drainage systems and $16.2 million to build the Hill Canyon regional recreation facilities project, which has not yet been approved.

Also on the city's wish list are:

$4.5 million to rehabilitate the former city hall for a future tenant.

$2.5 million to widen and improve Moorpark Road under the Ventura Freeway.

$75,000 to install sidewalks, curbs and gutters along Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Sunset Drive.

$2.2 million to design and build a permanent equestrian center at Rancho Potrero.

$6.1 million to expand the central library by 35,000 square feet.

$120,000 to upgrade the senior center.