Council approves single northbound gateway monument for Canaan/Agoa Road intersection

The Agoura Hills City Council voted 5-0 to direct staff to proceed with final design and construction documents that include a single northbound gateway monument for the Canaan Road–Agoura Road ultimate intersection improvements project.

Director of Public Works and City Engineer Charmaine Yambao presented options and renderings showing a northbound monument reading "City Of Agoura Hills — Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains" and a mirrored southbound monument reading "Entering the Santa Monica Mountains." Yambao told the council each monument would cost in the range of $50,000 to $100,000 depending on size and details and that the project is funded by Metro Measure R/Measure M funds: "The project is funded fully funded by measure m metro measure m." (transcript).

Nut graf: The council had been split at an earlier meeting over whether to include both northbound and southbound monuments; after further discussion the five-member council agreed to install only the northbound monument now and leave an additional monument as a future option. Because funding is from regional transportation allocations (Measure R/Measure M), staff said a proposal to shift the funds to other eligible highway-related projects would still require review and approval by the local Council of Governments and Metro.

Discussion points and rationale

Council members who supported two monuments said the dual signs would create visual balance and honor the city’s role as a gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains. Council member Deborah Klein Lopez said she was moved by the gateway concept and favored two monuments for visual and symbolic reasons. Mayor Pro Tem Jeremy Wolf expressed concern the wording could appear cramped on a single face and preferred two signs for readability and presentation.

Council member Anderson, who chaired the subcommittee, said budget constraints and the limited eligible uses of Measure R/M funds supported installing one northbound monument now and returning later to consider a second. Anderson said the northbound sign, as shown to the council, made her “feel so proud” and that one sign was appropriate at this time. Council member Anstead said the city could add another monument later if desired.

Funding and logistics

Staff estimated each monument at $50,000–$100,000 and said the project is fully funded with Measure R/Measure M regional transportation funds. Yambao noted that if the city chose not to build a second monument, those Measure funds could be proposed for other highway-related projects (for example, a park-and-ride) but that transferring Measure funds requires a formal process through the regional COG and Metro and is not automatic.

Vote and next steps

Council member Chris Anstead moved to proceed with a single northbound monument; Mayor Pro Tem Jeremy Wolf seconded. Roll call was Anderson—Aye; Anstead—Aye; Klein Lopez—Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Wolf—Aye; Mayor Sylvester—Aye. Motion passed 5-0.

Staff will proceed with final design for the northbound gateway monument as part of the Canaan Road/Agoura Road intersection project and will return with any required project authorizations and construction documents.