MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2024
OPENING MATTERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Weintraub (via remote access) , Mayor Pro Tem Kraut, and Councilmembers Albrecht, Bozajian and Shapiro
Staff: City Manager Meik; City Attorney Summers; Assistant City Manager Trujillo; Deputy City Manager McConville; Chief Financial Officer Ahlers; Community Development Director Klein; Community Services Director Green; Public Works Director Castle; City Planner Tom Barlett; Landscape District Maintenance Manager Melton; Fire Chief Drew Smith; and Deputy City Clerk Krdilyan
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Fire Chief Smith.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Mayor Weintraub seconded a motion to approve the agenda , moving Item Nos. 8 and 9 to the beginning of the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Presentation from FM3 Research Summarizing Survey Results Regarding Priority Issues and Voter Sentiment Towards a Potential Sales Tax Ballot Initiative
Richard Bernard, FM3 Research, presented a PowerPoint outlining the results of the survey.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
In response to Council questions, Mr. Bernard explained repeat respondents; success of other sales tax initiatives; and need for voter education.
City Manager Meik discussed efforts for public education since the prior survey.
9. Consider Resolution No. 2024-1912, Giving Notice of a Municipal Election for the Purpose of Submitting to the Voters the “City of Calabasas Public Safety/City Services Measure” Which Enacts The “City of Calabasas Transaction a nd Use Tax Ordinance” That Establishes a Three -Quarter Percent Transactions and Use Tax Subject to Majority Voter Approval City Manager Meik presented a PowerPoint outlining the purpose of a sales tax measure; overview of transaction and use tax; fiscal resiliency; General Fund 10-year forecast; unfunded projects and services; and next steps.
In response to Council questions, City Manager Meik and City Attorney Summers explained the unknowns of project development; delayed projects and deferred maintenance without the revenue; maximum tax increase; timing of revenue collection; and County tax measure.
Dennis Washburn expressed concern with governing by survey and suggested deferring the matter to obtain additional input and provide education.
The Council discussed the need for public education; relation between fiscal responsibility and community trust; election timing; voter turnout; campaign guidelines for Council and Staff; public safety needs; sunset clause; oversight committee; retaining the funds locally; and County Measure A.
Tom Lorenz, CMMC, presented the proposed educational campaign.
MOTION
Councilmember Bozajian moved and Councilmember Sh apiro seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024 -1912, Giving Notice of a Municipal Election for the Purpose of Submitting to the Voters the “City of Calabasas Public Safety/City Services Measure” Which Enacts The “City of Calabasas Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance” That Establishes a Three -Quarter Percent Transactions and Use Tax Subject to Majority Voter Approval with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem writing the argument in favor of the ballot measure.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
The Council discussed the need for the revenue and expres sed concern regarding the success of a ballot measure.
Councilmember Bozajian withdrew the motion.
MOTION
Councilmember Bozajian moved and Mayor Weintraub seconded a motion to direct Staff to bring back a comprehensive report on possible tax measures including the proposed sales tax, transient occupancy tax and specialized public safety tax and other lawful revenue measures. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut called a recess. The meeting reconvened at 8:39 p.m. with all Councilmembers present, except Mayor Weintraub.
PRESENTATIONS
• Fire Department Update
Fire Chief Smith presented an update.
The Council shared their thoughts and thanked Chief Smith for his presentation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTRODUCTIONS
Councilmember Albrecht announced the Annual Resurfacing Project through August 12; Beach Bus services; Food Truck Thursdays; and Calabasas Corn Toss team success.
Councilmember Shapiro announced the Senior Center Birthday Celebration; and Fourth of July events. He spoke out against hate crimes and requested the Mayor of Los Angeles to do more to keep residents safe.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Mark Levinson announced upcoming Chamber of Commerce events.
CONSENT ITEMS
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024 -1909, a Resolution of the City Council of Calabasas, California, Updating the Citywide Fee Schedule
2. Recommendation to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Yunex Traffic to P rovide City -Wide Traffic Signal Maintenance Services with the Total Contract Amount Not to Exceed Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($360,000.00) for a Three -Year Term Expiring on June 30, 2027 with the Option to Renew for Two Additional One -Year Periods, at the Discretion of the City Manager
3. Recommendation to Approve the Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Converse Consultants for On -Call and As -Needed Material Testing and Special Inspection Services Which Will Extend the Contract Duration Until December 31, 2024 and In crease the Not to Exceed Amount To $125,000
4. Consideration of Approval of an Agreement in the Amount of $27,315.40 for FY 23/24 Through FY 27/28 Between the City of Los Angeles and the City of Calabasas for Monitoring Pursuant to the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
5. Consider Resolution No. 2024 -1909, Approving a Five -Year Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for Public Services Provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dep artment and Authorizing the City Manager to Procure Services of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Up to An Amount Authorized in the City’s Operating and Capital Budget for the Period of July 1, 2024 Through June 30, 2029
6. Authorization to Approve Amendment No. 1 For Additional Funding and the Extension of the Term Date to the Existing Professional Services Agreement with GBN Construction Design & Build
7. Authorization to Award a One -Year Professional Services Agreement in an Amount Not to Excee d $100,000 To CBRE, Inc. to Update the City’s Current Inventory and Appraisal of Various Vacant Land Parcels Located Within Calabasas
MOTION
Councilmember Bozajian moved and Councilmember Albrecht seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar . The motion carried 4-0, Mayor Weintraub absent.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2024 -405, Amending Chapter 8.24 of the Calabasas Municipal Code (Park Reg ulations) to Centralize and Codify the City’s Rules Concerning the Use of City Parks
Community Services Director Green presented the staff report.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
In response to Council questions, Staff confirmed that there was no significant fiscal impact with the action; park hours for safety; and means of enforcement.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Bozajian seconded a motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2024-405, amending Chapter 8.24 of the Calabasas Municipal Code (Park Regulations) to cen tralize and codify the City’s rules concerning the use of City Parks. The motion carried 4-0, Mayor Weintraub absent.
11. Craftsman’s Corner Annexation:
City Attorney Summers and Community Development Director Klein presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Staff clarified the protest process; and timing of Hidden Hills, other agencies, and LAFCO action.
Dennis Washburn questioned library services and the tax rate and encouraged proceeding as quickly as possible.
City Attorney Summers stated the majority of the tax rate would be at 4.7%.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Bozajian seconded a motion to: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-1914, a Joint Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, as the Governing Body of the County of Los Angeles, the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, and the Los Angeles County Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District and the City Councils of the City Of Calabasas and the City of Hidden Hills, the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax revenue resulting from the annexation of territory known as Reorganization 2014 -03 to the City of Calabasas and the City of Hidden Hills, detachment from County Road District No. 3, withdrawal from County Lighting Mainten ance District No. 1687, withdrawal from the Los Angeles County Library, and approving an agreement for Sharing City Sales Tax Revenues pursuant to Reorganization 2014-03; 2) Approve an agreement between City of Calabasas and City of Hidden Hills for Specif ied Property Tax Revenue Sharing for Reorganization No. 2014-03; and 3) Direct and delegate a uthority to City Manager to make
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
minor revisions and to execute the final resolution and agreements for the Craftsman’s Corner Annexation upon approval by counterparties. The motion carried 4-0, Mayor Weintraub absent.
PUBLIC HEARING
12. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1906, Approving the Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets for July 1, 2024 Through June 30, 2025, providing for the Appropriations and Expenditures for All Sums Set Forth in Said Budget; Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1907, Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2024 -2025; Adoption of Resolution No. 2024 -1908, Approving a Salary Schedule for Permanent Employees.
Chief Financial Officer Ahlers presented the staff report.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Albrecht second a motion to: 1) adopt Resolution No. 2024 -1906, approving the Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, providing for the appropriations and expenditures for all sums set forth in said budget; 2) adopt Resolution No. 2024-1907, establishing the appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2024 -2025; and 3) adopt Resolution No. 2024 -1908, approving a Salary Schedule for permanent employees. The motion carried 4-0, Mayor Weintraub absent.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
13. Adoption of Resolution 2024 -1910, and Resolution 2024 -1911, Certifying the Results of the Asses sment Ballot Proceeding with Respect to the Proposed Assessment Increase for Calabasas Park Estates HOA Zone 8 and Las Villas HOA Zone 11 Within Landscape Lighting Act District No. 22
Landscape District Maintenance Manager Melton presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Pro Tem Kraut closed the public hearing.
MOTION
Councilmember Albrecht moved and Councilmember Bozajian seconded a motion to : 1) A dopt Resolution No. 2024-1910 declaring and certifying the results of a mail ballot proceeding conducted in connection with Calabasas Park Estates Zone 8 within Landscaping and Lighting Act District No. 22; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-1911 declaring and certifying the results of a
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
mail ballot proceeding conducted in connection with Las Villas Zone 11 within Landscaping and Lighting Act District No. 22 . The motion carried 4-0, Mayor Weintraub absent.
FUTURE INFORMATION/AGENDA ITEMS
14. Direction from Council on requested agenda items
A. None
15. New requests for future information/agenda items
TASK FORCE REPORTS
Councilmember Shapiro discussed his attendance the Cal Cities Policy Committee; VICA’s 75th Year Celebration ; and a recent m eeting with high school youth . He discussed his upcoming attendance at SCAG Leadership meetings.
Councilmember Bozajian announced the next statewide League of California Cities Board of Directors meeting from July 11-12, 2024 and the upcoming Contract Cities Association meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut discussed his attendance at the recent calcites Policy Committee meeting, Homeless Task Force and American in Bloom event.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
16. Check Register for the period of May 25-June 08, 2024
The item was received.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Meik thanked Staff and the Council for its participation in the American Bloom judging and an nounced the State Board of Forestry recommendation to be on the Fire R isk Reduction Community Program , which would provide grant opportunities.
City Attorney Summers announced that the California Business Roundtable measure would not be on the ballot.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2024
None.
ADJOURN
The City Council adjourned the meeting to a regular meeting scheduled on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Analuz Mendoza, Interim City Clerk
Certified Municipal Clerk