MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2024
CLOSED SESSION
The Council met in Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. with all Councilmembers present, to discuss the following items:
1. Conference with Legal Counsel: Potential for Litigation Against the City (Gov. Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(1) A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council, on the advice of its legal counsel, based on the below-described existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the City. Facts and circumstances that might result in litigation but which the City believes are not yet known to potential plaintiff or plaintiffs.)
Number of Potential Cases: 1
2. Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation
(Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Mountain Restoration Trust, Inc. v. City of Calabasas (Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24STCV19154)
OPENING MATTERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Weintraub called the Regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alicia Weintraub, Mayor Pro Tem Peter Kraut, and Councilmembers Edward Albrecht, James Bozajian and David Shapiro
Staff: City Manager Kindon Meik; Assistant City Manager Scott Trujillo; Deputy City Manager Michael McConville; City Clerk Lisa Pope; City Attorney Pam Lee; Chief Financial Officer Ron Ahlers; Community Development Director Michael Klein; Community Services Director Erica Green; Public Works Director Curtis Castle; Deputy Director of Community Services Jeff Campbell; Recreation Manager Aimee H aber; Deputy Public Works Director Tatiana Holden; Environmental Management Analyst Melanis Stepanian; Assistant Planner Rachel Zadikov; Traffic Engineering Consultant Tom Mericle; and Sheriff’s Deputy Mason De Matteo
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2024
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Girl Scout Troop 1866 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Albrecht moved and Mayor Pro Tem Kraut seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee reported that the Council discussed the items on the agenda and took no reportable action.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive Presentation on the America In Bloom Awards
Public Works Director Castle, Deputy Public Works Director Holden, and Environmental Management Analyst Stepanian presented the staff report and recognized Carol Davis on her nomination for the 2024 Dwight Lund Community Champion Award.
The Council commended staff and Ms. Davis for their work for the City.
Charlotte Meyer commended Carol Davis for her leadership and volunteerism.
Carol Davis expressed her gratitude for being nominated for the award.
4. Sheriff’s Crime Report
Deputy De Matteo presented the September 2024 Crime Report.
In response to Council questions, Deputy De Matteo indicated the trash fire incident had not been resolved and encouraged residents to pay attention to thieves and scams.
The Council commended the Sheriff’s Department.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTRODUCTIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut announced the It’s a Small World Toy Drive.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2024
Councilmember Shapiro thanked Staff for the Veteran’s Day Celebration; discussed the Viewpoint School Art of the Poppy Veteran’s Day Celebration; MYC’s Calabasas Flea market; November 5, 2024 Election results; World Kindness Day; and Clue at Calabasas High School; and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Albrecht thanked Council for the recognition on Veteran’s Day. He encouraged participation in the MicroTransit Survey.
Mayor Weintraub thanked Staff for putting on the Veteran’s Day event.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Mark Levinson thanked the Council for the Veteran’s Day event and announced upcoming Chamber of Commerce events.
Alice Davidson, Barrister Executive Suites, introduced the business to the community.
Laura Weisshar discussed the Calabasas Senior Center and encouraged assurance of adequate parking following the Cruzan apartment development.
CONSENT ITEMS
In response to Council questions, Director Castle and Assistant Engineer Bezdecny explained the Complete Streets Safety Assessment, Item No. 8.
In response to Council questions, Community Services Director Green explained the fee review and modifications, Item No. 12.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Approve the minutes of the October 23, 2024 Regular Meeting
6. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2024 -409, Adding Chapter 3.58 to Title 3 of the Calabasas Municipal Code Establishing an Administrative Remedies Procedure for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments
7. Receipt of Check Register Report for the period of October 12, 2024 through November 1, 2024
8. Receipt of Complete Streets Safety Assessment
9. Recommendation to Increase the Amount of the Construction Contract for the Citywide Green Street Project, Phase 1, Specification No. 22- 23-04, with GMZ Engineering, Inc. from $4,858,806.75 to $5,357,252
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2024
10. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1933, to Accept Grant Funds in the Amount of $54,900 from the Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Tobacco Grant Program, for Tobacco Retailing Enforcement Operations
11. Recommendation to Award a Professional Services Agreement for the Las Virgenes Creek Restoration Project Phase III Design to Watearth, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $853,554 (Including a 15% Contingency)
12. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024 -1932, updating the Citywide Fee Schedule to Establish Fees for the Calabasas Community Center and Resolution No. 2024- 1936 Allocating Funds for the Com munity Center Fees and Hourly Wages for Fitness Instructors
13. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024 -1935 Approving a Salary Schedule for Permanent Employees and Rescinding Resolution No. 2024-1924
14. Approval of a Five-Year Professional Services Agreement with SGD Enterprises DBA Four Seasons Landscaping for Landscape Maintenance of the Common Areas of Las Villas Homeowner Association within Landscape Lighting Act District 22 within the City of Calabasas in an amount not to exceed $813,910
15. Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Mesa Energy Systems, Inc., (DBA Emcor Services Mesa Energy) for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems Maintenance.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Mayor Pro Tem Kraut seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
16. Continue Consideration of Ordinance No. 2024 -410, Amending Section 17.30 (Signs) of the Calabasas Municipal Code to Permit Digital Kiosks in Shopping Centers, to December 4, 2024
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Albrecht seconded a motion to continue the hearing to December 4, 2024. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
17. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1934 Establishing Safety Corridors
Public Works Director Castle and Traffic Engineering Consultant Mericle presented a PowerPoint outlining establishment of safety corridors.
In response to Council questions, Consultant Mericle, Public Works Director Castle,
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2024
and City Attorney Lee explained potential variations within and outside the City limits; 85% percentile for speed limits; full-time officer dedicated to traffic enforcement; and future automated speed enforcement.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut moved and Councilmember Shapiro seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024 -1934 establishing Safety Corridors . The motion carried unanimously.
18. Consideration of Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute the Grant Agreem ent with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program and Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1938 Allocating Funds for the SS4A Grant Program
Public Works Director Castle and Assistant Engineer Bezdecny presented a PowerPoint outlining the SS4A Grant Program.
In response to Council questions, Assistant Engineer Bezdecny and Public Works Director Castle explained the allowable uses for grant funds; proposed temporary roundabout on Las Virgenes Road at Thousand Oaks Boulevard; engagement and involvement with schools; staff time for local fund match; temporary installation that could become permanent; means of determining community support; and three-year planned program.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Mayor Pro Tem Kraut seconded a motion to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the Grant Agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program a nd adopted Resolution No. 2024 -1938 allocating funds for the SS4A Grant Program. The motion carried unanimously.
19. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1937 Approving and Setting Updated Fees for the Citywide Traffic Mitigation Fee District
Public Works Director Castle and Traffic Engineering Consultant Mericle presented a PowerPoint outlining the traffic mitigation fee update.
In response to Council questions, Consultant Mericle , Consultant Sarah Brandenberg, and City Attorney Lee explained delays in updating the traffic mitigation fees; future annual review of traffic mitigation fees; fees linked to use ; fee studies; timing for implementation of proposed projects; and existing funds in the Traffic Mitigation Fund.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2024
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut moved and Councilmember Shapiro seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024 -1937 approving and setting updated fees for the Citywide Traffic Mitigation Fee District, amending Section 4. The motion carried unanimously.
FUTURE INFORMATION/AGENDA ITEMS
20. Direction from Council on requested agenda
None.
21. New Requests for future information/agenda items
None.
TASK FORCE REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Kraut discussed his attendance at the Santa Monica Mountains Trail Council Dinner on October 24, 2024.
Councilmember Albrecht discussed the Clean Power Alliance.
Councilmember Shapiro discussed recent Budget Ad Hoc and SCAG meetings ; the Kabob Village Ribbon Cutting; and Valley Economic Alliance Board Meeting.
Mayor Weintraub acknowledged the work of Staff during the Mountain Fire.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Meik commended staff on the efforts during the PSPS event; expressed condolences to those effected by the Mountain Fire; complimented Community Development on the Tobacco Retailing Grant; discussed the recent meeting with the Senior Center Steering Committee and CPHA; and welcomed City Attorney Lee.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
None.
ADJOURN
Mayor Weintraub adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2024
A
pproved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on December 4, 2024.
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ALICIA WEINTRAUB, Mayor
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Lisa Pope, City Clerk