MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
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 (Government 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, there is significant exposure to litigation against the City, based on existing facts and circumstances 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
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
City of Calabasas v. County Sanitation District No. 2
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 25STCP00642)
3. Conference with Labor Negotiator
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
City Negotiator: Kindon Meik, City Manager
Employees: All Unrepresented Employees
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kraut called the Regular meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Works Director Castle led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Peter Kraut , Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian, and Councilmembers Edward Albrecht, David Shapiro, and Alicia Weintraub
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; Public Works Director Curtis Castle; City Planner Tom Bartlett; Kristy Buxkemper, Deputy City Clerk ; and Sheriff’s Deputy Mason De Matteo
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Albrecht 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 Closed Session agenda and took no reportable action.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Sheriff’s Crime Report – January 2025
Deputy De Matteo presented the January 2025 Sheriff’s Crime Reports.
In response to Council questions, Deputy De Matteo indicated he would ensure the unincorporated total s were not added to the City’s total s and would provide information on the 211-school incident. He discussed crimes via backyards and the use of Flock cameras.
Scott Goldman, Calabasas Park Estates, expressed concern about crimes in their neighborhood and asked about Sheriff’s patrols. He asked if additional funds were needed for law enforcement.
Deputy De Mateo explained focused patrols and response to calls for service.
Tom Shubert, Calabasas Park Estates, expressed concern about the level of Sheriff’s service in the City.
City Manager Meik explained the City’s contract with the Sheriff’s Department ; additional public safety expenditures; and available deputies for the City.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Albrecht announced Arbor Day on March 15, from 10 am -12 pm, at Wild Walnut Park; St. Patrick’s Day on March 17; Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings’ and the Men’s Pro Tennis Championship at Tennis and Swim from March 22 – 23, 2025.
Councilmember Shapiro announced Calabasas High School’s production of Urine Town from March 11 -15; and Purim on March 13 and 14, 2025.
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Mayor Kraut announced the Lucky Leprechaun Treasure Hunt on March 16 and Bunny Trail event in April.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mark Levinson announced upcoming Chamber of Commerce events.
Melanie Buttarazzi, Founder and Executive Director of Fostering Dreams P roject, provided an overview of the services provided.
Africa Rosas, Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, US Small Business Administration, discussed available lo w interest loans for disaster victims.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the February 26, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
6. Professional Services Agreement with The CrisCom Company Recommendation: Award a three -year Professional Services Agreement in an amount not to exceed $200,000 to The CrisCom Company for State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Services.
Mayor Kraut introduced Renee Missakian, EVP and COO and John Basmajian, Government Affairs Manager, The Criscom Company.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Weintraub seconded a motion to approve Item Nos. 5 and 6. The motion carried unanimously.
The following item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
7. Professional Services Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. (MNS) Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with MNS for engineering design services for the Senior Center Parking Lot Expansion project for a two- year term, in an amount not to exceed $237,344 (including a 10% contingency).
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Mayor Kraut indicated he was the sole owner of South Coast Engineering Group which leased space and was owned by the same landlord; and recused himself and left the dais at 7:53 p.m.
City Attorney Lee explained the applicant’s potential change to the project, which would affect the City’s and project’s parking, therefore, requiring the item be tabled.
City Manager Meik stated the information from the developer came after the agenda was posted.
The Council expressed disappointment in not being able to proceed with the item.
Richard Sherman, Calabasas Senior Center Steering Committee, expressed appreciation for the Council’s efforts to find additional parking.
MOTION
Councilmember Weintraub moved and Councilmember Albrecht seconded a motion to table the matter. The motion carried 4-0, Mayor Kraut absent.
Mayor Kraut returned to the dais at 8:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Planning Fees Update
Community Development Director Klein, City Planner Bartlett and Terry Metson, Clearsource Financial Consulting, presented the report.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Metson explained the three rounds of project review; outside costs passed through to applicants; and 15% administration fee for outside agency review.
Mayor Kraut opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Kraut closed the public hearing.
The Council indicated support for the proposed fees; discussed the importance of cost recovery and private projects not impacting taxpayers; and suggested including the City of Los Angeles in com parisons, and annual review of automatic increases.
Docusign Envelope ID: E91A79FF-520A-4BA0-BF0F-A29796E834D5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
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MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Weintraub seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-1949 updating the Citywide Fee Schedule to update and establish User and Regulatory Fees for the Planning Division and rescinding Pages 7 through 10 of Resolution No. 2024 -1932 – Citywide Fee Schedule. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Kraut called a recess at 8:30 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:37 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
CONTINUED BUSINESS - NONE
NEW BUSINESS
9. Mid-Year Budget Update for Fiscal Year 2024-25
Chief Financial Officer Ahlers presented the report.
In response to Council questions, Chief Financial Officer Ahlers explained the payment to Hidden Hills for library services; July 4 and election savings; funds in the red for Tennis and Swim and Community Center; discontinuation of AC Stelle and AE Wright sports leagues; transit funds determined by the economy; sales tax estimate; building fee increase s; estimates not factoring for recent Presidential tariff matters; means to save on operating costs and revenue increases; and security of the City’s investments.
The Council expressed appreciation for the thorough report and discussed the Woolsey Fire settlement.
MOTION
Councilmember Albrecht moved and Councilmember Shapiro seconded a motion to a dopt Resolution No. 2025- 1950 amending the Fiscal Year 2024- 25 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget to increase appropriations per the Mid-Year Budget Report. The motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian announced the City’s receipt of notice of a 1% increase of the Liability Trust Fund Surcharge; and Los Angeles Board of Supervisors hearing on Craftsman’s Corner in April.
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Councilmember Shapiro discussed his attendance at recent meetings including SCAG and Valley Economic Alliance Board; and announced the SCAG scholarship opportunity.
Mayor Kraut discussed the recent meetings of the City Council Budget Standing Committee on March 3, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Diversification Study on March 6, and City Council Open Space Acquisition ($5 million SMMC Grant) Ad Hoc Committee meeting on March 10 ; Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy request for City participation in a fire mitigation program ; and Mayor’s Youth Council Meeting on March 10, 2025.
City Manager Meik indicated he, Assistant City Manager Trujillo and Deputy City Manager McConville would be attending the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s training for City Managers . He commended Deputy Public Works Director Tatiana Holden on her service to the City and wished her well in her position at the City of Malibu.
ADJOURN
Mayor Kraut adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on March 26, 2025.
___________________________
PETER KRAUT, Mayor
________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
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