MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025
CLOSED SESSION
The Council met in Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. with all Councilmembers present, with the exception of Mayor Kraut who was absent, to discuss the following items:
1. 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)
2. Conference with Legal Counsel: Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4))
Based on existing facts and circumstances, the City Council is deciding whether to initiate litigation
Number of Potential Cases: Two
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian called the Regular meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Interim City Clerk Buxkemper led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian, and Councilmembers Edward Albrecht, David Shapiro, and Alicia Weintraub
Absent: Mayor Peter Kraut
Staff: City Manager Kindon Meik; Assistant City Manager Scott Trujillo; Deputy City Manager Michael McConville; Interim City Clerk Kristy Buxkemper ; City Attorney Pam Lee; Chief Financial Officer Ron Ahlers; Public Works Director Curtis Castle; Landscape Maintena nce Superintendent Christopher Parker; and Sheriff’s Deputy Mason De Matteo
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION Councilmember Weintraub moved and Councilmember Shapiro seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried 4-0, with Mayor Kraut absent.
Docusign Envelope ID: B0556D03-BED0-4E8F-8547-E703BB58D23D City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2025
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee reported that the Council discussed the items on the Closed Session agenda and took no reportable action.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Sheriff’s Crime Report – February 2025
Deputy De Matteo presented the report , which included information regarding burglaries and home security concerns for residents.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian’s questions, Deputy De Matteo addressed concerns related to youth on electric bike s speeding, racing, and riding in the wrong lane, specifically at the Commons. De Matteo indicated flyers were recently distributed to all parents and the department has ongoi ng educational seminars about e -bikes. Deputy De Matteo declared there will be no additional warnings, and electric bikes will be impounded and tickets will be issued. Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian requested security detail at the Commons be informed to support efforts to reduce e-bike violations.
Deputy De Matteo, in response to questions regarding other home safety measures, suggested residents always make their homes appear occupied when away for a duration of time, an d reminded the community the Sheriff’s department is available to conduct vacation checks.
The Council received and filed the February 2025 Sheriff’s Crime Report.
4. Appointment to the Environmental Commission
Interim City Clerk Buxkemper presented the report.
Appointee Susan Ng introduced herself to the Council and thanked them for the opportunity to serve on the Commission.
MOTION
Councilmembers unanimously confirmed the appointment of Susan Ng to the Environmental Commission for a term expiring January 2027.
Interim City Clerk Buxkemper conducted the Oath of Office and Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian thanked the newly appointed commissioner for her willingness to serve.
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April 9, 2025
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Albrecht announced Earth Day on April 12, 2025 , and encouraged residents to attend to learn about sustainability; and attended the ribbon cutting for Superba, complimenting the new business on good service and a wide array of menu options.
Councilmember Shapiro announced the upcoming Chamber Law Day on May 6, 2025, where local attorney’s provide free legal consultation; and wished everyone a happy and health Passover and Easter.
Councilmember Weintraub congratulated C ouncilmember Shapiro for his appointment as the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community, Economic and Human Development Committee Chair.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian announced the upcoming Bunny Trail Egg Hunt on April 12, at Juan Bautista De Anza Park.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mark Levinson commended Susan Ng on her appointment to the Environmental Commission; thanked Mayor Kraut for speaking at a recent forum; and announced a Calabasas Women’s Group mixer event on April 30, 2025 and the city-sponsored Annual Wine Tasting on May 9, 2025.
David Cohan thanked City Councilmembers and the City Manager for their help; announced the Environmental Commission completed their annual Environmental Forum; noted April is Earth Day; commended two student commissioners who won a national championship; and invited the community to check out the “Pencil to Planet” program.
Skyler Fong, current S tudent Commissioner for the Environmental Commission, announced the completion of the first campaign for a recycling program , having collected over 830lbs and detailed the need to find ways to reduce plastic use; encouraged students to get involved in the Earth Day event; and thanked staff for their support.
Clark Canfield expressed concerns about r oad traffic and truck parking issues related to the removal of fire debris ; noted that there has been no change and conditions are worse on Lost Hills Road; detailed the traffic due to hundreds of trucks and the inability to be outside due to poor air quality; and encouraged staff to go through the Eaton fire area.
Docusign Envelope ID: B0556D03-BED0-4E8F-8547-E703BB58D23D City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the March 26, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
MOTION
Councilmember Weintraub moved and Councilmember Albrecht seconded a motion to approve Consent Calendar item #5. The motion carried 4-0 with Mayor Kraut absent.
6. Parking Restrictions
Following a request for additional discussion, Public Works Director Castle provided a brief report. Castle explained the previous adopted resolution had a very limited definition of a truck, and the proposed revised resolution would broaden the definition to include dump trucks and extend the parking restrictions citywide.
The following speakers provided public comment: Melissa Olan and Clark Canfield.
In response to public comments and additional questions, Public Works Director Castle reported that signs have been ordered and the City w ill be putting up temporary signs with 18 locations identified for installation. He noted violations can be enforced by the Sheriff’s Department and City security and he will update Council with information on the determined amount of the fine.
City Manager Meik expressed the City’s priority to work closely with the Lost Hills Station and emphasized their commitment to enforcement. He acknowledged that Sheriff response time is determined by priority and urgent calls would take precedence, but noted that if law enforcement was unable to respond, the City would provide enforcement.
Councilmembers thanked the speakers and the community for reporting issues and providing information, and to staff for their quick action and support . They expressed their concerns over the number of trucks; the proximity to schools and children; the need for trucks to find alternative routes and locations to park; the deterioration of City streets; encouraged staff to aggressively implement enforcement and fines ; and to record license plates to document repeat offenders.
Docusign Envelope ID: B0556D03-BED0-4E8F-8547-E703BB58D23D City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
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MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Weintraub seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025 -1953 prohibiting the parking of truck tractors, trailers and motor trucks within the City limits, with additional direction to support increased fines for repeat offenders and to implement the highest fines allowable. The motion carried 4-0 with Mayor Kraut absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
CONTINUED BUSINESS - NONE
NEW BUSINESS
7. Policies for Landscape Management – Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Public Works Director Castle presented the report.
The following speaker provided public comment: Clark Canfield.
In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Castle provided reasoning behind the report being submitted every two years indicating that, while the amount of data collected is extensive, the overall change year over year is minor. In response to Council concerns, Director Castle indicated that Council would be updated outside the 2 -year reporting timeframe in the event there were any issues.
City Manager Meik detailed the excellent relationship between the City and Home Owners Association ( HOA) and expressed the City’s priority to be proactive and get ahead of any issues. Director Castle also provided information supporting the City’s goal to have a reserve and surplus for all HOAs for deferred maintenance and detailed the upcoming Prop 218 process to help build funds in specific zones.
Council expressed the importance of communication with the HOAs to help solve any issues . City Manager Meik indicated that most zones overlap with HOAs and some landscape maintenance is paid from private dues. Those HOAs which collect dues are more likely to help fund landscape maintenance like tree trimming, while those without dues take longer to recover from a deficit.
The Council received and filed the report.
Docusign Envelope ID: B0556D03-BED0-4E8F-8547-E703BB58D23D City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2025
ORAL REPORTS
Councilmember Weintraub announced a successful meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee for LA28 indicating the upcoming Olympics will be a great opportunity for Calabasas; and detailed her meeting with AQMD and COG regarding air quality concerns from fire debris trucks.
Councilmember Shapiro detailed his participation in reviewing Southern California Association of Government (SCAG) scholarships for High School Seniors which will be confirmed at the General Assembly in May.
Councilmember Albrecht announced an upcoming B udget Standing Committee meeting on April 23, and invited the public to participate and learn about City finances; reported that the Valley Economic Alliance requested he join the Finance Committee; and commended the Clean Power Alliance ( CPA) noting their expansion and new upcoming rates.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian noted the imminent arrival of AQMD to tour increased traffic areas from the landfill.
City Manager Meik reported on additional Home Owner’s Associations becoming fire-wise bringing the total to 11; complimented Community Development Director Michael Klein and his department for submitting an ICMA grant, which if awarded, would allow for staff to be part of a nationwide cohort; noted that Wild Walnut Park had recently been highlighted and broadcast on a national stage; and announced an energy retrofit and solar project with a site and energy assessment, leading to a proposal which will come before Council in the near future.
ADJOURN
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on April 23, 2025.
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PETER KRAUT, Mayor
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KRISTY BUXKEMPER, Interim City Clerk
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