MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 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: 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: Potential for Litigation Against the City (Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(1))
Based on existing facts and circumstances which the City believes are not yet known to potential plaintiff or plaintiffs, there is significant exposure to litigation against the City.
Number of Potential Cases: 2
3. 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: One
4. Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Mountains Restoration Trust, Inc. dba TreePeople Land Trust v. City of Calabasas (Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24STCV19154)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kraut called the Special meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kraut the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Kraut, Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian, and Councilmembers Edward Albrecht, David Shapiro, and Alicia Weintraub
Absent: None
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Staff: City Manager Kindon Meik; Assistant City Manager Scott Trujillo; Deputy City Manager Michael McConville; City Attorney Pam Lee; Public Works Director Curtis Castle; Interim City Clerk Kristy Buxkemper; 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 unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
No reportable action was taken.
PRESENTATIONS
5. Sheriff’s Crime Report
Deputy De Matteo presented the March 2025 Crime Report.
The report included information regarding e -bike enforcement, safety committee meetings, road rage incidents, burglaries, and an update following the adoption of a resolution prohibiting truck parking.
Council commended Captain Seetoo on her promotion to Commander and announced that Lieutenant Carr would be acting Captain.
The Council received and filed the March 2025 Sheriff’s Crime Report.
6. 2024 American Public Works Association (APWA) Ventura Chapter Project of the Year Award for Old Topanga Canyon and Mulholland Highway Improvements Project
Director of Public Works Castle introduced the presentation. Castle thanked the City Council and community for their patience and support throughout the large project.
Tim Powers, S enior Project Manager with Calleguas Municipal Water District and member on the Executive Committee for the APWA Ventura Chapter , recognized the City for the Project of the Year Award for Old Topanga Canyon and Mulholland Highway Improvement Project.
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Powers commended the City Council for being visionaries and for securing strong, collaborative partnerships. He congratulated staff for their dedication to
helping improve the quality of life of residents , and noted that r oad enhancements ease traffic , improved air quality, and provide better transportation routes for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Additionally, t he project helps support local and economic growth and emergency response time and provides a more sustainable and resilient environment.
The Council commended staff for their accomplishments and management of a complex project and Director Castle noted that no General Funds were spent on the project.
7. Los Angeles County Public Works Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District (CSMD) Proposed 2025 Rate Increase
Director of Public Works Castle introduced the presentation.
Andrew Ngumba, Assistant Deputy Director, from the Los Angeles County Public Works reviewed the County’s Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District (CSMD) proposed rate increase for 2025.
Ngumba indicated rates have not increased in the last eleven years and reviewed the upcoming Prop 218 timeline, including a Public Hearing scheduled for June 24, 2025. He responded to Council questions , clarifying the different charges on water and property tax bills, confirming portions of the connection which fall under the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain, and describing the priority list of repairs expected over the next 5 years.
Council received and filed the report.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Shapiro t hanked the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce for coordinating Law Day and for those who volunteered to provide free legal advice.
He announced that the Calabasas High School theater program received awards for Best Production and Best Actress for the Jerry Herman Awards Awards and wished all mom’s a Happy Mother’s Day.
Councilmember Weintraub congratulated Calabasas High School theater department on their awards and commended the talent of the lead actress.
Councilmember Albrecht announced that May is Wildfire Awareness Month and encouraged residents to be prepared, inviting them to attend a free Community Docusign Envelope ID: 5EB0FE4E-0821-47A0-BC4B-35EB48B454D2 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
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Wildfire Mitigation Training two-day seminar at the Calabasas Community Center from May 23-24, 2025.
Mayor Kraut announced the standing Budget Committee meeting on May 8, 2025 inviting the community to participate, and announced the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy meeting on May 12, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following provided general public comment for items not on the agenda:
Clark Canfield expressed concerns regarding a City Traffic Survey.
Mark Levinson, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, thanked Councilmembers and volunteers who provided free legal services to residents on Law Day. Announced the Chamber’s annual Wine Tasting event on May 9, 2025, an upcoming networking luncheon, and wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Albrecht pulled Item Nos. 9 and 13 for additional discussion.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
8. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 23, 2025 regular meeting minutes.
9. Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. for the West Calabasas Road Improvements Design Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with MNS Engineers, Inc. (MNS) for engineering design services for the West Calabasas Road Improvements (Project) in an amount not to exceed $90,588. Approval of Amendment No. 3 would result in a total contract amount not to exceed $467,989.
10. Appointment of Interim City Clerk and Ratification of Deputy City Clerk Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1959 approving the appointment of Kristy Buxkemper as Interim City Clerk and ratifying the temporary appointment of Annie Krdilyan as Deputy City Clerk.
11. Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act (RMRA) List of Projects to be Funded in the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Budget for the Capital Improvement Program
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Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025 -1960 to include a list of projects to be funded under Senate Bill 1 The Road Repair and Accountability Act (RMRA) in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget for the Capital Improvement Program.
12. Opposition to Assembly Bill (AB) 647 (González, M.) – Housing Development Approvals: Residential Units
Recommendation: Formally oppose Assembly Bill (AB) 647 and authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the attached letter of opposition to the appropriate legislative and regulatory entities.
13. Penalties for Prohibited Motor Truck Parking
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025 -1961 approving an updated and amended schedule of parking penalties and rescinding resolution No. 2010 - 1268.
The following items were pulled from the Consent Calendar for additional discussion and individual consideration:
13. Penalties for Prohibited Motor Truck Parking
In response to Council questions, Deputy City Manager McConville indicated that, in addition to the Sheriff’s Department, the City also contracts with a security company who issue truck parking citations as well. McConville clarified that tickets are payable to the City, and un paid tickets could result in a lien on vehicle registration.
Council thanked staff for implementing penalties so quickly, and noted the public should contact City Hall, Connect Calabasas, or call a non-emergency line to report truck violations.
9. Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. for the West Calabasas Road Improvements Design
In response to Council concerns regarding the design and traffic flow, Public Works Director Castle assured that the roundabout design would allow for a smoother, more continuous flow of traffic and provide for additional safety.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Albrecht seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
CONTINUED BUSINESS - NONE
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
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ORAL REPORTS
Councilmember Weintraub reported she attended a LA28 meeting with Councilmember Albrecht and indicated additional meetings would be held in preparation of the upcoming 2028 Olympics and World Cup events.
Councilmember Shapiro attended the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) conference with Assistant City Manager Trujillo. Announced an upcoming Valley Economic Alliance meeting, and a Rhythm and Chews event at Agoura High School.
Councilmember Albrecht noted the successful monthly meetings for LA28 with exciting opportunities to come from the Olympics and World Cup events.
Announced that Southern California Edison (SCE) rates will come out June 1, 2025, and that Clean Power Alliance (CPA) rates are expected to soften.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian announced he attended the League of California Cities State Board meeting on April 25-26, 2025, in Sacramento.
Mayor Kraut attended the Senior Center Volunteer Appreciation event on April 29, 2025, and recognized volunteers for their hard work and dedication. He attended a PURE Water event in Oak park by the Las Virgenes-Triunfo JPA; noted that the Ad Hoc Committee for the L andfill/Fire Debris Removal continues to meet ; and announced plans to hold another Neon Skate Night.
City Manager Meik remind the community about the upcoming Neon Skate Night, as well as the Chamber of Commerce Wine Tasting event.
ADJOURN
Mayor Kraut adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on May 28, 2025.
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PETER KRAUT, Mayor
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KRISTY BUXKEMPER, Interim City Clerk
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