MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 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: 1
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 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 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Girl Scout Troop #2146 led 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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May 28, 2025
Executive: City Manager Kindon Meik; Assistant City Manager Scott Trujillo; Deputy Staff City Manager Michael McConville; City Attorney Pam Lee; Chief Financial Officer Ron Ahlers; Community Development Director Michael Klein; City Librarian Barbara Lockwood; Public Works Director Curtis Castle; Director of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Michael Dyer; and Interim City Clerk Kristy Buxkemper
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Councilmember Albrecht moved and Councilmember Weintraub seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
No reportable action was taken.
PRESENTATIONS
5. Jennifer Hernandez Retirement
The Mayor honored Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Hernandez for her service and dedication.
Council thanked Mrs. Hernandez for her commitment to the City.
Jennifer thanked the City Council, staff, and community for their support.
Public comments were provided by: Carol Washburn, Laura Weisshar, and Aimee Haber.
6. Luis Hernandez Retirement
The Mayor honored Public Works Superintendent Luis Hernandez for his service and dedication.
Council thanked Mr. Hernandez for his commitment to the City.
Luis thanked the City Council, staff, and community for their support.
Public comment was provided by: Aimee Haber.
City Manager Meik thanked both Jennifer and Luis for their decades of service, dedication, and noted their tenure will leave a legacy at the City.
Docusign Envelope ID: D8366D9B-4B76-4446-ADF9-150639FB5829 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2025
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Albrecht noted an event dedication at the S enior Center for Bags for Benches and a Senior Awards Night at Calabasas High School.
Councilmember Shapiro honored Memorial Day and the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. He also noted the start of the upcoming Summer Concert series and the passing of longtime resident Judy Jordan.
Councilmember Weintraub announced a Creek Cleanup Day scheduled for June 21, 2025, a collaborative event by the City and the Mayor’s Youth Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian announced the Chamber of C ommerce 70th anniversary event on June 27, 2025 at Calabasas Country Club.
Mayor Kraut noted the City’s B udget Committee Meeting on May 29, 2025, and recognized the community from the Senior Center on a recent award.
The Mayor also announced the prestigious Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff’s (ALADS) award to Kindon Meik for City Manager of the Year . Council recognized the City Manager for his dedication and leadership and congratulated him on his award. Dr. Meik will be presented with the City Manager of the Year award at an ALADS ceremony and reception on June 21, 2025.
RECESS
Council took a 10 minute recess.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments were provided.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
7. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the May 7, 2025 special meeting minutes.
8. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-413 for Fire Hazard Severity Zones Docusign Envelope ID: D8366D9B-4B76-4446-ADF9-150639FB5829 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2025
Recommendation: Conduct second reading, waiving reading of the full ordinance text, and adopt Ordinance No. 2025- 413 to designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Calabasas.
9. Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement with Granicus to Provide Permit Tracking and Reporting Software
Recommendation: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Granicus to provide permit tracking and reporting software for Community Development and Public Works. The amendment would 1) extend the term for five years to April 2030; 2) set the not to exceed amount to $332,000 for five years; and 3) change the name of the contract to Granicus, who acquired the company in 2024.
10. Review of Vacancy, Recruitment, and Retention Information Pursuant to Requirements Established Under Assembly Bill 2561
Recommendation: Receive and file report.
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
RECESS
The Council took a 5 minute recess.
NEW BUSINESS
11. Draft Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
City Manager Meik presented the City Council with the draft Budget for Fiscal year 2025-2026.
Council conducted an in- depth discussion regarding the presented budget, the draft Cost Allocation Plan, and items proposed for consideration for cost reductions. City Manager Meik and Chief Financial Officer Ahlers answered Council questions and clarified
Docusign Envelope ID: D8366D9B-4B76-4446-ADF9-150639FB5829 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2025
Council provided various direction including a request for additional information regarding the previous Cost Allocation Plan, and history of part-time, temporary and contract employees.
Council unanimously agreed on the need to be fiscally prudent, and contemplated ways to reduce expenses and increase revenues to reach a balanced budget. They discussed ways to address rising expenses and the need to plan for long- term expenses; including, Capital Improvement projects, deferred maintenance, unfunded liabilities, and trust savings funds. Council emphasized the need to preserve the reserve limit.
Council expressed the need to consider raising the current TOT tax rate, encouraged staff to review current contracts to find additional cost savings, and the Mayor requested a hold on planned Capital Improvement Projects to consider an RFP in an effort to combine installation of solar at City facilities, electrical panel upgrades, and other various related projects that may be addressed simultaneously.
VERBAL REPORTS
Councilmember Shapiro announced upcoming V alley Economic A lliance and Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) meetings with a report planned on 6/11/2025.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian attended the League of California Cities (LOCC) general membership meeting.
City Manager Meik thank ed City employees who stayed for entirety of the City Council meeting and their dedication to the budget process.
ADJOURN
Mayor Kraut adjourned the meeting at 10:27 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on June 11, 2025.
_________________________________
PETER KRAUT, Mayor
_____________________________________
KRISTY BUXKEMPER, Interim City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: D8366D9B-4B76-4446-ADF9-150639FB5829