MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025
CLOSED SESSION
The Council met in Closed Session at 5:30 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: 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)
3. 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: One
4. 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
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kraut called the regular meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kraut 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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Senior City Manager Kindon Meik; Assistant City Manager Scott Trujillo; Deputy Staff: City Manager Michael McConville; City Attorney Pam Lee; Community Development Director Michael Klein; Public Works Director Curtis Castle; 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. At the conclusion of open session, the City Council will recess back to closed session.
PRESENTATIONS
5. Las Virgenes Municipal Water District - Water and Wastewater Rate Structure
Director of Finance and Technology Brian Richie and Public Affairs Associate Riki Clark presented an update on the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District water and wastewater rate structure, proposed rate changes, and upcoming workshops. District 3 Director Gary Burns spoke regarding efforts to proactively address needed pipe replacements in Calabasas and ensure Metropolitan Water District accountability.
6. Appointments to the Calabasas Community Foundation
Interim City Clerk Kristy Buxke mper provided the report. Councilmembers congratulated the appointees on their appointments.
MOTION
Councilmember Shapiro moved and Councilmember Weintraub seconded a motion to confirm the appointments of Pam Ross and Jennifer Jasbi-Mahajer to the Calabasas Community Foundation to fill two unscheduled vacancies for a term ending in January 2026. The motion carried unanimously.
Interim City Clerk Buxkemper conducted the Oath of Office for Ms. Pam Ross who was in attendance.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Albrecht encouraged the community to take advantage of summer programs at the library and upcoming City events.
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Councilmember Shapiro announced the grand opening of BLVD Steakhouse and Seafood; encouraged the community to enjoy upcoming 4 th of July festivities an d Concerts at the Lake; and thanked CPHA for their partnership.
Councilmember Weintraub reminded residents of the City’s Beach Bus program and announced the closure of the Commons Rite Aid.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian thanked volunteers for their participation in the Mayor’s Youth Council and City-sponsored Creek Cleanup and commended the community for keeping the environment clea n; provided a reminder for the upcoming Chamber’s 70th Anniversary party; and encouraged residents to attend the City’s Dive in Movies.
Mayor Kraut promoted the City’s Summer Concert series.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Daryl Terrel provided public comments regarding catalytic converters and encouraged the City to consider adopting an ordinance to hold criminals accountable.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item No. 9 was pulled for further discussion by Councilmember Shapiro.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
7. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the June 11, 2025 regular meeting minutes.
8. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2025 -414 Pertaining to City Councilmember Salaries
Recommendation: Conduct second reading, waiving the reading of the full text, and adopt Ordinance No. 2025 -414 amending Chapter 2.04 of the Calabasas Municipal Code relating to City Councilmember salaries.
9. Dial-a-Ride and Microtransit Program Contract Award
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Via Transportation (Via) to operate the Dial-a-Ride and Microtransit Program for a five -year term in an amount not to exceed $2,533,519, with two optional renewals of two years in an amount not to exceed a total of $2,110,166.
10. Salary Schedule for Permanent Employees
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Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1969 approving a salary schedule for permanent employees and rescinding Resolution No. 2025-1965.
11. End of Year Budget Update FY 2024-25 and Adoption of Resolution of Appropriations
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025 -1970 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget to increase appropriations per the end-of-year budget report.
12. Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 12
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025 -1971 authorizing the City Manager to execute the funding agreements with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Calabasas Pedestrian Intersection Safety and Access Project and City-wide Guardrail Replacement Project.
The following item was pulled for further discussion:
9. Dial-a-Ride and Microtransit Program Contract Award
In response to Councilmember questions, Public Works Director Curtis Castle and Assistant Engineer Tra’a Bezdecny reviewed the Dial -a-Ride process and timeline, indicting the program will have an app and will make transportation easier for the community.
Councilmember Shapiro applauded the teams hard work to provide superior service to the community without the use of general funds.
MOTION
Councilmember Weintraub moved and Councilmembe r Shapiro seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously.
The Mayor read the title of adopted Ordinance No. 2025-414 into the record and waived full reading of the text for item No. 8.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Engineer’s Report for Landscape Lighting Act District Nos. 22, 24, 27, and 32; Proposed New or Increased Assessments for Calabasas Park Estates; Certification of Balloting Results; and Approval of Final Engineer’s Report, Diagrams and Assessments
Public Works Director Curtis Castle provided the report, briefly explaining the final Engineer’s report, and the recommended action to reopen the continued public hearing for public testimony prior to the ballot tabulation process.
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In response to Councilmember questions, Director Castle provide a brief summary of the Landscape and Lighting District, how special districts and zones vote on increased assessments, how funds are utilized to provide services, and the new cost allocation plan.
Mayor Kraut opened the continued public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Kraut closed the public hearing.
The Council recessed for the Ballot Assessments to be tabulated at 7:45 p.m.
The Council resumed the meeting and opened the public hearing. Interim City Clerk Kristy Buxkemper announced and certified the results. Due to a technical error, the official results have been amended as noted below:
Total in Favor Total Against
Meeting Results 58 Ballots / 36% 102 Ballots / 64%
Final Results 60 Ballots / 37% 104 Ballots / 63%
A total of 164 ballots were received and counted. 104 ballots representing 63% of the total assessment were in opposition. 60 ballots representing 37% of the total assessment were in favor. Because the number of protests did exceed th e required threshold, the proposed assessment failed and will not be levied.
MOTION
In accordance with the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972 and Proposition 218, and upon conclusion of the public testimony, Councilmember Albrecht moved and Councilmember Weintraub seconded a motion to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1972, declaring and certifying the results of a mail ballot proceeding conducted in connection with the Calabasas Park Estates Zone within Landscape Lighting Act District No. 22; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025 -1973, approving the Final Engineer’s Report, including new or increased assessments for the Calabasas Park Estates Zone, ordering the levy and collection of assessments, and confirming diagrams in connection with Landscape Lighting Act Districts No. 22, 24, 27, and 32.
The motion carried unanimously.
11. File No(s). SPR-2023-004, OTP-2023-006, LTM-2024-002, SCP-2023-002, SGNP- 2023-001, and SGN-2023-030, a request for a Site Plan Review, Oak Tree Permit, Lot Merger, Scenic Corridor Permit, Sign Program, and Sign Permit for construction of a new two-story retail automobile dealership for Kia, inclusive of a 45,780 square-foot car dealership and a 2,117 square-foot carwash facility.
The subject site is a vacant lot previously occupied by Sperling Nursery, located at 24460 Calabasas Rd (APN: 2069-009-008 & APN: 2069-009-020)
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Planner Jaclyn Rackerby presented a comprehensive report and Dustin Woomer presented a PowerPoint on behalf of the applicant to the City Council.
Staff and applicant responded to a variety of Councilmember questions regarding fire access turnaround, delivery loading zones, carwash specifics, and size of the monument sign in comparison to other dealerships.
Mayor Kraut opened the public hearing at 9:05 p.m.
The following members of the public provided public comment:
• Megan Jacoby (on behalf of Bob Smith BMW)
• Chris Morris (available for questions on behalf of Kia) • Dustin Woomer (applicant presentation)
Mayor Kraut closed the public hearing. 9:09pm.
Councilmembers discussed in detail project specifics including: driveway options and the ability to re strict left turns ; amount of parking spaces ; topography restrictions of property; setback requirements ; traffic circulation concerns; removal and mitigation of oak trees ; consideration of carwash environmental impacts; and the barrier separating the adjacent property.
Director Klein confirmed that traffic safety is reviewed throughout the CEQA process, indicating additional research and analysis was completed including having a 3
rd party analyze the driveway options.
MOTION
Councilmember Weintraub moved and Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian seconded a motion to:
• Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1974, adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration, and approving the project and all associated applications, as recommended by the Planning Commission,
• Approve an amendment to the Conditions of Approval to additionally require the driveway be an exclusive right turn only with no left turn capabilities.
• Approve an amended motion to include a future provision providing authority to approve a shared driveway in the event a future agreement can be reached.
The motion carried unanimously.
CONTINUED BUSINESS – NONE
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
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VERBAL REPORTS
Councilmember Shapir o reported on his participation at the Cal Cities Policy Committee; provided an update regarding attendance at Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) which reviewed the State and Federal budget and held a 2-day leadership conference; attended a recent LA28 Ad Hoc committee meeting; and announced an upcoming Valley Economic Alliance meeting.
Councilmember Albrecht reported hi s attendance at a Valley Economic Alliance meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian wished the community a happy summer break.
Councilmember Weintraub attended the Mayor’s Youth Council and City Creek Cleanup day and commemorated the 5-year anniversary for local business Skin Bio.
Mayor Kraut attended the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy meeting; the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff’s (ALADS ) Banquet, which honored Kindon Meik as City Manager of the Year; and announced he was unable to attend the Policy Committee for the League.
City Manager Meik announced the publication of the anticipated Request for Proposal (RFP) for Solar Energy with a deadline of July 31, 2025 and commended the Caring Calabasas group and the City’s appreciation for great volunteers.
CLOSED SESSION
Council recessed back to closed session at 10:02 p.m.
ADJOURN
Mayor Kraut adjourned the meeting at 11:23 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on August 13 , 2025.
_________________________________
PETER KRAUT, Mayor
_____________________________________
KRISTY BUXKEMPER, City Clerk
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