MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kraut called the special Study Session meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Peter Kraut, Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian , and Councilmembers Edward Albrecht, David Shapiro and Alicia Weintraub
Absent: None
STUDY SESSION
1. Fiscal Sustainability and Revenue Initiatives
Mayor Kraut provided a brief introduction and background on the study session format; thanking members of the community for attending.
City Manager Meik provided an overview of the General Fund Forecast and cost -saving initiatives that have been implemented citywide to help compensate for insufficient revenues .
He detailed the City’s aging infrastructure, need to safeguard reserves for emergencies, and the lack of finances for critical capital improvement projects. City Manager Meik emphasized th at the structural de ficit is a revenue issue and the City was open to all proposed initiatives for potential solutions.
Comprehensive options and data were provided to address options such as a S ales Tax Measure, a Transient Occupancy Tax (Hotel Tax), Business License Tax, P roperty Tax, Parcel Tax, Utility User Tax, and other revenue initiatives such as sponsorships and naming rights.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council opened the floor for public comments. The community participated and provided valuable feedback to the City Council regarding priorities. The study session forum provided the opportunity for residents to ask questions and the Council and staff provided additional information to address questions and concerns.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmembers thanked the public for attending and provided feedback regarding the proposed revenue options.
Councilmember Albrecht noted his time on the Budget Committee helped to provide a different perspective. He acknowledged the tough choices ahead and the reluctance to tax unless necessary, but qualified that the needed deferred maintenance left them with few alternatives but to look at a sales tax. He reassured the public that the Council and City have Docusign Envelope ID: 88A36052-4254-4313-9234-FDE6F0E0BDD1 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2025
done all they can to look at every option possible to find creative solutions, but noted that a sales tax would provide the significant revenue the City needed.
Councilmember Shapiro expressed concerns about the budget, but echoed sentiments that a sales tax may be the only option to protect the future. He requested the City have a Plan B as a backup and to look at large budget line items in the future. He agreed that there was no interest in a business license or Utility tax, and indicated that sponsorships should be explored. Shapiro supported a TOT tax, but wanted to ensure the local hotels would not lose business with the upcoming Olympics and other large events.
Mayor Pro Tem Bozajian expressed support for a sales tax initiative, and qualified that it is the best option, but if it required over a 50% threshold it would be advantageous to have a voter- initiative. He supported a Transient Occupancy Tax as it would not directly impact residents.
Bozajian did not support any cuts to the Sheriff’s contract or public safety and did not support layoffs; although would consider a hiring freeze or consolidating positions which would in turn reduce services. He noted that the City should continue to ensure they are charging proper fees for the cost of services, and look at annexations to bring in areas that will net additional revenues.
Councilmember Weintraub supported raising the Transient Occupancy Tax and evaluating a sales tax measure; specifically, to ensure the sales tax revenues would stay local. She did not support any cuts to Sheriff’s services, and noted the need to address major capital improvement projects. Weintraub acknowledged the financial strain caused by aggressively pursuing the landfill issues, and the significant financial impacts and loss of revenue from stalled annexations and delayed large projects.
RECESS
The Council recessed for a short break at 6:51p.m.
RECONVENE
The City Council Special Study Session resumed at 7:09 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Girl Scout Troop 3256 leg the flag salute and singing of the National Anthem.
Mayor Kraut discussed the City’s deferred maintenance plan and other cost-saving measure that have been taken; acknowledging that significant revenues are needed to keep up on maintenance and capital improvement projects. He echoed how costly and unexpected litigation and code enforcement impact the budget and noted the need to analyze future litigation to find some cost savings. Kraut expressed support for a Transient Occupancy Tax and detailed the difference between a general sales tax and a special tax; specifically, the percentage of votes required to pass the measures. He also acknowledged that a voter- initiative could be an option, but noted that additional outreach and surveys would help gauge support.
Docusign Envelope ID: 88A36052-4254-4313-9234-FDE6F0E0BDD1 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT
Additional public comments were heard and residents expressed support for additional community study sessions.
City Attorney Lee noted that a Council-initiative could be on the November 2026 General Election unless the City declared a fiscal emergency, which would allow for the Sales Tax Measure to be placed on the June 2026 Primary Election. She also expressed the need to act quickly and decisively, and detailed that if competing measures between the City and County were on the same ballot, whichever measure obtained the most votes would prevail.
COUNCIL DIRECTION
The Council unanimously supported and directed staff to return with a full slate of options pertaining to a potential sales tax measure. Including consideration of declaring a fiscal emergency and placing a Sales Tax Measure on the June 2026 Primary; a voter initiative; or a sales tax measure on the November 2026 General Election ballot. The request also included a comprehensive timeline and cost analysis of the various options, and for a concerted effort to continue public outreach.
ADJOURN
Mayor Kraut adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Calabasas on October 6, 2025.
___________________________
PETER KRAUT, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
KRISTY BUXKEMPER, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 88A36052-4254-4313-9234-FDE6F0E0BDD1