CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
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STUDY SESSION AND ADJOURNED
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165 Spring Valley Road
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
5:30 p.m.
of the public will have the opportunity to address the City Council on agenda and non-agenda items in person, via Zoom or by email as indicated below.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hidden Hills was duly held via teleconference on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the hour of 5:30 p.m. Mayor Laura McCorkindale called the meeting to order and presided thereover.
ROLL CALL
Council: Mayor Laura McCorkindale
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Freedland
Council Member Eniko Gold
Council Member Larry G. Weber
Council Member Stuart E. Siegel
Staff: City Manager Kerry Kallman
City Attorney Roxanne Diaz
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
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City Council Minutes
Study Session and Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 28, 2022
STUDY SESSION
Discussion, Update and Direction on the Structure, Financing and Agreements for the Fiber to the Home Project; Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Inyo Networks, Inc. dba Onward; and Approval of Professional Services Agreements with NHA Advisors, LLC Mayor McCorkindale thanked Ad hoc Committee Members for the Fiber to the Home Project Council Members Gold and Weber for all their hard work on this very complex project.
City Manager Kallman presented the following report:
in 2017, the City Council adopted a goal to Consider the development of a broadband enhancement program or strategy within the City, and shortly thereafter, an Ad-hoc Committee of two Council Members was formed to begin working on this goal; the creation of a more reliable, faster, and efficient internet access remains a top priority for the City; the 2020 pandemic only highlighted the importance of reliable, fast internet as access to this was critical for both work and school; Fiber to the Home or premises projects are becoming more and more common place in communities throughout the state and nation; per the 2021 survey, a significant number of residents support this project and the City's efforts to bring fiber to the home (there were a total of 352 responses were received from the survey with 95% of responders indicating they would subscribe to a City-owned fiber network), as the satisfaction of resident's current internet service, "reliability" was the leading category of unsatisfied with "speed" being second; Council Members Weber and Gold have worked very hard with a diverse team on this project; the State and Federal government have recognized this type of project as very important and are providing funds nationally and statewide to assist in getting broadband for all; City Manger Kallman continued to speak about the project, the costs, what it entails and the importance of this citywide project.
At this time, City Manager Kallman introduced Nick Keeler from Inyo Networks, Inc. dba Onward who spoke about his company and their experience with fiber optic new builds.
Mayor Pro Tem Freedland confirmed with Mr. Keeler that any house that triggers the City's undergrounding requirement, it will also be undergrounded for fiber at the same time. He added that their company wants to stay true to the City's long-term goal of undergrounding utilities for the whole City.
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City Council Minutes
Study Session and Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 28, 2022
Council Member Weber reiterated strongly the fact that it really is only going to be a day that each homeowner has to deal with construction in front of their homes, for which Mr. Keeler agreed, however is there is some sort of delay, it will be no more than two days. He also stated that at no time will we be blocking driveways, or access to those properties.
Council Member Siegel asked Mr. Keeler that besides fiber being faster and more reliable with are there any other benefits that the City is going to have now, or in the future by changing to fiber.
Mr. Keeler explained that this system is future-proof. There's going to be nothing better than fiber and the quality of fiber is so good now that we're expecting when we put fiber into the ground it will last fifty to one hundred years.
Mayor Pro Tem Freedland stated that poor cell service is a real issue in Hidden Hills. He asked Mr.
Keeler to explain how putting in this fiber backbone will allow us in the future to dial in much better quality cell service in Hidden Hills.
Mr. Keeler answered that once fiber is in place in residents homes, residents can simply start making cellular calls over their Wi-fi. So, the immediate benefit for residents is that they can put their cellphone on airplane mode so it doesn't try to connect to a cellular signal, and then they can walk around and make all the calls they want using their Wi-fi signal.
Council Member Gold asked Mr. Keeler how in his experience fiber received in other communities? Are people excited about fiber? Are they happy that they get an investment in their infrastructure. Is it a positive experience for them?
City Council Minutes
Study Session and Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 28, 2022 •
Mr. Keeler stated that in his experience it's been a game changer. Communities are excited because it improves their property values and it solves the connectivity process. We're building this for what we know today, but also what we know in the future.
At this time, Craig Hill and Roy Kim from NHA Advisors presented a detailed and updated Power Point regarding the financial aspects of the Fiber to the Home project, including an updated analysis and updated funding options.
After some questions from the City Council Members regarding interest rates, pay off or prepayment penalties and possible refinancing, Mayor McCorkindale asked if there were any comments or questions from the residents related to fiber.
Resident Bret Katz asked what the timeframe would be for implementation of this project, for which Mr. Keeler responded that the design engineering could take 90-120 days, procurement timeline could be anywhere from 30 - 90 days, and then once all materials are sourced and secured, construction should take four to six months.
Resident Jeff Grogin asked if there is an estimate right now on what upgrades the residents will have to do in their homes in order to take advantage of the full 2 gigabyte service.
Mr. Keeler responded that the base service will have an optical network device that will connect back to the main access point that will interface with a wi-fi router that will be supplied that will provide
2.5 gigabytes up to 6 gigabytes. From there the homeowner will have the ability to plug in their existing access points, or they can also choose to to purchase additional Wi-fi access points for a , nominal charge.
Resident Joe Loggia asked the following: will this improve the cell reception throughout the City when you're out and about; what interest rates were used for the two different financing scenarios; is City Council Minutes
Study Session and Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 28, 2022
the City covering the entire cost of the network; and what's Onwards contribution to this network if the City is covering the whole cost.
The following answers were provided to Mr. Loggia's questions: yes, it will improve the reception within the City; the interest rates used for the two scenarios were 5 ½ and 5¾ rates; yes the City is covering the entire cost of the network; and Onward will have all the back office systems in place that allows residents to check their bandwidth, pay their bills, call in for customer support, have a technician on the ground, go out and mark the network when there is a dig conflict. Mr. Keeler stated that it's one thing to build a network but most people fail because they don't know how to operate it.
Resident Robert Rose thanked the entire City Council, staff, and all of the people who have gathered and done so much research on this project as it is an extraordinary undertaking. He commented that enabling a community with a backbone of fiber would allow for such things as improved emergency response services and location services, monitoring the cameras around the perimeter of the neighborhood, the ability to have communication and locks that are internet enabled on community property. All of these things are enabled with an internal network that can handle the absolute bandwidth needs that this Community is going to need in the future. That's the promise of what fiber really brings to me, and why it's so exciting. This is truly an investment in our neighborhood.
Mayor McCorkindale asked if there were any comments to be read into the record. City Manager Kallman read the following:
"To the Mayor and City Council, over the last 20 or so years, I have been involved with various proposals for bringing high-speed, reliable internet service to Hidden Hills.
Unfortunately, this has never been a simple or inexpensive problem to solve. I strongly endorse the current proposal that the City has put forth. Without going into a long explanation of the history and advantages, let me put forth a few bullet points as to the benefits for the community.
• Although Spectrum's service has improved over the years from awful to mediocre, there are still times of the night and weekend when service slows down noticeably, even to the point of making streaming unworkable. Unfortunately, that is the nature of cable internet.
City Council Minutes
Study Session and Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 28, 2022
• Many people, including myself, rely on reliable, fast internet for work-related activities at various times. This is becoming more the case every day and will continue as a normal function far into the future. As a result, establishing reliable, high-speed service will increasingly be an economic necessity for residents.
• With reliable high-speed internet throughout the City, establishing city-wide reliable WIFI will become a reality. How we accomplish that will have to be found, but the necessary infrastructure to achieve those services will be in place at long last. • Reliable, city-wide WIFI is not only a service the vast majority of residents demand, but I believe it is also a matter of public safety. With so many people hiking and riding on trails around Hidden Hills and many spots offering no way to communicate in the case of an accident or illness, reliable WIFI could be a lifesaver.
The search for reliable internet has been a long process to get to this point. Hopefully, the City can take us over the goal line and bring Hidden Hills forward to becoming a community with reliable internet and eventually usable WIFI. Thanks to the Council and Staff for all the work, and good luck. Ron Wolfe
Upon MOTION of Council Member Weber, seconded by Council Member Gold, and unanimously carried on a roll call vote, it was resolved to approve: (1) the proposed MOU with Inyo, dba Onward; (2) the proposed agreement with NHA Advsiors; and (3) authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreements on behalf of the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. City Council Minutes - August 22, 2022
B. City Council Minutes - September 12, 2022
C. Demand List
D. Disbursement List - August
E. Financial/Treasurer's Report - August
F. Investment Statement - August
G. Reconsideration of the Circumstances of the COVID-19 State of Emergency and Determine that the City will Continue to Hold Meetings Via Teleconferencing Pursuant to the Finding Set Forth in Government Code Section 54953(e)(3) H. Adoption of Resolution No. 1004 for Funding from the Forest Health Grant Program as Provided Through California Climate Investments
I. Adoption of Ordinance No. 382 Amending the Hidden Hills Municipal Code to Add a New Section Regarding Rules of Order (Parliamentary Procedures) for City Council Meetings
Adoption of Resolution No. 1005 Adopting Rules of Procedure for City Council Meetings City Council Minutes
Study Session and Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 28, 2022
Upon MOTION of Council Member Siegel, seconded by Council Member Gold, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, it was resolved to approve items A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J of the consent calendar as submitted
AUDIENCE
Resident and Library Commissioner Britt Aaronson representing Hidden Hills stated that she was available to answer any questions about library policy, programs, services and budget. Ms. Aaronson then provided a brief history of how the City of Hidden Hills became part of the Calabasas Library System.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fiesta is October 8"h and 9th. Fiesta meal tickets are still on sale at City Hall, online at the City's website at www.hiddenhillscity.org until October 5"h. All the entry forms for the weekend activities are also available on the website.
City Hall Building and Safety and Community center will be closed on Monday, October 10t in honor of indigenous persons.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Daura McCorkindale, Mayor