CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
VIA TELECONFERENCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953(E)
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
Consistent with Government Code Section 54953(e) (Assembly Bill 361), all members of the Hidden Hills City Council or staff may participate in this meeting via a teleconference and such teleconference locations are not accessible to the public and are not subject to special posting requirements. Members of the public may participate in the meeting electronically as indicated further below. The City Council Chambers will not be open to the public. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable modification or accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) please contact Deana Gonzalez at 818-888-9281 or [email protected].
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Hidden Hills was duly held via teleconference and in person on Wednesday, November 30, 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 Stuart E. Siegel
Council Member Larry G. Weber
Staff: City Manager Kerry Kallman
City Attorney Roxanne Diaz
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
AUDIENCE
Resident John McGinnis addressed the Council thanking Council Member Siegel for his service to the City Council for 28 years and commented that he thought that the Hidden Hills Special City Council Minutes
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Community Association and City would benefit with Mayor McCorkindale serving another year as Mayor.
Resident Mathy Wasserman addressed Council Member Siegel as well, thanking him for all his years serving the City in his capacity on the City Council over the last 28 years.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Consideration of an Alternative Design Concept for the Round Meadow/Mureau Roads Entrance Project
City Manager Kallman presented the following report:
in 2020, the City sought proposals for landscape design services for a potential renovation project at the City’s entrance at the Round Meadow and Mureau Roads intersection, and said proposals and concepts were reviewed by the City Council in June and August of that year; on November 9, 2020, the City Council selected L. Newman Design Group’s concept from L. Newman Design Group, as several Council Members commented that they preferred their concept for this project as the firm had designed the landscape component of the Long Valley entrance/parking lot project; In May of 2021, the City Council reconsidered the final landscape design and directed staff to work with StudioMA and Camille Mugrdechian-Armen on a potential redesign of the landscaping elements of the Long Valley project, which the updated design concept was approved by the City Council on December 13, 2021; following this approval, staff believed it would be appropriate to consider an updated design for the Round Meadow/Mureau project, as many of the elements in the Round Meadow project were based on the previous Long Valley design; . at their meeting of March 28, 2022, the City Council awarded a contract with StudioMA to work with staff on an alternative design for the Round Meadow/Mureau Project.
At this time, Camille Mugrdechian-Armen from StudioMA presented a detailed PowerPoint showing the updated design concept for the Round Meadow/Mureau project.
Council Member Gold thanked Ms. Mugrdechian-Armen for the presentation and commented how well she liked the design concept. She inquired as to how tall the two trees on either side of the entry way were to get, and also the salvageability of the gazebo, and whether or not having the gazebo and the arch would make it look to busy.
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Ms. Mugrdechian-Armen responded that she would recommend the City buy grown trees in 24” boxes so that they can grow over time. The gazebo will be refurbished and revitalized per Council’s previous direction.
Mayor McCorkindale asked about the rock shown on the rendering of the pillars underneath the monumental arch and if it was intended to use the identical rock as on Long Valley, for which Ms.
Mugrdechian-Armen confirmed that it was to make it cohesive. Mayor McCorkindale also stated that she felt the renderings of the columns were a bit formal and would like to see other options regarding the columns.
Resident Mathy Wasserman addressed the Council stating that she loves the design concept. She also mentioned that when she was on the School Board, they worked with the Sheriff’s Department and Security regarding there being a line of site upon entering the Round Meadow/Mureau Road entrance to create a safer school environment. As this concept may change that security assessment, she would ask that the School District and Sheriff’s Department sign off on the possible change of the line of sight as to not undo the money spent by the School District previously.
Mayor Pro Tem Freedland stated that he also likes the design concept provided. He does agree with Mayor McCorkindale that the columns are a little too formal as well and that the width may be a blockage of the view as someone is coming around the corner. He is in favor of the rehabilitation of the gazebo. He believes that Ms. Wasserman’s point is well taken and the Sheriff and School Board should be part of the discussion regarding the line of site concern.
Council Member Siegel also agreed with the other Council Members and Ms. Wasserman’s comments. He is concerned though that it is not quite a true depiction of the entry as there are no signs, parking lots, school buildings. He likes the design concept and would like to see this as a way station for bicyclists with bike racks, bike repair stations, etc. He is also concerned while he likes the bench that is being suggested, that it might become an attractive nuisance.
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The Council also further discussed the gazebo. A majority of the City Council is in favor of keeping and refurbishing it.
Council Member Weber agreed with Council Member Siegel’s comments and also that the monumental arch should be pushed back about 100’. He also stated that the City may want to spend more money on bigger and more mature trees.
Mayor McCorkindale suggested that Ms. Mugrdechian-Armen bring work with staff to incorporate the comments from the Council Members, including costs for bigger trees, moving the monumental archway, options to the columns/pillars, continued landscaping, addition of all items existing, including poles, wires, signs, parking lots and school buildings. The rest of the Council is in agreement and gave direction to staff to work with Ms. Mugrdechian-Armen.
B. City Council Goal Update
City Manager Kallman presented the following report:
2022 Goal - Update the Municipal Code to Require Installation of Fiber ready conduit in conjunction with current undergrounding requirements. – the City Attorney is drafting updates to the Municipal Code related to undergrounding, which will include the consideration of a requirement to add in future fiber conduit. Pathway for future fiber conduit will be determined by Fiber project design engineering. 2022 Goal - Undertake a Branding Refresh and Visual Medium Update - staff and City graphic designer have reviewed the current City log and have begun minimal design updates to clean up City logo for future consideration. 2022 Goal - Undertake an evaluation of the City’s Building Standards and Building rules - staff has held internal discussions and had a preliminary discussion with a consultant on this goal. No further information to report. ` 2022 Goal - Undertake a review of the City website and prioritize timely updates of content - staff continues to add new content and updates to website as needed. Recent examples include information on LA County Zonehaven, Election, and traffic study implementation. A new Building and Safety online portal has also been added to website.
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2022 Goal - Research new or enhanced public safety solutions that would improve perimeter security. - Captain Seetoo hosted a field trip for the COG City Managers to the Beverly Hills Police Department technology infusion center. BHPD provides real time monitoring of surveillance cameras and license plate readers. Staff is in conceptual discussions with Lost Hills Station about providing the Station access to HH perimeter security cameras. In addition, the Sheriff’s Department has been reviewing the City’s current license plate reader cameras for effectiveness and potential upgrades. 2021 Goal - Continue to prioritize staff time to protect Hidden Hills single family zoning and local control, including but not limited to: education, strategic legislative opposition and support, exploration of converting Hidden Hills to a charter city and/or putting forth a local initiative to protect zoning, and/or other legal protections, coalitions, resolutions, etc. – an updated ADU Ordinance was adopted by the City Council on September 12, 2022. With the passage of AB 2221 and SB 897, staff and the planning consultant are already working on updates to ADU Ordinance. 2021 Goal - Undertake various efforts and initiatives to foster safer driving in Hidden Hills – the City Council approved a variety of changes in April, all of which have been installed, including new speed humps, speed limits, stop signs, and speed warning signs. 2020 Goal - Reinitiate the 2017 Goal to improve cell coverage in the City by actively engaging both cell providers and potential consultants to assist the City – the City had received an inquiry for a proposed tower at the Community Center. HOA ended discussions on proposed tower discussed above. No further City action. 2020 Goal - Undertake a capital improvement project to beautify both corners at Round Meadow and Mureau Roads - with the acceptance of the new design for Long Valley project, staff is updating the project design for the Round Meadow/Mureau project.
City Council scheduled to review updated design on November 30. 2018 Goal - Undertake a comprehensive review of the City’s Municipal Code in an effort to update, strengthen, and/or clarify the City’s authority on certain issues and compliance with state law. – the planning consultant is developing draft standards for CU and CR Zones. The first draft anticipated to staff in December. 2018 Goal - Consider various funding mechanisms for undergrounding of power poles throughout the City. In addition, consider a large scale “Undergrounding” project for Fiscal Year 2018/19 – City Council has approved commencement of design on two new undergrounding projects. Status: (1) Little Hollow design is complete, and job walks and review have begun: (2) Jed Smith between Fitzpatrick and Kit Carson is in SCE design and should take 4-6 months to complete.
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Assessment District project formation is ongoing. Consultant anticipates draft paperwork and plan to be completed by December 1.
2018 Goal - Continue the internal and external upgrade of City Hall. Areas of focus may include City Council Chambers, upstairs conference room, and Building and Safety. External upgrades to consider include new roof and solar project – the Building and Safety office remodel is complete. The City Council awarded a design contract to StudioMA this past summer to develop a conceptual design for remodel and refresh of City Hall outdoor space.
2018 Goal - Consider the adoption of an enhanced “wood shake” roof policy in an effort to expedite replacement of remaining wood shake roofs within the City – most recent inventory shows that the City contains 13 (down 1) shake roofs. December 2018 shake roof count was 22.
2017 Goal - Consider the development of a broadband enhancement program or strategy within the City – on September 28 2022, City Council entered into an MOU with Onward to partner with the City on the Fiber to the Home project. The City Council also entered into an agreement with NHA Advisors to begin process to secure debt financing.
On November 14, City Council to consider agreement with Onward to initiate design engineering of project. Discussions with HOA on access and easements are ongoing. 2017 Goal – Enhance the City’s efforts to obtain grants either by City staff and/or with the assistance of state and federal lobbyists – the following grants have been awarded since the establishment of the goal: on April 8, staff submitted $3.1 million grant request through the FEMA/CALOES Hazard Mitigation Program.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned. _____________________________
Laura McCorkindale, Mayor
ATTEST:
Deana L. Gonzalez, CMC, City Clerk