CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165 Spring Valley Road
Monday, February 13, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
NOTE: The Hidden Hills City Council and City staff will be participating in this meeting in- person in the Council Chambers, at the teleconference locations noted above and via remote video conferencing (Zoom). Members of the public also have the opportunity to participate in- person in the Council Chambers (attendees will be required to follow the current State and County public health guidelines) or electronically via Zoom. Refer to "Public Participation" below. 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]. If you are hearing impaired and would like to watch the meeting on ZOOM, once in the meeting room select the button "live transcript" and then select "show subtitles". Members 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
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hidden Hills was duly held via teleconference and in person on Monday, February 13, 2023 at the hour of 5:30 p.m. Mayor Steve Freedland called the meeting to order and presided thereover.
ROLL CALL
Council: Mayor Steve Freedland
Mayor Pro Tem Eniko Gold
Council Member Joe Loggia
Council Member Laura McCorkindale
Council Member Larry G. Weber
Staff: City Manager Kerry Kallman
City Attorney Roxanne Diaz
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
Administrative Analyst Chantelle Limón
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City Council Minutes
February 13, 2023
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AUDIENCE
Resident Rob Robertson addressed the City Council regarding the status of the Public Safety Commission and the appointment of a City. Council Member as the City's library commissioner.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Freedland reminded residents that the City Hall will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023 in honor of Presidents' Day.
Mayor Freedland announced that the annual City Council Goals session will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Gold stated that she, Councilmember Loggia and City Manager Kallman attended the League of California Cities conference for new Councilmembers a few weeks ago and reported that they learned a lot of great new information and participated in valuable workshops.
Councilmember McCorkindale stated that she attended her first Environmental Committee meeting for Cal Cities last week which focused on alternative water solutions and incentives for the State of California.
STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Kallman commented on his attendance at the League of California Cities conference with Mayor Pro Tem Gold and Councilmember Loggia, agreeing with Mayor Pro Tem Gold's comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. City Council Minutes - January 23, 2023 Regular Meeting B. Demand List
C. Consideration of Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Fire Grazers Inc. to Perform Expanded Brush Clearance at the City's Perimeter D. Consideration of Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLP for Auditing Services E. 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) City Council Minutes
February 13, 2023
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Upon MOTION of Council Member Weber, seconded by Councilmember McCorkindale, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, it was resolved to approve items A, B, C, D, and E of the consent calendar as submitted.
NEW BUSINESS
A. City Council Discussion and Direction to Staff on the City's Use of Restricted Property Tax Library Funds
City Manager Kallman presented the following report:
in 2012, the City Council began exploring various options related to the delivery of library services to the residents of Hidden Hills; at that time library services were provided by the L.A. County library system, and the City's share of property tax related to library funds was kept by L.A. County Library; L.A. County Library was providing a bookmobile to Hidden Hills; as the bookmobile was no longer an option, the City Council began looking for opportunities and ways to further enhance and provide these services; ultimately, in 2013, the City entered into an MOU with the City of Calabasas and the Las Virgenes Unified School District, to provide funds to Calabasas for supplemental library services, as well as funds to the district for the purchase of online books or other digital material, which was extended in 2018 and is set to expire June 30, 2023; as the MOU is expiring, the City Council decided to take the opportunity to re-evaluate library services and the use of City restricted library funds, to see if the needs of Hidden Hills residents are being met; staff's recommendation is for the City Council to provide clear direction to staff on which options to explore further, which could also include the contracting of a professional library consultant to assist the City and staff with the development of conceptual programming.
Councilmember McCorkindale asked staff how the School District benefited from this MOU. City Manager Kallman responded that at a recent meeting with the School District they were able to work with Calabasas to identify education based digital platforms or textbooks that were digital, and also all students and staff within the school district were made members of the Calabasas library, and enjoyed the benefits of a Calabasas resident.
Mayor Pro Tem Gold added that after the meeting, the School District sent to staff a list of things that would benefit them if they were able to get direct funding, and not in collaboration with 11 Calabasas.
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2023
Councilmember Loggia pointed out from the report that there is a substantial surplus that Calabasas is generating from library services and he would like to know what happens to that surplus.
City Attorney Diaz responded that it is very definitive in terms of what those monies can be used for; and certainly, if those monies, either they had extra money or the money were not used for the services listed in the scope, then those monies should be accounted for either future library purposes, or should be returned to the city.
Mayor Freedland wanted to clarify that if the surplus funds come back to the City, they are still designated only for library services and not general fund monies, which Ms. Diaz confirmed.
After continued discussion and no more questions from the Council Members, Mayor Freedland opened up the floor for members of the audience.
Calabasas resident Isabella Gonzalez addressed the City Council from ZOOM. She is a former Library Commissioner and would like to ask the Council to continuing supporting and enhancing the MOU with the City of Calabasas and the School District. She also wanted to express her deep - gratitude and appreciation for the current partnership and funding from Hidden Hills.
Hidden Hills Resident Barbara Lipkin spoke also in favor of the City Council continuing the MOU with the City of Calabasas and the School District and feels that the Calabasas library has been amazing, offering services and programs not found at other libraries. She feels that is has done so much to enrich their lives.
Calabasas City Manager addressed the Mayor and Council Members stating that the he hopes that Hidden Hills continues with the MOU, which he feels is a little clunky and could be enhanced and updated for the benefit of the residents of Hidden Hills. He also suggested besides the hiring of a consultant, engaging a firm to do public outreach or survey the community regarding library City Council Minutes
February 13, 2023
service needs, including cultural and educational events and programs and expanding programming at the senior center, which will benefit both City's residents.
Hidden Hills resident Rob Robertson stated that as a long-term resident he loves the Calabasas library, and being able to have access to all the services Calabasas residents have. He was also wondering why the City Council replaced the previous library commissioner with a Council Member. He feels the community should be more involved. He thanked the Council for their time and this discussion and thanked them for all they do.
At this time, City Manager Kallman read an email into the record:
"Good Evening City Council, In case we do not get out of work in time 1o be with you tonight, first off THANK YOU for finally looking into the options for usage of our taxpaying library money!!!!! We are speaking for most of the 81 people who have signed the petition which you received in January, and more names are coming. We are here reminding you of the petition and reminding you that you represent the people of Hidden Hills first and foremost. We ask you to please do whatever it takes to find new, creative and useful ways to use OUR taxpayers money in Hidden Hills, rather than giving it away to a well subsidized city that receives its own library tax money from the people that live there. We appreciate the Calabasas library, as we do MANY of the libraries in our area that some of us use, but we believe, in all fairness - the city must correct their prior action and come up with a way to use OUR money for the people of hidden hills - for an offering that we do not already receive regardless. Our small city has a small budget and every dollar counts for the people who live here. Keep Hidden Hills money in Hidden Hills!!! Thank you very much!!! Yana Ratiner speaking for 81 Hidden Hills Families. " Hidden Hills resident Britt Aaronson stated that she is favor of supporting the Calabasas Library and thinks the engagement of a professional library consultant to assist the City is a great idea. She also stated that Hidden Hills has partnered successfully with Calabasas for 10 years, and feels a renegotiation of the MOU would be beneficial.
After much discussion, and with the assistance of the City Attorney for the wording of the motions, the City Council decided to address each motion separately.
Upon MOTION of Mayor Pro Tem Gold, seconded by Councilmember McCorkindale, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, it was resolved to let the MOU with the City of Calabasas and the School District sunset on June 30, 2023, with the understanding that staff has the direction to fulfill its terms into the contract on the 90 days, and that we will not be pursuing a renegotiation of the MOU.
Upon MOTION of Mayor Pro Tem Gold, seconded by Councilmember McCorkindale, and carried on 3-2 roll call vote, it was resolved to direct staff to work with the Library Commissioner to find a library consultant or library consulting firm that would include somebody who is versed in modern technology, new approaches to library services, and bring that recommendation back to the City Council for approval of a contract.
Upon MOTION of Mayor Pro Tem Gold, seconded by Councilmember McCorkindale, and carried on a 3-2 roll call vote, it was resolved to direct staff to identify a law firm or lawyer with specific experience in library and or taxation matters, to assist Council with the process, including explanation of allowed usage of library funds, and bring that recommendation back to the City Council for approval of a contract.
B. Consideration of Authorization of an Agreement with Jones Hall for Bond Counsel Services Related to Public Financing Options for the Fiber to the Home Project City Manager Kallman presented the following report:
in September 2022, the City entered into an agreement with NHA Advisors, LLC, to develop options for financing all or a portion of the Fiber to the Home project; prior to approving any financing, the City must have bond counsel review the City's authority and draft the necessary financing documents and resolutions for approval by the City Council; four proposals from qualified law firms for bond and disclosure counsel services were received; on January 17, 2023, the City's Ad-hoc Committee, staff and representatives from NHA met to review and discuss the proposals; it was recommended that the City Council enter into an agreement with Jones Hall; no budget adjustment is needed.
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2023
Upon MOTION of Mayor Pro Tem Gold, seconded by Councilmember Weber and unanimously carried on roll call vote it was resolved to enter into the attached agreement with Jones Hall to provide bond counsel services related to the Fiber to the Home project, and authorize the City Manager to sign such agreement on behalf of the City.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
It Greed
Steve Freedland, Mayor