CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
11 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165 Spring Valley Road
Monday, April 24, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
NOTE: The Hidden Hills City Council and City staff will be participating in this meeting in-
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGLANCE
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hidden Hills was duly held via teleconference and in person on Monday, April 24, 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
Staff: City Manager Kerry Kallman
City Attorney Roxanne Diaz
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
Administrative Analyst Chantelle Limón
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
Absent: Council Member Larry G. Weber
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
П Page 2
Upon MOTION of Council Member Loggia, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gold, and unanimously approved by roll call vote, it was resolved to excuse the absence of Council Member Larry Weber.
AUDIENCE
There were no comments.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Freedland wished Council Member Weber and his wife a happy anniversary on May 3.
Mayor Pro Tem Gold stated that Governor Newsom issued a proclamation declaring April 24, 2023 as a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. She read the following quote from the proclamation, "as we remember the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, "we also honor the strength and the resilience of the Armenian people forced to building new lives in all corners of the globe. Armenians bravely forged ahead in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Thousands made their homes in California, and we are greater for their contributions. Let us let us recommit ourselves to making certain that we never forget the Armenian Genocide, and that we always speak out against hatred and atrocities anywhere they occur. "
STAFF COMMENTS
There were no comments.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
A. Los Angeles County Fire Department Reports- February and March The reports were received and filed.
B. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Reports - February and March Sgt. Escalante provided a brief report for February and March.
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
City Engineer Report
City Engineer Lovett presented the following report:
Long Valley Entrance Improvement Project - Measure R - staff anticipates advertising for bids in May; Overhead Power Lines Undergrounding - All plans for the Little Hollow project have been completed by SCE, Charter, and AT&T, which includes all input from necessary camens fortis proet. Sir completed the prein ay scien okair fed Smith Road, between Fitzpatrick and Kit Carson Road. This is being reviewed by City staff. Citywide Fiber - Construction of phase 1A (conduit crossings only) commenced on Ashley Ridge, Jim Bridger, Walker, and Butterfield Roads. Work commenced on April 4, and has been completed ahead of the HHCA's resurfacing of these streets. Design of the remainder of the phases is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed in May. Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Pump Station Generator - Work on the generator began in February and is scheduled to be complete in June, and operational in September. Staff is working with the Community Association and Water District on the design and plan review of the noise attenuation wall. Accessory Dwelling Units - staff and the City's consultant are working on an updated ordinance for the City Council's consideration at a future meeting. 24251 Bridle Trail - Recent storm events caused hillside erosion of non- permitted/non-certified fill material. City staff is working with the builder to remedy this.
The builder has implemented erosion control measures and submitted plans and permit applications (to the City and State) to repair the slope and certify the fill. A permit was issued by the City on 4/13/23.
PUBLIC HEARING (continued from April 10, 2023)
Consideration of Resolution No.1008 to Approve an Application for a Minor Accommodation for an Alteration and Remodel to an Existing Nonconforming Building at 5650 Jed Smith Road and Find that the Minor Accommodation is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15305(a) of the State CEQA Guidelines
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS SITTING
AS THE PLANNING AGENCY, APPROVING A REQUEST FOR A MINOR
ACCOMMODATION TO ALTER AN EXISTING NONCONFORMING RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 5650 JED SMITH ROAD AND FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO 15305(A) OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
As Mayor Freedland's residence is within the 1000' radius of this project, he recused himself and left the meeting.
City Engineer Lovett presented the following report:
the Applicant is requesting, a Minor Accommodation to make renovations and additions within the front yard setbacks; none of the proposed improvements will encroach any further into the current existing setbacks; all proposed improvements have been approved by the Hidden Hills Community Association; staff has determined that the finding can be met and there will be no material adverse impact on the public welfare or adjacent property.
At this point, since there are no technical questions from the City Council and no comment from the applicant's designer, Mayor Pro Tem Gold opened the public hearing. The Applicant's designer was in attendance in the Council Chambers in case the City Council had any questions.
As there were no more comments or objections, Mayor Pro Tem Gold then closed the hearing.
As there was no further discussion, upon MOTION of Council Member Loggia, seconded by Council Member McCorkindale, and unanimously carried on roll call vote, it was resolved to approve and waive reading in full of Resolution No. 1008 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS SITTING AS THE PLANNING
AGENCY, APPROVING A REQUEST FOR A MINOR ACCOMMODATION TO ALTER AN EXISTING NONCONFORMING RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 5650 JED SMITH ROAD AND
FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO 15305(A) OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council Minutes - April 10, 2023 Regular Meeting
B. Demand List
C. Disbursement List - March
D. Financial/Treasurer's Report - March
E. Investment Statement - March
Upon MOTION of Mayor Pro Tem Gold, seconded by Council Member Loggia, 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. . Consideration of Approval of a City Logo Refresh Design Administrative Analyst Limón presented the following report:
at the City Council Goals Session in 2022, the City Council adopted a goal to Undertake a Branding Refresh and Visual Medium Update, which included the City logo; the existing logo was designed circa 1961 and Council Members commented on the intent to "clean up" the existing logo while maintaining the "spirit of Hidden Hills" through consistency and tradition; staff and the Ad-Hoc Committee worked with graphic designer Michael Lang to update the existing logo; each change was made with careful intention including, a minor adjustment of colors; the decluttering of characters within it, including the removal of horseshoes and the HH symbol, among other modifications; if the attached City logo refresh design is approved, staff anticipates approximately $5,000 in office supply costs to print new business cards, stationery, envelopes, labels, and other materials that feature the City logo, and this cost has been included in the proposed FY 2023/24 budget.
After all the Council Members reviewed the proposed City logo and discussed the different elements, it was unanimously decided to add more detail to the chest and manipulate the tail of the horse and bring the updated logo back to the City Council on an upcoming Consent Calendar.
B. Consideration of Approval of a Schematic Design of City Hall Landscape and Hardscape, A Project Funded by the Per Capita Grant Program City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
in 2022, the City Council approved an agreement with StudioMA to provide a schematic design and concept renderings for an outdoor renovation project, including low water landscaping, a reclaimed (recycled) water irrigation system, a new deck with pergola, new patio furniture, a new drinking water fountain with dog-friendly pet bowl, the installation of lamp posts to provide lighting, and hardscape enhancements; StudioMA, the designer, estimates the total cost is approximately $450,000, with primary funding for this project coming from the Per Capita grant; however, the actual project cost will not be known until project bids are received; if the attached schematic design is approved by the City Council tonight, statf will work to obtain a proposal for creation of an engineering design and RFP development.
Designer Camille Mugredchian-Armen reiterated Chantelle's comments in her report and also explained about what items in the schematic will be brought up to ADA requirements, as questioned by Council Member Loggia.
Council Member McCorkindale directed a question to the City's Water Quality Consultant Joe Belllomo regarding the water cistern and the City complying with Title 22, and if the Water District has given a nod of approval and whether or not the Water District might be approving these dual irrigation systems, as it is one of the more important components of the project.
Mr. Bellomo stated that the cistern is going to be filled via truck, with part of a water line air gapped to the system, so there is no possible cross connection issue. After speaking with the Environmental Health Department regarding their cross connections program regarding this project and the Air Gap idea, we assume will be accepted with no problems. However, as a reminder, with Title 22, there are signage requirements and easily viewable by the public. We do not know what the requirements are for private property should individual homeowners hope to install such a system.
Mayor Pro Tem Gold asked the designer Ms. Mugredchian-Armen her thoughts on the pros and cons on possibly breaking the project up into two phases, with the landscape in Phase One and the hardscape in Phase 2. The reason why she is suggesting this idea is that in the past it has been discussed by the previous Ad-hoc Committee of a redesign of the Council Chambers, which is still relevant, and also the investigation into the use of the City's Library Funds and being able to utilize City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
those funds in some way in relation to a remodel of the Council Chambers.
Ms. Mugredchian-Armen responded that a project can always be phased at a premium added to each of the phases, and that's for mobilization and that type of situation. For example, if the we are repouring the stairs and we're not doing the new patio, then it's 2 different projects with concrete. It's a minor premium that the City pays when it's done separately, but the City could possibly do the stair renovation with the landscape, and leave the patio for the second phase.
After extensive discussion regarding construction timelines and staff's participation in construction meetings, Mayor Freedland reiterated that at this point staff is looking for either approval of disapproval of the schematic design in front of the City Council. At this time, Mayor Freedland asked the Council Members if there were any comments or discussion.
Council Member McCorkindale stated that she liked the schematic design, and that the landscaping phase be started. Since it's May, she would like to see the prioritization of the City Council goals organized and presented at the next meeting so that the Council has clearer direction on which projects to move forward, whether it is the chambers remodel or one of the other 25 goals. In doing so, it possibly help the Council better decide to move forward with the hardscape of this project.
Council Member Loggia agreed with Council Member McCorkindale about addressing the City Council goals as soon as possible because it makes it difficult for the Council to make these decisions without some kind of order to follow. He then stated that he is fine with the schematic design and thanked Camille and staff for their work on this project.
There was continued discussion between staff and the City Council regarding the prioritization of goals, and it was decided that this matter will be addressed at an upcoming meeting.
Upon MOTION by Mayor Pro Tem Gold, seconded by Council Member McCorkindale and unanimously carried on roll call vote, it was resolved to approve the schematic design as presented City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
by StudioMA with the understanding that when the project goes out to bid that the decking area is a separate line item that the City Council can then decide to execute or not execute.
C. Report from the 4/18/23 Las Virgenes Malibu Council of Governments Meeting Mayor Pro Tem Gold and LVMCOG President stated that the items discussed with no action taken at the COG meeting were a letter to our Board of Supervisors asking them to reconsider depopulating the Men's Central jail; the other action item that didn't move forward was a letter again to the Board of Supervisors, asking them to reconsider a recommendation that would mandate the rotation of deputies every 5 years from station to station; and a presentation from a tree organization regarding a native garden program slideshow that they are promoting right now, which was super interesting.
Upon MOTION by Council Member Loggia, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gold and carried unanimously on a roll call vote, it was resolved for the City Council to go into Closed Session.
City Attorney Diaz announced that the City Council was going to go into Closed Session item for Anticipated Litigation with significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b), one case.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL:
Anticipated Litigation; Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): Number of Potential Cases: 1
The City Council finds, based on advice from legal counsel, there are facts and circumstances that might result in litigation but which are not yet known to à potential plaintiff and said facts and circumstances need not be disclosed.
The City Council returned from closed session and the City Attorney announced that there was no reportable action.
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjøurned Haad
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