CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165 Spring Valley Road
Monday, December 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
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, December 11, 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 (left meeting at 5:51 p.m.) Mayor Pro Tem Eniko Gold
Council Member Joe Loggia
Council Member Laura McCorkindale
Council Member Larry G. Weber
Staff: Acting City Manager Marcella Marlowe
City Attorney Roxanne Diaz
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
Administrative Analyst Aaron Williams
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, December 25, 2023, has been canceled due to the Winter Holidays.
The City Council meeting scheduled for December 25, 2023, has been canceled.
City offices will be closed at noon on Friday December 22 - January 1, reopening on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL
A. Presentations to Outgoing Mayor Steve Freedland.
In Person Presentations to Outgoing Mayor Freedland
John Alford, Congressman Sherman's Office, thanked Mayor Freedland for his year as Mayor and presented him with a flag that was flown over the Capitol. He stated that this flag is dedicated to community service.
Nancy Frawley, Deputy District Director for Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, presented a certificate to Mayor Freedland.
Captain Jenn Seetoo and Deputy Mason DeMatteo, Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, congratulated Mayor Freedland on his service and stated it has been a pleasure working with him. They then presented him with a scroll on behalf of the Sheriff's Department.
Board Member Jill Gaines, Las Virgenes Unified School District, thanked Mayor Freedland on behalf of the Board and District for all of his years of service to not only Hidden Hills, but the greater community.
Board Member (and resident) Charlie Caspary and Andy Coradeschi, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, thanked Mayor Freedland for his support of the community during the tough times of the drought last year and for his leadership for the last year as Mayor of the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Gold read an email from Mr. David Shapiro, Councilmember from the City of Calabasas: "I will be cheering on the accomplishments of the outgoing Mayor. Please send my congratulations for a job well done, and, to all the council, I look forward to seeing them, I hope soon. I have a prior - actually two - commitments, both beginning at six which will not allow me to attend tonight. Again, my best regards and congratulations to Mayor Freedland."
Mayor Pro Tem Gold presented Mayor Freedland with a gift from the City Council and staff which was a painting by a local artist.
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
Teleconference (ZOOM or Video) Presentations to Outgoing Mayor Freedland Senator Ben Allen provided a virtual presentation thanking him for his service to the Hidden Hills community.
B. Remarks by Outgoing Mayor Steve Freedland
Mayor Freedland acknowledged the City staff, thanking them for being an amazing team, and he appreciates all that they've done and do for Hidden Hills. He also recognized all the City's Public Safety partners, including Captain Seetoo and Deputy DeMatteo for keeping the City safe. Mayor Freedland then addressed the other Councilmembers and audience, voicing his opinions and unhappiness on the direction the Council is heading. He thanked the residents who have supported him for his 22 years on the City Council and that it was an honor to serve them. He then abruptly resigned from the City Council, effective immediately, and left the City Council meeting at 5:51 p.m..
C. Remarks by Other Council Members
There were no remarks.
D. Selection of Mayor
Upon MOTION of Council Member McCorkindale and seconded by Council Member Weber, it was resolved to nominate Mayor Pro Tem Gold to serve as the next Mayor. As there were no other nominations, a unanimous vote was cast, naming Eniko Gold as the new Mayor.
Resident Liz Moses congratulated incoming Mayor Gold and stated that she looksforward to this upcoming year and is very encouraged with Ms. Gold as the Mayor.
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
Resident Carrie Kasper Levis reiterated her congratulations for incoming Mayor Gold and is excited for the City and for her service.
E. Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
Upon MOTION of Council Member McCorkindale and seconded by Council Member Loggia, it was resolved to nominate Council Member Weber to serve as the next Mayor Pro Tem. As there were no other nominations, a unanimous vote was cast, naming Larry Weber as the new Mayor Pro Tem.
F. Remarks by Incoming Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
Incoming Mayor Pro Tem Weber first thanked Mr. Freedland for his 22 years of service to Hidden Hills, noting that he was the longest serving City Council Member after former Council Member Siegel who retired last year. He stated that this now leaves him as the longest serving City Council Member and that he'li try his best to live up to all those who went before him. He congratulated Mayor Gold and looks forward to this next year as Mayor Pro Tem.
Incoming Mayor Gold thanked the community and Council for entrusting her with this great responsibility. Mayor Gold stated that, under her leadership, she hopes to create an atmosphere where we all strive to be a better version of ourselves, do better to bring about positive change, and nurture the traditions and our legacy that sets us apart from all other cities. She looks forward to working with the constituents and her fellow Council Members in this next year as Mayor.
Council Member McCorkindale then presented Mayor Gold with her very own gavel from the Council and staff, for which Mayor Gold thanked everyone. Council Member McCorkindale addressed Mayor Gold, stating that she is impressed with her boundless intelligence, her passion, and her commitment to the City. She also stated that Hidden Hills is incredibly fortunate to have City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
representation from her demographic, her unique point of view, and her youth. She remarked how dedicated Mayor Gold is to her position and looks forward to supporting her in this upcoming year.
Council Member Loggia reiterated Council Member McCorkindale's comments to Mayor Gold and stated that no one is more deserving than Mayor Gold with how dedicated she is to the City, and her willingness and ability to listen and receive input from others. He is appreciative of the endless amount of time she dedicates to her position and the community.
Mayor Gold congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Weber and looks forward to continuing working hard for the betterment of the community.
Resident Karleen Basch thanked Mayor Gold, on behalf of herself and the Hidden Hills Theater Group, for all her hard work and dedication. She added that she is incredibly grateful to have her as the City's new Mayor and the residents are all here to support the Council and staff.
Resident.John McGinnis also thanked Mayor Gold for her time and commitment to the City, stated that her efforts and talents are extremely valuable, and that he wishes the City Council a great year.
Resident Adam Wasserman expressed his appreciation to Mayor Gold, who accepts both the good and the bad with equanimity and demonstrates mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in difficult situations. He admires her leadership and is very happy to have her as the Mayor.
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
At this time (6:08 p.m.), the City Council took a ten-minute recess to reorganize and enjoy some light refreshments.
The City Council reconvened to continue the meeting.
AUDIENCE
There were no comments at this time.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
The City Council Members individually addressed Council ember Freedland's comments from earlier in the evening when he resigned. They all collectively agreed that what was said by Council Member Freedland was one person's perspective and, regardless of what was said, Mayor Gold has the support of the Council to advance the City moving forward.
Mayor Gold thanked her fellow Council Members for their support.
STAFF COMMENTS
Acting City Manager Marcella Marlowe introduced herself and thanked the City Council for this opportunity. She also announced that as of January 1, 2024, she will be the Interim City Manager and looks forward to being of service to the community and working with the City Council.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. City Council Minutes - October 17, 2023 Special Meeting B. City Council Minutes - October 23, 2023 Regular Meeting C. Demand List
D. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Report - October E. Los Angeles County Fire Department Report - October
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
F. Consideration of the Adoption of Resolution No. 1020 Authorizing the Submittal of Application(s) for CalRecycle Grants
Upon MOTION of Council Member Loggia, seconded by Council Member McCorkindale, and unanimously carried on a roll call vote, it was resolved to approve items A, B, C, D, E, and F of the consent calendar.
OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of Approval of the Second Amendment to the Agreement for Solid Waste Services with Waste Management to Extend the Term for an Additional Two Years; Discuss and Provide Direction Regarding Proposed Additional Services During the Extended Term; and Discuss and Provide Direction Regarding the Issuance of a Request for Proposals for Solid Waste Services City Engineer Lovett provided the following report:
The City of Hidden Hills contracts with Waste Management for the City's solid waste collection, and has been the City's exclusive waste hauler for 17 years; the most recent Agreement will end on December 31, 2023; at the October 23 City Council meeting, the Council directed staff to work with a solid waste consultant (Carrie Baxter, R3 Consulting Group, Inc.) in order to evaluate the City's current Agreement and recent proposal from Waste Management to assess whether to seek competitive proposals from other solid waste haulers, including Waste Management, and whether to extend the Agreement on a month-to-month or longer basis; at the November 13" City Council meeting, the City Council received a summary of Ms. Baxter's assessment and she also stated that she discussed an extension with Waste Management in order for the City Council to have additional time to explore its options in light of the December 31st end date. After discussions with Waste Management, they agreed to extend the Agreement for two additional years and will maintain their rates for Basic Services; direction regarding two additional services (a second bulky item pick up and At Your Door special collection) needs to be given to City staff by the City Council. City staff has begun the process of seeking consultant proposals so the City Council will be in a better position to make the decision regarding a consultant once the proposals are received and more time can be devoted to the actual process of developing a request for proposal that fits the needs of the Hidden Hills community.
Ad hoc Committee Member and Council Member Loggia firstly thanked Waste Management staff for making the negotiation process smooth and successful. His opinion on the additional City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
, Page 8
services is that he doesn't think the City needs a second bulky item pick up day or the At Your Home special collection, as residents, if needed, can call Waste Management and schedule a pick-up any time for an additional charge, instead of spreading the cost citywide between the constituents.
Council Member McCorkindale thanked Council Member Loggia for all his hard work procuring this extension and agreed with his comments about the additional services. She'd also like to ask, if no one objects, that Mayor Pro Tem Weber take her place on the ad hoc committee. As no one objected, and Mayor Pro Tem agreed, he will join Councilmember Loggia on the committee.
Mayor Gold and Mayor Pro Tem Weber also agreed that the cost of the additional services should be paid for by the constituents.
City Attorney Diaz recommended adding a section in the amended agreement that that reads as follows, "for the extended term, the contractor shall make available an 'Unlimited On-Call Collection' services related to household hazardous waste, as described in the contractor's letter dated September 15, 2023, at a cost of $170, which is charged to the resident who requested the service."
Upon MOTION of Council Member McCorkindale, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber, and unanimously carried on a roll call vote, it was resolved to approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement for Solid Waste and Recycling Collection, Transportation, Processing and Disposal Services, as amended with the amendment that was stated into the record by City Attorney Diaz, along with the amendment that is in writing, and to direct staff to seek proposals to put solid waste services out to bid.
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2023
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL:
A. Anticipated Litigation; Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): Number of Potential Cases: 2 Conference with Labor Negotiator
Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: Maricella Marlowe, Acting City Manager Employee Organization (s): Unrepresented Employee
Upon MOTION of Council Member Loggia, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber, and unanimously carried on a roll call vote, it was resolved to adjourn to closed session at 6:58 p.m. to address the items listed above.
The City Council reconvened in open session with no reportable action to announce that the December 11h meeting is adjourned to January 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Eniko Gold, Mayor
Here Morals,
Deana L. Gonzalez, CMC, City Clerk