CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
SPECIAL CITY GOUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165 Spring Valley Road
Monday, February 26, 2024
5:00 p.m.
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 Monday, February 26, 2024 at the hour of 5:00 p.m. Mayor Eniko Gold called the meeting to order and presided thereover.
ROLL CALL
Council: Mayor Eniko Gold
Mayor Pro Tem Larry G. Weber
Council Member Laura McCorkindale
Council Member Joe Loggia
Staff: Interim City Manager Marcella Marlowe
Interim City Attorney Michael Jenkins
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
Administrative Analyst Aaron Williams
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
CLOSED SESSION
A. Public Comment on Closed Session Agenda
There was no public comment.
B. Public Employee Appointment
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
Upon MOTION of Council Member McCorkindale, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber and unanimously carried on a roll call vote, it was resolved to recess to closed session at 5:01 p.m. to address the items listed above.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
February 26, 2024
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Jenkins reported that the City Council has reconvened at 5:30 p.m. from closed session, and no reportable action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member McCorkindale addressed an item that was discussed at the last meeting regarding AT&T's request to withdraw landline services in Hidden Hills, California. She emphasizes the importance of landlines, also known as POTS lines, due to the lack of cell coverage and other infrastructure issues in the area. Council Member McCorkindale stated that the City Council has enlisted the support of various officials and has written a letter to the CPUC to retain the right to keep landlines. She further stated that residents are encouraged to provide public comments to oppose AT&T's request at the upcoming meeting and support the continuation of landline services for emergency and public safety purposes.
Mayor Pro Tem Weber announced that an upcoming rule is being implemented against EPS products, particularly Styrofoam, starting on April 23d. He stated that a document was sent to all residents in the City regarding this ban, prohibiting the use of Styrofoam EPS products for packing material and disposal in waste or recycling bins after the specified date.
PRESENTATION
Introduction of Deputy Christopher Jauregui, City of Hidden Hills Community Relations Representative of Lost Hills Sheriff Station
Deputy Mason De Matteo introduced Deputy Chris Jauregui, who is taking over his position as Community Relations Representative for Hidden Hills. Deputy De Matteo expressed his gratitude to the City Council and residents of Hidden Hills for welcoming him in for the short time he was here.
Deputy Jauregui (Jag) introduced himself as a trained officer with six (6) years of experience and thirteen (13) years in the Sheriff's Department, eight (8) of which have been at Lost Hills Station. He said that he is looking forward to this new position and he is happy to be here.
The City Council thanked Deputy De Matteo for the great job he did for the City and the residents, and welcomed Deputy Jauregui to the position.
Council Member McCorkindale asked Deputy De Matteo to discuss the new camera program called connectlosangelescounty.org, where residents can register their cameras with the Sheriff's Department to help solve crimes in the community.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
February 26, 2024
Deputy De Matteo reported that the program is integrated with a real-time crime and disaster center at the Lost Hills Station, and allows detectives to access registered cameras for investigative purposes. He said that businesses, like shopping centers, can also participate by providing live feeds of their cameras to the station, and that the program is voluntary, and residents can choose which cameras to register, ensuring that privacy rights are respected. He explained that by registering cameras with the program, residents can help law enforcement quickly gather information during criminal incidents. Deputy De Matteo highlighted the benefits of the program, such as reducing the need for detectives to go door to door when an incident occurs. He encourages the residents to sign up for free on the connectlosangelescounty.org website to learn more about the program and how it can enhance community safety.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of City Council Minutes for the January 12, 2024 Special Meeting B. Approval of City Council Minutes for the January 29, 2024 Special Meeting C. Approval of Register of Demands
D. Consideration of Proposals from Consultants to Assist the City of Hidden Hills In Soliciting Proposals and Negotiating a New Exclusive Solid Waste Collection Franchise Agreement with the City E. Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLC For Auditing Services
F. Approval of an Agreement with Alliance Resource Consulting to Conduct an Executive Recruitment for City Manager
G. Receive and File the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Reports - November and December 2023
H. Receive and File the Los Angeles County Fire Department Reports - November and December 2023
1. Receive and File the Las Virgenes Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG) Report for February 20, J. Receive and File the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2022-23 K. Receive and File the Mid-Year Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and Approve the Recommended Budget Adjustments
L. Approval of a Rate Increase for Non-Basic Solid Waste Services Provided by Waste Management Upon MOTION of Council Member McCorkindale, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, it was resolved to approve items A - L of the consent calendar as submitted.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Adoption of Resolution No. 1023, Supporting the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, a Pending California Ballot Initiative
Interim City Manager Marlowe presented the following report:
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
February 26, 2024
• With the adoption of Resolution No. 1023, supporting the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act in California, this initiative aims to modify Prop 47 and has gained bipartisan support in California.
• Dr. Marlowe highlighted the significance of the City taking a position on a pending ballot initiative, as it is not a common practice for cities to do so; • this resolution, if adopted, would endorse the ballot measure and encourage community engagement, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and encouraged Council Members to make comments and ask questions.
• she recommended the Council's approval of the resolution, expressing excitement about the potential impact of the initiative and the City being the first to support it among City Councils in California.
Upon MOTION of Council Member Loggia, seconded by Council Member McCorkindale, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, it was resolved to adopt Resolution No. 1023, Supporting the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, a Pending California Ballot Initiative.
B. Consideration of Filling City Council Vacancy
Interim City Attorney Jenkins presented the following report:
• Mayor Steve Freedland resigned from the City Council on December 11, 2023, and has been absent from all regular Council meetings without permission; • his seat became vacant on February 19, 2024, according to the Government Code; • the City Council must fill the vacancy within 60 days either by appointment or calling a special election, with the term ending after the November 2024 election; the Council usually fills vacancies by appointment, but leaving the seat vacant is not an option; • if the Council chooses to appoint, they can do so by majority vote or establish procedures for the process;
• if a special election is called, it must be held at least 114 days after the decision, typically during the next general municipal election;
• there will be nominal costs for an appointment application process, while an all-mail ballot special election is estimated to cost at least $10,000; staff recommends that the Council decide promptly on whether to conduct a special election or make an appointment;
the Council can also choose to solicit applications from residents and make a decision after interviews.
Upon MOTION of Council Member McCorkindale, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, it was resolved to appoint an eligible resident to fill the vacancy. Staff was directed to publicize the vacancy, accept applications from residents, who (once qualified by the City Clerk), will then move onto the interview process and the most qualified resident to be appointed to the City Council.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
February 26, 2024
STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Eniko Gold, Mayor