CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165. Goring Valley Road
Monday, March 11, 2024
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, March 11, 2024 at the hour of 5:30 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 Joe Loggia
Council Member Laura McCorkindale
Staff: Interim City Manager Marcella Marlowe
Interim City Attorney Michael Jenkins
City Engineer Dirk Lovett
Administrative Analyst Aaron Williams
City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez
PUBLIC HEARING - APPROVAL OF VARIANCE NO. V-386 AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 1024 (25067 Jim Bridger Road)
City Engineer Lovett presented the following report:
The HHCA and the City of Hidden Hills approved plans for the newly constructed residence at 25067 Jim Bridger Road, which included removing all non-conforming walls from the front yard setback; to save existing mature trees, the developer requested some retaining walls be retained and that the basement garage wall be raised during construction; in the RA-S-2 zone, Hidden Hills Municipal Code section 5-2C-4E1(b) prohibits the construction of retaining walls greater than 2 feet in height, which is why the developer is requesting a variance for new and existing retaining walls in the front yard; the lot is just over an acre with a limited building pad; the front yard downslopes steeply to the street and the rear yard downslopes steeply away from the pad; there is a new 17, 104 square foot two story house with a basement on the RA-S-2 zoned property; the variance application is to save existing retaining walls that support mature trees in the front yard; to access the basement garage, a retaining wall over City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2024
2 feet in height is required to protect these trees; among the non-conforming walls in the front yard setback are those over 2 feet high; the existing walls extend up to 47 inches in height, and the proposed basement walls are shown to range from 2 feet to 7.42 feet in height; and finally the Hidden Hills Community Association has reviewed and approved the proposed encroachments.
At this point, since there were no technical questions from the City Council and no comment from the applicant, Mayor Gold opened the public hearing. The Applicant was in the Council Chambers in case the City Council had any questions.
Council Member McCorkindale asked the Applicant to go to the podium as she had some questions for him.
The Applicant answered those questions, and as there were no more comments or objections, Mayor 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. 1024 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS APPROVING VARIANCE NO. V-386 FOR NEW NON-CONFORMING RETAINING WALLS AND TO KEEP
OTHER EXISTING NON-CONFORMING RETAINING WALLS, ALL WITHIN THE FRONT YARD SETBACK LOCATED AT 25067 JIM BRIDGER ROAD.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident Mathy Wasserman expressed concern over the consent calendar including so many important aspects of city business. She explained that items that were previously discussed on a per-item basis have now been incorporated into a consent calendar for mass approval, limiting how much time individuals have to comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of the Register of Demands for March 11, 2024 B Approval of the Disbursement List for January 2024
C. Receive and File the Financial/Treasurer's Report for January 2024 D Receive and File the Investment Statement for January 2024 E. Receive and File the City Engineering and Community Development Report for March 2024 F. Receive and File the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Report - January 2024 G. Receive and File the Los Angeles County Fire Department Report - January 2024 H. Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Fire Grazers Inc. to Perform Expanded Brush Clearance at the City's Perimeter
Approval of Agreement with Michael Lang Design to Provide Graphic Design Services for the City in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $14,448
J. Approval of Agreement with Seed Landcare to Provide Landscape Maintenance Services for the City in an Amount No-to-Exceed $54,168
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2024
K. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Resolute to Provide Lobbying and Legislative Services on Behalf of the City in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $30,000 L. Approval of a Contract with In-N-Out Burger and a $1,000 Deposit for the 2024 Fiesta M. Adoption of Resolution No. 1025 Opposing Initiative No. 21-0042A1, The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act
N. Adoption of Resolution No. 1026 Approving a Classification Plan and Salary Schedule for Employees and Rescinding Resolution No. 1012
0. Adoption of Resolution No. 1027 Approving the Appointment of a Retired Annuitant to the Position of Interim Public Safety and Emergency Services Manager Interim City Attorney Jenkins observed that the indemnification provision was accidentally omitted from a few lines in items H, I, N, and J when the final agreements were prepared or transmitted to the city. He explained that this has been rectified, and the city has been provided with the corrected versions containing the omitted lines. Mr. Jenkins further explained that these lines address the definition of 'indemnity' within the indemnification clause, and that the indemnity covers the city, including its officers, employees, and agents.
Mr. Jenkins stated that the updated language clarifies this, ensuring that when the Council approves the consent calendar tonight, it will be endorsing the amended versions, not the ones in their packet. He further stated that the modifications are confined to the indemnification clause, which relates to the contractor's legal obligation to protect the city, its agents, employees, and officers from any liability arising from the contractor's negligence should they cause injury to a third party.
Council Member Loggia directed his question to Interim City Attorney Jenkins and Interim City Manager Marlowe. Does it make sense to approve disbursement lists where the disbursements have already been made? In his opinion, he would understand receiving it and filing it since it was approved on the list of demands. Dr. Marlowe responded that she thinks Council Member Loggia is correct, but she will discuss it further with Mr. Jenkins and they will come back next month with whichever way is correct.
In addition, Council Member Loggia expressed his appreciation for Accounting Specialist Hernandez's changes, and he believes the new format has been improved. Even though these documents are on consent, he wants to assure the public that he reads every document thoroughly.
Resident Mathy Wasserman commented on the Consent Calendar regarding the following: Hand watering costs by Seed Landcare; the City paying Rethinking Libraries and whether that money comes from library funds; the $2,300 additional costs for Covered 6 hours; and the housing element. Her comments also included the Round Meadow/Mureau Road Landscaping project, her concern about City committees and subcommittees only having Council Members and no other community members; and her gratitude to Council Member Loggia for the question regarding the disbursement list.
Resident Bret Katz introduced himself and asked for updates on the following projects: the citywide fiber network and its status; the Round Meadow/Mureau Road landscaping; and the undergrounding of overhead power lines.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2024
Mr. Jeff Kiernan, from the League of California Cities, addressed the City Council and staff concerning item 7M on the Consent Calendar. He is pleased to see the City of Hidden Hills taking up the Taxpayer Protection Government Accountability Act. He explained that since the California Business Round Table began planning for gathering signatures on this initiative, Cal Cities has been working on this issue for a number of years, and it would adversely affect funding of vital local services, such as public health, public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, etc. Mr. Kiernan offered to answer any questions, for which there were none.
Upon MOTION by Council Member Loggia, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber, and unanimously carried on roll call vote, it was resolved to approve items A-O on the Consent Calendar.
CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENT
Interim City Attorney Jenkins presented the following report:
Tonight, the City Council will consider appointing a resident to fill a vacancy on the Council. This vacancy arose by operation of law on February 19th, and the Council has 60 days to make an . appointment as per the law. At the February 26th meeting, it was decided to appoint someone rather than hold a special election. Staff was instructed to request applications from residents interested in completing the remainder of former Council Member Freedland's term, which lasts until the November election, after which the City Council will reorganize. As a result, city staff released an application form to the community. By the March 7th deadline, the City Clerk received two applications from residents, Debbie Sutz and Adam Wasserman. The City Clerk confirmed both are registered voters and eligible to serve on the council, if appointed. Following the procedure approved at the last meeting, the City Council will now interview both applicants and then deliberate to make a decision.
Mr. Jenkins explained that each Council Member will ask the applicants one question each, with the applicants being given an opportunity to answer those questions. Once the interviews have concluded, the Council will reconvene to announce their decision.
A. Conduct Interviews of Qualified Applicants and Selection of Appointee to Fill Vacancy of City Council Seat
Mayor Gold began with introducing the first applicant, resident Debbie Sutz. Each Council Member took turns asked a question, with Ms. Sutz responding to each question. Once Ms. Sutz's interview was concluded, resident Adam Wasserman was then asked a question by each Council Member and provided a response.
Once Mr. Wasserman concluded his interview, Ms. Sutz withdrew her name from consideration, stating that she was very satisfied with Mr. Wasserman's answers and that he was the right person for the job. The City Council wholeheartedly thanked Ms. Sutz for her willingness to serve.
Upon MOTION by Council Member Loggia, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weber, and unanimously carried by roll call vote, it was resolved to appoint resident Adam Wasserman to the City Council.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2024
B. Oath of Office to Appointed Council Member
Resident and Superior Court Judge Michael Harwin administered the Oath of Office to the newly appointed Council Member, Adam Wasserman.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Eniko Gold, Mayor