CITY OF HIDDEN HILLS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(IN-PERSON AND VIDEO CONFERENCE)
6165 Spring Valley Road
Monday, June 8, 2026
5:30 p.m.
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hidden Hills was held in person and via video conference No day legian, 201o eyer Joseph Logia called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m and presided. The
2. ROLL CALL
Council: Mayor Joseph Loggia
Mayor Pro Tem Stuart E. Siegel
Council Member Eniko Gold
Council Member Larry G. Weber
Absent: Council Member Laura McCorkindale
Staff: City Manager Gloria Molleda
Interim Assistant City Manager Amber Servin
Accountant Cynthia Dersaroian
Accountant Theresa Hernandez
Administrative Assistant Sara Porter
Public Safety and Emergency Services Manager Mike Grant Emergency Services Coordinator Nick Saldivar
Council Member McCorkindale was absent. Principal Engineer Ahmad Ansari attended in place of City Engineer Michael Ackerman. Accountant Theresa Hernandez and Public Safety and Emergency Services Manager Mike Grant participated by video conference.
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City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
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3. PRESENTATIONS
3.A Los Angeles County Fire Department Report - May 2026 Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith presented the report and answered questions regarding the Sandy Fire, evacuation warnings and orders, defensible space, vegetation management, and coordination among fire agencies. He explained that warnings provide additional preparation time when nearby areas are under evacuation orders and that the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department and Office of Emergency Management coordinate evacuation decisions and public messaging.
The Council discussed the timing of brush clearance and use of goats. Chief Smith recommended scheduling grazing and vegetation removal for the appropriate seasonal conditions, while maintaining defensible space and home-hardening practices throughout the year. He also described the coordinated initial response by Los Angeles County, Ventura County and Los Angeles City fire agencies, with additional support from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
Chief Smith emphasized home hardening and the risk of wind-driven embers. The Council discussed remaining shake roofs and requested confirmation of their number. Staff was asked to return with suggested timing and costs for another community fire-preparedness event and to align the brush-removal schedule with the Fire Department's recommendations.
Patrick Sheffield questioned whether brush clearance should occur more than once each year and described concerns about tall vegetation near homes. Other public comments addressed changing weather conditions, the community fire truck, evacuation procedures and the timing of emergency notices. Council -
members requested that staff evaluate more frequent brush clearance in coordination with the Fire Department and the grazing contractor. Chief Smith offered assistance with fuel assessments.
Chief Smith explained how vegetation moisture, wind and other conditions affect fire behavior, and described changes in emergency-information technology. City Manager Molleda stated that the City distributed information promptly after receiving it from fire officials. Barbara Lipkin, participating by Zoom, asked whether the frequency of fires was unusual and whether arson was responsible. Chief Smith responded that fire activity was within the normal range and that many fires involve human activity without necessarily involving arson.
3.B Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Report - April 2026 Deputy Richard Baldi reported one Part I crime in April, an alleged aggravated assault between workers at a worksite on Hoback Glen Road. He provided an update on a previously reported trespassing case and explained that traffic-citation totals were being counted manually to correct reporting errors. He thanked residents for their support during the May 16 memorial run.
In response to a Council question, Deputy Baldi described a recent burglary suspect's apprehension through coordination between Covered 6 and Sheriff's deputies, including photographs and drone assistance. There were no public comments on the report.
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City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
- Page 3
3.C Public Safety and Emergency Services Report - May 2026 Public Safety and Emergency Services Manager Mike Grant presented the report by video conference. Year- to-date motor, patrol and special-deputy coverage was 105 percent, 98 percent and 119 percent, respectively. May citation totals were not yet available. He described a recent Community Emergency Response Team tabletop earthquake exercise and announced June 23 training with Kirk Mount on the equipment in the team's new first-aid bags. Training would begin with the usual 5:30 p.m. radio check. There were no public comments.
PUBLIC HEARING
4.A Status of Staff Vacancies and Resolution No. 1057 Acknowledging Compliance with Government Code Section 3502.3
Interim Assistant City Manager Servin presented the report on workforce vacancies, recruitment and retention. She reported six authorized full-time equivalent positions and no vacancies as of December 31, 2025, one recruitment for the Assistant City Manager position during 2025, and one regular-status employee separation. She described recruitment, benefits and training efforts and stated that the report had no fiscal impact.
Mayor Loggia opened the public hearing at 6:29 p.m. There were no public comments in person or by video conference. He closed the public hearing and invited Council comments.
MOTION
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Mayor Pro Tem Siegel moved and Council Member Gold seconded a motion to receive and file the staff- vacancy report and adopt Resolution No. 1057 acknowledging compliance with Government Code Section 3502.3. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0 on a roll call vote, with Council Member McCorkindale absent.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
5.A Approval of the November 10, 2025 Regular, December 1, 2025 Adjoumed Regular, January 12, 2026 Regular, and March 9, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
5.B Approval of the Register of Demands for June 8, 2026
5.C Receive and File the Monthly Disbursements Report for April 2026
5.D Receive and File the Financial/Treasurer's Report for April 2026
5.E Receive and File the Investments Report for April 2026
5.F City Engineering and Community Development Monthly Report
5.G Receive and File the Las Virgenes Malibu Council of Governments Summary Report for May 19,2026
Receive and File the Hidden Hills Community Association Board Minutes of April 21, 2026 AT&T Letter Regarding the December 2025-January 2026 Landline Outage and Resident Credits
5.J Resolution No. 1058 Adopting the FY 2026-27 SB 1 Project List
5.K Receive and File the Sandy Fire Emergency Response After-Action Report
5.L Letter of Support for Federal ZIP Code Legislation S. 4505 and Resolution No. 1059 - Professional Services Agreement with Tripepi Smith for Design Services
5.N Professional Services Agreement with Hunter Weitzman for Al Digital Library Content Production
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
- Page 4
5.0 Digital Content Subscription Agreements for the Hidden Hills Al Digital Library
5.P Three-Year Software License and Professional Services Agreement with CityTech Solutions, Inc.
5.0 Resolution No. 1060 Updating the Conflict of Interest Code and Repealing Resolution No. 1003
5.R FY 2026-27 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Service Level Authorization
5.S Covered 6 City Hall Security System Installation and Monitoring Agreement — Option 2 Council members requested separate discussion of Items 5.M, 5.N and 5.O. Public comments addressed gift limits and designated officials under the proposed conflict-of-interest code and possible conflicts involving the proposed Covered 6 security agreement. Staff responded regarding the state-established gift limits and the positions covered by the code.
Mathy Wasserman raised concerns regarding the Covered 6 contract, staff affiliations, political relationships and disclosure requirements. She requested a City Attorney review, clarification regarding financial-interest disclosures and staff participation in procurement, and policies addressing disclosure and recusal. Council Member Gold responded regarding involvement in regional politics and the right to support political candidates.
On Item 5.M, Council members discussed separating the Al Library design work from the other proposed Tripepi Smith services. Staff explained that a reduced scope would require confirming the price with the consultant. On Item 5.N, the Council discussed the initial content-production phase, ongoing services and - the agreement's termination provision.
Public comments requested a fuller explanation of the proposed library subscriptions, measures of resident use, and coordination with existing library resources. A Zoom participant questioned the proposed OverDrive expenditure as potentially duplicating services already available to residents. The Council requested that a comprehensive library update, including use and performance measures, be placed on an upcoming agenda.
On Item 5.S, City Manager Molleda stated that Mike Grant had not participated in the procurement and that Emergency Services Coordinator Nick Saldivar had handled the project. She described prior FPPC correspondence concerning Mr. Grant. City Attorney Langer stated that she did not have the background information needed to address that correspondence or the concerns raised at the meeting and offered to return with a legal analysis. The Council agreed to table the Covered 6 agreement for further information and consideration in July.
The Council also discussed reviewing practices for determining which matters belong on the consent calendar.
MOTION
Council Member Gold moved and Council Member Weber seconded a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 5.A through 5.R with the following changes: Item 5.M was limited to the Al Library portion of the Tripepi Smith agreement, subject to confirming the reduced scope and price; Item 5.0 excluded the proposed $30,000 OverDrive authorization. Item 5.N remained unchanged, including its ten-day termination provision. Item 5.S was tabled for additional information. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0 - on a roll call vote, with Council Member McCorkindale absent.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
- Page 5
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.A Resolution No. 1061 Calling the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, Requesting Consolidation, and Adopting Candidate Regulations
City Clerk Gonzalez presented the election item. The Council clarified that the election would fill three four- year Council seats and one two-year seat, correcting the sample motion in the staff report. Candidates would choose which term to seek when filing nomination papers. There were no public comments.
MOTION
Council Member Gold moved and Mayor Pro Tem Siegel seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 1061 calling the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election for three four-year terms and one two-year term, requesting consolidation with the statewide election, and adopting regulations for candidates and candidate statements. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0 on a roll call vote, with Council Member McCorkindale absent.
6.B Resolution No. 1062 Adopting the FY 2026-27 Budget, Reserve and Investment Policies, Reserve Transfers, and Appropriations Limit
City Manager Molleda presented the proposed FY 2026-27 budget, reflecting Council goals and Budget Ad Hoc Committee review. She described it as maintaining existing service levels and projected approximately $4.4 million in General Fund revenues, $4.3 million in General Fund expenditures, and a $14.5 million ending fund balance.
The presentation included an approximately $4.6 million capital program, with more than $3.6 million in grant funding, and recommended adoption of the budget, reserve transfers, investment policy and annual appropriations limit. Council Member Gold questioned the public-information allocation following the reduced Tripepi Smith scope, and staff agreed to make the corresponding adjustment.
The Council reviewed proposed Fiesta enhancements, entertainment, parade coordination, food, ticket revenue and community feedback. After discussing increased costs and the City's 65th anniversary, the Council agreed to use the prior-year Fiesta budget plus five percent, with any additional proposed spending returned for Council consideration.
The Council discussed holiday-lighting costs and proposed emergency-preparedness equipment. Staff explained that the existing Polaris vehicle was inoperable and that grant funding was being pursued for equipment purchases. The Council agreed to retain the Polaris, radio and repeater allocations in the budget, with staff to present the proposals to the Public Safety Committee and return to the Council with its recommendations before proceeding.
Mayor Pro Tem Siegel asked about the increase in liability-insurance costs. Staff described the City's existing joint-powers insurance arrangement. The Council then discussed increasing the allocation for goat grazing and other fire-abatement work to allow additional treatment when needed.
The Council agreed to increase the fire-abatement allocation from $25,000 to a total of $100,000, allowing flexibility for grazing or other appropriate treatment. Staff would consult the grazing contractor regarding suitable frequency and available vegetation. The Council also discussed reserves, utility undergrounding and the appropriations limit.
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City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
- Page 6
Council Member Weber proposed a separate $50,000 allocation for staff training. City Manager Molleda stated that the proposed travel-and-meetings allocation was sufficient and that staff could return for a budget adjustment if additional funding was needed. The Council reviewed the combined effect of the Fiesta, fire-abatement and public-information changes on the budget.
Public comments supported replacing the Polaris vehicle and questioned legal-service costs, maintenance and office expenses, lower planning-fee revenue, and Measure R and grant balances. Staff explained that a Measure R reimbursement remained pending. Questions also addressed the availability of detailed budget information.
The Council and members of the public discussed the community fire truck, its condition, proposed modifications, Fire Department guidance and liability concerns. The Council requested that the Public Safety Committee consider whether the City should retain the truck. Further public comments questioned Fiesta parade-production costs and legal expenses. Staff explained that Fiesta line items would be reviewed within the revised allocation and that the legal-expense figures represented year-end projections.
A member of the public requested clearer information about Council committees and their membership, including the Budget Ad Hoc Committee. There were no further comments in person or by video conference. The Council recessed at 8:15 p.m. to allow staff to calculate the budget adjustments and reconvened at 8:29 p.m.
After reconvening, staff reviewed the revised budget calculations and identified three amendments: the reduction associated with the Tripepi Smith scope, the Fiesta allocation based on the prior-year budget plus five percent, and the increase to a total of $100,000 for fire preparedness. The Council clarified that the fire- preparedness allocation was not limited to goat grazing.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Siegel moved and Council Member Gold seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 1062 approving the FY 2026-27 budget as amended, the General Fund Reserve Policy, transfer of unappropriated funds as of June 30, 2026, the Investment Policy, and the appropriations limit for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0 on a roll call vote, with Council Member McCorkindale absent.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
A member of the public thanked the Council for increasing fire-preparedness funding and urged continued utility undergrounding to reduce wildfire risk. The speaker expressed concern about staffing changes and preservation of City records during the technology and website transition, and requested independent review of the Sandy Fire response before drawing conclusions about its effectiveness. There were no additional comments in person or by video conference, and Mayor Loggia closed public comment.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Weber reported on his participation in the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District stakeholder study of water-supply reliability and diversification for everyday needs and emergencies. He described options including water banking, desalination and additional pipeline connections. A report and recommendations were expected later in the summer.
Council Member Gold reported attending the groundbreaking for a Las Virgenes Municipal Water District water-purification project. She said the project would reduce reliance on imported water by 30 percent and commended the district for moving it forward.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Siegel commended Chief Smith's presentation on interagency coordination and brush clearance and the Council's decision to increase funding for fire preparedness.
Mayor Loggia thanked staff for its budget work and residents for their participation. He discussed balancing Fiesta improvements with financial limits and volunteer participation. He requested that the next budget process begin earlier, with a public workshop in May to allow broader input before June adoption. Staff agreed to hold a May workshop.
9. STAFF COMMENTS
Staff announced that the Round Meadow project would begin Monday, June 22, with information to be distributed to residents. Staff also thanked the Council, Budget Ad Hoc Committee and staff members for their work and support during the budget process.
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Siegel moved and Council Member Weber seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0 on a roll call vote, with Council Member McCorkindale absent. Mayor Loggia declared the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Joseph Loggia, Mayor