Agenda Related Items - Meeting of March 14, 2023
Supplemental Packet Date: March 14, 2023
THOUSAND OAKS CITY COUNCIL
Supplemental
Information
Packet
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting or other services in conjunction with this meeting, please contact the City Clerk Department at (805) 449-2151. Assisted listening devices are available at this meeting. Ask City Clerk st aff if you desire to use this device. Upon request, the agenda and documents in this agenda packet, can be made ava ilable in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability. Notification at least 48 hour s prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist City staff in assuring reasonable arrangement s can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service.
2:30 p.m.
Supplemental Information:
Any agenda related public documents received and distribut ed to a majority of the City Council after the Agenda Packet is printed are included in Supplemental Packets. Supplemental Packets are produced as needed, typically a minimum of two—one available on the Thursday preceding the City Council meeting and the second on Tuesday at the meeting. The Supplement al Packet is available for public inspection on the City’s website at toaks.org/agendas or by contacting the City Clerk Dept at (805) 449-2151 during normal busi- ness hours [main location pursuant to the Brown Act, G.C. 54957.5(2)].
To: Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
From: Laura B. Maguire, City Clerk
Date: March 14, 2023
Subject: Item No. 11.A – City Council, Boards, Committees, and Commissions Meeting Procedures Revisions
The attached resolution was modified from the original submission to include background information on the request to rescind Resolution No. 2001-129 and an update to the Standards of Operation Section 1, Part E regarding letters to individual councilmembers.
As mentioned in the Staff Report, staf f recommends removing reference to and rescinding Resolution No. 2001-129 which discusses availability of contracts for review. This is obsolete as contracts are now regularly included in the posted agenda packet pursuant to the requirements of the Brown Act.
In addition, staff recommends memorializi ng the current practice of submitting letters sent to individual councilmembers into the City’s Customer Relationship Management System (CRMS) as appropriate.
CCD:610-10\cr\H:\COMMON\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Mtg procedur es Staff Report Supplemental Memo.docx
1 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS
ESTABLISHING REVISED STANDARDS OF
OPERATION GOVERNING CONDUCT OF CITY
COUNCIL AND CITY STANDING COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS AND
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NOS. 2001-129
AND 2011-066
WHEREAS, the successful operation of any public organization centers around established standards to define roles, responsibilities and expectations of the City Council, City Committees, Commissions, Boards and staff in operation of the organization; and
WHEREAS, the establishment and periodic review of standards by City Council will promote underst anding and trust among me mbers of City Council, Committees, Commissions, Boards and staff concerning roles, responsibilities and expectations for operation of the City; and
WHEREAS, establishment of m eeting rules and st andards will promote more efficient and equitable meetings.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Thousand Oaks resolves as follows:
Section 1. Obsolete Prior Contra ct Distribution Standards. City Council Resolution No. 2001-129 is hereby rescinded and superseded by this Resolution.
Section 2. Superseded Prior Standards. City Council Resolution No. 2011- 066 is hereby rescinded and superseded by this Resolution.
STANDARDS OF OPERATION
Section 1. Role of Mayor/Chair.
A. It shall be the duty of the Mayor/C hair to preside at all meetings to preserve order and decorum. In the absence of the Mayor/Chair, it is the duty of the Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair to preside at all meetings.
ATTACHMENT #1
2 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
B. City Council/Committees, Comm issions, Boards will rely on Mayor/Chair to act in a manner that is welcoming to the public at all times, even under pressure or during controversial issues.
C. If the Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem is not available to represent City Council at a community event or meeting, Councilmembers will be available as back-up to assist with Mayor’s schedule.
D. Incoming requests addressed to City Council/Committees, Commissions, Boards as a whole are gener ally responded to by Mayor/Chair.
Response by Mayor/Chair will be submitted to full City Council/Committee, Commission, Board for information. Mail addressed to an individual Councilmember may be responded to by that Councilmember.
E. If City Council/Committee, Commission, Board members receive a letter individually addressed, member will send letter to staff to be entered into the Customer Relationship Management System (CRMS) and processed and responded via to through that system as appropriate.
F. Mayor/Chair will represent Cit y Council/Committee, Commission, Board position/policy even if their personal opinion or vote was different from majority.
Section 2. Press Relations.
A. City Council/Committee, Commission, Board member will be as accurate with the press as possible and will indicate the majority position of the City Council/Committee, Commission, Boar d. Personal opinions and comments may be expressed only if member clarifies that these statements do not represent the position of City Council /Committee, Commission, Board as a whole and it is their personal opinion.
B. As a courtesy, City Council/Committees/Commissions/Boards should have the opportunity to consider proposed new projects or suggested programs before presentation to the media. Committees/Commissions/Boards will seek City Council approval prior to establishing new projects or programs.
Section 3. Committee Assignments.
A. City Council will approve by moti on, at a City Counc il meeting, all assignments to Committees, Commissions, Boards.
B. The Mayor will make all appoin tments to City Council Committees, with concurrence of City Council.
3 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
C. Any attendance of a majority of City Council/Committee, Commission, Board members attending an open and noticed meeting of 1) another body of the local agency, 2) a legislative body of anot her local agency, or 3) a standing committee of the legislative body, shall abide by the Brown Act.
D. Correspondence for Subcommittees should be addressed to full City Council/Committees, Commissions, Boards to determine if item should be reviewed by Subcommittee. This could include questions, suggestions, background information, discussion areas and other related issues.
Section 4. City Council and Committee, Commission, Board Member Presentations at Other Agencies and Groups.
A. If a City Council/Committee, Co mmission, Board member represents the City before another governmental agency or organization, the member will indicate the majority position of the City Council/Committee, Commission, Board.
Personal opinions and comments may be expr essed only if member clarifies that these statements do not r epresent the position of City Council/Committee, Commission, Board as a whole and it is their personal opinion.
Section 5. City Council/Committee, Commission, Board Relationships with City Staff.
A. City staff acknowledges that City Council is City’s policy maker and City Council acknowledges that staff adm inisters City Council policies. City Council is the overall policy body with the City Manager responsible for administration of Cit y Departments. The overall in ternal administration by City Manager is necessary in order to assu re efficient and economic operations of various departments per City Council direction. The practices of each department are subject to review and approval by City Manager. Staff and City Council will work in a positive and professional relationship.
B. The City Council wi ll provide direction to staff through City Manager or designee on all new and/or major issues. A City C ouncil/Committee, Commission, Board member will not direct st aff to initiate any action or prepare any report. City Councilmembers will not initiate any project or study without approval of majority of City Council. Committee, Commission, Board members will not initiate any projects outside their purview or beyond what has been assigned or approved by the City Council.
D. A City Councilmember will not attempt to coerce or influence staff in the making of appointments, awarding of c ontracts, selection of consultants, processing of development applications, filing or dismissing code enforcement prosecutions or granting City licenses or permits.
4 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
E. Public inquiries on technical matters received from constituents of City Council/Committee, Commission Board member should be referred to the City Manager or staff liaison for response or explanation.
F. Once a decision is reached by City Council or City Council has ratified recommendations of Planning Co mmission, or other City Committees, Commissions, Boards, it will be accepted, supported and implemented by staff with due respect to legal requirements and limitations.
G. With regard to major criminal, traf fic, fire, natural disasters, and other emergencies, the Police Department (S heriff’s Department) will notify the City Manager who will subsequently notify all Councilmembers.
H. In public session, City Council/Committee, Commission, Board members should address all staff members ut ilizing Mr./Mrs./Ms., or title, rather than use of first names.
I. City Council and Committee, Commission, Board members are encouraged to request assigned City staff liaisons’ assistance in facilitating disputes, resolving miscommunications or potential crises. Individual City Council/Committee, Commission Board mem bers should contact staff prior to meetings to resolve any questions and/or allow staff time to investigate and report back at meeting.
CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
Section 1. City Council Meetings.
A. City Council meetings should be hel d at least twice each month, at such times fixed annually by resolution. Closed Sessions, when necessary, will typically be scheduled at the beginn ing of the agenda but may instead be scheduled at another time duri ng the regular meeting as necessary subject to outside party or City Council availability.
B. Public Comments, primarily to address items not on the agenda, will normally be heard before 6:45 p.m. If additional speakers for Public Comments remain at 6:45 p.m., remainder of speakers may be called at end of meeting at the discretion of the Mayor. Speakers wishing to address items on the agenda are to be encouraged to submit Speaker Card and speak at the time the item is opened for discussion. Speakers wishing to address a Public Hearing matter should only address the City Council duri ng the Public Hearing on the matter, so that their comments are part of the record and may be relied upon by the decision maker.
5 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
C. Administrative Reports that do not require signi ficant reporting and/or discussion for decision or are routine in nature will be placed on the Consent Calendar.
D. Every effort will be made for meeti ngs to conclude by 11:00 p.m. If City Council desires to proceed past 11:00 p.m., the City Council should determine which issues will be completed at that meeting and which items will be continued to a future meeting. Majority City Council concurrence or a motion should be made approving such course of action. Pursuant to the Municipal Code, City Council may continue past midnight upon affirmative vote of the majority.
E. Typically, up to two ceremonial items such as commendations, proclamations, and special presentations will be handled per City Council meeting, during the Special Presentat ion section of the City C ouncil meeting (number of presentations may be increased for specia l circumstances, i.e., due to need for timely presentation).
Section 2. Committees, Commissions, Boards.
A. Regular meetings of City Council appointed Committees, Commissions, Boards, shall be open to the public and agendas posted pursuant to the Brown Act. Committee, Commission , Board meetings shall be held as identified in each respective City Council adopted Committee, Commission, Board establishing Resolution or subsequent Resolutions. Meetings shall not be held during the month of August unless deemed nec essary by majority of members.
Records of all meetings shall be public information.
B. A majority of members of a Committee, Commission, Board, regardless of vacancies, shall constitute a quorum, and a simple majority of those present shall be required to pass a motion unless otherwise required by law or the Municipal Code. If there is no quorum (i.e., if determined prior to meeting or if no quorum within 15 minutes beyond meeting start time, or if member leaving during meeting results in lack of quorum), meeting shall be canceled or adjourned for lack of a quorum. The conduct of meetings sh all be governed by Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure, as adopted by City Council.
C. Member must be present (in per son) to vote unless alternative means provided by the Brown Act are utilized.
6 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
Section 3. Addressing City Counc il/Committees, Commissions, Boards – General.
A. Although use of a speaker card is entirely voluntary, a public member wishing to address City Council/Committees, Commissions, Boards should fill out a Public Speaker Card and submit Card to City Clerk/designee or assigned staff liaison, or by electronic means if partici pating remotely, before item is opened for discussion. Speaker cards are available for use when the meeting room is opened to the public prior to start of the meeting and not available for use prior to that time.
For remote participants, speaker cards ar e available for use via the electronic agenda as soon as the agenda is posted.
B. Committees, Commissions, Boards: Speaker guidelines consistent with City Council guidelines should be adopt ed to maintain consistent practice among all City Committees, Commissions and Boards. Refer to City Council Guidelines for Public Input Resolution.
C. When called, speak er may state name or identifier and community of residence for the record and state opini on on matter. To expedite matters and avoid repetitious presentations, whenever a formalized group wishes to address a Committee, Commission, Board on the same subject, the Chair may request that a spokesperson be selected on behalf of pers ons who are present at meeting in lieu of and on behalf of individual speakers. A spec ific time limit may be set for total presentation.
D. Although any member of the public has the right to criticize City policies, procedures, programs, services, or actions, remarks should be limited to matters related to jurisdiction of City Council/Committee, Commission, or Board.
E. Derogatory/slanderous personal re marks toward any individual are disruptive and should not be allowed.
F. All remarks by speakers should be addressed to the City Council/Committee, Commission, Board as a whole, not to individual members, staff, the audience, or directly to television cameras.
G. All questions of st aff or City Council/Committee, Commission, Board shall be directed to the Mayor/Chair. The Mayor/Chair will then decide if a question is appropriate and who shall respond.
H. Any issues that do not appe ar on the Agenda can have no discussion/action unless an exception ex ists under the Brown Act and may be referred to the City Manager/assigned staff lia ison for administrative action or to be scheduled on a subsequent agenda.
7 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
I. Written Statement Cards are encouraged at the meeting, and will be accepted on any agenda item. Written Statement cards are available for use when the meeting room is opened to the public prior to star t of the meeting and not available for use prior to that time. For remote participants, written statement cards are available for use via the electronic agenda or may be sent via email.
J. Advanced submission of wr itten comments is encouraged. Staff liaisons will distribute any comments rece ived in advance of meetings to City Council/Committee, Commission, Board members as appropriate.
K. City Clerk staff shall post first City Council agenda supplemental packet in conjunction with agenda packet electroni cally on the website in its entirety including e-mails/correspondence from the public which may include e-mail and/or personal addresses. Subseque nt supplemental packets in its entirety shall be posted electronically on the website as time is available, which may occur immediately following the m eeting. All supplemental packets are available for review in hard copy at designated areas including, but not limited to, the City Clerk Department and City Council Chambers at the time of the City Council meeting.
L. Any public written correspondence or other materials received at a meeting will be documented with receipt date (by assigned st aff) with distribution indicated. To ensure pr oper handling, written materials should be handed to the City Clerk or secretary of the Committee, Commission, Board, staffing the meeting.
If staff does not receive copy of written submittal, the materials or information may not be considered to have been received or acted upon by the legislative body.
Speakers are requested to provide suffici ent number of copies of any written materials that are introduced for submittal at the meeting for distribution to each member and assigned staff. For City Council meetings, the original and a minimum of eight copies are required fo r distribution (City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Staff). Written or other materials received in advance will be routed through assigned staff as part of agenda or supplemental informational packets.
M. The rules set forth are not the sole or exclusive rules governing meetings of City Council/Committees, Commissions, Boards and do not limit the general legal authority of City Council/Committees, Commissions, Boards or the Mayor/Chair to govern conduct of meetings. Any deviation from these guidelines does not limit or affect the jurisdicti on, power or final decision of the City Council/Committees, Commissions, Boards on any decision, permit or entitlement.
Section 4. Public Comments - Items of City Business.
A. City Council: City Council has establishe d separate “Guidelines for Public Input at City Council Meetings” Resolution.
8 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
B. Committees, Commissions, Boards : Presentations under Public Comments are limited to items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the particular Committee, Commission or Board. The Chair may provide feedback to assist any speaker from straying into areas over which the Committee, Commission, Board has no jurisdiction. All attendees who sp eak on items that ar e within applicable jurisdiction and not on the Agenda must address the Committee, Commission, Board during the Public Comments portion of agenda.
Section 5. Public Hearings.
A. City Council: City Council has es tablished Public Hearing speaker guidelines in the “Guidelines for Public Input at City Council Meetings” Resolution.
B. City Council Public Hearings will be scheduled at the advertised time of 6:00 p.m. As a guide, no more than two Public Hearings, excluding perfunctory hearings, per meeting will be scheduled. Committee, Commission, Board Public Hearings may be held at a scheduled ti me as confirmed or based on meeting times.
C. Citizens who wish to address t he legislative body during Public Hearings shall submit a Public Speaker card before the Public Hearing is opened.
D. When a Public Hearing is closed for an entitlement, City Council/Committee, Commission, Board me mbers only discuss the issues; other than procedural matters, staff discu ssion is not appropriate. If City Council/Committee, Commission, Board members wish to ask substantive questions of staff, the public hearing should be reopened allowing applicant to also comment.
E. City Council/Planning Commissi on: A project or entitlement applicant/appellant, or designated representa tive of such person or entity, shall have such time necessary for a fair and reasonable oral presentation or testimony in connection with the noticed Public Heari ng item. Oral presentations by the applicant/appellant or their representatives are limited to fifteen (15) minutes each, unless additional time is provided by Ma yor/Chair with a five minute rebuttal time for each.
Section 6. City Council: General.
A. Under the City Council Issues /Recommendations section of the agenda, City Councilmembers may request that an item be considered on a future agenda. Councilmembers shall submit initia l request in writing pursuant to the agenda scheduling calendar. The question of whether to agendize the matter and direct staff to prepare a report shall be voted by City Council. If a majority of City 9 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
Council supports the request, City Manager will determine when to place the item on a future agenda based on the time necessary to complete the research, staff workload considerations, and the effect on City Council established priorities.
B. City Policy requiring significant changes/proposed City Ordinances may be set for Public Hearing, even when not required by law as determined by the City Manager.
Section 7. General.
A. Any advisory recommendation from Committees, Commissions, Boards to City Council, incl uding the reasons for such recommendation, shall be rendered in written form prepared by and coordinated through assigned staff liaisons.
B. The City Council/Committee, Commission, Board member making a motion should restate the motion before the vote, if necessary, to clarify for public and staff.
C. City Council/Committee, Co mmission, Board members should refrain from debating with members of the public or staff at a meeting.
D. Any concerns by City Council/Committee, Commission, Board members regarding performance of City employees during public meetings should be privately directed to City Manager/staff liaisons.
Section 8. Disqualificati on for Conflict of Interest.
A. Any City Council/Committee, Commission, Board member who is disqualified from voting on a particular matt er by reason of a fi nancial Conflict of Interest shall disqualify themselves pursuant to State law.
Section 9. Litigation and Confidential Information
A. City Councilmembers will keep a ll written materials and verbal information provided to them on matters t hat are confidential under State law in complete confidence to ensure that the Cit y’s position is not compromised. No mention of information in these material s will be made to anyone other than City Councilmembers, City Attorney, City Manager or City Manager designee.
B. If City Council in closed session has provided direction to City staff on proposed terms and conditions for any type of negotiations whether it be related to property acquisition or disposal, a proposed or pending claim or litigation, and/or employee negotiations, all contact with the other party will be the designated City 10 CCD:610-10\cr\h:\common\Council\StdsofOp\2023\031423 Meeting Proc Attach #1.docx
person(s) representing the City in the handling of the negotiations or litigation. A City Councilmember will not have any contact or discussion with the other party or its representative involved with the negotiation (unless formally appointed as spokesperson by City Council) during th is time and will not communicate any discussion conducted in closed sessions with any person.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14 th day of March, 2023, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Kevin McNamee, Mayor
City of Thousand Oaks
ATTEST/CERTIFY:
___________________________________
Laura B. Maguire, City Clerk
Date Attested: ___________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Office of the City Attorney
___________________________________
Tracy M. Noonan, City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO ADMINISTRATION:
____________________________________
Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
The presence of electronic signature certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy as approved by the City of Thousand Oaks City Council on the date cited above. 11 From: Conejo Climate <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 9:48 AM
To: Kevin McNamee <[email protected]>; Al Adam <[email protected]>; Bob Engler <[email protected]>; Mikey Taylor <[email protected]>; David Newman <[email protected]>; City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Consent calendar item J and concerns over oak mortality CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Council Members and Honorable Mayor,
In reviewing agenda item J on the consent calendar for this week’s City Council meeting, we referenced the City’s Groundwater Management Plan (GMP) for the Conejo Valley Groundwater Basin (CVGB). The method by which the GMP outlines the minimum threshold (the quantitative value that represents the groundwater condition in each representative monitoring well site that, when exceeded, may cause an undesirable result), leaves us concerned about the long term viability of groundwater dependent species in the basin, including our precious oaks, and ultimately the sustainable yield of the Los Robles Greens Golf Course as well.
Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), priority basins, or over-drafted basins, are currently required to submit a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to the state.
Thousand Oaks is not currently required to submit a GSP; however, as noted in the Groundwater Management Plan, the City anticipates having to do this in the future, therefore this plan subjects itself to the considerations set out in SGMA.
When setting sustainable management criteria for a basin, GSP’s must consider the beneficial uses and users of groundwater in their basin. Consideration of the potential effects on beneficial uses and users underpin the minimum thresholds. Groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDE’s), or species and habitats dependent upon groundwater to survive (such as riparian forests) are considered beneficial users under SGMA, thanks to the hard work of many environmental advocates in the state. Thousand Oaks actually recognizes this fact in its GMP, stating in Section 1.6.4 that beneficial users include “Environmental users of groundwater, including groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs).” However, the minimum thresholds outlined in the GMP don’t adequately address significant and unreasonable impacts to these beneficial users–groundwater dependent ecosystems, due to chronic lowering of groundwater. We are also not convinced that enough research has been done on the presence of GDE’s in the CVGB.
Thousand Oaks’ GMP even suggested as much, stating “At this time, an assessment conducted by a licensed biologist has not been completed and no GDEs have been identified in the Basin.
An assessment will be completed if a GSP is prepared for the Basin.” However, the map (figure TO COUNCIL: 03/14/2023
AGENDA ITEM NO.: 10J
MEETING DATE: 03/14/2023
12 2-26) presented in the GMP clearly identifies vegetation commonly associated with groundwater from the Natural Communities Commonly Associated with Groundwater (NCCAG) dataset.
Many of these polygons are Quercus lobata (valley oaks). According to this GDE guidance worksheet:
https://groundwaterresourcehub.org/public/uploads/pdfs/GDE_Guidance_Doc_Worksheet_1_5- 26-2021.pdf it seems a reasonable conclusion that these vegetation parcels shown on the NCCAG map are indeed connected to groundwater because they meet all of the following criteria: 1) The basin is an unconfined aquifer and this single aquifer is the principal aquifer of the basin, 2) Depth to groundwater for multiple years comes within 10-30 feet or shallower on average for at least two representative wells (well 1004 and well 1251), and 3) There is a spring located in the basin.
Although depth to groundwater in some representative wells is extremely shallow, the oak species that populate the CVGB have groundwater dependent considerations that extend beyond the 30 ft threshold. The Nature Conservancy’s guiding documentation on utilizing the NCCAG dataset states “A 30 ft depth-to-groundwater threshold, which is based on averaged global rooting depth data for phreatophytes [1], is relevant for most plants identified in the NC Dataset since most plants have a max rooting depth of less than 30 feet. However, it is important to note that deeper thresholds are necessary for other plants that have reported maximum root depths that exceed the averaged 30 feet threshold, such as valley oak (Quercus lobata). The Nature Conservancy advises that the reported max rooting depth for these deeper- rooted plants be used. For example, “a depth-to groundwater threshold of 80 feet should be used instead of the 30 ft threshold, when verifying whether valley oak polygons from the dataset are connected to groundwater."
The minimum thresholds in the Thousand Oaks GMP were calculated as 30 percent of the historical range for the last 50 years of elevations for each representative well, subtracted from the historical low reading at each well. The 1970, or 50-year data set was selected because this period represents groundwater levels after recovery was achieved in the 1960s. This leaves a minimum threshold well below the average rooting depth (up to 80 feet) of several oak species for two of these four representative wells. This means oaks could be dying before any signals are sent to pumpers that the basin is no longer in sustainable yield because our ecosystems are not a part of the "undesirable result" criteria.
Our recommendations are two fold: 1) That the city preemptively anticipate the future requirements of the SGMA and confirm the presence of GDE’s in the basin, and 2) That the GMP then incorporate mitigation of undesirable impacts to these GDE’s, including oak stands, in the further refinement of minimum thresholds, and thereby inform the sustainable yield of the basin with all beneficial users in mind.
As advocates for climate change adaptation and mitigation, we understand the need to ensure future water security and reduce reliance on imported water. That said, we must endeavour to do this in the most sustainable way possible to avoid unintended consequences and ensure a livable future for all of Conejo Valley's beneficial users of groundwater. It would be a shame if the city of Thousand Oaks lost multiple stands of valley oaks and coast live oaks simply because it was not yet required by law to protect them from excessive groundwater extraction. 13 Thank you for considering our concerns as they relate to sustainable use of groundwater in the Conejo Valley Groundwater Basin.
Sincerely,
-Conejo Climate Coalition
14 From: John Fonti <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2023 10:16 AM
To: City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Cc: 'Tonewstip' <[email protected]>
Subject: March 14, 2023 City Council Agenda Item 10 K, Revised Water Shortage Declaration CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
March 14, 2023 City Council
Agenda Item 10 K, Revised Water Shortage Declaration
City Council,
How long are you going to continue these onerous drought restrictions? Wowee, we can now water lawns twice a week but all other restrictions remain in place! That’s ridiculous. They are discharging massive amounts of water out of Oroville Reservoir. 15,000 cfs vs typical 500 cfs. I think the drought is over. If you want to eliminate lawns then do so separately. In the meantime I need to wash my cars and paint my house. I can’t do that until I can use my power washer which is prohibited. My lawn is gon e and won’t be reseeded. Be bold and push back on Calleguas and MWD.
John Fonti
Thousand Oaks
TO COUNCIL: 03/14/2023
AGENDA ITEM NO.: 10K
MEETING DATE: 03/14/2023
15 From: John Fonti <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2023 8:58 AM
To: City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Cc: 'Tonewstip' <[email protected]>
Subject: City Council Mtg March 14, 2023, Agenda Item 11A CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Council Mtg March 14, 2023, Agenda Ite
m 11A
City Council,
I see you are considering adoption of the following:
CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
Section 1. City Council Meetings.
B. Public Comments, primarily to address items not on the agenda, will normally be heard before 6:45 p.m. If additional speakers for Public Comment s remain at 6:45 p.m., remainder of speakers may be called at end of meeting at the discretion of the Mayor. Speakers wishing to address items on the agenda are to be encouraged to submit Speaker Card and speak at the time the item is opened for discussion. Speakers wishing to address a Public H earing matter should only address the City Council during the Public Hearing on the matter, so that their comments are part of the record and may be relied upon by the decision maker.
Any public speaker who takes his valuable time to speak in Public Comments whether on an agenda item or not sh
ould be heard and not deferred until some later time such as the end of the meeting. Doing otherwise is completely disrespectful to the public who may not have the time to wait until 8, 9, 10 or 11 o’clock to speak at the Public H earing or at the end of the meeting for non‐agenda items. I’ve seen enough shenanigans over the years as to the manipulation of agenda items and extending show‐n‐tell/presentations in order to limit the number of public speakers. The initial resolution should never have been adopted in the first place and sh ould be completely eliminated now. Let the people speak. Is that too much to ask?
John Fonti
TO COUNCIL: 03/14/2023
AGENDA ITEM NO.: 11A
MEETING DATE: 03/14/2023
16 From: John Fonti <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2023 9:53 AM
To: City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Cc: 'Tonewstip' <[email protected]>
Subject: City Council Mtg March 14, 2023 Agenda Item 13B Sign Regulations Update CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Council Mtg March 14, 2023 Agenda Ite
m 13B Sign Regulations Update
City Council,
A few years ago I was advised that the city stopped enforcing its sign code while waiting for direction from Federal/State sources. It seems that the City Attorney’s office now just wants to keep kicking the can down the road. Nowhere does the staff
report say they need to wait any longer to amend the
code. Please tell the city attorney office to wrap it up. Give them a deadline to do so. Enough already. There is sign blight especially now that the covid emergency is over and real estate open houses are back. Signs are everywhere and not just on Sundays. Because the agents are so desperate for sales/leads they are conducting open houses all the time and putting their signs on public rights‐of‐ way and on 3rd party private property without permission. There is little, if any, code enforcement. Please fix it…..now.
John Fonti
Thousand Oaks
TO COUNCIL: 03/14/2023
AGENDA ITEM NO.: 13B
MEETING DATE: 03/14/2023
17