MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
January 26, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Halpern on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 6:38 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village via teleconference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e).
Mayor Halpern called for a moment of silence to honor Los Angeles County Fire fighter Johnathan Flagler.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Halpern led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Also Present:
Councilmembers Mcsweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, Mayor Halpern
None
City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Deputy City Manager Eskandar, Administrative Services Director Wilson, Planning Director Forbes, City Clerk Mann, City Engineer Hughes, Associate Planner Sinkula and Deputy City Clerk Kramer
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Mcsweeney moved to approve the Agenda as presented.
Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember Mcsweeney.
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0
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City of Westlake Village
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
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January 26, 2022 2
Councilmember Davis moved to approve the Minutes of January 12, 2022, as presented.
Councilmember Mcsweeney seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember Mcsweeney.
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus reported that the pedestrian hybrid beacon on Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive was activated on January 25, 2022; related to COVID-19 City Hall remains closed due to Omicron variant and plans to reopen on January 31, 2022.
City Manager de Geus expressed appreciation to Deputy City Clerk Kramer for her assistance with the City Clerk duties and presented Deputy City Clerk Kramer with flowers.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmembers commented on the increased importance of the Las Virgenes/Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG) and thanked Councilmember Honig for her leadership as the Past President of LVMCOG.
Mayor Halpern reminded residents to shop local and welcomed City Clerk Mann.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. Sheriffs Department Report
Deputy Brian Knott presented the Sheriff Department's crime and traffic report for the month of October, November, and December 2021 and commented on testing the new pedestrian hybrid beacon on January 26, 2022 and issued 27 citations. -
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City of Westlake Village
City Council Minutes
January 26, 2022
MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS (continued):
3 Lieutenant Watters responded to City Council questions regarding recent crimes, street racing, and sight line signage.
2. Fire Department Report
Community Services Liaison Megan Currier presented the Fire Department's report for the months of October, November, and December 2021, reflecting the fire prevention, medical services, and rescue activities conducted. Reported that due to COVID, Fire Department facilities are closed and in-person events are on hold until further notice.
3. Chamber of Commerce Report
Adam Haverstock, Director of Government Affairs and Tourism, welcomed City Clerk Mann and highlighted recent and upcoming events of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce which will be held virtually. Encouraged businesses to visit their website to sign up for COVID supplies and Human Resource materials.
4. Library Report
Julie Frieze, Manager of the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library presented the report for the months of October, November, and December 2021 covering traffic, circulation, and reference requests. Ms. Frieze commented that due to the Omicron variant, in-person programs are on hold and in the month of January, capacity is reduced to 50%.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. TELECOMMUNICATIONS/CONNECTIVITY/IT COMMITTEE REPORT
City Manager de Geus introduced the item, which was an update on the Telecommunications/Connectivity/IT Committee meeting held on July 23, 2021, regarding the design revisions to the City's website.
Deputy City Manager Eskandar presented staff's report providing an overview of the design revisions to the City's website which consisted of a proposed layout, photographs, color palette, and global navigation functions. He noted that the redesign is included in the current contract with CivicPlus with no additional cost.
Mr. Eskandar stated that the City's goal was to deliver a modern website that offers usability, accessibility, functionality, and customer service to the community and that following the City Council's review, CivicPlus will need approximately six to eight weeks for the new website to be configured and launched.
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January 26. 2022 4
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 21-009:
RESOLUTION NO. 2231-22
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and Associate Planner Sinkula presented the request for approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 21-009 to authorize the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits for onsite consumption and the use of a 1,250 square foot outdoor dining area as part of the operation of the restaurant located at 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 109, within The Landing Center. Hamid Sadraie filed the request on behalf of The Landing Grill & Sushi Bar.
Associate Planner Sinkula reported that through the City's COVID-19 Temporary Outdoor Dining Area program that was enacted by the City Council in 2020, The Landing temporarily expanded their footprint/service area beyond the covered outdoor dining area. Since the service of alcohol in the temporary outdoor area is tied to the alcohol license, the restaurant would be able to continue serving beer, wine and distilled spirits in the temporary outdoor area if the CUP request is approved by the City Council. Mrs. Sinkula noted that this could continue so long as the City's Temporary Outdoor Dining Area program is in effect, its terms/conditions are complied with, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows.
On January 5, 2022, the Land Use Committee (Pearl/Honig) reviewed the CUP request and recommended that the request move forward to a public hearing.
City Councilmembers complimented Mr. Sadraie as a business owner and community partner.
Councilmember Mcsweeney moved to approve Resolution No. 2231-22, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Westlake Village approving Conditional Use Permit No. 21-009 to authorize the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits for on site consumption and the use of a 1,250 sq. ft. outdoor dining area as part of the operation of The Landing Grill and Sushi Bar located at 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 109" be adopted. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember Mcsweeney.
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
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January 26, 2022 5
PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
2. PUBLIC HEARING FOR REALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 AND ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND CARES ACT FUNDS: RESOLUTION NO. 2232-22
Planning Director Forbes presented staff's report outlining the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Since 1981 the City has received funding from the CDBG program through the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), the average annual allocation has been approximately $26,000; last year's allocation was $30,712, and that the program provides grants up to $5,000 to low- and moderate-income Westlake Village homeowners to make certain home improvements and needed repairs. The program has not consistently fully expended the available funds leading to an unallocated fund balance of $76,023 for FY 2021-22. In addition to CDBG funds, the City was allocated $18,250 in CDBG-CV funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which must be spent on efforts related to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, including assistance programs for affected businesses.
Staff's recommendation is to allocate the City's full annual CDBG allocation of $30,533 to the Housing Rehabilitation Program as in prior years and allocate all funding that was earmarked for business grant and rental assistance programs last year plus all remaining unallocated funds to LACDA's Small Business Grant Program launching in February 2022. This total funding of $99,980 includes $81,730 in CDBG funds and $18,250 in CDBG-CV funds. Funds provided by Westlake Village to the LACDA program would be used only for Westlake Village businesses. This amount could fund $10,000 grants for up to nine businesses, with the balance covering administration costs.
Councilmember Davis moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2232-22 titled 'A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Westlake Village Approving Reallocations for Fiscal Year 2021-22 and Allocations for Fiscal Year 2022-23" for Community Development Block Grant Programs. Mayor Pro Tern Pearl seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember Mcsweeney.
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
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January 26. 2022 6
MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. 2.
3. Engineering Department Report
City Engineer Hughes highlighted various items from the Engineering Status Report which included the pedestrian hybrid beacon activation (Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive), concept design beginning on the pickleball courts at Community Park, traffic signal pole painting project status, working on the asset management plan with Kayuga Solutions, and Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) presentation received by staff.
Planning Department Report
Planning Director Forbes reviewed the Planning Department's Status Report which included a Senate Bill (SB) 9 Development Standards handout posted on website. Future Land Use Committee topics will include updated Oak Tree and Heritage Tree Preservation Standards for review, and the Westlake Village Municipal Code to ensure it reflects current legal requirements to re-adopt the Los Angeles County Code.
Cultural Recreation Report
City Manager de Geus highlighted various items from the Cultural Recreation Department's Status Report which included that Conejo Parks and Recreation activities are being held virtually or outdoors, community meeting rooms at City Hall will remain closed through February, plans are underway to bring back a July 4th Fireworks show.
City Manager de Geus discussed the challenges in Cultural Recreation due to staffing departures and capacity issues; announced that the February Westlake Discovers will be postponed.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Mcsweeney moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember Mcsweeney.
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
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January 26, 2022 7
CONSENT CALENDA (continued}:
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective January 15, 2022, in the amount of $622,270.55.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR CALRECYCLE GRANTS AND PAYMENT PROGRAMS; RESOLUTION
NO. 2233-22 - Authorizing Submittal of Applications for all CalRecycle
2. APPROVAL OF RETAINER AGREEMENT FOR SPECIAL LAND USE
COUNSEL FOR NORTH BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN HOUSING
PROJECTS - Retainer agreement with Allen Matkins and a budget amendment not-to-exceed $100,000 for special land use counsel services for North Business Park Specific Plan housing projects, and that the City Manager be authorized to execute the same.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Halpern welcomed City Clerk Mann, informed residents that City Council held a Goal session held today which will make life better for the residents.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Brad Halpern, Mayor
Attest:
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk