BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN MSWEENEY Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
February 9, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Halpern on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at 6:30 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).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Councilmember McSweeney's grandchildren, Cameron, Gavin and Amelia McSweeney, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Mayor Halpern
ABSENT: None
Also Present: 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 Davis moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Minutes of the January 26, 2022 City Council Study Session Meeting and January 26, 2022 Regular Session Meeting as presented. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and Administrative Services Director Wilson provided an overview on the City of Westlake Village's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021. She mentioned that the report provides a narrative overview and analysis of the financial activities of the City for the fiscal year. She also noted that the City's Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Report was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, for the 16'h consecutive year, from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Administrative Services Director Wilson introduced Hadley Hui, Partner, Moss, Levy & Hartzheim, the City's auditing firm. Mr. Hui commented on the Management Report and Auditor's Communication Letter and the key factors and assumptions used to develop estimates. He stated that the audit revealed no deficiencies and findings and as such, received the highest rating of an Unmodified Opinion.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Leslie Daland, resident of Thousand Oaks and owner of Daland Swim School; spoke about Stop Drowning Now and requested City partnership.
COUNCIL RESPONSE:
Councilmember McSweeney thanked Ms. Daland for her service to the community.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus stated that the prep rally for the Los Angeles Rams was held at Oaks' Christian School, looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday and the Rams bringing home the trophy. The City is currently recruiting for three vacant positions, as a result of the temporary staff shortage community service activities have been distributed to other City Council Minutes
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STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
employees and some activities, such as the Westlake Village Discovers program, have been postponed.
Related to Public Safety, expected high winds remind us to be prepared for wildfires; a tool to prepare is Ready-Set-Go (www.wlv.org). Staff is participating in Incident Command Training this week with Southern California Edison. Lost Hills Sheriff Station deployed a motorcycle patrol on Friday and Saturday nights to address Council's concerns with speeding and racing. Numerous tickets were issued for speeding. Thank you, Lieutenant Watters and the Lost Hills Station, for your support to our residents and making us safe.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmember Davis thanked the Lost Hills Station as he saw the motorcycle officer in action this past weekend.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
PUBLIC HEARING FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT NO. 21-005; RESOLUTION NO. 2234-22
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and Associate Planner Sinkula presented the request for Planned Development Permit No. 21-005 to authorize the demolition of an existing 2,391 sq. ft. single-family one-story residence with an attached garage and the construction of a new two-story 3,818 sq. ft. single- family residence with an attached 438 sq. ft. garage located at 32256 Oakshore Drive. Brooks Dunn filed the Planned Development Permit on behalf of Ephram and Odette Nehme.
Applicant Ephram Nehme attended the hearing. He responded to City Council question and stated that the length of time for construction is approximately 14 months.
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl moved to approve Resolution 2234-22 approving Planned Development Permit No. 21-005 to authorize the demolition of an existing 2,391 sq. ft. single-family one-story residence with an attached garage and the construction of a new two-story 3,818 sq. ft. single-family residence with an attached 438 sq. ft. garage located at 32256 Oakshore Drive; and that the proposed project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act as a Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) Categorical Exemption. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember
Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
2. PUBLIC HEARING FOR OAK TREE PERMIT NO. 21-009; RESOLUTION NO. 2235-22
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and Associate Planner Sinkula presented the request for Oak Tree Permit No. 21-009 to authorize the pruning of six protected coast live oak trees and the removal of three protected coast live oak trees located at 146 Sherwood Drive. James Deacy filed the Oak Tree Permit.
Applicant James Deacy did not attend the hearing.
Council thanked Associate Planner Sinkula for the presentation and for addressing how the pruning and removal of the Oak trees will help the other Oak trees.
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl moved to approve Resolution 2235-22 approving Oak Tree Permit No. 21-009 to authorize the pruning of six protected coast live oak trees and the removal of three protected coast live oak trees located at 146 Sherwood Drive be adopted; and that the proposed project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act as a Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) Categorical Exemption. Councilmember Honig seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember
Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO:
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective February 1, 2022 in the amount of $1,315,729.00
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. APPOINTMENTS TO THE 2022 COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT ADVISORY COMMITTEE - Appoint five individuals as follows:
Mayor Halpern: Abel Pomar
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl: Dan Reines
Councilmember Davis: Teena Wong
Councilmember Honig: Marty Blumenthal
Councilmember McSweeney: Kim Brockman
2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 - Approved the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the twelve-month period ended June 30,2021 as submitted.
3. APPOINTMENT OF A CITY CLERK; RESOLUTION NO. 2236-22 - Adopted Resolution 2236 appointing Ms. Antoinette Mann as City Clerk for the City of Westlake Village.
4. APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE LIBRARY LEASE AND
OPERATING AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES -
Approved of an amendment to the new lease and operating agreement with the County of Los Angeles for continued operation of a public library at the Civic Center to incorporate the County's vaccination requirement for contract personnel and that the Mayor be authorized to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
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CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
5. AGREEMENT WITH PYRO SPECTACULAR FOR 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW - Approved agreement with Pyro Spectaculars for the 2022 July 4th fireworks event; and authorized the City Manager to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 361 FINDINGS FOR SPECIAL BROWN ACT
REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and discussed the current Assembly Bill findings, that while the COVID numbers are reducing, it is likely that Los Angeles County will continue with a mask mandate for the next 4 to 8 weeks.
City Manager de Geus recommended the Council continue to meet via teleconference until the indoor mask mandate is relaxed and to bring this item back on March 9, 2022 for further City Council consideration. City Manager de Geus reminded Council that they previously stated that they did not want hybrid City Council meetings, preferring to be all in person or all participating via teleconference. Once the public is able to attend City Council Meetings in person, it is anticipated that attendees will need to show their vaccination status or wear a mask.
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the City Council findings so that teleconference meetings of the City Council and the City's committees can continue to be conducted pursuant to the AB 361 special Brown Act requirements: the City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the COVID-19 state of emergency; and state and local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social distancing. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember
Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 9, 2022
NEW BUSINESS:
REVIEW OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 MID-YEAR BUDGET
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and Administrative Services Director Wilson presented the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Budget, highlighting revenues and expenditures. The top three revenue sources, namely, Property Tax, Sales Tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax continue to grow and excee budget projections. City expenditures are projected to end the year under budget, while City revenues are projected to exceed projections resulting in a modest Ms. Wilson also provided an update on the mid-year budget adjustments, fiscal year-end projections, fund balance projections and the Capital Improvement Program. Finally, she provided an update on the State and Federal budget impacts and upcoming budget process for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Mayor Halpern moved to receive and file the mid-year financial report.
Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember
Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
2. ADOPTION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO
ADVERTISE BIDS FOR THE ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and City Engineer Hughes requested the Council adopt plans and specifications and authorize staff to advertise for bids for the Annual Street Resurfacing Program (ASRP). She stated that the ASRP is a recurring Capital Improvement Project for Fiscal Year 2021-22. The ASRP includes paving two segments of Lakeview Canyon Road (the first between Townsgate Road and Agoura Road and the second between Agoura Road and Lindero Canyon Road), paving Watergate Road between La Venta Drive and Lakeview Canyon Road, and slurry sealing the segment of Thousand Oaks Boulevard between the east City Limit and Lindero Canyon Road. Also included in the ASRP is resurfacing the Civic Center parking lot to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. This will include restriping of the parking spaces and replacement of ADA parking signage.
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NEW BUSINESS (continued):
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl moved to adopt the plans and specifications for the Annual Street Resurfacing Program Fiscal Year 2021-22; and authorize staff to advertise bids for the construction of the Annual Street Resurfacing Program Fiscal Year 2021-22. Councilmember Honig seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember
Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION CONTROLLER UPGRADE PROJECT YEAR 2 -
SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY AND ARROYO IRRIGATION CONTRACT AWARDS
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and City Engineer Hughes presented an overview of the January 24, 2022 Environmental Committee Meeting, comprised of Councilmembers Davis and McSweeney, in which a program status update was provided, and recommendations were brought forward for site selection and contracts for the implementation of year two controller replacements.
Ms. Hughes stated that the City has nearly 70 acres of landscaping being the rigation controles to surent technology wish weather and contries i result in better efficiency in the allocation of staff resources, maintenance and operations, and a significant reduction in water costs.
Ms. Hughes mentioned that the Year 2 controller upgrade project includes the removal of 10 Rain Master controllers and installation of 9 Hydropoint controllers which includes the consolidation of two controllers into one at the City Hall location. In addition, a purchasing agreement with SiteOne will be required for furnishing and installing the controllers as well as a new Professional Services Agreement with Arroyo Irrigation for performing controller programming, preparation of controller charts and processing of rebate applications through LVWMD.
Finally, Ms. Hughes stated that the adopted Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget includes $70,000 for Year 2 of a five-year controller replacement program. A budget increase of $46,560 from the Landscape Assessment District is requested in support of acquiring 10 years of data service and 10 years of warranty.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 9, 2022
NEW BUSINESS (continued):
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl moved to approve an Irrigation Controller Purchase Agreement with SiteOne in the amount of $88,190; approve a Professional Services Agreement with Arroyo Irrigation in the amount of $28,370; authorize the Mayor to sign and execute the agreements on behalf of the City; and approve a Capital Improvement Program budget amendment from the Landscape Assessment District Fund 23 Zone 1 in the amount of $46,560 for the Landscape Controller Update project. Councilmember Honig seconded the motion.
YES: Mayor Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, Councilmember
Davis, Councilmember Honig, Councilmember McSweeney.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
City Manager de Geus thanked City Engineer Hughes for the presentation and stated that in addition to City Engineer Hughes, Public Works Lead Inspector Tim Iverson is an integral team member on this project.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
On behalf of the City Council and staff, Mayor Halpern wished everyone a happy Valentine's Day, and acknowledged Mayor Pro Tem Pearl had his birthday last week, Councilmember McSweeney is celebrating her birthday today.
Brad Halpern, Mayo
Attest:
antoinete ban
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk