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BRAD HALPERN
Mayor
RAY PEARL
Mayor Pro Tern
NEDEDAVIS
Council member
KELLY HONIG
Councilmember
SUSAN McSWEENEY
Council member
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
May 25, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
This Regular Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Halpern on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Halpern led the Pledge of Allegiance.
In response to the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022, Mayor Halpern called for a moment of silence and commented on the incident.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Also Present:
Councilmembers Mcsweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
None
City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Deputy City Manager Eskandar, Administrative Services Director Wilson, Planning Director Forbes, Deputy City Clerk Kramer, Senior Planner Sinkula, Administrative Analyst Mott, and City Engineer Hughes.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Davis moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember Mcsweeney seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Mcsweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
City of Westlake Village
APPROVAL OF MJNUTES:
City Council Minutes
May 25, 2022 2
Councilmember Mcsweeney moved to approve the Minutes of the May 11, 2022 City Council Study Session and May 11, 2022 Joint Meeting as presented. Mayor Pro Tern Pearl seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Mcsweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Michael Silber, Westlake Village, business owner of Da Bobblehead, with daughters Valentina and Juliette, provided company background information and presented select samples of his designed and manufactured bobbleheads for sports and entertainment groups. Mr. Silber responded to Council questions regarding market share and purchase orders from individuals.
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus provided an update on the drought conditions and stated that the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) Board adopted one-day-per-week watering restrictions effective June 1, 2022. He noted that the majority of the City's parks and medians use recycled water and are under a different set of restrictions. Mr. de Geus reported that the City is in close contact and in partnership with LVMWD, and that Administrative Analyst Mott is a member of the newly formed group, City Outreach Partnership for Conservation & Drought, led by the Water District. He said this group meets weekly and develops various outreach messages.
City Manager de Geus stated City is working with L VMWD on other opportunities such as the expansion of the Emergency Recycled Water Distribution Program, the City's website "Water" page is updated weekly, and that the City drafted a letter to Westlake Village Homeowner's Associations (HOA) regarding the drought and related restrictions. A joint HOA Presidents and City Council meeting will be held on June 22, 2022, 4:00 pm, at City Hall and the drought topic will be discussed. Questions related to the drought are addressed on the Water District's website, www.lvmwd.com. Deputy City Manager Eskandar presented graphs from the Metropolitan Water District depicting water levels at Lake Oroville Reservoir Storage and Northern Sierra Snowpack levels and explained the current trends. Mr. Eskandar noted that further information can be found at www.mwdh20.com.
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City of Westlake Village
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
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May 25. 2022 3
Councilmember Pearl commented on Mayor Halpern's opening of tonight's meeting offering words of empathy and a moment of silence. Mr. Pearl read a Facebook message from a Three Springs resident regarding the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas yesterday.
Councilmember Mcsweeney reiterated Mayor Halpern's words, "Stand and be heard", and asked for everyone to stand.
Councilmember Davis commented on the Las Virgenes Unified School District's approach creating school culture and having zero tolerance for bullying. Mr. Davis asked the community to be cognizant of how we treat each other and what it means to be a community.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. Sheriff's Department Report
2. 3.
Deputy Brian Knott presented the Sheriff Department's report for the month of April 2022 including crime statistics and noting that crime is down from a year ago.
City Manager de Geus introduced Captain Jennifer Seetoo who was recently promoted to Captain of the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. Captain Seetoo expressed appreciation to the Council for acknowledging the Texas shooting incident. She provided a brief synopsis of her background and stated that her three main topics of focus were suppressing crime, disaster preparedness, and traffic incidents. Captain Seetoo is looking forward to working in collaboration with cities within the community.
Fire Department Report
Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith presented the Fire Department's report for the month of April 2022 on the number of fires, medical response calls, and rescue activities conducted. Chief Smith commented on the working relationship with the Sheriff's Department complimenting the public safety endeavor.
Chief Smith responded to Councilmember Mcsweeney regarding what residents can do about the drought situation and explained the balance between emberreceptiveness and dryness of ornamental vegetation.
Chamber of Commerce Report
Adam Haverstock, Director of Government Affairs and Tourism, highlighted recent and upcoming events of the Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce including the 2022 Recognition Gala held on May 20, 2022 honoring individuals and businesses throughout the community, Chamber is seeking nominations for their Forty Under Forty Awards program, and members of the Chamber's Board will be traveling to Sacramento to accept an award from tile California Chamber of Commerce 13th Annual Cal Chamber President's Circle Award for excellence in government affairs and helping businesses stay compliant with changing Human Resource laws.
City of Westlake Village
City Council Minutes
May 25, 2022 4
MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS (continued):
4. Library Report
Julie Frieze, Manager of the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library, presented the Library's report for April 2022 covering traffic, circulation, programs, and reference requests.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. 2.
3. Engineering Department Report
City Engineer Hughes presented the Engineering Status Report and provided an update on current projects including Annual Street Improvements, status of Pickle Ball court design, progression of Sidewalk Improvements, and noted that the next North Santa Monica Bay Watershed Area Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2022 at 1 :00 pm.
Planning Department Report
Planning Director Forbes provided the Planning Department's Status Report stating that a virtual community workshop to discuss the upcoming transition to Zeroemissions Landscape Equipment is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. and noted that additional information is available on the City's website www.wlv.org. Mr. Forbes mentioned that the presentation will be geared mainly toward homeowners and noted that the City will be conducting a series of meetings for homeowners and a series of meetings geared toward gardeners and landscape professionals. Responding to Council questions, Mr. Forbes said the meeting will be recorded and available for viewing.
Cultural Recreation Report
Deputy City Manager Philippe Eskandar presented the Cultural Recreation Department's Status Report and highlighted upcoming events of the City's Summer Entertainment Series including Saturday Concerts in the Park, a Movie Night, TGIF events at the Civic Center, and 4th of July events. Mr. Eskandar stated that summer programs commence on Friday, May 27, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. with a TGIF concert at the Civic Center Courtyard featuring performances by the Lindero Canyon Middle School and Agoura High School Jazz bands. He noted that food trucks would be available starting at 6:00 p.m.
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City of Westlake Village
City Council Minutes
May 25, 2022 5
MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS (continued):
Councilmember Mcsweeney announced that the City will be hosting the White Oak Elementary 4th grade classes on June 1, 2022 at City Hall for the City to Schools Program. Deputy City Manager Eskandar noted that staff presentations will be given, and a mock City Council meeting will be conducted with the students. He said that additionally, on June 8, 2022, the Student City Council will join City Councilmembers at the dais during the regular City Council meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Davis moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Mcsweeney seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Mcsweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective June 1, 2022 in the amount of $406,314.08
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 2260-22, AUTHORIZING PROGRESS PAYMENTS TO ALL AMERICAN ASPHALT -Adopt Resolution 2260-22, authorizing monthly progress payments to All American Asphalt that exceed the City's current warrant payment limit.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH STANLEY R. HOFFMAN ASSOCIATES TO PREPARE A DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
STUDY AND A SPECIAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT STUDY FOR THE
NORTH BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
City Manager de Geus introduced the item for consideration of an agreement with Stanley R. Hoffman Associates to conduct the analysis necessary to establish development impact fees and a special benefit assessment district in the North Business Park Specific Plan (NBPSP) area.
Senior Planner Sinkula provided an amended copy of Old Business 1, Attachment 1 at the meeting and explained the changes.
City of Westlake Village
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
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May 25, 2022 6
Providing background, Senior Planner Sinkula reported that in June 2020 the City Council adopted the NBPSP to establish a vision and development framework to guide reinvestment in the specific plan area including recommendations of pursuing a variety of strategies to implement the plan and identifying various cost recovery and funding opportunities. In January 2021 Stanley R. Hoffman Associates prepared memos discussing three funding opportunities for cost recovery and capital improvements including Cost recovery fees, Development impact fees, and Special benefit assessment district.
On February 23, 2022, the City Council conducted a public hearing and adopted specific plan cost recovery fees. Ms. Sinkula addressed the remaining two funding opportunities.
Special Benefit Assessment District
Senior Planner Sinkula explained that the Special Benefit Assessment District is:
1 . Created by local government to fund capital improvements and maintenance within a defined district area.
2. Bonds are issued to raise funds upfront for infrastructure improvements.
3. Bond payments are passed through to property owners in the district to reimburse the City over time.
Ms. Sinkula noted that the City currently has Assessment Districts for landscape and lighting in residential areas and that if an Assessment District was established for the Specific Plan area, it would likely be for streetscape improvements such as landscaping and street trees, signs and street furniture, and pedestrian and transit enhancements. She mentioned that property owners would be assessed based on their proportional share of benefit from the improvements to the district and provided estimated annual assessment costs for capital improvements and maintenance.
Reviewing the process, Ms. Sinkula explained that:
a. All property owners in the district can vote to support or oppose the formation of the district,
b. Votes are weighted by proportionate financial obligation of each property - one vote per dollar to be assessed per property,
c. Simple majority of weighted votes are required to establish a district, and d. Once established, the District is administered by the City.
The Land Use Committee (Pearl/Honig) reviewed the proposed fees and underlying methodology and assumptions on January 27, 2022, and May 4, 2022, and expressed concerns for the level of support that would likely be seen by property owners in the NBPSP area for the creation of the Assessment District. Ms. Sinkula l
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City of Westlake Village
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
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May 25, 2022 7
stated that staff recommended a phased approach for this effort to gauge the level of support without expending the full budget of this item.
Phase One - $8,600 for the development and implementation of a property owner survey to gauge support for the creation of the Assessment District and to obtain input from property owners as to what types of capital improvements would be most beneficial to their individual properties. Subsequent phases would proceed based on outcome of Phase One and Land Use Committee direction.
Phase Two - $24,200 - Pending outcome of Phase One, update analysis prepared in January 2021 to reflect current construction costs and planned improvements and to refine methodology used and use the analysis to estimate assessments on parcels that would receive benefits from capital improvements.
Development Impact Fees
Senior Planner Sinkula explained that Development Impact Fees are intended to cover the costs of capital improvements noting that improvements need not be within a defined district area and cannot be used for operations and maintenance. Ms.
Sinkula stated that potential new fees would be used for capital improvements to parks, library, City facilities, and drainage facilities. She explained that Development Impact Fees are:
1) Imposed only on new development, typically when a building permit is issued, 2) A one-time payment, not an annual assessment, and
3) Can only be used to fund capital needs arising from the impact of new development.
Ms. Sinkula stated the agreement would authorize Stanley R. Hoffman Associates to conduct the analysis necessary to establish Development Impact Fees, at a cost of $34,800, including:
1.Developing growth projections for residential and non-residential development in the Specific Plan area.
2. Establishing current and projected capital needs.
3. Converting capital needs to estimated capital costs.
4. Establishing a fair share allocation of the capital costs to new development.
The Land Use Committee recommended bringing these options to the full City Council for consideration. The Committee noted that any fees are a potential constraint to development and the City should consider that when contemplating new fees. They also expressed concern that establishment of an Assessment District may not be supported by property owners in the NBPSP area, and 3.
Recommended use of the phased approach for the Assessment District to gauge property owner support before commencing with the full study.
City of Westlake Village
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
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May 25, 2022 8
Following City Council discussion, it was the consensus that information and collaboration received from businesses by conducting the Phase One survey would be beneficial to the City and the outcome will determine proceeding with Phase Two.
Councilmember Mcsweeney moved that the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with Stanley R. Hoffman Associates for preparation of a development impact fee study and special benefit assessment district survey and study and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Councilmember Honig seconded the motion.
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Mcsweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tern
Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
None
None
None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. MALIBU FOUNDATION CLIMATE VULNERABILITY DISCUSSION
City Manager de Geus introduced Shea Cunningham and Dean Kubani from The Malibu Foundation who presented an overview of their recently completed Resilience Report.
Ms. Cunningham reported the project's three objectives included: ldentifing climate change hazards in the region with a focus on most vulnerable populations;, Proposing strategies to increase climate resilience, sustainability, and capacity to adapt to extreme heat, fire and other hazards, and Serving as an actionable guide for regional collaboration by local governments, regional agencies, individuals, neighborhood groups and other stakeholders.
Ms. Cunningham and Mr. Kubani provided comprehensive findings and recommendations on:
a. Methodology
b. Climate Hazard Assessment
c. Wildfire Risk to Potential Structures
d. Extreme Precipitation Comparison
e. Road Vulnerability
f. Coastal Flooding Hazard Sea Level Rise & 100-Year Storm g. Social Vulnerabilities
h. Critical Infrastructure Assessment
City of Westlake Village
NEW BUSINESS (continued):
City Council Minutes
May 25. 2022 9
Mr. Kubani explained Malibu Foundation's next steps, 2022 commitments and provided links to the Executive Summary www.themalibufoundation.org/executivesummary, Our Climate Crisis Full Report www.themalibufoundation.org/resilience-report.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Halpern introduced Mayor Pro Tern Pearl's mother, Judy Pearl, visiting from Texas.
Mayor Halpern adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Brad
~ Halpern, Mayor
Attest:
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk