BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN MOSWEENEY Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
June 8, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
This Regular Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Halpern on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 6:31 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Halpern led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Halpern acknowledged the Council's special guests at the dais.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
ABSENT: None
White Oak Students Shadowing Westlake Village City Council participated in a roll call:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Jacob Cole, Koa Hastings, Leonardo Solorio, Mayor Pro Tem Quinn Wolfson, Mayor Grace Driscoll and City Manager Paul Cort
Also Present: City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Deputy City Manager Eskandar, Administrative Services Director Wilson, Planning Director Forbes, City Clerk Antoinette Mann, City Engineer Hughes, City Traffic Engineer Wessel, Public Works Manager Iverson, Deputy City Clerk Kramer and Community Services Specialist Roush.
For the record, students from White Oak Elementary School were shadowing Westlake Village City Council members. While the minutes reflect the Westlake Village City Councilmembers name, h the voice on the video may be a student.
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl moved to approve the Minutes of the May 25, 2022 City Council Regular Session as presented. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
City Manager Rob de Geus introduced the City to Schools Program, where the City of Westlake Village interacts with White Oak Elementary School 4th Grade Students to introduce the students to civics and local government.
Councilmember Sue McSweeney stated the program teaches students that they have a voice in the city and that we want to listen to them.
Councilmember Sue McSweeney stated that she previously visited the classroom along with City Manager Rob de Geus, Deputy City Manager Eskandar and other City staff attended virtually. On June 1, 2022, the students had a field trip to City Hail where all students participated in a mock City Council meeting. Some students sat on the dais and all others participated in public comments. Tonight, was the culmination of all of the students' efforts with six students shadowing City Council members and actually participating in local government.
White Oak Elementary School 4th Grade teachers Mrs. Van Dyke, Ms. Boss and Mrs.
Gibbel were thanked and acknowledged for participating and supporting the City to School Program.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
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STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus reported June 7, 2022 was the Primary Election, and the City successfully hosted a 4-day Vote Center for Los Angeles County in our City Hall Community Rooms. He thanked City Clerk Mann for working and coordinating the Vote Center with Los Angeles County Elections Division. He noted that the Vote Center provided a convenient, central location for City residents and businesses and was hopeful that in November, the Vote Center will be back at City Hall.
Mr. de Geus reminded the public about the once-a-week outdoor watering restrictions which are now in effect with even-numbered addresses watering on Tuesdays and odd numbered addresses watering on Thursdays. Exceptions included hand watering of trees, drip irrigation systems, and high-efficiency irrigation systems. More information was available at www.LVWMD.com/DroughtResponse. He noted that most of the City parks and medians use recycled water, which has fewer restrictions for watering.
Mr. de Geus provided an update on the Summer Concerts series which began on May 27, 2022 with a Jazz night at City Hall. He noted that June 11, 2022 was the first concert in the Park featuring a Journey Tribute Band at Bernice Bennett Park. He encouraged the community to attend and join in the fun planned for the summer.
City Manager de Geus had White Oak Element Student City Manager Paul Cort report that the goats are arriving on City property to assist with weed abatement and fire protection, providing an environmentally friendly method of removing the weeds.
Approximately 300 goats will be grazing for several weeks in town.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Mayor Brad Halpern reported that he voted in person at City Hall and complemented the process. He mentioned that Westlake Village as the first Planned Community has provided many benefits to the residents. While reduced traffic is a plus, that vision allowed for City parks and medians to be plumbed for reclaimed water, so they will remain green.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
2022 COMMUNITY SERVICE FUNDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE - GRANT
FUND PROGRAM AWARDS
City Manager de • Geus thanked the Community Service Funds Advisory Committee members for their time with this process. He mentioned that the grants will benefit our schools and non-profits, which will ultimately benefit City residents.
Deputy City Manager Eskandar provided an overview of the application process, stating that 30 applications were received, totaling over $200,000. The available funding is $100,000 for which $60,000 goes to community organizations and $40,000 to schools.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Mr. Eskandar stated that the Community Services Advisory Committee consisted of five residents, Councilmembers McSweeney and Honig, and met twice to make a grant recommendation. The themes used for selecting the grant recipients included food security, physical and mental health services, shelter and the number of Westlake Village residents who would be impacted by the grants.
Councilmember discussion included restrictions on how the groups can spend the grant funds. Mr. Eskandar responded that restrictions are listed in the agreement and the agreement states that funds can only be used on programs listed on the application.
Community Services Advisory Committee members in attendance, Marty Blumenthal and Christina "Teena" Wong, were invited to the podium to answer questions on the application review process.
City Councilmembers thanked the Community Services Advisory Committee members for all of their time reviewing the applications and providing a recommendation on awarding the funds that will impact our residents.
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve awarding of the 2022 Community Services Grant Funds as recommended by the Community Services Advisory Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
RECESS
7:01 p.m. City Council went into recess as the White Oak Elementary School Students departed the meeting.
RECONVENED
7:22 p.m. City Council reconvened, all in attendance.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. PUBLIC HEARING: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 293-22 AMENDING ARTICLE 10 OF THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL
CODE REGARDING SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Planning Director Forbes reported that the first reading for the ordinance occurred on May 11, 2022, to adopt by reference the Los Angeles County Code.
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PUBLIC HEARING (continued):
Government Code Section 50022.3 requires that when adopting a code by reference, the second reading must be heard as a Public Hearing, allowing and accepting any public testimony before adopting the proposed ordinance.
Councilmember Davis moved to waive the second reading in full and adopt Ordinance No. 293-22, titled 'An Ordinance of the City of Westlake Village adopting by reference Title 21 and Chapter 22.170 of Title 22 of the Los Angeles County Code, together with certain amendments, additions, and fees, and amending the Westlake Village Municipal Code. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective June 15, 2022 in the amount of $300,457.28
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. ASSEMBLY BILL 361 FINDINGS FOR SPECIAL BROWN ACT
REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECONFERENCE MEETING - City Council made the following 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: (1) the City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the COVID-19 state of emergency; and (2) state and local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social distancing.
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CONSENT CALENDAR (consent):
2. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH WILLDAN ENGINEERING FOR CONTINUED
ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE CITY- Approved Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering, for a two-year extension expiring June 30, 2024 and a revised annual retainer and fee schedule, and the City Manager was authorized to execute the amendment on behalf of the City.
3. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH R3 CONSULTING GROUP, INC. FOR ASSISTANCE
WITH SOLID WASTE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND WASTE HAULER
OVERSIGHT - Approved Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc., to increase the contract amount to $96,000 and amend the scope of services, and the City Manager was authorized to execute the Second Amendment.
4. ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017 (SENATE BILL 1) PROJECT LIST: RESOLUTION NO. 2261-22 - Adopted Resolution 2261-22, identifying sidewalk project along Lindero Canyon Road between Whim Drive and Hedgewall Drive within the Sidewalk Improvement Program as the Annual Street Improvement Program to utilize the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Funds.
5. ORDINANCE SECOND READING: ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 292-22
REGARDING OAK AND HERITAGE TREE PRESERVATION STANDARDS- Waived the second reading in full and adopted Ordinance No. 292-22 titled 'An Ordinance of the City of Westlake Village Regarding Oak and Heritage Tree Preservation Standards and Amending the Westlake Village Municipal Code Chapter 9.21.
OLD BUSINESS:
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23;
RESOLUTION NO. 2262-22
City Manager de Geus introduced the item, stating the proposed budget includes the capital and operation budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023. Mr. de Geus reminded Council that the budget process is very extensive, with staff input, committee meetings and study sessions. The process starts with the City Council Goal session, which are then incorporated in the City's workplan and included in the proposed budget. The 2025 Strategic Plan outlines commitments to providing a safe and welcoming community while preserving and enhancing the unique physical characteristics of our community. Economic forecasts are incorporated into our revenue forecasts, which are very conservative. We have projected a modest surplus and staff will monitor this area quite closely.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Administrative Services Director Wilson provided a background on the city budget adoption, highlighting public meetings that have led up to tonight's presentation.
On May 11, 2022, the City Council approved refunding of City's 2015 Certificates of Participation, and the transaction closed on June 8, 2022, yielding a savings of $754,000 in bond repayment costs for the City.
Administrative Services Director Wilson provided a breakdown of the Fiscal Year Budget by various categories. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget is $20.1 million, a decrease of $140k from the study session figure, of which $14.1 million is allocated to the General Fund and $5.9 million in Restricted Funds. Citywide revenues are $18.1 million, with the three largest revenue sources from Sales Tax, Property Tax and Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT). Restricted revenue will comprise 16% of anticipated revenues. GF expenditures of $14.1 million with the projected revenue of $14.3 million will produce a $185,000 surplus. The City will also receive a one- time allocation of $980,000 in American Rescue Plan funding which benefits the General Fund and reflected in Fund 34. With the inclusion of this funding in the General Fund, the City will have a surplus of $1.1 million.
Administrative Services Director Wilson reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), approved by City Council on April 27, 2022, which comprise of 31 projects at a total cost of $3.8 million. The proposed budget is in conformance with Council Goals, Strategic Plan, Financial Reserve Policy and CIP Fund Policy. The proposed budget also complies with the appropriations limit set by State law.
City Manager de Geus reminded the Council that the budget is in compliance with City Council goals with funding allocated towards achieving those goals. As proposed, the highest priority of the CIP is the Number 1 Council Goal of Pedestrian Safety, with $1.5 million of the total CIP budget allocated towards multiple projects under this goal.
Council discussion included a clarification on the budget surplus; clarification on the American Rescue Plan funds and limitations on how the funds can be spent; landscape budget increases and the effect of the Zero-Emission Landscaping regulations.
Mayor Halpern asked that each Councilmember identify areas of concern with the budget, which may include items to be placed on hold. There was Council deliberation on the pickleball courts, public safety and Pedestrian Safety priorities, consideration of a pilot program for a traffic calming project on Lakeview Canyon, expediting the sidewalk masterplan, budget increases associated with meeting the City's zero-emission standards, dog park renovations, and design work for a Veteran's Memorial.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Mayor Halpern polled the City Council to determine which projects should remain, be added or removed from the proposed budget. Discussion resulted in the pickleball courts remaining, the dog park irrigation valves relocation as the only renovation.
Discussion continued on the Lakeview Canyon Road street safety pilot program.
Traffic Engineer Wessel addressed City Council questions on the pilot program, the desire to reduce speed limits and speed studies. Traffic Engineer Wessel stated this pilot project will need a consultant and community outreach with the desired end result of some options for the pedestrian areas for City Council considerations. Funding of a minimum of $100,000 was suggested for the conceptual design as a first step and outreach.
Mayor Halpern requested that $100,000 be added to the proposed budget for the Lakeview Canyon Road concept plan. Councilmember Davis requested that $25,000 be added to the proposed budget for a conceptual design of a Veteran's Memorial.
Administrative Services Director Wilson summarized the changes in the proposed budget as:
1. Public Art Projects - add $25,000 for a Veteran Memorial Conceptual Design
2. Capital Improvement Projects - add $100,000 to Pedestrian Safety Improvements for the Lakeview Canyon Road concept study
3. Capital Improvement Projects - Dog Park - adjusting funding to only allow for moving of water irrigation valves. No other projects approved at Dog Park.
Councilmember Honig moved to adopt Resolution 2262-22, which appropriates funds for the operating and capital budgets for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, closes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, delegates contract execution authority to the City Manager and establishes appropriations limits as required by the California Constitution and that the following amendments:
1. Public Art Projects - add $25,000 for a Veteran Memorial Conceptual Design
2. Capital Improvement Projects - add $100,000 to Pedestrian Safety Improvements for the Lakeview Canyon Road concept study
3. Capital Improvement Projects - Dog Park - adjusting funding to only allow for moving of water irrigation valves. No other projects approved at Dog Park
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Halpern declared the motion passed 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Halpern adjourned the meeting in honor of Ray Brownfield, a member of the original Cityhood Committee. Mr. Brownfield is known as one of the Founding Fathers for the City of Westlake Village as he was instrumental in Westlake Village becoming a City.
Mayor Halpern adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Bad Cals
Brad Halpern, Mayor
Attest:
Antointimbrant
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk