BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN MeSWEENEY Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
Study Session Meeting of the City Council
October 26, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
This Study Session Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Halpern on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 4:32 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Halpern led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers McSweeney, Honig, Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Pearl, and Mayor Halpern
ABSENT: None
Also Present: City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Deputy City Manager Eskandar, Planning Director Forbes, City Clerk Mann, and Administrative Analyst Mott.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Davis 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.
City Council Study Session Minutes
City of Westlake Village October 26, 2022 2
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
STUDY SESSION:
Legislative Study Session with Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin City Manager de Geus introduced the Study Session, thanking Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin for joining City Council. The Study Session will be a discussion on legislative priorities and issues at the State and local levels and their impacts on Westlake Village and the local region.
Assemblywoman Irwin stated that she is honored to represent this area and provided highlights for the legislative year, which included adopting a historic State budget with the goal of attaining a difference in every California community and adopting bills to assist with connecting residents with services they need.
Assemblywoman Irwin referenced the Bloomberg story from October 25, 2022, stating that California has proven resiliency and the State's gross domestic product will be the fourth largest in the world, overtaking Germany.
California's adopted Budget includes huge investments in infrastructure, education remains a priority, climate change addressed in multiple facets, and the State reserves increased. Funded projects for the region include:
• Project Homekey for the City of Thousand Oaks to acquire and convert a motel and five small homes into permanent housing for homeless residents. • Channel Islands Early Childhood Education Program and lab school. • Train Safety Gates in Simi Valley.
• Purchase of open space to preserve two miles and 1200 acres of coastal property in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Assemblywoman Irwin was successful in passing 17 of the 18 bills she authored.
She highlighted:
• AB 2440 - Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 mandates retailers that sell batteries have a system for acceptance, collection, and proper disposal of used batteries.
• AB 1613 - Crime jurisdiction allows for jurisdictions to work together when multiple offenses occur in multiple jurisdictions allowing for any of the jurisdictions to bring charges.
AB 1394 - Suicide Screening mandates that acute care hospitals adopt universal suicide screening policies for patients.
The State adopted various housing bills this Legislative Session, mandating more construction, more density allowances, and the completion of a Housing Element City Council Study Session Minutes
City of Westlake Village October 26, 2022 3
STUDY SESSION (continued):
for every City. Assemblywoman Irwin emphasized the importance of local and State coordination on housing bills to address concerns about drought and high fire zone conditions. For this regional area, there is a concern over the high cost of fire insurance for many residents. Assemblywoman Irwin would like to partner with elected officials to work on these regional specific concerns. Assemblywoman Irwin stated that California needs more housing, however, we need to work together to ensure housing is placed logically.
City Council discussion topics with Assemblywoman Irwin included housing, water, re concerns, Insurance Commissioner regulations related to fire insurance fo esidents, water source and recycling proiects. broadband, speed limit reduction and education.
Mayor Brad Halpern absent 5:20 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Pearl presided over remainder of the meeting.
City Manager de Geus thanked Assemblywoman Irwin for joining City Council for this informative discussion.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Pearl adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m. to the Regular Session scheduled for 6:30 p.m
Bad blen
Brad Halpern, Mayor
Attest:
Antoiretemman
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk