SLUT ESTAME TREM
RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN McSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
FEBRUARY 8, 2023
CALL TO ORDER:
This Regular Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Pearl on Wednesday, February 8,2023, at 6:31 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Pearl led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl
ABSENT: None
Also Present: City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Administrative Services Director Wilson, Planning Director Forbes, Deputy City Manager Eskandar, City Clerk Mann, City Treasurer Biery and City Engineer Hughes.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 5-0
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 8, 2023 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Minutes of the January 25, 2023 Study Session as presented. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 5-0
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
City Manager de Geus introduced the agenda item and Administrative Services Director Wilson provided an overview of the City of Westlake Village's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2022, stating the report provides a narrative overview and analysis of the financial activities of the City for the fiscal year. MS.
Wilson noted that the City's Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Annual Report was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, for the 17'h consecutive year, from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Administrative Services Director Wilson introduced Mr. Bin Zeng, Principal with Moss, Levy & Hartzheim, the City's independent auditing firm. Mr. Zeng 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:
Ronnie Stone, President & CEO, Southeast Ventura County YMCA, provided an update on the YMCA.
Andrew Suser, Westlake Village, commented on safety concerns related to Coyotes.
Lynn Krause, Westlake Village, commented on safety concerns related to Coyotes.
Mayor Pearl responded that staff and the Public Safety Committee will be discussing the topic of Coyotes at an upcoming meeting and recommended that the public attend that meeting.
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 8, 2023 3
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus commented on the concerns related to Coyotes, stated Public Safety announcements have been published in the City's monthly newsletter, and that one of the topics at the February 11th Westlake Village Discovers event will include Coyotes. Mr. de Geus noted that staff continues to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on this issue and lastly, that Coyote concerns will be discussed at the Public Safety Committee Meeting on February 28, 2023 at 3:30 pm.
Mr. de Geus mentioned that with the recent rain, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District has scaled back its emergency drought declaration. However, the one-day-per week watering requirement will continue until the Metropolitan Water District removes its emergency water restriction. Residents are encouraged to change their landscape to more drought tolerant landscaping.
Mayor Pearl spoke at the Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce Civic Leaders Breakfast with other local Mayors and Los Angeles County Supervisor Horvath.
City Manager de Geus reminded residents to attend the City's Westlake Village Discovers event, on February 11, 2023 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Civic Center. The theme is "The Great Outdoors." The City is accepting nominations for Citizen and Youth of the Year Awards. Nominations close February 25, 2023. Residents are encouraged to nominate fellow community members. The Westlake Village Community Foundation's 2023 High School Senior Scholarship application is posted at www.wlv.org/scholarship.
Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2023, and applicants must be City of Westlake Village residents to be eligible.
Mr. de Geus highlighted upcoming City Council Committee meetings and upcoming City Council meeting topics.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmember Halpern commented on Waste Management's roll out of the new trash cans. He expressed concerns that residents were not informed about the trash can swap and asked staff to provide details.
Planning Director Forbes stated that state legislation requires all trash cans to be black with colored lids (black for trash, blue for recycling and green for organics). Waste Management is working through the neighborhoods to remove the old cans and deliver new trash cans. Due to supply chain issues, the delivery of the new trash cans was delayed.
Councilmember Davis stated the change in the trash can colors is a new nation-wide standardization. Related to the Coyotes, Mr. Davis noted that due to their low food source, they are appearing in neighborhoods and said that for safety purposes, air horns tend to scare off the coyotes.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 8, 2023 4
COUNCIL COMMENTS (continued):
Mayor Pearl requested that staff prepare a schedule for the trash can roll out and provide this information to City Council and residents.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective February 1, 2023 in the amount of $ 672,720.59
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. ASSEMBLY BILL 361 FINDINGS FOR SPECIAL BROWN ACT
REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS - Made the
ollowing findings so that teleconference meetings of the City Council and the ity's Committees can continue to be conducted pursuant to the AB 361 specia 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.
2. 2023 APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT ADVISORY COMMITTEE - Appointed Abel Pomar, Kim Brockman, Marty Blumenthal, Christine Wong, and Gladys Lopez, to the 2023 Community Service Grant Advisory Committee.
3. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 - Approved the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2022 as submitted.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 8, 2023 5
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
4. RE-APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT BIERY AS CITY TREASURER;
RESOLUTION NO. 2283-23 - Adopted Resolution No. 2283-23.
RESOLUTION No. 2283-23: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE REAPPOINTING ROBERT BIERY AS
CITY TREASURER
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
1. APPROVAL OF THE CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS' PENSION PREFUNDING
TRUST (CEPPT) PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND AUTHORIZATION OF A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT OF $1,000,000; RESOLUTION NO. 2284-23 Administrative Services Director Wilson introduced the staff recommendation to approve the California Employers' Pension Prefunding Trust (CEPPT) and provided background on prior City Council actions related to Trust entities:
• Pursuant to a City Council Goal in 2013, the City retained the services of Bartel and Associates to prepare a valuation to determine the City's Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) or Health Benefit Trust. The study projected liability or debt of $1.1 million as of June 30, 2013, in addition to the required $192,000 annual contribution.
• June 25, 2014, City Council approved the first irrevocable trust with CalPERS to fund the Health Benefit Trust with a $1,000,000 payment to pay down the OPEB liability and $400,000 over two years to fund the trust. • The City also considered whether to establish the Trust with CaPERS or the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) and selected CaPERS Health Benefit Trust with Investment Strategy 1.
• Ms. Wilson stated that results from Council's prior actions to establish the trust and fund the OPEB was financially prudent and has achieved a fully funded status as of June 30, 2022. She noted that total assets as of January 31, 2023 are $1.6 million, expenses to date at $6,200, and that the City has realized earnings of $392,000. The OPEB Trust has netted an annualized net rate return of 5.73% in only 8.4 years.
Administrative Services Director Wilson presented an opportunity to invest in a similar Trust for pension benefits. Based on the last valuation report, June 30, City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 8, 2023 6
NEW BUSINESS (continued):
2021, the City's pension plan was projected to be fully funded at 100% or more as of June 30, 2023. However, with the negative investment return with CaPERS, CalPERS has indicated that the City may be faced with a decrease in the true funded status to about 87% for the pension plan as of June 30, 2022 resulting in new pension debt payments. Working with City Treasurer Bob Biery, Staff has worked to proactively strategize on the best financial option for the City.
Administrative Services Director Wilson presented a proposed consideration to open a Pension Trust with a one-time investment of $1,000,000. The Pension Trust will not include ongoing contribution with an expected return rate of 4.5%. The cumulative earnings, with no additional contribution, after 10-years is estimated at $614,000, with total fees of to administer the Trust at $35,000. Staying in alignment with the previous Council decision, Investment Strategy 1 is recommended for this new Trust with CaPERS.
Ms. Karen Lookingbill, Outreach and Support Manager for CaPERS presented details on the Prefunding Trust, including contributions and rate of return.
Administrative Services Director Wilson stated that CaPERS has indicated that the city may be facing future pension debt obligations. The City currently has a surplus of funds that can be invested in this Trust to yield a higher rate of return and used to pay down future debt obligations.
Councilmember McSweeney moved to adopt Resolution No. 2284-23 approving the California Employers' Pension Prefunding Trust (CEPPT) Participation Agreement with CalPERS, for the City to participate in the CEPPT, authorizing certain positions in the City to request disbursements from the CEPPT Trust; to file the necessary forms with CalPERS, and to make a one-time contribution of $1,000,000 to open the CEPPT Section 115 Trust with CalPERS. Councilmember Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl.
NO: Non
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RESOLUTION No. 2284-34: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE ADOPTING AND APPROVING AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS' PENSION PREFUNDING TRUST PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRIBUTION OF $1 MILLION Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 5-0
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 8, 2023
NEW BUSINESS (continued):
2. REVIEW OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 MID-YEAR BUDGET
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and Administrative Services Director Wilson presented the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget, highlighting revenues and expenditures. The top three revenue sources, namely, Property Tax, Sales Tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax are maintaining a strong performance compared to the same period last year. Ms. Wilson stated that overall, the City is anticipated to meet its revenue projections by year-end Ms. Wilson also provided an update on the mid-year budget adjustments, fund balance projections, and fiscal year-end predictions. Finally, she provided an update on the recently-released State budget and upcoming budget process for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Councilmember McSweeney moved that the City Council note and file this report Councilmember Honig seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 5-0
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pearl announced the next City Council meeting will be held on February 22, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Ban Peel
Ray Pearl, Mayor
Attest:
Untoinetonmans
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk