SECT WESTLAR DIETE
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 22, 2023
CALL TO ORDER:
This Regular Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Pearl on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 6:31 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
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:
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
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City of Westlake Village February 22, 2023 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Minutes of January 25, 2023 and February 8, 2023 City Council Regular Meetings and February 6, 2023 and February 13, 2023 City Council Special Closed Session Meetings as presented. Councilmember Honic 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:
Waste Management Update on New Trash Can Rollout and Services Sandra Pursley, Waste Management Area Director, Public Sector, provided an update on Waste Management services and reviewed the container transition update to ensure all containers comply with state regulations. Ms. Pursley reminded residents of communication options to reach the Waste Management staff.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Kaila Ord and Mitra Sathish, Stop Drowning Now, commented on water safety and drowning prevention.
COUNCIL RESPONSE:
Councilmember Halpern recommended that the Stop Drowning Now topic be referred to the Public Safety Committee. City Council was in agreement with the recommendation.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus reported attending a meeting with Senator Ben Allen, together with Mayor Pearl, and Councilmember Honig. Staff attended a virtual Coyote Summit, Emergency Preparedness Training, and a Regional Emergency Manager Meeting, and is currently updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan, and a Continuity of Operations City Manager de Geus reminded residents that 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.
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COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmember Honig reported attending the Senior Concerns Gala and presented Andrea Gallagher with a proclamation on behalf of City Council.
Mayor Pearl reported participating in the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Interviews as a judge.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Sheriff's Department Report
Deputy Brian Knott presented the Sheriff Department's report for the month of January 2023 including crime statistics and reported that the Coffee with the Deputy event will be postponed due to the winter storm.
Captain Seetoo reviewed five years of crime statistics related to residential burglaries and reported that Deputies are attending homeowner association meetings to discuss safety with residents. She announced a Safety Symposium will be held on April 20, 2023, at the Agoura Recreation Center and that a local resident donated to the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station 11 electric mountain bikes and motorized dirt bikes to be utilized on trails and open space during patrols. Lastly, Captain Seetoo stated the Burglary Taskforce utilized license plate cameras from neighboring cities to solve three commercial burglaries.
2. Fire Department Report
Assistant Chief Drew Smith presented the Fire Department's report for the month of January 2023 and reported on the number of fires, highlighting the mutual aid agreement with Ventura County Fire, medical response calls, and rescue activities conducted. Chief Smith reported that winter storm preparations are in place and encouraged residents to slow down when driving during the storms.
Megan Currier discussed annual brush clearance inspection changes and stated that all parcels within a fire zone are required to be inspected annually. The new Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping platform has identified new structures for annual inspection resulting in an increase of 50 parcels in Westlake New legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 3074, mandates the removal of all flammable materials from within five feet of any structure.
3. Chamber of Commerce Report
Adam Haverstock, Director of Government Affairs and Tourism thanked Mayor Pearl for his participation as a panel member at the recent Civic Leaders Breakfast.
Mr. Haverstock then highlighted recent and upcoming events of the Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce including: a Quarterly Mixer held at the Westlake Yacht Club; Elevate Conejo Valley, Small Business workshops conducted in partnership with the Ventura County Economic Development Collaborative; and the forthcoming Regional Economic Forecast on March 10, 2023. Lastly, Mr.
Haverstock stated that nominations are open for the Chamber's annual Recognition Gala to be held on Friday, May 19. Registration information for events and the nomination form are located at www.conelochamber.org.
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MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS (continued):
4. Library Report
Julie Frieze, Manager of the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library, presented the Library's report for the month of January 2023 covering traffic, circulation, programs, and reference requests.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT
Cit on Januade 30, 202 ated date pubie are are r
Lakeview Complete Street Project, and Speed Trailer Purchase options.
City Traffic Engineer Wessel provided an update on the Sidewalk Master Plan project, stating the next steps include presenting the topic to the Public Safety Advisory Board in March 2023, holding a City Council Study Session in April 2023, completing the plan and map in May 2023, presenting the draft to the Public Safety Advisory Board in June 2023, and presenting to City Council for adoption in July 2023.
Mr. Wessel stated the Lakeview Complete Street Project was presented twice to the Public Safety Committee. An additional refinement is in process and will be presented back to the Public Safety Committee before presenting to City Council at a Study Session.
Mr. Wessel reported that the City has funds to purchase a second speed trailer.
Trailer options were discussed with the Public Safety Committee. However, no consensus was reached on which model to purchase. Mr. Wessel reviewed the options with City Council and requested direction on which trailer to purchase.
City Council discussion concluded that the Smart 18+ trailer should be purchased.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PUBLIC HEARING: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 301-23 TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE 2022 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE
CODE TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS, AND
ADDITIONS; AND INCLUDING FINDINGS, FEES, AND PENALTIES; AND
APPROVING A CEQA DETERMINATION
Mayor Pearl opened the Public Hearing. Planning Director Forbes reported that on January 25, 2023, the City Council introduced Ordinance Number 301-23 to adopt by reterence the 2022 Los Angeles County Fire Code (votion Passed: [Vote: 4- Yes; 0-No; 1-Absent; O-Abstain]). California Government Code Section 50022.3 requires City Council to conduct a Public Hearing prior to adopting ordinances by reference. No changes were made to Ordinance Number 301-23 after introduction.
Mayor Pearl closed the Public Hearing.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
Councilmember McSweeney moved to waive the second reading in full and adopt Ordinance No. 301-23. Councilmember Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Mayor Pearl.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ORDINANCE NO. 301-23: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE TITLE 32 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2022
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS
DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS, INCLUDING FINDINGS, FEES AND PENALTIES;
AND AMENDING THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 5-0
MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. Engineering Department Report
City Engineer Hughes reported statt is working with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to receive the Letter of No Prejudice for the Measure R tunds, totaling $1.305 million for the design and construction of sidewalk segments in this fiscal year. Staff is still working with the Westlake Canyon Oaks and Westpark Condos Homeowner Associations on the easements for the Lindero sidewalk segments (Agoura Road to Baronsgate and Whim Drive to Hedgewall Drive). Related to Watershed, at the recent North Santa Monica Bay Watershed meeting, the City's application was approved to be submitted to the Regional Oversight Committee for review and approval. If approved, the City could be awarded $300,000 for the Technical Resources Program Project.
Councilmember Halpern requested information on the construction project, North of Lindero. Ms. Hughes responded the Calleguas Municipal Water District stated it is an 18-month project and it was about halfway complete.
Planning Department Report
Planning Director Forbes stated an overview of Waste Management's new citywide waste cart roll-out was provided to residents including an additional container update flyer, and the Development Impact Fees Study is still in progress and will be presented to the Land Use Committee in April, along with fence and wall regulations recommendations.
Councilmember McSweeney inquired about the fence and wall regulations and if repairs and inspections were under consideration, in addition to height restrictions.
Mr. Forbes stated that repairs fall under property maintenance and can be address under the current code regulations.
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MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS (continued):
3. Cultural Recreation Report
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Consent Calendar. 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.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective February 15, 2023 in the amount of $ 309,947.64
GENERAL BUSINESS:
ACCEPTANCE OF LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION CONTROLLERS
INSTALLED BY SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY - The Council accepted the completed construction of the landscape irrigation controllers by SiteOne, authorized the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Irrigation Controller Purchase Agreement and authorized the City Clerk to execute and record a "Notice of Completion" on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. HERITAGE TREE DESIGNATION PROGRAM
Senior Planner Sinkula provided a background on the Heritage Tree Designation Program which is intended to recognize non-oak species of trees within the City that have special community value. The criteria for the program include trees located or orivate or City property, which are required to be a healthy, non-invasive non-oak species that meet one or more of three defined resource categories below:
• Aesthetic Resource - physical presence of the tree is an integral part of the landscape and/or a landmark of the community, and the tree is an exceptional specimen in regards to size, form (e.g., structural interest), rarity, and/or uniqueness.
Ecological Resource - provides habitat for an animal species that has a protented or eded of special once hunter stated federal all, protects water quality, or provides essential corridors linking habitats.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
• Historical Resource - recognized by virtue of age, cultural significance, and/or an association with a notable local or regional historical event, person, structure, or landscape.
Residents may submit a designation application for their own trees at no cost.
Planning staff will review the initial application and if the tree meets the criteria, the City arborist would conduct further review of the tree and submit a recommendation.
The entire application and arborist reports would be presented to the Land Use Committee and if approved, submitted to City Council for a resolution adoption.
Once designated, residents would still be responsible for maintaining their tree. City will provide a plaque commemorating the tree designation. Additionally, property owners of designated trees will have the option to be included as part of the "Heritage Trees of Westlake Village" self-guided tour map that will provide the location, photographs, and a description of the heritage tree on the City's website.
On City property, staff or City Council would recommend trees which must meet the same criteria as residential trees. If designated, these trees will be added to the self-guided tour map that will serve to highlight the City's resources for all residents and visitors.
On October 4, 2022, the Land Use Committee (Pearl/Honig) discussed the proposed program and provided direction to staff that this program should also provide intormation to residents on the value of trees and how to best care for trees.
The Committee also noted that heritage trees should be non-oak species, the program should be voluntary, as the permit requirement and protections that will be triggered by heritage tree designation can be costly. The Committee wanted to avoid the removal of trees prior to designation in an attempt to circumvent these requirements.
On February 1, 2023, the Land Use Committee (Davis/Honig) reviewed the program and expressed their support for the program as drafted and recommended that the program move forward to the full City Council for review and consideration.
Council discussed the voluntary program, tree maintenance costs, and encouraged residents to participate and take pride in the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved to approve the Heritage Tree Designation Program, authorize staff to begin implementation of the program, and find that approval of the program is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. 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
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NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pearl announced the next City Council meeting will be held on March 8, 2023 with a Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Attest:
Untoinettembram
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk