COOTEST ARE TETE
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
APRIL 12, 2023 - 6:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER:
This Regular Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Pearl on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 6:32 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: City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Deputy City Manager Eskandar,
Diato Forbes, nitra Clerk ices City Engineer Hughes, ning Administrative Analyst Mott.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Agenda as presented.
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
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City of Westlake Village April 12, 2023 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Minutes of March 22, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting 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:
1. Proclamation - Donate Life Month - April 2023
Mayor Pearl welcomed Jamie Alcroft to the podium and proclaimed April 2023 as DMV/Donate Life California Month, encouraging all residents and Californians to become organ donors simply by checking "YES" when applying for or renewing their driver's license or I.D. card at the DMV.
Mayor Pearl presented the April 2023 - DMV/Donate Life California Month proclamation to Jamie Alcroft, International Ambassador for OneLegacy.org. Mr.
Alcroft discussed the importance of organ donors and encouraged all residents to become organ donors.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus reported on Council Chamber upgrades (televisions and high- definition camera) and upgrades to the media room and thanked City staff and the Network Television Time staff for coordinating the project. Mr. de Geus announced that a Vaccine Clinic sponsored by the Westlake Village Library will be held at the Westlake Village Civic Center Community Room on May 2, 2023 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Appointments are recommended using www.myturn.ca.gov.
Water levels across the State of California have drastically improved due to the winter storms. Metropolitan Water District rescinded their emergency drought declaration on March 15, 2023, ending the one-day-a-week watering restriction for Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) customers. Residents were reminded to continue conserving water.
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STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
City Manager de Geus reported that April has multiple Earth Month events planned, and encouraged residents to attend and participate:
• Saturday, April 15th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Trail Clean-Up with Conejo Open Space Conservancy Agency at the Wishbone Trail above the Community Park. • Saturday, April 22nd from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Earth Day Festival at the Community Park with local businesses and non-profit partners, free sunset yoga, and a screening of Wall-E at sundown. The first 100 guests to fill up at the LVMWD water station will receive a gift from the City.
• Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Bi-Annual Shred Event with Waste Management. Residents can bring up to four boxes or bags of paper for shredding.
Residents will also receive a free tabletop trashcan and food waste bin.
Mr. de Geus highlighted upcoming City Council Committee meetings and upcoming City Council meeting topics. He noted that information about the April 26, 2023 Study Session project discussion is located at www.wlv.org/Lindero_and reminded residents that the Study Session is informational only with no City Council decisions to be made at this meeting.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Mayor Pearl reported meeting with Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to discuss City and County issues at Westlake Village City Hall; Westlake Village hosted a regional luncheon with the Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments Cities and California Senator Ben Allen; Mayor Pearl attended a dinner meeting at the Getty House with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass; Mayor Pearl and Councilmember McSweeney informed White Oak Elementary School Office Manager Cecilia DePippo that she is the first Westlake Village Kindness Award recipient and invited her to the April 26, 2023 City Council meeting; and today the City hosted a dozen students from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley for a City Hall tour. Mayor Pearl thanked staff for their preparation for these meetings and providing talking points.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis thanked Mayor Pearl for representing the City Council at these various meetings.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT - COYOTE SAFETY; PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN; PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD Administrative Analyst Mott provided an update on coyote safety measures and how to deal with coyotes in the City and Wildland Urban Interface as sightings and interaction have risen.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Mr. Mott stated that Coyotes are an integral part of our ecosystem, biosphere, and the circle of life. Coyotes are not just found in rural areas and often scavenge for food or water in suburban and urban areas. Coyotes are pack creatures and typically do not want to interact with or attack humans. However, they are attracted to residential areas for food or water. Westlake Village has unique areas where coyotes can find water, shelter, or food within the city limits.
Staff have been focusing on educating the public on how to reduce coyote attractants and effective hazing methods to discourage their behavior. This includes education articles in the City's Newsletter, Video Newsletter, Facebook page and website. In February 2023, "Westlake Village Discovers: The Great Outdoors" featured educational speakers from Teranga Ranch on coyote attractants and human-coyote interactions.
Regarding Coyote trapping as suggested by residents, Mr. Mott stated that trapping is a controversial and often unsuccessful method used to remove problem coyotes from an area and is illegal in California. Removing a coyote from a population can exacerbate overall sightings and interactions with humans.
Coyotes are pack creatures that rely on an alpha male and female to populate a pack. Removing one or both of the alpha pair can cause new packs to form and more litters of pups to be born.
On March 16, 2023, the Public Safety Committee (Pearl/Halpern) discussed Coyotes. Members from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff attended the meeting and provided professional input on the topic. The Public Safety Committee recommended staying on the current course of public education asking staff to continue incorporating outreach and education related to coyotes throughout the City's various communication channels.
Deputy City Manager Eskandar presented an update on the Pedestrian Safety Education Campaign slogan, noting that Public Safety is the highest City Council priority. He provided the following background on how the slogan was developed :- on January 12, 2022, the City Council adopted a comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Study which included a series of goals to build a safer, more pedestrian friendly Westlake Village. The Pedestrian Safety Study purpose was to "Create and promote a community culture of safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers through thoughtful study and best practices including education, engineering, and law enforcement." Later in 2022, the City Council directed staff to begin the implementation of the Study with an initial focus on building sidewalks and carrying out a pedestrian safety education campaign.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Staff worked with Tripepi Smith, the Public Safety Committee and the Public Safety Advisory Board and Michael Lang to develop a slogan and graphic. Mr. Eskandar reported that the graphic/slogan will be used with additional text or imagery added for context in targeting specific behaviors. This will include newsletters, Facebook posts, public service announcements and website.
City Council provided input and approval of the public safety slogan, thanking staff for their work and dedication on this project.
Deputy City Manager Eskandar presented an update on the Public Safety Advisory Board (PSAB) recruitment process, stating the 2023 recruitment began in October 2022 and closed in January 2023 with five applications received for five positions (three were from incumbents whose terms were expiring in March 2023, and two were from new applicants).
Mr. Eskandar stated the Public Safety Committee conducted interviews on February 16, 2023 and intended to recommend reappointing three PSAB incumbents and appointing one new member, leaving one vacancy. However, and anointing he shortly after the interview, the new applicant withdrew from consideration Additionally, in early March, another PSAB member, with a term ending in 2025, resigned creating an additional vacancy for a total of 6 unfilled seats.
The Public Safety Committee met on March 16, 2023 to revisit the recruitment process and consider possible revisions to the PSAB guidelines to be consistent with those of the Cultural Recreation Advisory Board. The Committee recommended the following changes:
• Reduce the length of appointment from four years to two years. However, to avoid having the entire PSAB expire in 2025, the five appointments that are filling full terms, would be for the remainder of 3-year terms which would end in March 2026; the one (1) vacant partial position would be appointed to fill the seat through 2025.
• Extend the current members whose terms expired in March 2023 for 6 months to allow for the completion of a new recruitment process. • Use the applications received as part of this year's recruitment and do not require new applications from those individuals if they wish to be considered under the revised guidelines.
Require that a maximum of two members of the PSAB represent a single Homeowners Association to allow for more representation among city residents.
• All applicants, new and returning, will be interviewed during all future recruitments.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
City Council discussed the proposed changes to the guidelines, encouraged residents to apply when recruitment begins, and sought more widespread representation throughout the city.
Councilmember Halpern moved that the City Council extend the term of office on the Public Safety Advisory Board for Scott Perrotty, Stephen Johnson, and Shirley Richards, until September 30, 2023, approve the revised Public Safety Advisory Board Guidelines, and direct staff to open and coordinate the necessary recruitment process. 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Pro Tem Davis 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 April 1, 2023 in the amount of $520,385.19
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. CONSIDERATION OF AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE BUS BENCH
REPLACEMENT PROJECT AND APPROVAL OF NOTICE OF EXEMPTION DETERMINATION - Approved staff's finding of a CEQA categorical exemption for the Bus Bench Replacement Project; awarded a construction contract for the Bus Bench Replacement Project to Loftin Construction, Inc. in the amount of $38,450; and authorized the Mayor to sign and execute the construction contract on behalf of the City.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village April 12, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
2. APPROVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES AUTHORITY FOR FINANCIAL
CONSULTING SERVICES - Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Regional Government Services for financial consulting services ending April 11, 2024, and authorized the Mayor to execute the agreement.
OLD BUSINESS:
FINALIZATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF
NOISE STUDY CONTRACT AWARD FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS
City Engineer Hughes provided an overview of the Pickleball Courts and the project's progress stating that on March 8, 2023, the Pickleball Courts Project and Committee guidance was presented to the City Council. The City Council discussed the design and asked that staff return with more information regarding funding options, directed staff to identify the potential for noise impacts due to the project, and to consider adding a third gate and eliminating decomposed granite (DG) from the base courts option.
Ms. Hughes stated that adding a third gate on the westerly fence of the sport court area leading to the parking area would eliminate one additional parking stall. The designs and specifications would need to be modified to incorporate the additional gate, stairs, stair rails, bollard to protect adjacent car from the gate swing, drainage device and revised striping. The revised layout would need to be reviewed and approved by Los Angeles County Building and Safety for issuance of an updated building permit. It was estimated that these improvements would cost an additional $20,000 to construct. If a third gate was to be added at mid-court, staff recommended it be placed on the east side where an existing DG pathway is available, and it be utilized as an exit only. A concrete pad should be added at the gate to provide a buffer between the DG and the sport court area. The easterly gate was estimated to cost an additional $2,000 to construct.
Ms. Hughes stated from a noise impact perspective, the four pickleball courts are located approximately 1,000 feet away from the nearest residential homes which are downhill and behind the thirty-foot high landscaped berm at the western edge of the soccer fields. However, due to concerns raised about the particular noise that pickleballs make, staff contacted Noise Monitoring Services and obtained a ver due to proposal for conducting a noise study for the Pickleball Courts Project. The study would include measuring ambient sound levels at the nearest sensitive receptors (i.e., the residential homes on Cardoza Drive) and performing a three-dimensional computer noise model to add in the pickleball court activities and assess potential noise impacts. Staff sought City Council direction as to whether to proceed with the proposed noise study that would cost $10,950 and take up to four weeks to complete.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Ms. Hughes presented the funding options for either the full build or base court options. The combined total funding included $492,400 from the current FY 2022- 23 Capital Improvement Program Budget, $174,000 from Los Angeles County Measure A Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) funding, and potentially $500,000 from the Community Benefit Fee on deposit through the Development Agreement with the Cedar Valley Senior Residential Project. . The combined total of these funding options was $1,166,000. These funds could be combined in various ways to fund the Pickleball Courts Project. Three possible funding options were presented to cover the full build or base court build.
Total Potential Funding of $1,166,000
• Option 1: $666,400
• FY22/23 CIP $492,400
• RPOSD Annual Allocation $174,000
• Option 2: $674,000
• Community Benefit Fee of $500,000
• RPOSD Annual Allocation of $174,000
• Option 3: $992,400
• FY22/23 CIP $492,400
• / Community Benefit Fee of $500,000
Staff noted that the final decision on the funding options would not be needed until the project is awarded for construction.
Ms. Hughes stated that the Pickleball Courts Project includes significant concrete construction, which is known to be at a premium during summer months. In addition, the summer months are a peak season for the use of the Community Park and recommended that the bid advertisement for construction bids be delayed until the late summer/fall timeframe to obtain optimal pricing for the proposed improvements and avoid construction during the peak activity season at the park.
City Council discussed and provided direction for staff to adjust the specifications and plans to remove the decomposed granite in the seating area and make it all concrete; to add the third gate, on the East side of the court as an option on the alternatives list; to conduct a noise study; and agreed with staff's recommendation to delay the advertisement for the project to avoid construction during the summer months and increased concrete pricing.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village April 12, 2023
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Councilmember Honig moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Noise Monitoring Services in the amount of $10,950 for a pickleball courts noise study and direct the City Attorney to prepare the agreement. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig, and Mayor Pearl
NO: Mayor Pro Tem Davis
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 4-Yes and 1-No (Mayor Pro Tem Davis).
NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pearl announced the next City Council meeting will be held on April 26, 2023 with a Study Session at 4:00 p.m. on the proposed Lindero Terrace Project and the Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Ra Poul
Ray Pearl, Mayor
Attest:
Antoirettenmans
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk