SLOT NESTAR DIETE
RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN MOSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the City Council
July 26, 2023
CALL TO ORDER:
This Regular Meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Pearl on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 6:33 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, Assistant City Manager Wilson, Planning Director Forbes, City Clerk Mann, City Engineer Hughes, City Traffic Engineer Wessel, Administrative Analyst Mott, and Community Services Coordinator Roush.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Davis 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 July 26. 2023 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Minutes of the June 28, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting, July 12, 2023 City Council Study Session, and July 12, 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:
Business of the Quarter 2023 Recognition -- Bonibi Coffee Mayor Pearl and Josh Gray, Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, made resentations to Bonibi Coffee as the 2023 second quarter recipient of the City of Westlake Village/Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Recognition. Owners, Alper and Arda Caymaz, and Jenna Crisafulli expressed their appreciation for the honor and acknowledgement. Councilmembers congratulated Alper and Arda Caymaz.
2023 Westlake Village Citizen and Youth of the Year Recognition Mayor Pearl announced the 2023 Youth of the Year is Shai Adams. Shai Adams recently graduated from Agoura High School and demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Climate Action Leadership Program, organized and worked at events on sustainability and volunteered at local food banks.
Mayor Pearl presented a plaque and a $500 scholarship check to Shai Adams.
Councilmembers congratulated Shai Adams.
Mayor Pearl announced the 2023 Citizen of the Year is Dr. Ted Corwin. Dr. Corwin has volunteered for many years, been a member of the Public Safety Advisory Board since 2017, regularly provides thoughtful feedback and suggestions for helping maintain and improve the quality of life in Westlake Village, and overall has demonstrated exemplary citizenship.
Mayor Pearl presented a plaque to Dr. Ted Corwin and announced that Dr. Corwin selected the Westlake Women's Club as the non-profit to receive a $500 donation on his behalf from the City. Councilmembers congratulated Dr. Ted Corwin.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Jim Bukowski, Civil Grand Jury experience
COUNCIL RESPONSE:
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Bukowski for his service on the Civil Grand Jury.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus stated that the Las Virgenes School District announced the White Oak Elementary School fencing project construction could begin during Winter Break with the height lowered to 6 feet, a setback added allowing for more open space around the school, and a city/school district facilities use agreement will be implemented to allow for field use during non-school hours.
Mr. de Geus reviewed City events including the Movie in the Park held on July 22, 2023 and the upcoming Los Angeles Sheriff's National Night Out event scheduled for August 1, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Westlake Village Community Park, hosted by the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.
Planning Director Forbes discussed the Waste Management (WM) trash pickup service schedule change commencing July 31, 2023; neighborhoods south of the 101 Freeway Will change to Monday (except Sycamore Canyon Estates will change to Friday); and neighborhoods north of the 101 Freeway will change to Wednesday. Mr. Forbes also reminded residents that WM has a backyard valet service for an additional fee, where they pull and return your trash cans from the curb.
City Manager de Geus stated the FireGrazer goats began their annual weed abatement in the City and announced upcoming City Council meeting topics for the September 13, 2023, study session and regular meeting.
Lastly, Mr. de Geus congratulated Community Services Coordinator Roush on her recognition at the 40 Under 40 Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce event and announced the promotion of Josephine Wilson to Assistant City Manager.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmember Honig offered congratulations to both Ms. Roush and Ms. Wilson.
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MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Sheriff's Department Report
Deputy Brian Knott reviewed the June 2023 crime and traffic report and commented that a catalytic converter etching event will be scheduled in the Fall. Deputy Knott 1, trom 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the
2. Fire Department Report
City Manager de Geus reported that fire personnel are currently at a Command Center in Calabasas tending to local fires and are unable to attend tonight's City Council meeting. Councilmembers expressed appreciation to Los Angeles County Fire Department for keeping the City safe.
3. Chamber of Commerce Report
Josh Gray, Director of Government Affairs and Tourism, highlighted recent and upcoming events of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce including the ribbon cutting at BluePrint Music Studios in Westlake Village, the 40 Under 40 Recognition event, Breakfast on the Greens, applications for the 2023/24 Leadership Conejo are still being accepted , and the Taste of Conejo event is scheduled for October 1, 2023 at the Westlake Hyatt. Registration information for events is located at www.conejochamber.org.
Councilmember McSweeney thanked the Chamber of Commerce for including safety personnel in the 40 Under 40 event.
Library Report
Julie Frieze, Manager of the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library, presented the Library's report for the month of June 2023 covering trattic, circulation, programs, and reference requests. Ms. Frieze stated that book clubs and other programming for adults and teens begin soon with details
https://lacountylibrary.org/westlake-village-library/.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
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PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 304-23 PERTAINING TO ELECTION SIGNS. ORDINANCE TITLE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
WESTLAKE VILLAGE AMENDING THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL
CODE TO UPDATE SIGN REGULATIONS AND APPROVING A CEQA
EXEMPTION DETERMINATION
Mayor Pearl opened the Public Hearing. Planning Director Forbes presented a request to amend regulations on campaign signs associated with local, state, or federal elections; as well as elections conducted by a homeowner's association (HOA) or property owners' association (POA). The sign regulations were last updated in 2016.
Mr. Forbes reviewed the current requirements for elections signs and highlighted all recommended changes.
Summary of Current and Recommended Election Sign Regulations Requirement Current Recommended
Public Right-of- Government election signs No signs allowed in any Public Way (medians, allowed Right-of-Way
parks)
HOA/POA election signs not
allowed
Private Property 1 sign per office or measure No change, except allow full on the ballot sign allotment on each street
frontage on corner lots
Restrict HOA/POA election
signs to the applicable
neighborhood only
Timing Allow placement 21 days Adjust to 45 days before before Election Election to allow sign
placement.
Removal 2 days after
Election Remove 2 days after Election.
Size and Height 6 square feet maximum No changes in size and height 5 feet tall maximum requirements.
6 square feet maximum per
window
The Land Use Committee (Davis/Honig) considered the proposed changes to the election sign regulations on March 1, 2023. The Committee supported the recommended changes, except for the prohibition of signs in the public right-of-way.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis desired to continue allowing signs in the public right-of-way City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village July 26. 2023 6
PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
and Councilmember Honig recognized the aesthetic and potential safety concerns; she did not make a recommendation on signs in the public right-of-way.
Mayor Pearl closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis read a statement and submitted it to the City Clerk for the record.
City Council discussion included the timing for signs, placement in the public right- of-way, additional signs on corner lots, regulation of signs on private property, sign pollution and safety concerns with signs in the public right-of-way. City Attorney Boga advised City Council that there is no first amendment right for a private party to place signs on public property and the City may regulate the duration of sign placement. The City cannot govern the content of a temporary sign.
City Attorney Boga clarified staffs recommendation for the motion in the staff report and then provided a summary of council discussion and consensus to amend the proposed ordinance.
Councilmember Halpern moved to waive the full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 304-23 with two amendments:
a. Adjust the timing to allow election sign placement 35 days before the election, and
b. No allowance for additional signs on corner lots.
Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney and Mayor Pearl
NO: Councilmember Honig and Mayor Pro Tem Davis
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ORDINANCE NO. 304-23 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE AMENDING
THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE SIGN REGULATIONS AND
APPROVING A CEQA EXEMPTION DETERMINATION
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 3-Yes; 2-No (Councilmember Honig and Mayor Pro Tem Davis)
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City of Westlake Village July 26. 2023
MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Engineering Department Report
City Engineer Hughes provided the Engineering Department Status Report highlighting that staff has recently implemented PlanetBids for online bidding process. The first bid will be the sidewalk improvement project bid.
2. Planning Department Report
Planning Director Forbes provided the Planning Department Status Report with more details on the proposed Lindero Residential Project, stating that on July 12, 2023, that the preliminary application did not include all information. On July 21, 2023 the applicant submitted the additional material; staff is currently reviewing.
Thousand Oaks General Plan update comment letter will be prepared for presentation on September 13, 2023.
3. Cultural Recreation Report
Community Services Coordinator Roush reported on July events (4th of July events), the Mirage Concert (July 15) and Movie in the Park (Jul 22). Upcoming Summer Entertainment Series events for August were highlighted noting the calendar is posted at www.wlv.org/events Residents were encouraged to come and enjoy the fun.
Councilmember Honig thanked Ella Brink for her assistance this summer with our events as our Summer Intern.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked staff to consider evaluating the option of a drone light show for the 4'h of July event, as a means of reducing pollution and noise caused by fireworks.
Mayor Pearl commented on the LED screen for the Movie Night and how it improved the viewing for the audience.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Davis 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 July 15, 2023 in the amount of $236,208.58
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. REDESIGNATION OF LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES VOTING
DELEGATE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE - City Council designated Mayor Pro Tem Ned Davis as Voting Delegate for the 2023 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
2. AGREEMENT WITH TOTAL BARRICADE SERVICE INCORPORATED
FOR SPEED TRAILER DEPLOYMENT - City Council approved a
orofessional services agreement with Total Barricade Service, Inc. for weekly speed trailer deployment services and authorized the Mayor to sian anc execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
STATUS UPDATE ON CALENDAR YEAR 2023 CITY COUNCIL GOALS
City Manager de Geus presented a status of the nine 2023 City Council Goals, noting that these are a snapshot of the work in 2023 thus far and illustrates the variety of programs and services taking place in tandem with the City Council's calendar year goals. In addition to the nine 2023 City Council Goals, Mr. de Geus noted several other achievements for 2023, with more to come.
City Council noted and filed the report
ADOPTION OF THE SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN FINAL REPORT
City Traffic Engineer Wessel presented an overview of the Sidewalk Master Plan Final Report. The report provides background information, field data, conceptual cost estimates, evaluation criteria, a prioritized list of 37 sidewalk segments to be City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village July 26. 2023
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
constructed, general implementation recommendations, and various appendices to serve as a useful reference when selecting capital improvement projects during the budget cycle each year.
Councilmember Honig moved to adopt the Sidewalk Master Plan final report 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.
3. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF COMMUNITY PARK PICKLEBALL
COURTS PROJECT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO
ADVERTISE BIDS
City Engineer Hughes presented a report for consideration of the adoption of the plans and specifications and approval to advertise bids for the construction of the Community Park Pickleball Courts. Providing background information, Ms. Hughes reported that this project includes the removal of 19 parking spaces at the Community Park to install four pickleball courts below the skate park and adjacent to the west side of the soccer fields. She displayed a visual of the proposed Pickleball court location.
Ms. Hughes stated that the bid will be broken into a Base Bid and Additive Bid. The Pickleball Court Plan Base Bid includes an entirely fenced off court play area, and the existing luminaire parking lot lights will remain and be modified to shine on the play area. Benches will be added between the northerly courts and southerly court zones, two entry points, one to the north and a main entry to the south where a paddle rack is located. A waiting area to the south that leads to the main entry will provide seating with three benches and a landscape area enhanced with added boulders for additional seating. The landscape design will install three 24" box Red Push Chinese Pistache trees in the vicinity of the waiting area, providing tree shade as the trees mature. The Base Bid also includes installation of electrical conduit with pull boxes so that full sport court lighting could be added in the future, as well as installation of irrigation piping and valves to support future landscaping.
The Additive Bid items include a sport court lighting system, low interior fencing between courts, an easterly gate, full landscape and irrigation, seated tables and a shade structure. The additive bid items can be selected at contract award, based on the bid prices and overall project cost.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
City Engineer Hughes presented the sound study results conducted by Noise Monitoring Services, which measured the ambient noise that may occur from the Pickleball Courts. The results indicated that it is unlikely that any sound will be perceptible at the residences near the park and concluded that noise impacts are not a concern for this project.
Ms. Hughes reviewed the Lighting Plan, which is in the Additive Bid items, and includes eight new LED lights to provide even illumination across the sport court surface.
City Engineer Hughes discussed the color of the sport courts, which have three color areas: the "Border" which is the portion outside the play area, the "Court" which are the play areas and the non-volley zone (kitchen) where the net is located. City Council selected the triple green sport court color, which has been implemented in the final design.
City Engineer Hughes reviewed the engineering estimate Base Bid stating the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget carried over from FY 2022-23 includes $470,000 for constructing the Pickleball Courts. The Base Court option will provide the four courts, seven benches, fencing, two gates, nets, trees, irrigation, and the electrical infrastructure for a future lighting system. The total project cost as designed is estimated at $648, 190. The primary cause of the increase is a $28,750 cost escalation in site demolition, hauling and grading, plus unit price increases in various line items (fence, gate, and storm drain), $5,000 for the additional concrete in lieu of decomposed granite, and given the volatility in market pricing, the construction contingency was increased to 10%.
Ms. Hughes stated the "all in" project as presented in the updated 100% design submittal is estimated to cost $862,380. The Additive Bid option includes a shade structure over the waiting area, tables and chairs, an east gate, full landscaping, and court lighting. The updated estimate includes a cost reduction of $45,000 in the shade structure line item.
Ms. Hughes provided a summary of the pickleball court operations and maintenance expenses. She noted that the current average maintenance costs of the Community Park are $480,000, that the pickleball courts maintenance costs would be predominantly absorbed by the Community Park Maintenance Budget, and that no increase to the current Park budget is necessary to accommodate the pickleball courts.
Ms. Hughes mentioned there are several funding options that the Council could consider for either the Full Build option or the Base Court option once the bid recommendation is submitted to City Council. City Engineer Hughes noted that the Council is not making a funding commitment at this time and retains the option to City Council Minutes
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
further evaluate the funding options along with the option to not proceed with construction after the review of the bid results.
City Council discussion included the increased costs, funding options, and the value of obtaining a bid to determine what the actual construction costs would be.
Councilmember Honig moved that City Council adopt the plans and specifications for the Community Park Pickleball Courts; and authorize staff to advertise bids for the construction of the Community Park Pickleball Courts. Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Halpern, McSweeney, Honig and Mayor Pro Tem Davis
NO: Mayor Pearl.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Pearl declared the motion passed 4-Yes and 1-No (Mayor Pearl) NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pearl requested that tonight's meeting be adjourned in memory of Robert and Patty Biery. Bob Biery was the Westlake Village Treasurer position since 2001 and will be missed at City Hall.
Mayor Pearl announced the next City Council meeting will be held on September 13, 2023 with a Study Session at 4:30 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
Pa Paul
Ray Pearl, Mayor
Attest:
Antoine boran
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk
BORATED DELI
CALIFORNIA