NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN McSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
Special Meeting of the City Council
February 7, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
This special meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 6:34 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Honig, and Mayor Davis
ABSENT: Councilmember McSweeney
Also Present: City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Assistant City Manager Wilson, City Clerk Mann, Planning Director Asp, City Engineer Hughes, City Traffic Engineer Wessel, Senior Administrative Analyst Mott, Deputy City Clerk Kramer, and Community Services
Coordinator Roush.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem Honig, and Mayor Davis
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember McSweeney
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Davis declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No and 1 Absent (Councilmember McSweeney)
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None.
Councilmember McSweeney arrived at 6:36 p.m.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
1. Presentation - Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 by City's Auditing Firm - Moss, Levy & Hartzheim Assistant City Manager Wilson provided an overview of the City of Westlake Village's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023, 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 2021-2022 Annual Report was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, for the 18th consecutive year, from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Assistant City Manager 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.
Councilmember Halpern expressed his pleasure and satisfaction in the City's financial health and thanked Staff for their good stewardship.
Mayor Davis requested clarification regarding the audit statement "that noted no transactions entered into by the City during the fiscal year for which there was a lack of authoritative guidance". Mr. Zeng provided clarification.
Councilmember McSweeney inquired as to the longevity of Moss, Levy & Hartzheim's auditing for the City.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager de Geus reported Westlake Village received 10 inches of rain in the recent and Valenes, with ve prona targeted maintenance inspections proto ana do in in. storm which helped mitigate three back-to-back storm events. He expressed appreciation for the work accomplished by the Engineering and Public Works staff.
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STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
Mr. de Geus provided an update on the Sidewalk Construction Project (construction on the new segments of sidewalk has begun on northbound Lindero Canyon Road between Janlor and Hedgewall Drives, and southbound between Agoura and Baronsgate Roads) stating that rough grading for the sidewalk, trenching for utility lines, replacement of irrigation lines, and installation of fiber conduit is nearly complete. Sidewalk construction is anticipated to be completed this Spring.
City Manager de Geus reported on the ongoing City Beautification projects: completion of the exterior painting at City Hall and the resurfacing of basketball courts at Berniece Bennett Park and Three Springs Park which is scheduled to start the week of February 12, 2024, weather conditions permitting. Mr. de Geus reported that the City's landscape company, American Heritage, is utilizing electric equipment, including new electric lawnmowers when landscaping City properties.
Mr. de Geus provided an update on the White Oak Elementary School Fence stating the fence will be six feet in height with multiple access gates to allow residents to use the field during non-school hours as part of a Joint Use Agreement which is in the development stages. The earliest the fence construction will begin is during Spring Break 2024, which is the first week of April.
City Manager de Geus announced two new businesses opening soon: Hibye Coffee, 30770 Russell Ranch Road, Suite D, in the Shoppes at Westlake Village, and Lava Kitchen located at 4661 Lakeview Canyon Road in the County Line Shopping Center.
Mr. de Geus concluded by highlighting agenda topics for the upcoming February 28, 2024 City Council Meeting, February Council Committee meetings, and Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments (COG) Board meeting.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Honig expressed congratulations to Mayor Davis and his family on the arrival of his grandson.
Councilmember Halpern reported that Los Angeles County Sherriff Deputy Blanco has been out with his radar gun to make the city safer with reminding residents to slow down.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CULTURAL RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT - CANYON OAKS PARK
SHADE STRUCTURE, COMMUNITY PARK CONCESSION AGREEMENT, AND
COMMUNITY PARK ENTRY SIGNAGE AND TRASH ENCLOSURE
City Engineer Hughes provided an update from the January 29, 2024, Cultural Recreation Committee (Davis/Honig).
Canyon Oaks Shade Structure:
Ms. Hughes stated that the Shade Structure at Canyon Oaks Park Project was discussed initially with the Cultural Recreation Committee on November 6, 2023.
Staff presented those concepts to City Council on December 6, 2023, which included a single post design and multi-post design. The larger multi-post concept was preferred by City Council with a request to provide an additional third option that fully shades the playground equipment when the sun is overhead. The updated design and cost were presented to the Cultural Recreation Committee on January 29, 2024.
The Committee reviewed all three concepts noting the expanded shade structure concept included a significant cost increase. The Committee expressed concern that this concept was too large and that the cost was too high. The Committee directed staff to combine the single and multi-post concepts to "right size" the cost investments and provide adequate shade for both the ages 5-12 playground and toddler playground. Ms. Hughes noted that Staff is obtaining a new design with costs.
City Council discussed the designs and agreed with the Committee on the new combined single post/multi-post concept for the shade structure..
Staff will return to City Council with a consent item to award a shade structure contract on February 28, 2024.
Community Park Concession Agreement:
Community Services Coordinator Roush discussed the Community Park Concession Stand Agreements with Westlake-Agoura Girls Softball (WAGS) and American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), which expired on March 10, 2023.
WAGS and AYSO have been using the fields and concession stands at the Community Park since 2015. AYSO requested no modifications to the Concession Stand Agreement. WAGS requested a modification to expand food offerings instead of solely offering food prepared inside the concession stand, to utilize food trucks and/or third-party sidewalk food vendors.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
The Committee did not support changing the existing agreement and recommended food service remain limited to the Concession Stand.
City Council discussion included food vendor activity at City parks, available food options from the concession stands, and utilizing the YMCA Café. Council recommended no changes the terms of the existing agreement with food service limited to the Concession Stand.
Community Park Signage and Trash Enclosure:
City Engineer Hughes stated the Community Park Signage and Trash Enclosure Projects were originally discussed during the Cultural Recreation Committee (Davis/McSweeney) meeting on November 6, 2023. Staff presented concepts to City Council on December 6, 2023, as an informational item and received Council input. The concepts were updated and presented to the Cultural Recreation Committee on January 29, 2024. The concepts were well received, and staff was requested to engage with • the YMCA for review and input prior to bringing the concepts to City Council for final approval.
City Council discussion included signage options presented with the majority in favor of option two, removing the "Welcome" sign and simplifying "YMCA" to "Y".
For the trash enclosure, Council inquired about alternative location options and trash truck pickup scheduling.
This report was presented to inform the City Council of the Committee discussion and obtain input. No City Council action taken.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Pearl, Halpern, McSweeney, Mayor Pro Tem Honig, and Mayor Davis.
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Davis declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective February 1, 2024 in the amount of $ 495,087.62
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CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 - Council approved the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the twelve- month period ended June 30, 2023 as submitted.
2. ARTERIAL SYSTEM FINANCING PROGRAM ANNUAL REVIEW - Council received and filed the annual review report.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR CIVIC CENTER EXTERIOR PAINTING PROJECT - Council accepted the Civic Center Exterior Painting Project and authorized the City Clerk to execute and record a Notice of Completion on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
1. REVIEW OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 MID-YEAR BUDGET
Assistant City Manager Wilson presented the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Mid-Year Budget, highlighting revenues and expenditures from July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The top three revenue sources Property Tax, Sales Tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax, maintain a strong performance compared to the same period last year. Ms. Wilson stated that overall, the City is anticipated to exceed its revenue projections by year-end.
Ms. Wilson also provided an update on the mid-year budget adjustments, fiscal year-end projections, budget adjustments, fund balance projections, and capital improvement program projects. Finally, she provided an update on the recently released State budget and upcoming budget process for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Assistant City Manager Wilson discussed the next steps in the budget process, which started with the City Council Goal Setting Workshop, held January 24, 2024, to establish next year's goals and priorities and tonight's Mid-Year Budget Report.
She stated that upcoming Budget workshops will be held in April for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Operating Budget in May, and the proposed adoption of the budget in May/June 2024.
City Council noted and filed the report.
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City of Westlake Village February 7, 2024
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Davis announced the next City Council meeting will be held on February 28, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
City Manager de Geus invited everyone to the Westlake Village Discovers Science event, Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the Westlake Village Civic Center from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Ned E Davis, Mayor
Attest:
Artoirettemmam
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk
IN CALFORNI „CALIFORNI