NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN McSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
MINUTES
March 13, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 6:37 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, McSweeney, Mayor Pro Tem Honig, and Mayor Davis
ABSENT: None
Also Present: City Manager de Geus, City Attorney Boga, Assistant City Manager Wilson, City Clerk Mann, Planning Director Asp, Senior Planner Sinkula, City Engineer Hughes, Senior Administrative Analyst Mott, 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, McSweeney, Mayor Pro Tem Honig, and Mayor Davis
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Davis declared the motion passed 5-0.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Minutes of February 28, 2024 City Council Closed Session and February 28, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting as presented. Councilmember Pearl 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.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
1. Volunteer Appreciation - Recognition of 2023 City Volunteers Mayor Davis thanked the Volunteer groups that assisted the City of Westlake Village in 2023. City Councilmembers presented a gift to each of the City Volunteers (Community Service Funds Advisory Committee, Cultural Recreation Advisory Board, City Special Event Volunteers, Community Emergency Response Team, Westlake Village Library Book Nook, Public Safety Advisory Board, Westlake Village Community Foundation, Volunteers on Patrol) in appreciation and recognition of their many volunteer hours to the City.
Councilmember McSweeney, as the Chair for the Westlake Village Community Foundation, announced that an annual scholarship will be named the "Patricia Croner Memorial Scholarship" in the memory and honor of Westlake Village resident and volunteer Pat Croner.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Elaine McFadden (ceded time to Cristy Warner), Cristy Warner.
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus reminded residents the nomination period for the Citizen and Youth of the Year closes March 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m., noted that nominees must be residents of the City of Westlake Village and encouraged residents to visit WLV.org to learn more and nominate a friend or neighbor.
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STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
Mr. de Geus reminded the Westlake Village Community Foundation Scholarship application period is open through March 31, 2024 and encouraged visiting WLV.org/Scholarship to learn more and apply.
City Manager de Geus reported the First Neighborhood tree trimming was underway from March 11 through March 15, 2024. Newbury Park Tree Service crews are trimming tree limbs with minimal traffic impacts.
Mr. de Geus reported that playground sand was replenished at all City parks for residents' enjoyment.
City Manager de Geus concluded by highlighting agenda topics for the upcoming March City Council Meeting and March Council Committee meetings.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE - DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON THE
USE OF THE ZOOM PLATFORM FOR CITY COUNCIL AND COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
City Manager de Geus provided an update from the February 12, 2024 Administrative Committee (Davis/Honig) meeting related to the utilization of the Zoom platform for Council Committee and City Council Meetings. The Committee discussed the hybrid meeting model, with in-person and virtual public participation options through the Zoom platform. Mr. de Geus noted that although the City has continued to provide the virtual participation option via Zoom, minimal viewership or public participation occurs through this platform for either Council meetings or Council Committee meetings.
The Committee did not recommend any changes to the current practice, and requested the item be brought to the City Council for direction.
City Council directed that Zoom be a view only platform as another way tor the public to watch the City Council Meetings. Additionally, it may be used by consultants and applicants to participate/speak at meetings. The viewing platform option will not be used for Committee meetings.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - CIVIC CENTER EXTERIOR CAMERAS AND
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM PROGRAM
Senior Administrative Analyst Mott provided an update from the February 15, 2024 Public Safety Committee (McSweeney/Pearl) meeting related to the installation of Civic Center exterior cameras project and the City's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
Exterior Cameras
Mr. Mott stated that exterior camera options were reviewed, which will include high definition five mega-pixel cameras that can operate in near dark conditions. Aid Alert, the company that provides security system service at the Civic Center, presented a proposal and identified camera locations. There was no action necessary for the Council on this item. A contract will come back for approval along with a policy on the camera usage, access and storage.
Community Emergency Response Team Update
Senior Administrative Analyst Mott reported that since 2023, City staff began to overhaul the Disaster Response Team (DRT) and create a new format for the meetings to attract new members to the program including:
Rebrand the team as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). • In-person meetings were reinstated with the team on a quarterly basis. • Hands-on trainings coordinated with public safety partners for volunteers to learn vital skills to use in a disaster such as fire extinguisher use, handheld radio operations, and sidewalk cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
To recruit new members, staff advertised meetings on Facebook, Instagram, the City Newsletter, and the City Video Newsletter to reach a broad array of residents to recruit as many new members as possible. The goal is to create a large, diverse CERT program that will be trained and activated during emergency situations.
Staff refurbished the handheld radios with new batteries and antennas. Radio equipment and antennas at City Hall and the repeater tower on Corsa Avenue were serviced with new backup batteries installed. CERT jackets and other items will be purchased for the members to wear when attending events in their CERT capacity.
LA County Fire Department will be reformatting the CERT training courses for volunteers to receive certification.
City Council received and filed this report.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORT: APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES ON
THE CIVIC CENTER COURTYARD IMPROVEMENTS AND ART
INSTALLATION HONORING VETERANS
City Engineer Hughes reported that the Environmental Committee (Honig/Halpern) met on February 29, 2024 to discuss Civic Center Courtyard Improvements and art installation honoring veterans. She provided a historical perspective of the meetings held in 2022 and 2023 related to this project.
Jack Kiesel and Brian Jordan, Kiesel Design Landscape Architecture, presented their proposal noting that the redesign of the Civic Center represents a significant step toward creating an inviting space that encapsulates the spirit of the community, celebrating civic pride, and honoring veterans.
Councilmember McSweeney moved that the City Council award a professional services agreement to Kiesel Design Landscape Architecture for the Civic Center Courtyard Improvements and Art Installation Honoring Veterans Project in the amount of $71,00, authorize the City Manager to approve any amendments within the $29,000 contingency and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City. Councilmember Pearl 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.
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.
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CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective March 1, 2024 in the amount of $642,434.07
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. CONCESSION STAND OPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH WESTLAKE
AGOURA GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE AND THE AMERICAN YOUTH
SOCCER ORGANIZATION - City Council approved the Concession Stano Operation Agreement with the Westlake Agoura Girls Softball League and the American Youth Soccer Organization for three years and had the Mayor execute the agreements.
2. RIGHT OF ENTRY AGREEMENT WITH WESTLAKE VILLAGE GOLF
COURSE FOR THE 2024 FIREWORKS EVENT - City Council approved the Right of Entry Agreement with the Westlake Village Golf Course for the 2024 July 4th fireworks event and authorized the Mayor to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. STATUS UPDATE ON THE CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS' PENSION
PREFUNDING TRUST AND OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT TRUST
WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Assistant City Manager Wilson provided a status update of the City's trusts with the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS); the California Employers' Pension Prefunding Trust (CEPPT) and the Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) Trust. The trusts were established to enhance the City's ability to save money in the future, reduce unfunded liabilities, stabilize the budget, and mitigate contribution volatility for pension and OPEB-related costs. Ms. Wilson provided a background on the OPEB Trust established in June 2014, the annual actuarial determined contributions to date, and the associated management fees charged each year. The current assets in the OPEB trust totaled $2 million with investment earnings of $518,744. With regard to the CEPPT that was approved by Council in February 2023, she stated that the returns had exceeded the anticipated return rate of 4.5% for an annualized return rate of 6.33%. Total assets in the trust as of December 31, 2023 totaled $1,063,328 net of fees.
Assistant City Manager Wilson then provided an update on the City's current valuation report, the fluctuations in the Unfunded Accrued Liability obligation due to a lower-than-expected return in CALPERS investments and the resulting reduction in funded status from 96.2% to 85.4%. She also discussed the City's action plan of making early discretionary payments and the focus on achieving a fully funded status in both trusts. Ms. Wilson mentioned that no additional funding City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village March 13, 2024
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
or a draw down from the trusts was necessary at this time as the City can accommodate all payments within the annual budget allocation.
Councilmember Halpern moved that the City Council received and file this report.
Councilmember Pearl 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.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT (FA9200000000M550310) WITH
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR THE LINDERO SIDEWALK EXTENSION PROJECT (FISCAL YEAR 2023- 2024 SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT)
City Engineer Hughes summarized the funding agreement and discussed the Lindero Canyon Road sidewalk segments, project phases, funding sources, and dollar amounts for fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 and FY 2024-25. She noted that through this funding agreement, the City will be able to be reimbursed for project costs incurred for the ongoing construction of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Sidewalk Improvement project along Lindero Canyon Road between Whim Drive to Hedgewall Drive and between Agoura Road and Baronsgate Road. The City will also be able to be reimbursed for the project design and construction costs for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Sidewalk Improvement project along Lindero Canyon Road between Baronsgate Road and Lakeview Canyon Road.
Councilmember Pearl moved that the City Council enter into funding agreement FA 9200000000M550310 in the amount of $3,683,247 with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Lindero Sidewalk Extension Project; and authorize the Mayor or City Manager to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City. Councilmember Halpern 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.
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NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF THE CUSTODY AGREEMENT WITH U.S. BANK TRUST
COMPANY AND VARIOUS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY
AGREEMENTS WITH STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY, INC.
Assistant City Manager Wilson requested City Council approval of the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank Trust Company (US Bank) to allow the City to establish an account in connection with securities investments. In addition, the City Council was requested to approve several financial advisory and management agreements with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Inc. (Stifel) to execute transactions as directed and on behalf of the City. Ms. Wilson discussed the multi-prong approach undertaken by the City following the pandemic economic challenges, to strengthen the City's financial position. To date, the City had accomplished growing its State Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) investment; refunded the 2015 Certificates of Participation (COP) to realize debt payment savings and established a California Employers' Pension Prefunding Trust with CalPERS which was funded with a $1 million initial contribution. Staff continued to work with the City's revenue consultants on potential revenue optimization strategies including information on new tax measures, options for investment diversification outside of the LAIF Program and Certificate of Deposit options from Pacific Western Bank.
Mr. Tom Jacob, Managing Director of Public Finance with Stifel, provided a historical review of Treasury Securities in comparison with LAIF, the anticipation of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve towards the end of the year, and the advantages of locking in an investment return rate compared to the LAIF fluctuating rate. He also discussed a potential $15m two-year laddered portfolio with Treasury Securities only, the associated return spread when compared with a LAIF investment, and the associated fees.
Mayor Pro Tem Honig moved that the City Council approve the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank Trust Company, approve the financial management and advisory agreements with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., authorize the Mayor to execute the agreements, and find that the agreements are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. 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.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Davis announced the next City Council meeting will be held on March 27, 2024 at The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
* Mustang
Ned E Davis, Mayor
Attest:
Antoinette dadram
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk
CALIFOR