SO NESTLAKE VITE
NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN MoSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
July 24, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 6:35 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, City Engineer Hughes, City Traffic Engineer Wessel, Senior Planner Sinkula, Public Kramer.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember McSweeney moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Honig 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: None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
Mayor Davis provided the City of Westlake Village history and the connection to Hawaii.
Employee Anniversary Recognitions
City Manager de Geus recognized and thanked Public Works Manager Tim Iverson 5 years of service (July 2019-July 2024); Senior Planner Megan Sinkula for 5 years of service (August 2019 - August 2024) and Deputy City Clerk Carol Kramer for 15 years of service (November 2008 - November 2023). City Council thanked each when presented service pins and plaques.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mary Olson and Jack Cohen.
Mary Olsen presented a handout on Rotary Peace Poles for the record and consideration.
COUNCIL RESPONSE:
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus reported that Canyon Oaks Park playground shade structures are completed, along with the installation of a recycled water line, removing irrigation from potable water and the installation of a new drinking fountain with a new potable water line.
Mr. de Geus stated that Assistant to the City Manager Caleb Mott was one of 40 young professionals awarded the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber's 40 Under 40 Awards which recognized their professional achievements and contributions to the betterment of the greater Conejo Valley community.
City Manager de Geus announced the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station will hold their National Night Out event at Forest Cove Park in Agoura Hills on August 6th, 5:00-7:00 p.m., and invited residents to attend. The Firegrazer Goats were in town for two weeks removing vegetation from hard-to-reach areas around town and covering 22 acres of open space.
The City's beautification efforts at Berniece Bennett Park included hedge trimming for improved sidewalk access and slope work.
City Manager de Geus noted that the next City Council meeting will be held on September 11, 2024.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
City Council congratulated Assistant to the City Manager Mott on his recognition.
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MONTHLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Sheriff's Department Report
2024 in luding crite statitic. He reported on the upcoming other hole August 2, 2024.
Fire Department Report
Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith presented the Fire Department report for the month activities conductedding the number of fires, medical response calls, and rescue Library Report
Julie Frieze, Manager of the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library, presented the Library's report for the month of June 2024 covering traffic, circulation, programs, and reference requests.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CULTURAL RECREATION COMMITTEE - PICKLEBALL COURT RULES AND
REGULATIONS
Assistant to the City Manager Mott provided an update from the June 24, 2024 and July 8, 2024 Cultural Recreation Committee (Davis/Honig) meetings related to the Pickleball Court Rules and Regulations.
Providing background, Mr. Mott said that staff sought pickleball rules and regulations information from regional existing facilities including Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Westlake Athletic Club, and the Yarrow Family YMCA. Pickleball experts in the community were also consulted.
Through these discussions, rules and regulations were developed for the Pickleball Courts at the Westlake Village Community Park. He noted that each facility had minor differences but similar rule structures that players followed.
He reviewed the Pickleball Court Rules including "Do's and Don'ts" and the Pickleball Waiting System which will maximize the amount of play, such as no time limit on play, but rather require users to leave the court and follow the paddle rack system after their game if players are waiting. When the facility opens, staff is proposing to hire a Pickleball Ambassador to assist players with rules and regulations, guide play on the courts, and promote a culture of patience and kindness. The Pickleball Ambassador is intended to serve during the first few months of opening during some of the busier periods of the day/week, to provide an onsite person who understands the game and can facilitate play for individuals and groups.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Mr. Mott provided an overview of the communications plan utilizing the City's platforms to educate players about the rules and regulations and establish a positive, community culture. During the opening month, staff will include articles in the newsletter and video newsletter as well as weekly posts on social media. The second month after opening will reduce social media posts to biweekly with monthly posts the following four months.
Staff has identified Thursday, September 12 2024 as a tentative grand opening date with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Ceremonies would be held on the courts and would include the City Council, Conejo Recreation and Park District, Los Angeles County, and other partner agencies. The public will be invited, and staff plans to have giveaways and a program to make the event an entertaining time for attendees.
Mayor Pro Tem Honig moved that the City receive and file the Cultural Recreation Committee Report regarding rules and regulations at the Westlake Village Pickleball Courts. 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.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. Engineering Department Report
City Engineer Hughes provided the Engineering report highlighting the pickleball courts, and the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Street Improvement Program which started in July. Street repairs and paving includes maintenance and rehabilitation on Lindero Canyon Road. The North Santa Monica Bay Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) Outreach and Engagement Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-25 was approved and the WASC next meeting will be on August 8, 2024.
2. Planning Department Report
Planning Director Asp provided the Planning Department Status Report and stated that on July 2, 2024, the City received a notice of completion for the City's Corrective Action Plan (CAP) related to Senate Bill (SB) 619 and compliance efforts on organic waste disposal. The letter acknowledges the completion of tasks outlined in the CAP and marks the end of the oversight period.
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MONTHLY IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS (continued):
3. Cultural Recreation Report
Community Services Coordinator Roush announced that Conejo Recreation and Park District summer camps at White Oak Elementary School have July and August spots available. Visit www.WLV.org/Recreation for details and to sign up.
Ms. Roush reported on the City's July events highlighting the recent Ragdolls (Aerosmith Tribute band), Movie in the Park event, 4th of July parade, and the Fireworks Spectacular show. Upcoming events include August 2, 5-Star Theatricals; August 10, K Tel All Stars (70's Tribute band), and August 24 Video Star (80's Tribute band). Residents were invited to join the fun.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Consent Calendar. 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.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective July 15, 2024 in the amount of $582,819.51.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. APPROVAL OF POSITION OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER AND JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER; RESOLUTION NO. 2360-24 - City Council adopted Resolution No. 2360-24 Establishing the Position of Public Safety Officer and Approving Job Description for the Public Safety Officer.
RESOLUTION NO. 2360-24: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF PUBLIC
SAFETY OFFICER AND APPROVING JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE PUBLIC
SAFETY OFFICER
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CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
2. WESTLAKE VILLAGE BUS SHELTER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PHASE Il - APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT AWARD, AND
CEQA EXEMPTION DETERMINATION - City Council made a determination that the Westlake Village Bus Shelter Improvement Project, Phase II, is exempt from CEQA, approved a Construction Agreement with Loftin Construction Inc. in the amount of $66,450.00 and authorized the Mayor to sign and execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. BUILDING AND SAFETY SERVICES REVIEW
Senior Planner Sinkula presented an evaluation by m6 Consulting, Inc. of the benefits and challenges to transitioning Building and Safety Services from a contract with the County of Los Angeles to an in-house program, and recent improvements that have been made to the County's provision of these services.
Providing background, Ms. Sinkula stated that the County has provided building and safety services for the City since incorporation including all program aspects: plan review, permits, inspections, and administration. The County is responsible for all management, day-to-day operations, and continuity of service. Last reviewed by the Administrative Committee in 2017, the program was recommended to the full City Council to stay with the County, and no further action was taken.
Ms. Sinkula analyzed the advantages of County services:
• the County has many plan checkers and inspectors to call upon as the workload varies, and in response to emergencies.
• access to County services provides a range of expertise that would be difficult to staff for the volume of permits.
• new permit software - EPIC-LA, launched on April 1, 2024. • City planning staff can oversee County services while also having time to focus on other priorities.
Senior Planner Sinkula discussed concerns with County services including complaints that plan review times take long, poor customer service, and staffing shortages. From 2021-2022, conversations with County senior management did not result in substantive improvements. On January 25, 2023, the City Council •established a goal to evaluate the Building and Safety program.
Ms. Sinkula reviewed the costs of transitioning services from the County to in-house services including staffing, physical space, and technology. She explained the estimated staffing costs, transition process, and timeline for this significant transition.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Staff recommended the City Council conclude the formal review of the County's Suilding and safety services and continue to contract with the County for these Councilmember McSweeney moved that the City Council conclude the formal evaluation of the County of Los Angeles' Building and Safety services program, continue to contract with the County of Los Angeles for these services and direct staff to monitor the quality of customer service provided by the County on an ongoing basis. 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. STATUS UPDATE ON CALENDAR YEAR 2024 CITY COUNCIL GOALS City Manager de Geus presented a status of the twelve 2024 City Council Goals, noting that these are a snapshot of the work in 2024 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 twelve 2024 City Council Goals, Mr. de Geus noted several other achievements for 2024, with more to come.
City Council noted and filed the report.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Davis announced the next City Council meeting will be held on September 11, 2024 with a Study Session at 4:30 p.m. and Regular Session at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
helled
Ned E Davis, Mayor
Attest:
ORATED DEC
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk
CALIFORNIA