CROTEST ARE TREN
NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG SUSAN MOSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
October 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis on Wednesday, October 9, 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, City Clerk Mann, Planning Director Asp, City Engineer Hughes, City Traffic Engineer Wessel, Deputy City Engineer Alfonso, and Assistant to the City Manager Mott.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Agenda as presented. 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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City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mayor Pro lem Honig moved to approve the Minutes of September 25, 2024 City Council modular Session meeting as presented. Councilmember MoSweeney seconded the 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:
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) Update
Mr. Oliver Slosser, Engineering Program Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District provided a presentation on the Pure Water Project, waterlines on Lindero Canyon Road and Agoura Road and the First Neighborhood Pipeline condition.
Councilmember Halpern reminded residents that you can taste this recycled water at the tasting facility at the Water District headquarters. Mayor Davis inquired on the brine water discharge.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Elizabeth Galati
COUNCIL RESPONSE: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus introduced Lani Alfonso, Deputy City Engineer, from Willdan Engineering. Ms. Alfonso expressed gratitude for working with the City. emergencies, further strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the community: ConnectLosAngelesCounty.org.
City Manager de Geus announced that the City's Video Newsletter received a Star Award from the California Association of Public Information Officials. The City was also a finalist for the Magazine Format Award.
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City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024 3
STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
City Celebration will be held October 19, 2024 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the Civic Center.
Family friendly activities include a carnival, Beer & Wine Garden, and a Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff Meet-N-Greet including the Search and Rescue Team and Equestrian Unit. A Shred Event will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at City Hall. Residents can bring up to four bags or boxes of paper documents to be shredded.
City Manager de Geus announced that the Mark & Jacob Foster Care Charity Event will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Westlake Yacht Club.
Nancy Iskander highlighted the event and encouraged residents to attend. markandjacob.givesmart.com.
Mr. de Geus highlighted agenda topics for the upcoming Council Committee meetings and City Council meetings.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmember Halpern advised of attending the Los Robles Community and Government Relations Meeting, which included the Emergency Room tour.
Councilmember Pearl reflected on world events since October 7, 2023 and thanked Calabasas for hosting an event this week to remember what happened in Israel and Gaza.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. TELECOMMUNICATIONS/IT COMMITTEE REPORT: CONSIDERATION OF
AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL
CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT PROJECT, PHASE 1, AND DETERMINATION
OF CEQA EXEMPTION
City Traffic Engineer Wessel presented a request for consideration of approval to award a construction agreement to Bear Electrical Solutions in the amount of $785,500 for the implementation of Phase 1 of the Traffic Signal Controller Replacement Project.
Mr. Wessel provided a description and explanation of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) which offers benefits including reduced downtime, the ability to remotely monitor system components, traffic flow, and change signal timing. With the City's traffic signal controller equipment past its expected lifetime, an ITS master plan was developed in 2020 to guide the modernization program.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
The City Council approved $500,000 of Capital Improvement Program funding for the Traffic Signal Controller Replacement Project for fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, and another $500,000 for FY 2024-25 with the objective to implement upgrades at ten of the City's 13 traffic signals.
Due to the current high construction cost inflation environment, the Phase 1 bid package was structured to include a base bid for controller cabinet assembly replacement at six intersections, with four additive alternates. At a bid opening held on May 20, 2024, the City received two bids for the project. Bear Electrical Solutions submitted the low bid in the amount of $585,500 (the basis of award) with the total bid amount including all four additive alternates. However, the base bid exceeded the project budget, reflecting the high labor and materials cost inflation being experienced in the construction industry over the past few years.
The Telecommunications/IT Committee (Halpern/McSweeney) discussed this at their July 1 and September 30, 2024 meetings and requested staff to seek other funding sources for this project.
Measure M funding, $495,000, has been identified and approved by Las Virgenes- Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG) to submit for ITS improvements in FY 2025-26 and will be submitted to Metro for consideration. Once approved by Metro, this will be sufficient to upgrade the remaining two locations. The Committee then recommended that the project go to City Council for consideration.
Councilmember Halpern moved that the City Council determine that the Traffic Signal Controller Replacement Project, Phase 1, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15061(b)(3); award a construction contract for the project, consisting of the base bid items plus additive alternate Nos. 1 (Lindero Canyon Road-Via Colinas) and 3 (Lindero Canyon Road-Russell Ranch Road), to Bear Electrical Solutions in the amount of $785,500.00 with construction contingency of $60,000; authorize the City Manager to approve change orders within the project contingency budget; and authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract on behalf of the City. Councilmember Pearl seconded the 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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City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024 5
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
2. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - REVIEW OF ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
REVENUE PROGRAM
City Engineer Hughes provided an update from the July 8, 2024, and September 12, 2024, Administrative Committee meetings (Davis/Honig) with respect to the review of the Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts revenue program for City Council's comments and guidance to staff.
Ms. Hughes stated the Assessment Districts were originally formed by the County and then transferred to and consolidated by the City to Lighting Maintenance Assessment District 1 and Landscape Maintenance Assessment Districts 1 and
15. Annual assessments are levied against properties in the districts to pay for the cost of operating, maintaining and servicing the landscaping and lighting facilities associated with each district. Rates have not increased since mid to late-1990's when Proposition 218 was approved; a majority of the costs are covered by Ad Valorem tax.
This fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 is the last year where the districts are projected to have a positive ending fund balance. Therefore, assessment rate increases are necessary for the financial sustainability of the districts.
City Engineer Hughes, Joanie Reynolds, and Stacee Reynolds from Willdan Financial presented background on each of the districts including formation, transfer and consolidation, an overview of services funded by the districts, and the history of the assessment rates for the districts. A comparison of the district costs versus the assessment revenue was shared for each district. The Proposition 218 balloting process for increasing assessment rates and the timeline and cost for that process was presented and discussed.
To ensure that property owners are well informed about the assessment districts, services provided, proposed assessment rate increases and the balloting process, an informational piece will be mailed. Similar information also will be added to the City's website, posted on social media and community meetings will be hosted to present this information.
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
Mark Teitelbaum
City Attorney Boga announced that per State Law, Councilmember McSweeney and Mayor Pro Tem Honig are abstaining from a discussion related to the Three Springs neighborhood since they both live in Three Springs with potential impacts on their personal residences. At 9:00 p.m., Councilmember McSweeney and Mayor Pro Tem Honig were recused from the meeting.
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City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024 6
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
City Engineer Hughes presented a request from the Three Springs Homeowner's Association (HOA) for the City to assume maintenance of private property on Triunfo Canyon Road and Three Springs Drive frontages at the neighborhood entry and to add these properties to the Proposition 218 balloting process.
City Council directed that the Three Springs HOA request be considered after the Proposition 218 balloting process for the assessment districts and that staff would work through the Administrative Committee before coming back to City Council.
Councilmember McSweeney and Mayor Pro Tem Honig rejoined the meeting at 9:16 p.m..
City Council discussion included the Prop 218 process, adjusting the assessments in the future with an escalator, percentage of reserves included in the new assessment rate, adjusting the schedule to release the frequently asked questions, and ensuring the story told is comprehensively, but easy to understand.
Council directed that staff proceed with the Proposition 218 process.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 306-24 ADOPTING BY REFERENCE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE TITLE 10 (ANIMALS) AND AMENDING WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.3 (ANIMAL CONTROL
REGULATIONS); ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2370-24 ADOPTING ANIMAL
LICENSE FEES
Mayor Davis opened the Public Hearing.
Assistant to the City Manager Mott presented a request for City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 306-24, adopting by reference Los Angeles County Code Title 10 (Animals), amending Westlake Village Municipal Code Chapter 3.3 (Animal Control Regulations), and adoption of Resolution No. 2370-24 adopting the Animal License Fee Schedule.
On September 11, 2024, the City Council unanimously introduced Ordinance No. 306-24 to adopt by reference Los Angeles County Code Title 10 (Animals) and amend Westlake Village Municipal Code Chapter 3.3 (Animal Control Regulations). The next step in the ordinance process is adoption and adopting the resolution for fees associated with the ordinance.
Mayor Davis closed the Public Hearing.
City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024
PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
Councilmember McSweeney moved that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 306-24 adopting by reference Los Angeles County Code Title 10 (Animals) amending Westlake Village Municipal Code Chapter 3.3 (Animal Control Regulations) and adopt Resolution No. 2370-24 adopting the Animal License Fee Schedule. 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 306-24: _ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE TITLE 10 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, TITLE 10 (ANIMALS) AND AMENDING THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.3 - ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 2370-24: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE ADOPTING ANIMAL LICENSE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.3 - ANIMAL CONTROL
REGULATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Pro Tem Honig 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 October 1, 2024 in the amount of $677,046.87
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City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024 8
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
GENERAL BUSINESS:
DESIGNATION OF NEW DEPUTY CITY ENGINEER AND APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO WILLDAN ENGINEERING CONTRACT;
RESOLUTION NO. 2371-24 - City Council adopted Resolution 2371-24 appointing a new Deputy City Engineer and approved Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering to update the list of the firm's retainer team and authorized the City Manager to execute the amendment.
RESOLUTION NO. 2371-24: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE APPOINTING A NEW DEPUTY CITY
ENGINEER.
APPROVAL OF CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FROM FISCAL YEAR
2023-24 TO FISCAL YEAR 2024-25; RESOLUTION 2372-24 - City Council adopted Resolution No. 2372-24 Amending the Fiscal Year 2024- 25 Budget for the Purpose of Continuing Appropriations from Fiscal Year 2023-24.
RESOLUTION NO. 2372-24: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET
FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
ACCEPTANCE OF LINDERO CANYON ROAD PARKWAY LANDSCAPE
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION - City
Council accepted the Lindero Canyon Road Parkway Landscape Improvement Project and authorized the City Clerk to execute and record a "Notice of Completion" for the project on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM UPDATE
City Engineer Hughes presented a request to update the Neighborhood Beautification Program policy and associated documents.
On July 27, 2023, the Environmental Committee (McSweeney/Halpern) discussed the history of the Neighborhood Beautification Program and reviewed proposed updates to the program's policy including general guidelines and application criteria to coordinate with a Homeowners Association (HOA) to beautify major neighborhood entryways and other neighborhood areas visible from the public right-of-way.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
On September 27, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Environmental Committee's recommendations and provided staff direction for finalizing updates to the program and application materials. The updated material was posted in October 2023 with a deadline of January 29, 2024, no applications were received. The grant application was posted again on February 20, 2024 with a deadline of March 29, 2024. No applications were received.
The Environmental Committee discussed the reimbursement ratio and recommended changing the ratio to as much as 70% City / 30% HOA to address the prevailing wage requirement and to create sufficient incentive for the HOA's to consider proposing projects. Staff sought City Council guidance regarding the reimbursement ratio for the upcoming application cycle.
The Environmental Committee also recommended that the program policy be updated to implement a two-step process with a simplified pre-application for staff and Environmental Committee review, followed by a complete application for projects selected to progress to step two. It was also recommended that the application period begin earlier in the calendar year.
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
Tish Matthews
Councilmember Pearl moved that City Council approve the updated Neighborhood Beautification Program policy and associated documents. 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.
NEW BUSINESS: None
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City of Westlake Village October 9, 2024 10
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Davis announced the next City Council meeting will be held on October 23, 2024 at 6:30 p.m
The meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
Kulch
Ned E Davis, Mayor
Attest:
Antoite oran
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk
NEST LAKE
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ORATED DECI
CALIFORNIA