CRET NEST ARE DIETEN
KELLY HONIG SUSAN MSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 11, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Honig on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 6:35 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Honig led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney, Mayor Honig
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, City Traffic Engineer Mericle, Assistant to the City Manager Mott and Accountant Leeds.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Davis moved to approve the Minutes of May 28, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mariela Tuchi, Neal Lawson, and Rebecca Lansing.
COUNCIL RESPONSE:
Councilmember Pearl thanked the residents with homes adjacent to Baja Fresh for allowing him and Mayor Honig to join them to hear their noise concerns and asked the residents to continue to collaborate with staff to achieve a resolution. The new Baja Fresh owner is working with the City to resolve the issue.
Mayor Honig requested that City Manager de Geus address the questions proposed during Public Comments.
Mr. de Geus stated the City is working with the new Baja Fresh owner. A noise study was conducted and the City has clarification questions before it is released to Baja Fresh and the residents by the end of the week. Mr. de Geus stated that staff will continue to work towards resolving the noise issue.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus stated that staff is monitoring the ongoing civil unrest related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. There have been no reports of damage or other impacts in Westlake Village. Staff will continue to monitor and update the community if there are any anticipated impacts to residents.
Mr. de Geus reported the first Concert in the Park was on June 7, 2025 with Queen Legion performing and was well attended. The next concert is on June 20, 2025 featuring Stone Soul, a Motown tribute at the Civic Center at 7:00 p.m.
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STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
Southern California Edison began replacing the High-Pressure Sodium Vapor streetlight fixtures across Westlake Village today, taking 10-15 minutes at each streetlight to install the LED fixtures. Drivers should reduce their speed and use caution in the work area.
Visit www.WLV.org/Lights for more information and tentative project schedule.
Mr. de Geus announced that Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Senator Ben Allen, and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath are hosting a virtual Wildfire Preparedness Meeting on June 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. State and County representatives will be discussing Zone Zero, Fire Hazard Maps, Home Hardening, and more. The meeting will be held on Zoom or can be livestreamed via YouTube. Register for the meeting at www.WLV.org.
City Manager de Geus highlighted agenda topics for the upcoming Council Committee meetings and City Council meetings.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilmember Davis expressed concerns over youth and E-Bikes, which will increase during the summer. He suggested that the City work with the Las Virgenes Unified School District to advise students of regulations.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - REVIEW OF LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 15 (WESTLAKE SPECTRUM)
City Manager de Geus introduced the item regarding the review of Landscape Assessment District 15 (Westlake Spectrum District) and stated that the City Council direction was to review each Districts' revenues and services costs to consider a long-term sustainable funding plan rather than proceed with a Proposition 218 (Prop 18) ballot process to raise assessment rates.
City Engineer Hughes stated on May 12, 2025, the Administrative Committee (Honig/McSweeney) discussed the history, purpose, and current financial status of the Westlake Spectrum District. District 16 was originally formed by the County of Los Angeles in 1989 as part of the approval for Westlake Spectrum Business Park to fund the maintenance of the open space area surrounding Westlake Spectrum Business Park. The district, which includes eleven commercial parcels and two Civic Center parcels, was then transferred to the City in 1994.
Ms. Hughes provided an overview of the cost breakdown of services and the distribution of revenue to fund services. For fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, costs will be $24,065. To pay for those services, the City will utilize the district reserve fund balance, collect the current annual assessment rate of $950 from each of the eleven commercial parcels, and will contribute $3,000 of General Funds. Ending City Council Minutes
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Fund Balances for the Westlake Spectrum District have been decreasing each year because the annual costs are more than twice the annual revenue. For FY 2025-26, the City made a $3,000 General Fund Contribution to keep this district solvent. In FY 2026-27, a General Fund Contribution of $15,000 would be needed.
City Engineer Hughes explained that the City will need to increase the General Fund Contribution year over year or consider lowering the level of service to reduce costs noting that this district is limited to weed abatement and tree trimming, basic service obligations that must continue.
Ms. Hughes said the City could choose to pursue a Prop 218 ballot process to request property owner approval to raise the assessment rate.
City Council discussion included the educational process for the Prop 218 ballot to allow City Council to determine if this should be pursued.
City Council received and filed the report.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Davis moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective June 1, 2025 in the amount of $518,832.19.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017 (SENATE BILL 1) PROJECT LIST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26; RESOLUTION NO. 2406-25 - City Council adopted Resolution No. 2406-25, identifying the FY 2025-26 Annual Street Improvement Project to utilize the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Funds.
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CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
RESOLUTION NO. 2406-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE IDENTIFYING THE FY 2025-26 ANNUAL
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO UTILIZE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND
REHABILITATION ACCOUNT FUNDS
OLD BUSINESS:
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26;
RESOLUTION NO. 2407-25
City Manager de Geus introduced the item and emphasized that the budget process is extensive with staff input, committee meetings, and study sessions. He stated that the budget provides funds to advance City Council objectives and supports the City's Public Safety priority. It also provides funding to maintain city infrastructure, staffing, innovative projects, and investment and maintenance in landscaping and streetscaping that create the unique physical charm of the city.
Mr. de Geus noted the proposed budget maintains a conservative, practical, yet progressive spending plan that is comprehensive and represents what we are aware of today. He also noted that during the fiscal year, we will need to alter the budget as opportunities and unexpected challenges emerge. The proposed budget is balanced, flexible, and adaptive, allowing the city to respond to uncertain circumstances.
Assistant City Manager Wilson presented the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 budget at $26.8 million, which is a reduction following City Council direction at the Study Session. With $16.9 million allocated to the General Fund and $9.8 million in the Restricted Fund, she noted that the largest budget expenditure is allocated to Public Safety and the Capital Improvement Plan.
Citywide revenues are projected at $21.5 million. Ms. Wilson reviewed the Citywide budget by fund level, category, and division. She noted that the budget is in accordance with Council Goals, the Strategic Plan, Financial Reserve Policy and CIP Fund Policy. The General Fund reserve will be adjusted to a reserve level of
53.6% of the estimated General Fund expenditures by the end of the upcoming fiscal year.
Ms. Wilson explained that the City is required by State law to establish an Appropriations Limit each fiscal year. Only those revenues received from proceeds of taxes are subject to this limit. The City's FY 2025-26 appropriations limit is estimated to be $33.5 million while the appropriations subject to that limit total $15.2 million, which complies with State law.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Assistant City Manager Wilson reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and funding plan approved by Council on April 9, 2025, comprised of 21 projects at $7.1 million. She then provided a summary of Study Session recommendations concerning the long-term financial forecast.
City Manager de Geus discussed the long-range financial forecast and the City's fiscal resiliency action steps over the next three to five years. He highlighted Tier 1 budget adjustments that will be placed on hold and were removed from the budget. He also presented two Tier 2 items for Council consideration for possible removal from the budget.
City Council discussed the Tier 1 and Tier 2 adjustments.
Councilmember Davis moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2407-25 adopting the budget with adjustments (eliminating $150,000 from the General Fund for the Community Trolley Program, eliminating $150,000 from the Capital Improvement Program related to Dog Park refurbishment and affirming the $231,000 in reductions from various General Funds categories); appropriating funds for the operating and capital budgets; adopting the Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025-26, closing appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024-25, delegating contract execution authority to the City Manager and establishing appropriations limits as required by the California Constitution. Councilmember Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
RESOLUTION NO. 2407-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
WESTLAKE VILLAGE ADOPTING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR
OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS AND INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025, CLOSING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, DELEGATING CONTRACT EXECUTION AUTHORITY,
ESTABLISHING THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT AS REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA
CONSTITUTION
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
2. LAKEVIEW CANYON ROAD PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC
CONSULTING SERVICES AND ACCEPTANCE OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT (FA 9200000000M440112) WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
City Traffic Engineer Thomas Mericle presented a request for approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services in the amount of $473,987.81 for the design phase of the Lakeview Canyon Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project and acceptance of funding agreement FA 9200000000M440112 in the amount of $5,444,832 with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Mr. Mericle discussed the Request for Proposals process and the review panel (City Manager Rob de Geus, Public Works Manager Tim Iverson, City Engineer Roxanne Hughes, City Traffic Engineer Mark Wessel, and Contract City Traffic Engineer Tom Mericle) who individually evaluated and scored each proposal. Following the interviews, the five-person panel unanimously agreed that Stantec was the most qualified I for the project for their experience, understanding of the project, demonstration of a strong public engagement approach, and commitment to meeting the City's requested schedule.
City Engineer Hughes stated that staff have been working with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) staff to develop a funding agreement (FA 9200000000M440112) for the combined multi-year Measure M grant funding. Through this funding agreement, the City will be reimbursed for project costs incurred.
City Council discussion included utilizing Measure M funds, making the street safer, slowing down drivers, separating bicycles from cars, working on the proposed design with the Fire Department and using this street as a model for other street designs in the City.
Councilmember Halpern moved that the City Council approve a professional services agreement with Stantec Consulting Services for professional engineering services in the amount of $473,987.81 with a contingency of $26,012. 19 for the Lakeview Canyon Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project; authorize the City Manager to approve additional scope and fee up to the contingency amount; enter into funding agreement FA 9200000000M440112 in the amount of $5,444,832 with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Lakeview Canyon Road Pedestrian City Council Minutes
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Safety Improvements Project; and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute the agreements on behalf of the City. Councilmember Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
3. AWARD OF NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION GRANT TO WESTLAKE
TRAILS PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION
City Engineer Hughes requested approval of an award of a Neighborhood Beautification Grant to Westlake Trails Property Owners Association (POA).
Providing background, Ms. Hughes stated that on October 9, 2024 the City Council approved an update to the Neighborhood Beautification Grant program to implement a two-step process, adding a simplified pre-application to be submitted in step one for City review, followed by a complete application for selected projects at the request of the Environmental Committee in step two.
On October 11, 2024, staff issued a request for Neighborhood Beautification Pre- Applications submittals with a deadline of November 22, 2024. Two qualifying pre- applications were received, one from Westlake Canyon Oaks Association and the other from Westlake Trails POA. The Westlake Canyon Oaks Association proposed project included upgrading the irrigation system, planting drought tolerant plants and trees, and replacing the current stacked bricks with a permanent retaining wall.
The Westlake Trails POA project would upgrade a previous beautification project by installing electrical power and new light fixtures to achieve the original vision of the entry monument designs. This project includes a new electrical service pedestal and meter from Southern California Edison, with installation of the electrical and fixtures.
On February 19, 2025, the pre-applications for both projects were presented to the Environmental Committee (Pear/Davis). Consideration to modify the Grant Agreement to include project design costs as an eligible expense for reimbursement upon award was discussed. The Committee supported obtaining full applications for both projects and expressed interest in including the design cost as reimbursable on grant award.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Westlake Canyon Oaks Association did not submit a full application because the cost of its proposed project was considerably higher than it estimated and more than it was comfortable taking on.
Westlake Trails POA submitted a full application to install two up lights at each of the community's three monuments. The project will include ties to the City's existing electrical system for the Lindero Linear Park with submeters at each monument. Westlake Trails POA will provide five years of estimated electrical costs uptront, which was incorporated into the grant agreement. The total estimated cost of the installed project was $39,881 of which 70% of the project cost will be funded by the Neighborhood Beautification Grant Staff reviewed the Westlake Trails POA application with the Environmental Committee (Pearl/Davis) on May 13, 2025 and the Committee supported the project as proposed.
City Attorney Boga stated for the record that Councilmember Davis is a non-paid member of the Westlake Trails POA.
City Council discussion included support for the project.
Councilmember Davis moved that City Council award a Neighborhood Beautification Grant to Westlake Trails Property Owners' Association in the amount of $27,916.70; and authorized the Mayor to execute the Neighborhood Beautification Program Grant and Agreement on behalf of the City. Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
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NEW BUSINESS:
2024 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Planning Director Asp presented the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report as required by State law, noting the purpose is to provide information on the City's progress toward meeting its share of regional housing needs and the status of General Plan implementation programs.
Ms. Asp highlighted all progress by category and stated that all required documentation was submitted to the State Office of Planning and Research and the State Department of Housing and Community Development by the May 15, 2025 extended deadline.
Councilmember Pearl moved that the City Council receive and file the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report. Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Davis, Pearl, Halpern, Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney and Mayor Honig
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Honig declared the motion passed 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Honig announced that the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Culling
Attest:
Antoirette In drans
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk 6/30/25 AKE
CORATED DEC!
CALIFORNIA