CTOTNESTLAKE DICTE
KELLY HONIG SUSAN MSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor Honig on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:39 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, Assistant to the City Manager Mott, Associate Planner Orr, Administrative Analyst Hamilton, and Community Preservation Officer Daste.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
City Manager de Geus announced that Consent Calendar Item No. 2 will be moved to Committee Report No. 3 at the request of Councilmember Pearl.
Councilmember Halpern moved to approve the Agenda as amended. 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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September 10, 2025 2
City of Westlake Village
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Pearl moved to approve the Minutes of July 23, 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: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus introduced new staff members Captain Dustin Carr at Lost Hills Station, Administrative Analyst Travis Hamilton and Community Preservation Officer Chris Daste.
City Manager de Geus highlighted August activities which included Caltrans cleaning the Lindero Canyon on/off ramps, Linear Park maintenance, Agoura Road pavers maintenance, street striping on new resealed streets, Canyon Oaks Park basketball backboard replacement, National Night Out, three summer concerts and the Community Park Parking Lot Reseal Project.
Mr. de Geus stated that September is National Preparedness Month and encouraged residents to visit wlv.org/prepare to see guides and checklists to ensure we are all prepared for emergencies and disasters.
Assistant to the City Manager Mott announced the upcoming Public Safety Fair on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 5 pm - 7 pm at the Community Park and stated that staff was working on a Westlake Village Restaurant Week event with more information coming later this month.
City Manager de Geus highlighted agenda topics for the upcoming Council Committee meetings and City Council meetings.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: None
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - REVIEW OF LIGHTING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 1
City Engineer Hughes provided a review on the Lighting Assessment District 1, which included a historical overview for the Lighting District. Services include maintenance of traffic signals and streetlights along arterial streets and along interior streets within most communities in the city. Ms. Hughes presented a cost breakdown of services funded by the Lighting District, the distribution of revenue to fund those services, and estimated the cost to provide services for the district to be $599,260 in fiscal year (FY) 2025-26. The City will utilize the district reserve fund balance of $58,836 and ad valorem tax funding with earned interest of $414,079, collect the current annual assessments) ($70,843) from each of the parcels in the district, and $70,000 of General Funds to pay for the services.
Ms. Hughes noted that the Projected Ending Fund Balances for the Lighting District have been decreasing as the annual costs exceed the annual revenue. In FY 2026- 27, it is estimated that contract maintenance costs will increase by five percent and as a result, a General Fund Contribution of $144,000 would need to be made to similarly keep the Lighting District with a positive ending fund balance.
City Engineer Hughes presented three alternative scenarios for City Council consideration to resolve the revenue and expenditures gap including:
1. Increase the General Fund Contribution yearly.
2. Lower the level of service and/or cost of service. The two most significant costs are maintenance of the traffic signals by Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LA County) - $130,000; and, electricity costs, operation and maintenance of the streetlights by Southern California Edison (SCE) - $362,940.
Pursue a Prop 218 ballot process to request property owner approval to raise the assessment rate by approximately $4.68 per month per EDU or $1.45 per month for neighborhoods with privately maintained interior streets.
The Administrative Committee (Mayor Honig/Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney) heard the update on July 15, 2025 and recommended the entire City Council hear the educational report.
City Council discussion included considering increasing the General Fund allocated annually and performing a comprehensive budget analysis to determine how the districts' expenses could be paid without a Prop 218 process.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Direction to staff was to make the final District educational presentation and for staff to begin budget analysis to determine funding sources for each District, allowing the Council to rigorously evaluate the budget and a Prop 218 process.
There was no motion for this agenda item.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - REVIEW OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE
PERMIT FEES
City Engineer Hughes provided a review of the Industrial Waste Permit Fees. She stated that the Sanitary Sewer and Industrial Waste Ordinance requires any business that generates, handles, or disposes of industrial wastewater to first obtain an Industrial Waste (IV) Disposal Permit. In late 1981/early 1982, the City adopted Los Angeles County's Division 2, Title 20 (Sanitary Sewer and Industrial Waste Ordinance) and entered into agreement with Los Angeles County (County) to provide enforcement of that ordinance. Through that agreement, the County collects IW Permit fees on behalf of the City, provides the IW services, and provides an invoice to the City for their costs.
The City's Sanitary Sewer and Industrial Waste Ordinance states that fees shall be one and one-half times greater than those set forth in the County's Sanitary Sewer and Industrial Waste Ordinance to cover the County's pass-through costs and the City's administrative costs for related IW Permit services provided by the City's consultants.
Ms. Hughes reported that the County has been collecting IW fees with a misunderstanding that the City adopted a resolution to adopt the County's fees in 1990, eliminating the 1.5 multiplier. The County subsequently updated and increased their IW fees in 2002 but continued to collect IW fees on behalf of the City at the 1990 rate. She noted that the fees the County is currently collecting do not cover the County's costs. Thus, the City's General Fund is subsidizing these permits.
Ms. Hughes discussed the type of permits within the City, the rates collected from businesses and amounts the County invoiced the City. County Industrial Waste staff indicated that they could implement the 1.5 multiplier if the City issues a letter requesting this adjustment.
City Engineer Hughes provided options moving forward including:
1) Do nothing and the City's General Fund will continue to subsidize the cost for IW services.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Send a letter to the County informing the County that they should be collecting the 1.5 multiplier with the 1990 County rate that was in effect when the City adopted the ordinance. This will not eliminate the IW program deficit but will close the gap.
The City to conduct a fee study and determine a multiplier to cover the County's costs and City's administrative costs.
Adopt the County fee schedule.
The Administrative Committee (Mayor Honig/Mayor Pro Tem Mcsweeney) discussed the options and staff's recommendation to consider moving forward with the current ordinance provision to partially cover the recurring program deficit on July 14, 2025. The Administrative Committee was supportive of staff's recommendation to move the item forward for City Council consideration.
City Council direction was to remain business friendly, not increase fees, and continue with the General Fund subsidy; review the fees when the County updates them following their fee study and advise businesses that the fees will be increasing in the future.
There was no motion for this agenda item.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE - ADJUSTMENT OF MEDICAL PREMIUM
RATES AND EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026; RESOLUTION 2414-25
Assistant City Manager Wilson presented a history of the medical premium coverage for active and retired employees. The adopted budget includes an increase in premiums for active employees and pursuant to City Council No. 2369-2 Resolution No. 2369-24, staff recommended adoption of Resolution 2414-25 which would adjust the monthly employer contribution for active employees by $437.01 from $3,541.63 to $3,978.64, inclusive of dental and vision costs.
On July 14, 2025, the Administrative Committee (Honig/McSweeney), recommended the item be presented to the full City Council.
Councilmember discussion included the need to have excellent benefits for employees to attract and retain qualified employees; the medical premiums increase is included in the adopted budget, therefore; no budget adjustment is required.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
Councilmember Pearl moved to approve the adopting Resolution No. 2414-25 to increase the insurance benefits for full-time active employees. Councilmember Davis 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. 2414-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 1564-11 TO INCREASE THE
INSURANCE COVERAGE BENEFIT FOR FULL-TIME ACTIVE EMPLOYEES PUBLIC HEARINGS:
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 07-004, MODIFICATION NO. 5;
RESOLUTION NO. 2412-25
Mayor Honig opened the Public Hearing. Associate Planner Orr presented a request to approve Modification No. 4 of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 07-004 to authorize a time extension for the continued operation of an indoor baseball training facility located at 31285 Via Colinas (Hitting Zone).
On July 24, 2007, the City Council approved CUP No. 07-004 to allow for the operation of an indoor baseball training facility. Time extensions were then approved on October 24, 2012, October 22, 2014, and December 10, 2019. The applicant applied for another time extension on January 17, 2025.
Mr. Orr reported the operation has remained the same since the approval of the original CUP, and the applicant is requesting an extension with no modifications.
Staff are not aware of any issues associated with the operation of the facility and recommended approval of the extension request for 10 years extending the permit to September 10, 2035.
On July 2, 2025, the Land Use Committee (Halpern/McSweeney) reviewed the request and recommended it be moved forward to the full City Council for a public hearing.
Applicant, Jesse Adams, addressed the City Council.
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City of Westlake Village September 10, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
Supplemental Packet: Adjusting the Modification Number for Conditional use Permit No. 07-004 to be
Modification No. 4.
Mayor Honig closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Halpern moved the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2412-25, determining Modification No. 4 of Conditional Use Permit No. 07-004 is exempt from CEQA and authorizing a time extension for the continued operation ot an indoor baseball training facility located at 31285 Via Colinas (Hitting Lone).
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.
RESOLUTION NO. 2412-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE APPROVING MODIFICATION NO. 5 OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 07-005 TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF AN INDOOR BASEBALL TRAINING FACILITY LOCATED AT 31285 VIA COLINAS (HITTING ZONE)
2. CLARIFICATION OF NORTH BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN PROHIBITED LAND USES; ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2413-25 APPROVING NORTH BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 25-001 AND
APPROVING A CEQA EXEMPTION DETERMINATION
Mayor Honig opened the Public Hearing. Planning Director Asp presented a request to adopt North Business Park Specific Plan Amendment No. 25-001 to amend Chapters 3 and 4 of the North Business Park Specific Plan (NBPSP). The amendments intend to clarify the language regarding prohibited land uses, ensuring consistency with the City's vision for a mixed-use business district. Ms.
Asp stated that the existing prohibition on new motor vehicle repair facilities remains unchanged, allowing current businesses to continue operating legally.
Ms. Asp reported that the NBPSP, adopted in 2020, includes a list of permitted, conditionally permitted, and prohibited uses. Currently, language may lead to misinterpretation due to cross-references with the Zoning Ordinance, where some uses are conditionally permitted but prohibited in the NBPSP. The proposed clarifications emphasize that the NBPSP's prohibited uses take precedence over the Zoning Ordinance, eliminating ambiguity.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued):
The Land Use Committee (McSweeney/Halpern) meeting scheduled for June 17, 2025, was not conducted due to a lack of quorum. Councilmember Halpern was briefed on this item and recommended it be moved forward to the full City Council for a public hearing.
Mayor Honig closed the Public Hearing.
City Council inquired with City Attorney Boga if this modification will clarify the allowed and prohibited uses in the NBPSP. Mr. Boga believes the modification will resolve the issues experienced earlier this year.
Councilmember Davis moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2413-25 approving a CEQA exemption determination and adopting North Business Park Specific Plan Amendment No. 25-001 to amend Chapters 3 and 4 of the Specific Plan to clarify prohibited land uses. 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. 2413-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE ADOPTING NORTH BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 25-001 AND APPROVING A CEQA EXEMPTION DETERMINATION CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Davis moved to approve the Consent Calendar. 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.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective August 1, 2025 in the amount of $840,877.05; Warrants effective August 15, 2025 in the amount of $383,803.13; and Warrants effective September 1, 2024 in the amount of $606,886.25.
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CONSENT CALENDAR (continued):
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. RIGHT OF ENTRY AND ACCESS AGREEMENTS; WEED ABATEMENT the Mayor to sign and execute the agreements on behalf of the City.
OLD BUSINESS:
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE CIVIC CENTER
COURTYARD FOUNTAINS DEMOLITION PROJECT
City Engineer Hughes presented a request to award a construction contract for the Civic Center Courtyard Fountains Demolition Project to Cerco Engineering in the amount of $48,500.00 with contingency of $10,000 and $7,500 in project management costs, authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract on behalf of the City, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary change orders within the contingency amount.
The project was advertised for bids on May 19, 2025, in the PlanetBids online bidding portal. Bids were opened on May 30, 2025 with four bids submitted, all above the budgeted amount of $70,000. Staff reasoned that the inflated bid prices were related to lack of clarity on the dimensions of the fountain structures and all bids were rejected.
Staff updated the bid documents, provided additional documents and photos and re-advertised the project. Bids were opened on July 25, 2025 with seven bids submitted. The low bid was submitted by Cerco Engineering with a bid of $48,500.
City Manager de Gues stated that awarding this project and actually starting the project is contingent upon awarding a contract for the Civic Center Courtyard Project.
Councilmember Pearl moved that the City Council award a construction contract for the Courtyard Fountains Demolition Project to Cerco Engineering Inc. in the amount of $48,500.00 with contingency of $10,000 and $7,500 in project management costs, authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract on behalf of the City, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary change orders within the contingency amount. Mayor Pro Tem McSweeney seconded the motion.
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OLD BUSINESS (continued):
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.
NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Honig announced the next City Council meeting will be held on September 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. élly Honig, Mayoı
Attest:
Antoinette noran
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk
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TED DEC 1
CALIFORNIA