SEE NESTLARE DIETEY
SUSAN MSWEENEY BRAD HALPERN RAY PEARL NED E DAVIS KELLY HONIG Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 11, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
This regular meeting of the Westlake Village City Council was called to order by Mayor McSweeney on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 6:35 p.m., at 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor McSweeney invited Lindero Canyon Middle School Students to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Val and Julie are in 8th grade, on Student Council and provided an update on Lindero Canyon Middle School following the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, Mayor Mcsweeney
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
Also Present:
Hughes, Assistant to the City Manager Mott and Associate Planner Orr.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Pearl moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No, 0-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
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City of Westlake Village February 11, 2026 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Minutes of January 28, 2026 Study Session and City Council Regular Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No, 0-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
Presentation - Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 by City's Auditing Firm - Moss, Levy & Hartzheim Assistant City Manager Wilson stated the results of the annual independent audit of the City's financial statements was conducted by Moss, Levy, Hartzheim (MLH), Certified Public Accountants, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The audit's findings are published in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) presented to the Council. Ms. Wilson noted that the City's Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Report was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, for the 20th consecutive year, from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Mr. Bin Zeng, Principal at Moss, Levy & Hartzheim LLP, presented the auditor's He reviewed financial highlights and stated that the audit revealed no deficiencies and findings and as such received the highest rating of an Unmodified Opinion.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
COUNCIL RESPONSE:
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager de Geus provided updates on current City projects, community programs, and upcoming events in Westlake Village. Restaurant Week runs through February 15; the Pure Water Project is in its potholing phase near Agoura Road and Lindero Canyon Road, causing temporary lane closures throughout February; an informational open house will be held on February 18 at City Hall. City Hall will be closed on February 16 for Presidents' Day.
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City of Westlake Village February 11, 2026 3
STAFF COMMENTS (continued):
City Manager de Geus previewed upcoming agenda items for future Council Committee and City Council meetings.
Councilmember Honig inquired about the leaf blower rebate status. Assistant to the City Manager Mott reported more than 56 applications have been received to date.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORT - APPROVAL OF MEDIAN
TRANSFORMATION CONCEPTS AND TURNKEY TURF TRANSFORMATION GRANT
Assistant to the City Manager Mott presented a request to approve the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Median Transformation Scope of Work based on the proposed concepts and direct staff to work with Yardzen, Brightview Landscaping, and Total Barricade Services.
Mr. Mott reported that the City is redesigning the turf medians along Thousand Oaks Boulevard using funding from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for the Turnkey Turf Transformation Grant. Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) received the funds and allocated them to the City. The City received over $500,000 in grant funding to replace non-functional turf with drought-tolerant landscaping. The $200,000 allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget will cover additional work not included in the grant, such as non-turf improvements, traffic control, and safety strips.
The designer and contractor were supplied with the grant. Yardzen was selected to design the project and Brightview Landscaping to build it, with concepts based on the City's existing median and streetscape plans. Existing trees will stay in place, and plantings will be low-water and maintainable. The grant requires that construction must begin by March 1, 2026 and finish by July 1, 2026.
On February 4, 2026, the Environmental Committee (Davis/Honig) supported the project advancing and recommended submittal to City Council for approval.
Craig Jones, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and Kevin Lenhart at Yardzen addressed the City Council.
Councilmember Honig moved that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign the Scope of Work based off the proposed concepts and direct staff to work City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 11, 2026 4
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued):
with Yardzen, Brightview Landscaping, and Total Barricade Services to complete the non-grant funded portions of the project, subject to the $200,000 funding approved by City Council. Councilmember Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No, 0-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
PUBLIC HEARING:
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 10-005, MODIFICATION NO. 3;
RESOLUTION NO. 2436-26
Associate Planner Orr presented a request for the continued operation of a martial arts studio located at 30961 Agoura Road, Suite No. 107. Israeli Martial Arts Academy is requesting a third extension of its permit to continue operating at 30961 Agoura Road. The studio has been in place since 2010 with two previous extensions and has operated without complaints. It offers evening classes, has adequate parking, and fits the intended uses of the Business Park Zone. City staff determined that all required findings can be met and recommended approving a new ten-year extension.
On January 7, 2026, the Land Use Committee (McSweeney/Halpern) reviewed the request for a time extension and recommended that the request be moved forward to the full City Council for hearing.
Applicant Hezi Sheli addressed the City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Halpern moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2436- 26, determining Conditional Use Permit No. 25-002 is exempt from CEQA and authorizing the continued operation of a martial arts studio located at 30961 Agoura Road, Suite No. 107 (Israeli Martial Arts Academy). Councilmember Honig seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
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City of Westlake Village February 11, 2026 5
PUBLIC HEARING (continued):
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No, 0-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
RESOLUTION NO. 2436-26: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE APPROVING MODIFICATION NO. 3 TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 10-005, FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF A MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO LOCATED AT 30961 AGOURA ROAD, SUITE NO. 107 (ISRAELI MARTIAL
ARTS ACADEMY)
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Honig moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No, 0-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Warrants effective February 1, 2026 in the amount of $868,983.37
GENERAL BUSINESS:
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 - City Council approved the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2025 as submitted.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO 312-26. ORDINANCE TITLE: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE AMENDING THE
WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5.1 TO PROHIBIT
KRATOM PRODUCTS AND APPROVING A CEQA EXEMPTION
DETERMINATION - City Council waived the second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 312-26.
ORDINANCE NO. 312-26: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE
VILLAGE AMENDING THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER
5.1 TO PROHIBIT KRATOM PRODUCTS AND APPROVING A CEQA
EXEMPTION DETERMINATION
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City of Westlake Village February 11, 2026 6
OLD BUSINESS:
REVIEW OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 MID-YEAR BUDGET
Assistant City Manager Wilson provided an overview of the City's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 mid-year budget stating that the City is performing ahead of expectations, with both revenues and expenditures tracking steadily at the halfway point of the fiscal year. General Fund revenues reached $6.26 million by December 2025, 35% of the annual projection, driven by steady sales tax, property tax, and hotel tax receipts. Investment earnings outperformed projections, with 63% of budgeted interest revenue collected. Expenditures remain well-managed, totaling $6.0 million (35.9% of budget), slightly below last year's mid-year proportional spending.
Ms. Wilson stated that the City entered FY 2025-26 in a strong financial position with a $5.8 million prior-year surplus added to reserves. Mid-year savings from unimplemented programs, reduced service costs, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded backfills, and staff vacancies further strengthened the outlook. As a result, the projected General Fund surplus for year-end has increased from the originally adopted $1 million to an estimated $2.3 million. Despite external risks, such as stock-market volatility and uncertain federal policy, the City's revenues remain stable. The annual budget process continues this spring, with workshops and final adoption scheduled for May/June 2026.
City Council thanked City Manager de Geus and staff for their forward thinking with city finances.
Councilmember Honig moved that the City Council to receive and file this report.
Councilmember Pearl seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, O-No, O-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
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 an update to the City Council on the status of Westlake Village's two CalPERS-managed trust programs: the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust and the California Employers' Pension City Council Minutes
City of Westlake Village February 11, 2026
OLD BUSINESS (continued):
Prefunding Trust (CEPPT). These trusts were established to help the City responsibly save for retiree healthcare and pension costs, reduce long-term liabilities, and stabilize annual budget impacts.
Ms. Wilson stated that the City's OPEB Trust, established in 2014 to address more than $1 million in retiree healthcare liabilities, has grown to $2.84 million as of December 2025, supported by strong long-term investment performance and steady contributions. With an annualized return of 7.93%, the trust is now fully and may become super funded, allowing future contributions to be redirected.
The Pension Prefunding Trust (CEPPT), created in 2023 with a $1 million initial contribution, has also performed significantly better than expected. The account has grown to $1.28 million with an annual return of 10.11%, achieving half of its 10-year earnings goal in under three years.
Assistant City Manager Wilson noted that the City's pension funded status has improved from 83.5% to 88.1%, with the pension trust providing a substantial buffer against future market volatility. Recent discretionary payments toward both OPEB and pension liabilities are already incorporated into the City's budget, further strengthening long-term sustainability.
Councilmember Honig moved that the City Council note and file the status update report. Mayor Pro Tem Halpern seconded the motion.
YES: Councilmembers Honig, Pearl, Mayor Pro Tem Halpern, and Mayor McSweeney
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Davis
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McSweeney declared the motion passed 4-Yes, 0-No, 0-Abstain, 1-Absent (Councilmember Davis)
NEW BUSINESS: None
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ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor McSweeney adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Susan MAmenny
Susan McSweeney, Mayor
Attest:
Untoinette andrans NESTLAKE
Antoinette Mann, City Clerk CITY
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CALIFORNIP
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