CITY OF HIDDENHILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (IN-PERSON. ANDI VIDEO CONFERENCE) 6165 Spring' Valley Road Tuesday, July 15, 2024 5:30p.m. MINUTES  CALLTO ORDER. ANDI PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Aregular meeting of the City Councii oft the City of Hidden Hills was dulyl held via teleconference andi in person on Tuesday,July1 15,2024, att the hour of 5:30p p.m. Mayor Eniko Gold called the meeting to order and presided  thereover. ROLLCALL Council  Mayor Eniko Gold Council Member Joe Loggia Council Member Laura McCorkindale Council Member Adam' Wasserman Interim Cityl Manager Marcella Marlowe Interim City Attorney Michael Jenkins City Clerk Deana L. Gonzalez City Engineer Dirk Lovett Associate Engineer George Yacoub Administrative Analyst Aaron' Williams  Mayor Pro Tem Larry G. Weber (6:57 p.m.-Excused from! beginning of meeting)  Staff  PUBLIC COMMENT  Asaresident of Hidden Hills, I,N Marsha' Weidman, wish to address an important issue. regarding two parcels of land at thei front gate and on' Valley Circle. In 1992, Caltrans widened thet freeway bridge, resulting in the loss of a quarter-acre of open space, prompting them to designate the one-acre parcel at the front gate as a In1 1999, Boething, the owner of Tree Land, was given ownership of this property with the promise that no development would occur, and he created an easement to protect the land. However, following his passing, Tree Landi is now pursuing development ont this parcel, which violates the original agreements. urge the City Council to protect the one-acre parcel as open land and prevent any development. Iti is essential to clarify the city's plans to ensure that our community's open spaces andi trails are: safeguarded as intended. Thank you for  mitigation area for open space, which was to include equestrian and pedestrian trails.  your attentioni to this matter.    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15, 2024 Page 2  Council Member Wasserman stated that he believed that she is in describing the legal instrument as a conservation easement. This would indeed sever the development rights from the property and place them in trust to prevent anyf future construction, preserving the land as open space in perpetuity. As for my knowledge oft the specifics, Ihave not yet had the opportunity to examine a title report to determine when the easement was recorded and perfected. lunderstand that this information would be crucial to clarify the rights associated As Interim City Attorney, want to clarify some key points regarding ther mitigation parcel andi the complexities surroundingi it. My impression is that the conservation easement primarily applies toi the mitigation parcel since it was purchased for a nominal fee of one dollar, while the excess parcel was acquired for what I understand to be fair market value, specifically half a million dollars. The deed restriction related to the mitigation parcel is ini favor of the State of California's Department of Fish and Game. Currently, Ihave not seen any entitlement related to this mitigation parcel. However, I want to assure you that this is an issue we are aware of and are actively monitoring. The City Council shares a vested interest ine ensuring that any potential development does not adversely affect the residents of Hidden Hills. Ifap project appears potentially detrimental, we are prepared to take our role seriously, including the option to comment to the City of Los Angeles regarding inadequate environmental reviews or any violations of deed restrictions or covenants. The City Council will continue to keep tabs on this matter and will work diligently to protect our community's interests. Thank you.  with the property and who is responsible for protecting those rights moving forward.  CIYCOUNGLCOMMENIS  Mayor Gold began her comments by acknowledging that this is their last meeting with Interim City Manager Marcella Marlowe. She expressed gratitude for her leadership and dedication during this transitional period. Next week, the City will welcome the new City Manager, Claire Whitley. The City Council asks everyone to be patient as she acclimates to her new role, and Mayor Gold is confident that she will do an excellent job in serving the community. In her second comment, Mayor Gold addressed library services. She reminded everyone that, as communicated over the past year, access to library services has not been interrupted for residents of Hidden Hills. There had been some confusion regarding fees, but she confirmed that Calabasas will not be charging Hidden Hills residents a $100 fee to use their library services. This fee has officially been removed from their fee schedule, and it has always been the Council's intent to ensure that access remains free for residents. Mayor Gold assured the community that the City is continuously exploring new ideas for library serviçes specific to Hidden Hills and expressed appreciation for their support. She emphasized that residents still have access to the Calabasas Librarya and that the Cityi is committedi to improving libraryofferings. Forany questions or concerns about this matter, Mayor Goldencouragedi residents to reach out to any oft their council members or contact the staff. She concluded by thanking everyone for their attention and expressing Council McCorkindale stated that In 2019, our Council established a goal to protect single-family housing in Hidden Hills, aiming to prevent the construction of apartment buildings or duplexes among our homes. This goal has remained a priority for us, As part of that initiative, we aiso began exploring the possibility of becoming a Charter city rather than continuing as a general law city. For context, of California's 432 cities, approximately 120 are charter cities. Recently, ac court decision has emergedthatr mayimpact! how charter cities  enthusiasm for continuing to serve the community.    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15,2024 Page 3  operate, potentially providing them protection from having to comply with certain state housing changes. Charter cities operate under their own municipal constitutions, which grants them more independence from state law. Given the current legal environment and thei interest among various cities in exploring the transition to charter status, I believe it is time for our Council to formally pursue this exploration. Not only could becoming a charter city help us defend our local control and constitutional rights regarding housing, but it also offers additional flexibility in areas such as contracting, purchasing policies, election procedures, taxation, and the overall structure of governance. With Council consent tonight, Iwould like to instruct city staff to investigate thei feasibility ofthist transition to a Charter city. Thiswouldu lultimately require local approval through avote. I propose that Ms. Molleda, who has experience in this area from her previous role as a city manager, lead this effort. If the exploration shows promise, we can consider placing this on the ballot, which could potentially happen as soon as 2026, although time is of the essence if we want to include it in an upcoming election. I am seeking Council consent to begin exploring the pros and cons of making Hidden Hills a Charter  city. The City Council was in agreement.  STAFF COMMENTS There were: no comments. PUBLIC SAFETY A.  Michael Grant, Public Safety and Emergency Services Manager  Public Safety and Emergency Services Manager Mike Grant presented a detailed report that shows the effort to monitor and report on the public safety activities within the community. The breakdown of minutes spent by the various units, as well as the compliance percentages, provides valuable insights into how the resources  are being utilized. The increase in community deputy engagement is also noteworthy.  B.  Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Report-N May  Deputy Brian Knott introduced himself and stated that he has been with the Department for Lost Hills for approximately 17 years, serving in Hidden Hills for the same duration. He was involved in the home invasion case concerning a former resident about six years ago, which many in the community may remember. His report included a May summary of 2 incidents of family assaults; 1 grand theft; 2 trespassing, and 1 computer takeover, classified as grand theft. As part of his ongoing efforts to enhance community safety, he would like to strongly advise residents to refrain from sharing their passwords and to be cautious about phone calls claiming to offer help with computer issues. He warned that If anyone receives a call requesting personal information such as passwords or credit card details, it is imperative that they respond with a firm "no."  7.  CONSENT CALENDAR  A. C.  Approval of the City Council Minutes for. June 18, 2024 B. Approval of the Register of Demands for. July 15, 2024 Receive and File the Disbursement List forl May 2024    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15,2024 Page 4  D. Receive and File the Financial/Treasurer's Report for May 2024 Receive and File the Investment Statement for May 2024  E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L.  Receive and File the City Engineering and Community! Development Report for May 2024 Receive and Filet thel Las Virgenes Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG) Report forJune  24, 2024  PULLED FORI FURTHERI DISCUSSION PULLED FORI FURTHER DISCUSSION Sell or Dispose as Necessary  Approval of an Agreement with Lanspeed to Provide IT Services  Recommendation tol Declare 2018 Nissan Leaf as Surplus Property and Authorize Staff to Approval of an Agreement Between the City of Los Angeles and City of Hidden Hills for Monitoring Pursuant to the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load  (TMDL)  H.  Receive and File the LVMWDV Water Supply yand the Future ofWater Report  Mayor Gold pulled Item H from the consent calendar to address the community about significant upcoming water rate increases announced by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She highlighted the 11% rate increase in 2025 and another 10% increase in 2026, along with an additional $3, per month charge forr medium-value homes--effectively doubling the existing ad valorem property tax. She explained that these increases are driven by inflation, declining water sales, the need to upgrade infrastructure, and compliance with stricter regulations. Mayor Gold emphasized the importance of public awareness and engagement. "lt's She then asked if there was any public comment to which resident Bret Katz approached the podium to ask why the LVMWD is not at1 the meeting in person to provide such a report. Council Member Loggia asked staff to research and see ifi it has been a past practice for the LVMWD to come in person to present the report to Upon MOTION by Council Member Loggia, seconded by Council Member Wasserman, and carried on a roll  crucial that our residents are informed and have a voice in this matter.  the residents.  call vote, 4-0-1, it was resolved to approve Item H on the consent calendar.  J.  Authorization to Advertise for Construction Bids for the Little Hollow Utility Undergrounding Mayor Gold pulled Item Jt from the consent calendar to highlight this item to the residents. The City Council had put a pause in the City's undergrounding efforts, except for 2 projects already in the works to allow the Hidden Hills Community Association to find a solution for the easements the city needs. The Little Hollow Upon! MOTION! by Council Member' Wasserman, seconded by Council Member McCorkindale, and carriedon  project was one oft the 2 exempted projects and iti is moving forward.  ar roll call vote, 4-0-1, it was resolved to approve Item J on the consent calendar    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15,2024 Page 5  Resident Bret Katz raised several questions regarding agenda items, including the discussion of the engineering process related to the Mureau project. There is a mention that conceptual rendering options are supposed tol be presented ati this meeting andi is that still scheduled to happen? In response to his question, it was an oversight on staff's part as they anticipated al longer meeting, but some items, including the Mureau Mr. Katz then shifted the topic to another agenda item concerning the regional Smart Cities fiber project discussed at the Las Virgenes COG meeting, and he'dl like to understand what this project entails and how it Inr response to resident Bret Katz's questions regarding the regional fiber project and its implications for Hidden Hills, Mayor Gold responded that iti is indeed a significant initiative that involves alli five cities: Malibu, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, and Westlake Village. This regional fiber network will not only connect our city halls but also important infrastructure such as schools, fire stations, and sheriff stations, which is essential for our emergency response capabilities. She continued that for Hidden Hills, this project represents amajoropportunityt to utilizei Measure! Mf funds toi improve our locali infrastructure, ap process that has previously been challenging due to our gatedr nature, which limits public access. Thei implementation oft this fiber network is a perfect example of how we can leverage those funds for the benefit of our community. She added that thet fiber wouldrunt through! Hidden! Hillst to connect directlyt to our city hally with other municipalities, reinforcing the community's connectivity: and resilience. Before concluding, Mayor Gold reminded the community, that if they're interested in delving deeper into this project, the COG meetings are recorded and available on Upon! MOTIONby Council Member McCorkindale, seconded by Council Member Wasserman, and carried on aroll call vote, 4-0-1, it was resolved to approve items A, B.CD,EEG,LKLOft the consent calendar as  Project weren'tready for discussion tonight.  impacts Hidden Hills, and discuss its implications for our community?  YouTube.  submitted. 8.  OLDI BUSINESS  A. Approval of an Updated Exclusive Franchise Agreement and Authorization to Release the  RFP for City's Solid Waste Collection Services  City Engineer Lovett presented the following report:  the Cityl has been contracting with' Waste Management for exclusive trash collection services for over 17 years; in December, the Council directed staff along with a subcommittee to investigate the possibility ofi issuing al Request for Proposals (RFP) to explore the open market and determine if the community could benefit from new options; in February, the City entered into a professional services agreement with HF&H Consulting to assist in the preparation of the RFP, which aims to modernize our current contract and address existing gaps; HF&H Consulting has now prepared a revised agreement and an RFP, which are included in your staff report for this evening's meeting. We are ready to advertise for public bidding; City Engineer Lovett highlighted that there are several proposed changes and upgrades in the new agreement, that are includedin! his report; itis required    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15, 2024 Page 6  that the Council advertise these waste management services for public bidding; therefore, his recommendations are as follows: 1. that the Council finds the draft agreement for solid waste, recycled materials, organic waste collection, processing, and disposal services, as set forth in the bid documents, to be reasonable; 2. to authorize staff to make any non-substantive changes to the RFP and agreement as needed; and 3. to direct staff to advertise for public bids based on the updated Resident Bret expressed that on page 2 of the recent agreement, it states that the costs for solid waste collection will be passed on to us, the ratepayers. The estimated cost oft this servicei is around $250,000, which, when divided among the residents, translates to an additional fee of $300 to $400 per household. This is a significant increase in expenses that we, as residents, have never encountered before. Why is it that the financial responsibility for this service falls solely on the rate payers shoulders, particularly when the decision Council Member Loggia addressed Mr. Katz's questions by stating that he' d like to correct a misconception. Thet total amount for the solid waste collection is indeed $250,000, but this is over a 10-year agreement, which breaks down to $25,000 a year. When divided among the approximately 650 homes in our community, the annual cost per household is significantly lower than the $300 to $400 figure you mentioned. It's essential to understand that the waste management company awarded this contract will have access to a considerable revenue stream, which includes absorbing some initial costs. Our expectation is that this will lead to more competitive rates for our residents. When it comes to whether these costs should be absorbed by the city or the ratepayers, the distinction is somewhat academic. Ultimately, it's the community's money, regardless of the funding pathway. The decision to pass these costs onto residents this way was made with the intent of maintaining transparency and ensuring that the service meets our community's needs efficiently. While we could have structured the agreement differently, at the time, it did not seem to make sense from a financial standpoint. It's worth mentioning that external consultants have advised us that including these costs as part oft the bid process can lead to lower overall rates. Assuming we would get that money back by not charging Interim City Attorney Jenkins added that in light of the increasingly complex legal landscape surrounding franchise agreements, it's essential for the city to ensure that it is receiving a state-of-the-art service that adheres to the latest laws. One great way to achieve this is by bringing in an expert consultant, specifically the team from Hf and H, who has a strong track record in handling franchise agreements across the state. They are well-regarded in the field, having the most clientele among consultants, which speaks to their expertise and reliability. This consulting team deeplyunderstands: the intricate legal requirements, especially as the state has implemented new mandates like organic recycling, making the legalities more convoluted. By engaging such a consultant, the city can be assured that all operations and agreements will remain compliant with these evolving laws. Moreover, it's important to clarify that while there might be an initial estimate of $250,000 associated with these consulting services, this figure should not be a cause for concern. The estimate is a cap and likely overstated. The legal services needed for reviewing the Request for Proposal (RFP) and the draft franchise agreement have already been completed efficiently within just two days. Future legal consultation may arise when assessing bids and negotiating terms, but it is unlikely that costs will reach  RFP and agreement.  to engage an outside waste hauler was made by the city council.  ratepayers may not necessarily be a reliable assumption,    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15,2024 Page7  thei initial estimate. Thus, urge everyone not toi fixate on the $250,000figure, as the expectation is that costs Council Member McCorkindale contributed tot the discussion by expressing conçerns over the city's previous practice of accepting contracts without seeking bids. She emphasized the importance of transparency and competition to ensure quality services ati fair prices. She also urged residents to go to the City's website and Philip Mainolfi, the consultant from HF&H shared insights during the discussion, pointing out that the $250,000 cap represents only 1.7% oft the overall contract value. He noted that Hidden Hills ranked 88 out of 89 cities in a 2021 survey regarding trash contracting prices, indicating a needi fori improvement. Mr. Mainolfi argued that by exploring a more competitive landscape, the city could enhance service quality, potentially lower costs, and reduce risk. He emphasized that investing in this process could lead to better long-term outcomes for residents, suggesting that the price could decrease significantly with just a slight adjustment. The council acknowledged the need for clarity on these figures and the unique level of service Hidden Hills Resident Mathy' Wasserman complimented Waste Management ont the success of their recent bulkyi item pick up day that provided in Hidden Hills. She asked the Council that when the RFP's come in to City Hall, what is the decision making, financial decision. Does the City have an opportunity to add experiential input toit Interim City Attorney. Jenkins clarified that this process is not solely! based on the lowest bid. The cityl has the flexibility to consider various factors, including price, experience, and other relevant criteria. This allows the City Council to select the hauler that they believe is best suited to meet the needs of the community. By weighing these different elements, the council aims to ensure that the chosen service provider offers both Upon MOTION by Council Member McCorkindale, seconded by Council Member Wasserman, and carried on roll call vote, 4-0-1, it was resolved to approve the Updated Exclusive Franchise Agreement and authorize Upon MOTION by Council Member Loggia, seconded by Council Member Wasserman, and carried on roll  will be much lower.  watch the meeting where this topic was previously discussed.  provides, which mayj justify higher costs compared to other cities.  ori is thel lowest bid gets the contract.  value and quality.  the release the RFP for City's Solid' Waste Collection Services. call vote, 4-0-1, it was resolved to goi into Closed Session.  9.  CLOSED SESSION  CONFERENCE WITHI LEGAL COUNSEL;  A.  Anticipated Litigation; Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code  Section 54956.9(d)2): Number of Potential Cases: 1    City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 15,2024 Page 8  B.  Anticipated Litigation; Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section  54956.9(d)(4): Number of Potential Cases: 1  10. REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION There was no reportable action taken. 11. ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.  Eniko Gold, Mayor  ATTEST coha eana L. Gonae  Vos