[0:00] Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our first hybrid meeting of the Agore Hill City Council, regular

[0:16] meeting of Wednesday, February 9, 2022. As you can see, I am in the council chambers and the council,

[0:26] the rest of the council is calling in. We're trying this out. So if there are any instances where you can't hear me or can't hear anyone else, please, please let us know.

[0:36] Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all city meeting facilities are closed to the public until further notice.

[0:44] Tonight's meeting is being conducted utilizing video conferencing and electronic means consistent with AB361,

[0:53] and may be viewed live on Zoom by entering the meeting ID and passcode on the agenda, by live stream on YouTube by entering February 9, 2022,

[1:05] or view the live or archived meeting on the city's website at agorehillcity.org and click on the watch meetings online button.

[1:15] In accordance with AB361, public attendance in the council chambers will not be permitted.

[1:23] And now I will defer to City Clerk Rodriguez.

[1:28] Thank you, Mayor Lopez. Written public comments were requested to be emailed by 4pm today during the meeting in accordance with 8361.

[1:37] There will also be an opportunity for the public to speak on each item. If you would like to speak on an item, you may access the Zoom meeting online at Zoom.us

[1:47] and enter the meeting ID and passcode located on the agenda. To request to speak during public comment, please click on the raise hand button on the Zoom toolbar.

[1:57] Request to state must be received prior to the mail closing the public comment portion of the item.

[2:02] For full details, please refer to the public participation section on the agenda. Thank you.

[2:09] Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. And now I will call this meeting to order.

[2:16] And I will defer to council member Weber for the pledge of allegiance.

[2:31] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to be of a vote stand.

[2:38] Thank you, council member Weber. And now I will proceed with a roll call. I will call on each council member.

[2:58] Council member Buckley Weber.

[3:01] Here. Council member Northrop.

[3:04] Here. Council member Weber.

[3:08] Mayor.

[3:09] Mayor.

[3:13] Could hear you, but I see you tried.

[3:16] Thank you. We have a call for this evening.

[3:19] Thank you.

[3:22] Okay. There was no close session held this evening. So there's no report from that.

[3:29] So we'll move along to the approval of our agenda and we'll the maker of the motion to approve the agenda.

[3:36] Please state your name along with the second.

[3:40] Council member Buckley Weber goes to the agenda.

[3:44] We'll approve.

[3:46] Okay. Council member Weber will second.

[3:51] Okay.

[3:53] I think I have a motion in a second.

[3:57] So I will now call on each council member for their vote. Council member Buckley Weber.

[4:02] I. Council member Northrop.

[4:07] I.

[4:09] Council member Weber.

[4:12] I.

[4:13] Mayor.

[4:14] Program.

[4:15] Answer.

[4:16] I.

[4:17] And I also vote.

[4:18] I.

[4:19] The motion passes.

[4:21] Five to zero.

[4:24] Okay. Now here is the most exciting part of this evening.

[4:29] All aggrow hills volunteer recognition event.

[4:33] And I will turn it over to Nick.

[4:35] Newcirk for.

[4:37] I wonder full presentation.

[4:59] I couldn't hear that.

[5:20] I don't know if anyone else could.

[5:23] I could not hear it.

[5:29] Okay.

[5:32] I'm looking at it.

[5:59] Good evening.

[6:04] On behalf of the entire city council.

[6:06] I would like to thank everyone for attending.

[6:09] The city of aggrow hills annual volunteer recognition event.

[6:12] This past year has been another incredibly challenging one for everyone.

[6:17] But tonight we want to take the time to recognize our volunteers who continue to contribute.

[6:22] Countless hours of their time and energy.

[6:25] Into making the city of aggrow hills a better community through these trying times.

[6:30] I would like to start by thanking all volunteers of 2021.

[6:34] Whether you served on a committee.

[6:36] Volunteer to an event.

[6:37] Or work in the library to help get books out to people.

[6:40] Your environment was truly impressive and valued.

[6:44] Each volunteer offers their own unique skills in a variety of groups and committees.

[6:50] Tonight we will honor some extraordinary people for going above and beyond.

[6:54] They are called for civic duty.

[6:56] We are thrilled to offer gifts to all of you tonight.

[6:59] This year each volunteer will receive an umbrella with a newly adopted 40th anniversary logo on it.

[7:06] You will be able to pick them up at the aggrow hills recreation and events center.

[7:10] Beginning on Monday February 21st.

[7:12] Please know that myself and the entire city council as well as city staff could not be more grateful for your efforts.

[7:20] We have for your enjoyment a presentation highlighting all of the groups and participants that volunteered in some way in 2021.

[7:28] It's people like you that make the city of aggrow hills a great place to live.

[7:33] Again from the bottom of our hearts we thank you.

[7:50] Thank you very much.

[8:20] Thank you very much.

[8:50] Thank you very much.

[9:20] This is Jeremy and I love volunteering because I feel like it actually makes a difference in our community and keeps aggrow such a beautiful and wonderful place to be.

[9:50] Thank you very much.

[10:20] Thank you very much.

[10:50] Hi, my name is Randy Paler and I've been volunteering for the city of aggrow hills for over 30 years.

[11:03] The reason why volunteers that I'd love to give back and I'd love to be part of this awesome community.

[11:08] I've had the great privilege to be the chair of raise the dovi days for the last 18 years.

[11:14] It's a great way to meet so many of my wonderful neighbors and to share my excitement and love of the city with them.

[11:21] I appreciate the support and opportunity that the city has given me.

[11:26] I want to thank city council members, city staff and most important community service staff.

[11:32] It's an awesome group of people to work with.

[11:35] I am committed to bringing spirit and love to our community and I'm looking forward to raise the dovi days 2022.

[12:05] Thank you very much.

[12:35] Thank you very much.

[13:05] Thank you very much.

[13:35] All right, I heard at that time I hope everyone could hear and see the wonderful, long, long list of volunteers that we've had in the city of aggrow hills even through COVID, which is so, so telling.

[13:59] And just to let everyone know, you know, I just met with about 20 volunteers on Zoom right before this meeting.

[14:07] We had a little meet and greet on Zoom just so we could offer some personal thanks to those who wanted to pop in.

[14:14] And you know, really hoping that we can do this in person again next year because it's such a lovely, lovely way to recognize our volunteers.

[14:22] So thank you to staff for making that presentation.

[14:25] And by the way, when we picked the umbrellas, it was pouring rain.

[14:29] So here's a little rain dance that maybe we'll get a little more rain again.

[14:34] So thank you so much volunteers.

[14:37] Okay, with that, we move to intergovernmental and special purpose committee and departmental reports.

[14:48] And it's time I know you've all been waiting for two more of the 40 facts for 40 years.

[14:57] So I think we're mirror half.

[15:00] As a few slides he's going to put up. All right, the first front fact, which I'm sure we all know, but really, I'm surprised at how many people in the area don't know.

[15:15] But there is a 14-foot statue of someone called Chief White Eagle right on the south side of a war road in between Chesbro and Canaan.

[15:29] He has been there for over 80 years. I used it when we lived in the San Fernando Valley and we would drive up the Santa Barbara that that Chief White Eagle would be on the little hilltop.

[15:43] It was all you could see and now he's actually a little bit hard to find because of all the building that's coming around it over the past 80 years.

[15:51] But the interesting thing about this statue is that it was dedicated by an artist to the Tumash, but as you can see the depiction of Chief White Eagle is not particularly an accurate portrayal of our local Tumash tribes.

[16:15] I think the person who the artist who was trying to pay homage was the spirit was right, but I think the research was a little bit off as you can see.

[16:27] So it is meant to be really an honor bestowed upon our local tribes although the look of it is a belief more east coast tribal.

[16:44] So anyway, look for Chief White Eagle going on a go-on road.

[16:48] Right about, is it Lewis, if you turn on Lewis maybe, you can see him off upon a hill.

[16:56] So that's the one fact, and you can let me know on social media tomorrow if you've seen Chief White Eagle.

[17:02] And fact number two is about John Ballard, and because February is Black History Month,

[17:13] I thought it was really important to bring awareness to John Ballard, who was the first known African American landowner in our area.

[17:25] He came out West, he was a former slave, and he was the first African American to own property, and his ancestors are actually still in the area.

[17:37] The interesting thing about John Ballard is, you can imagine he faced incredible racism, his house was burned down a few times, and he persevered.

[17:48] Interestingly, an mountain was named after him, and it was named after him with a slur.

[17:55] So the mountain was named with a very ugly title that is often attributed to the African American population.

[18:07] And you can even see that on some older maps, and thankfully, in 2010 the peak was renamed Ballard Mountain.

[18:15] In 2018, his descendants came to the area and honored his legacy, and now Ballard Mountain is here on our maps to stay.

[18:24] So I thought everyone would be interested in this for Black History Month.

[18:28] If you got my newsletter, you got a little heads up on this, and I love that we take this, and we put it on social media right after these meetings, and the community really seems to love it as they learn more about our city.

[18:42] So thank you very much for Mr. Deva for those slides, and we will move on on our agenda. Next on our agenda, we will be bringing in Marisol Espinoza from Southern California Gas to discuss some of the issues that have been going on in the, in our area on our gas bills, etc.

[19:07] So turn it over to you, Ms. Espinoza.

[19:11] Great. Wonderful. I'm going to share my screen, so let me know once you can see it.

[19:23] Got it.

[19:25] Thank you, Ms. Espinoza. Great.

[19:28] I've given you my year members of the City Council for the staff, and congrats to a boy house on 40 years as a city.

[19:36] I really appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today.

[19:40] We're going to primarily focus on winter bills, because I understand and know that you've been getting quite a few calls about this.

[19:47] For those who might not know me, my name is Marisol Espinoza, and I'm a book affairs manager at St. Calgas.

[19:53] I've been there for a few years now, but for anyone who might not also know my background, I don't know my work at St. Calgas, I worked for over 10 years for city and state elected officials in the San Fernando Valley.

[20:06] So I definitely know and understand constituent service, and that it's key and incredibly important to get stakeholders timely and accurate information about issues that affect them.

[20:16] And like I said, we know that you've been getting calls about, you know, increases in their winter gas bills and, you know, your constituents are our customers, and it's really important that we share information.

[20:31] So I can empathize that it was quite surprising, especially when you're used to your gas bill being one of the lowest ones that you see each month.

[20:40] I've been able to my parents for those seniors, and I know that the strain of higher bills can, that it can cause obviously we're in the city, you know, in a global pandemic and cost of everything has been going up and it's been hard for individuals and families for the last couple of years.

[21:00] And so seeing another high bill can be extremely difficult for families.

[21:06] I want to just start by giving a little bit of background about so Calgas for 150 years.

[21:12] We have been proud to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy to our customers in the city of the Gore Hills and throughout our service territory.

[21:20] We operate and maintain the largest natural gas distribution system in the country, which includes more than 100,000 miles of pipeline, standing a territory of 20,000 square miles and serving 22 million customers from Fresno down to San Diego.

[21:35] So I'm going to see that is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission of CQC and every three years we file a request with the CQC called the general rate case and that there are precedes that take place, which include public areas, the testimony from.

[21:54] From so called gas that we care advocates and various environmental groups and others.

[22:02] There are quite a few factors that might be contributing to the higher bills.

[22:06] I'm here to tell you a little bit about what some of those are and to provide some information on how you might be able to save on your bill.

[22:13] I'll be going into each one in a little more detail, but these are the basic factors that couldn't be contributing.

[22:22] The gas prices haven't increased.

[22:24] There's a transportation rate change that was approved in 2019.

[22:28] Another increase in the clients usage number of days within the building cycle and small factor that could play.

[22:37] That was a past due amounts.

[22:42] So winter natural gas market prices are regionally and nationally have been higher and more variable.

[22:51] They have increased significantly since December.

[22:54] They're nearly double that they were a year ago.

[22:57] This is honestly one of the primary drivers right now.

[23:00] We've seen the process of so many things go up some groceries to cars, construction materials across the globe and a lot of it's driven by demand.

[23:10] It will be dealt.

[23:12] We don't produce gas.

[23:14] We are a delivery system.

[23:16] And so whenever there's colder weather in the east, the need for gas is higher.

[23:21] And there's higher price for it.

[23:24] So I think right now there's we're competing with these coasts to purchase gas and the prior price is really based on demand.

[23:35] There is no market to the customer.

[23:39] We don't make a private from higher natural gas prices.

[23:45] And just I just a few details.

[23:48] If just to you know give you a sense of the of the increase last December 2021.

[23:55] The price of natural gas per term was 36 cents.

[24:00] And 36.15 cents.

[24:03] And this past December it was 65.129 cents per term.

[24:08] In January it went up to 83.5 cents per term.

[24:14] But we do see that for February as a February first.

[24:18] It has gone back down to 60.65 cents per term.

[24:24] So hopefully that's a good trend.

[24:27] You know we'll definitely keep you posted on the updating information as we get further further information.

[24:37] The other thing is there was a transportation rate change approved in 2019 that became effective on January 1st.

[24:46] This is an evidential average residential rate increase of about 6%.

[24:51] And for small businesses an average increase of about 14%.

[24:56] And the busy rate changes that are going to allow us to modernize and upgrade our natural gas pipelines.

[25:02] You know some of the things that we're doing across our territory.

[25:07] But we've seen it in the glory houses as well a couple of distribution mainline replacements.

[25:12] We're continuing to invest in capital projects and maintaining pipeline integrity, testing and upgrading sections about pipeline.

[25:21] And this helps us retain responsible for trade and ease and support the growth of diverse energy options.

[25:32] So during winter we do see that customers can use 3 to 7 times more natural gas which can lead to higher monthly bills.

[25:41] Cloud water also makes water heaters look longer and harder than in this summer.

[25:46] And this is because the water coming into the water heater is colder during winter.

[25:51] Space heating is often the number one component of energy expense for most residential customers during the winter and that's usually more than half of the total natural gas bill.

[26:03] So it has been colder which is contributing to increase usage.

[26:09] But a couple of other factors that might play a small amount of small over but could be customers could be seeing an impact is during the holidays.

[26:21] We see that sometimes the billing cycle can be a few days longer.

[26:26] But typically there's 29 to 32 days in a cycle depending on the number of days in a month and a holiday.

[26:34] Power days can add up to 4 days to customers building cycles so that could also contribute.

[26:40] And then this one is just someone mentioned that they had noticed that their passive amount was still on their bill and so it was showing higher.

[26:50] So just you always want to double check that there's no pending passive amount on the bill that makes it look like it's even higher.

[27:00] These are some ways to serve on your bill and I don't I'll go into a talk about a couple of them.

[27:07] I'll definitely make this presentation available to the city.

[27:12] If you want to share it on the website.

[27:14] But all this is also on our website as well.

[27:17] But here are just some things that you can do.

[27:19] It's better for the start.

[27:20] And it's the state degrees during the day that we've had at night.

[27:23] If you're health permits it.

[27:24] If you lower your thermostat through the five degrees.

[27:27] You can save up to 10% on feeding costs.

[27:29] You know, make sure you test your urbex for weeks.

[27:32] Check ready hot water.

[27:34] Any, you know, fixy weeks that rookie faucets and pipes.

[27:38] That could be causing extra demand on your water heater.

[27:45] We do also offer various programs for customers that need financial assistance or help paying their natural gas bills.

[27:54] We offer a wide range of services.

[27:57] For example, we have a care program where eligible participants can feed 20% on their natural gas bill.

[28:04] And we also have an energy savings assistance program where eligible residents can qualify for no cost home improvements.

[28:11] And we have medical baseline allowance which provides additional natural gas at the baseline rate.

[28:17] We're so Cal Gas customers with certain medical conditions to help keep the house warm.

[28:22] We do also offer, you know, if anybody has trouble paying a bill.

[28:27] We work out payment plans and make arrangements if you call our 800 number.

[28:33] And we have various other programs.

[28:36] We've partnered with the United Way of Greater LA to provide customers who are having trouble paying their bill with a grant to, you know, for the amount of their gas bill.

[28:48] And we also have an energy management plan where eligible customers can apply to have their past due balance forgiven.

[29:00] I know one of the questions that we received was in regards to outreach and, you know, how we notified customers.

[29:08] Definitely, you know, we do our best to communicate about winter bills through various channels.

[29:13] Some of these included bill inserts, postcards emails to residential and small business customers.

[29:20] Again, communicating about winter bills with social media press releases.

[29:25] But we're definitely, I know that, you know, not everybody always will get from that we'll share the message.

[29:30] So we're open to ideas and suggestions is how to improve communication.

[29:35] You know, your city best.

[29:36] And so always appreciate feedback on how to best communicate with residents and businesses and to go ahead.

[29:43] And, you know, whether it be working with staff to share information on the website or posting on social media or how we can get this to, you know, I know that sooner rather than later is definitely what we aim for.

[30:00] We also have Twitter account that I try to post updates on or following the so-called gas Twitter account on social media as well.

[30:11] So, please, there are just some ideas that, again, open to partnering or open to having further discussion on how we can better communicate with our customers and your constituents.

[30:27] You know, just wanted to also let you know and like customers know if there are any questions or if someone needs assistance, you know, going over their bill.

[30:37] Our customer contact center is always available 247-800-427-2200.

[30:44] This is the website, so cowgas.com, of slash code, and that will direct you to all of our various programs as well as some of the information that I've shared today.

[30:56] So, I'm happy to answer questions and just appreciate the opportunity to update you and to see while hopefully set soon, we'll be able to connect them personally, again.

[31:08] Thank you.

[31:11] Thank you so much, not only for the presentation but for being available, when I know I got a lot of messages, phone calls, emails, when the bills were so far out of the normal range.

[31:33] Does any council member have any questions for Ms. Espinoza?

[31:38] No, but thank you, Marissa, for coming today. We really appreciate it.

[31:47] Thank you.

[31:49] Thank you, Marissa.

[31:53] Thank you.

[31:54] Can we make a comment or two?

[31:56] Of course.

[31:58] Thank you.

[31:59] I appreciate Marissa all of you being here.

[32:02] I know you've been coming to us in the past as well.

[32:07] And I just want to say that my dealing with Southern California gas has always been extremely, extremely well received the leadership setting or excellent.

[32:21] And I appreciate you being here and talking to us tonight.

[32:26] Honestly, I was surprised when I got my gas bills.

[32:32] But then my wife and I were discussing it and we realized that I didn't be personally, I've been working from home almost two years now and during the closed spells that we use it more.

[32:48] When we go to work, you wouldn't worry about 68 degrees. Maybe it was 50, 60.

[32:57] So I know that I'm guilty of this.

[33:00] And so I'm understanding for the increase.

[33:04] And I personally have, and not got any calls from the residents regarding the bills.

[33:11] But I know having listened to some of the folks that I'm sure it's been, it's been an issue for some of them.

[33:22] But I guess I would say, again, thank you.

[33:25] And I guess my, with the way I feel about taxes, is that I guess I'm more worried about the gas, putting my car.

[33:34] The state you've grazing the taxes all the time.

[33:36] So just an editorial comment.

[33:39] But I appreciate you coming in. I know that you've always been available for the council to discuss things and I, again, I appreciate your time.

[33:53] I do have a couple of additional questions from when we spoke last.

[33:58] And again, thank you for being available to me when that when I was going on the messages.

[34:04] We talked about the outreach to our residents.

[34:10] How much advanced noticed you have when the rates are skyrocketing like they did?

[34:18] Because I know I know a bit more on the electric side where we know what's coming.

[34:25] We see it coming and we are able to give people a chance to change their behavior if they want to.

[34:33] And adapt to the higher prices.

[34:35] I mean, I'm lived in a warehouse for 25 years almost and we've had cold winters and we've had longer billing cycles.

[34:44] So this was really new. I think that was the shock.

[34:47] So why why was it different than winters passed in terms of that and how much lead time did you have that next time maybe we can give people heads up if they want to alter their behavior at all for usage.

[35:03] Yeah, so I'm not sure exactly how much lead time to something I could look into for you, but I do know.

[35:10] So we did a press release on winter bills back in it was at the very end of October.

[35:19] And so I think that you know at that time we always anticipate that those are going to be higher because of higher usage.

[35:28] And I think natural gas prices were slightly increasing, but I'm going to have to get back to you on you know specifically when how much notice we have.

[35:38] You know when it comes to the market I know there's there's a group called that gas acquisition that deals specifically with.

[35:47] You know acquiring the gas that we provide so I'll get back to you because I want to make sure I get you correct information.

[35:57] Okay, thank you. And then my last question is so right after the people got these bills that were sometimes two or three higher times higher than they were used to.

[36:09] There's been some pretty negative articles in the newspaper about some penalties that were.

[36:17] I'm pleased on Southern California gas because of some violations using rate payer money to advocate for or against some changes in our climate plans.

[36:32] So I got questions from residents saying is this why our rates are higher because just so cow gases using our money to pay penalties or to use it for advocacy.

[36:45] Can you speak to that at all.

[36:48] Yeah, so that wouldn't be the penalty penalties that would be incurred and we're still reviewing that decision.

[36:57] And we know we look forward to looking at the security of the CQC on that but that would not.

[37:04] Come out of rate paid dollars so we did check on that that's from being that is coming out of rate paid dollars so you know again more information will this is I think coming.

[37:17] But as of right now or started you in that decision.

[37:22] Okay, and the increase has.

[37:25] The increase has nothing to do with.

[37:28] Using some of those funds for so cow gases advocacy in the gas market that's that's what the question was about not about the future penalties but okay.

[37:38] Yeah, no that's not.

[37:41] Yeah, the the think the type of six percent and the trend that's the transportation rate and that is the cost of delivering of natural gas.

[37:52] And so that includes you know like the pipeline of grades and you know there's the projects related to the greater infrastructure.

[38:04] Okay, thank you.

[38:06] If there are no other questions, then we can say goodbye and once again, thank you for stopping by and helping us understand so that we can explain to our residents when they reach out to us.

[38:21] Thank you so much for having.

[38:25] Thank you.

[38:27] So still in the intergovernmental special purpose committee and departmental reports does any council member have any reports.

[38:39] Okay, I do have one quick update one quick report from clean power alliance.

[38:48] As as you know and hopefully our residents know when when you're on clean power alliance, which most of our residents are at this point.

[38:59] You have two bills on your southern California Edison bill, you've got the procurement, which is the cost of.

[39:07] You know, procuring a generating the energy and then you've got the delivery and that is the infrastructure side of it.

[39:15] So most of us rely on clean power alliance to procure the energy at various green rates.

[39:22] We all rely on southern California Edison to deliver the rates and we are build for both of those through southern California Edison.

[39:31] So due to some calendar sinking issues between SE and the billing manager of all types of consumer.

[39:46] Clean the clean power alliance and the similar agencies throughout the state CCAs.

[39:52] There was a disconnect and a lot of people in the gorhoza was I believe 66% of the people.

[40:00] Who are on clean power alliance.

[40:03] Did not get built for their clean power alliance portion on their December bill for December and then they got built for December and January in January.

[40:14] So that means that your December bill would have been lower than it should have been in your January bill was higher because it included that December bill.

[40:23] And again, I'm told that a gorhoza was actually the area that was one of the most affected by that.

[40:30] Again, this was something that occurred across the state with all CCAs, including clean power alliance.

[40:37] Edison is working on making sure it doesn't happen again.

[40:42] And again, I just want to make sure that everyone knows that nobody was built twice.

[40:49] But that December portion of the procurement ended up on the January bill for two thirds of us.

[40:56] So if anyone is having a problem being that bill because it's higher than expected because it wasn't spread out like normal.

[41:05] You can call SE and they'll work with you and there's no penalties charged.

[41:10] So just wanted to make sure everyone knew that in case you hear about that from our residents at all happy to answer any questions.

[41:18] Anybody has any?

[41:24] Madam Mayor, I have a question not about clean power alliance but I was just wondering.

[41:29] We haven't had a report on the cog in a while and I would like to get one at the next meeting if possible.

[41:37] Thank you.

[41:41] Note it, we will work with our cog representatives and we'll have that on the next agenda.

[41:47] I see Mayor Pratem and instead nodding, he's writing something down.

[41:52] Thank you.

[41:55] All right, with that we will move to public comments for items not listed on the agenda.

[42:03] This section is reserved for items not listed on the agenda that are under the subject matter jurisdiction of the city council.

[42:09] Written public comments were requested to be emailed in advance of tonight's meeting.

[42:14] If you wish to speak, please click the raise hand button on the Zoom toolbar now.

[42:19] Public testimony is limited to three minutes per speaker and a speaker's time may not be transferred to another speaker.

[42:27] And now I'll defer to City Clerk Rodriguez to see if we have any public comments.

[42:34] Thank you, Mayor Lopez. The city did not receive any written public comments and there are no hands raised at this time.

[42:41] Okay, thank you.

[42:44] Then we will move on to the consent calendar.

[42:48] This section is reserved for items on the consent calendar.

[42:52] Written public comments were requested to be emailed in advance of tonight's meeting.

[42:57] If you wish to speak, please click the raise hand button on the Zoom toolbar now.

[43:02] Public testimony is limited to three minutes per speaker and a speaker's time may not be transferred to another speaker.

[43:10] Once again, I will defer to City Clerk Rodriguez to see if we have any public comments for our consent calendar.

[43:17] Thank you, Mayor Lopez.

[43:19] The city did not receive any written public comments and there are no hands raised for live testimony.

[43:24] Great, thank you.

[43:27] And now I will call on each council member to see if they have any questions or comments about the consent calendar or wish to roll anything to discuss separately.

[43:38] Council member Buckley Webber.

[43:41] I have no questions and no comments. Thank you.

[43:46] Okay, council member Northrop.

[43:49] No questions or comments.

[43:51] Thank you, council member Webber.

[43:55] No questions, no comments.

[43:57] Okay, Mayor Patem, answering.

[44:00] No questions or comments.

[44:02] Thank you. I also do not have any questions or comments about the items on the consent calendar.

[44:09] So now I will ask for a motion and will the maker of the motion to adopt the consent calendar along with the second please state your names.

[44:22] Thank you.

[44:27] Thank you.

[44:31] We have a motion and a second to adopt and approve the following four consent calendar items.

[44:37] Number one, approve demand warrant register.

[44:40] Number eight 65.

[44:42] Number two, authorized purchase of very small aperture terminal visa equipment from McKay,

[44:50] Communication Inc.

[44:52] SMMC emergency operations, wildfire, resiliency grant.

[44:58] Number three, request.

[45:00] For a progression of funds for SUMAC Park Restroom, Rehabilitation Project, NIB-21-02, and number 4, approve and make

[45:14] AB361 findings for special Brown Act requirements for teleconference meetings. And I will now call on each council member for their vote on the consent calendar.

[45:25] Council member, Buckley Webber.

[45:27] Aye.

[45:29] Council member, North-Rip.

[45:31] Aye.

[45:33] Council member, Webber.

[45:35] Aye.

[45:37] Mayor, Portem, Amsterdam.

[45:39] Aye.

[45:41] I also vote in favor and the motion passes five to zero. Thank you very much.

[45:49] So now we will move to staff comments. Does anyone on our staff have any comments for the council or the public?

[46:03] Mayor, if I could just remind the public that we have our vaccine clinic coming up tomorrow,

[46:09] the 10th from 1pm to 5pm. And if you visit our website, if you

[46:15] need information on where it's lined up, but that'll be at our recreation events center.

[46:19] Wonderful. Thank you.

[46:23] Not seeing any other staff members pop on. I will now call on each council member to see if they have any comments.

[46:31] Council member, Buckley Webber.

[46:35] My only comment is to also join in thanking all of our volunteers in this city. I don't know how many

[46:41] are still on this program, but if anybody's listening. Thank you for all the work that you do.

[46:47] It's more important than ever.

[46:49] And the wonderful thing about volunteering is it brings us together as a community rather than spread us apart.

[46:55] You volunteer for what you want to do and it's not political and it's not people taking sides on one thing or another.

[47:03] It's just working together to make our community a better place to live.

[47:07] So thank you for all that you do and hopefully next year, I know we said this last year,

[47:13] but hopefully next year we'll all be together again.

[47:17] Thank you. Council member Northrup.

[47:21] I think I'm just going to say ditto to that and looking forward to better times like that as the number seen to be moving in the right direction.

[47:31] Thank you. Council member Webber.

[47:35] I will join my two colleagues in there in their comments.

[47:43] When you think about the number of volunteers, I think the last time I took account of it,

[47:49] and so 250 men, women and children all pitch into do so many wonderful things for our city.

[47:59] So I appreciate them and God bless them. Thank you.

[48:03] Thank you and Mayor Pertem and Stan.

[48:07] Yes, I also want to just personally thank all of volunteers again for all of our work this year.

[48:13] And past year as many people have been doing the volunteer activities for many years in a row.

[48:19] And I especially just want to put a shout out to the Gor village subcommittee that I was privileged to participate in.

[48:27] I know every member on that subcommittee spent many hours kind of reviewing policies and reviewing documents in addition to the meetings.

[48:37] And I want to just thank them personally for all their time that they put in into that subcommittee.

[48:43] So thank you again for everybody's volunteer.

[48:49] Thank you and of course I echo all of the comments about our volunteers.

[48:53] I will wrap up my comments by saying GoRams.

[49:01] I think the residents are really learning that I don't know if they knew.

[49:09] I certainly didn't know for a little bit of time that the Rams are headquartered in the city of a Gor Hills.

[49:15] It's something I love to tease our A-Kong reporter Cal Jory about because they they practice in 1000 Oaks.

[49:21] But where they headquartered, Gor Hills.

[49:23] So there are the Gor Hills Rams in our eyes.

[49:27] And we wish them the best of luck this Sunday. So go Rams.

[49:31] All right.

[49:33] With that, the next regular city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m.

[49:39] Wednesday, February 3rd, 2022.

[49:43] It is anticipated that all meetings will be held by video conference and in-person attendance by the public in the council chambers.

[49:50] We'll not be permitted.

[49:52] So we'll take a motion to adjourn and we'll the maker of the motion.

[49:56] And the second please state your name.

[49:58] Now, remember Buckley Webber.

[50:01] Moved to adjourn tonight's meeting.

[50:04] Mayer probe to adjourn.

[50:06] Second.

[50:08] Okay. Hopefully our city clerk got that.

[50:12] I got a little overlap there.

[50:14] And I will now call on each council member for their vote.

[50:18] Remember Buckley Webber.

[50:20] Aye.

[50:21] Council member Northrup.

[50:22] Aye.

[50:24] Council member Webber.

[50:26] Aye.

[50:28] Mayor Patam Anston.

[50:30] Gorams.

[50:32] Yet.

[50:34] And I also vote aye.

[50:36] And the motion passes 5 to 0 and the meeting is now adjourned.

[50:40] Thank you.

[50:42] Have a good night.

[50:48] Thank you.

Agoura Hills City Council

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