Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Adam, Newman, 5-Gutierrez, Engler, Taylor
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At a glance
Student Visionaries Recognition
- The Council recognized three high school students for their "Team Rollover Cancer" fundraising campaign.
- The team raised $68,000 in seven weeks and received the Patient Support Award.
- Plaques were presented to the students in acknowledgment of their efforts.
Film Permit Ordinance and Related Fees
- Staff proposed modernizing regulations by eliminating expedite fees and adopting an à la carte fee structure.
- The ordinance replaces rigid signature surveys with a flexible notification system for most scenarios.
- The Council adopted the ordinance to enhance the city's competitiveness for film productions.
Solar Panel Canopy Replacement
- Staff recommended awarding a design-build contract to Pavletich Electric for $364,209 to repair a damaged solar array.
- The project is estimated to be completed in under eight months with a payback period of less than 28 months.
- The Council approved the resolution to proceed with the repair contract.
2026 Active Transportation Plan
- Staff presented an updated plan proposing 36 bike corridor improvements, 15 intersection upgrades, and 34 sidewalk projects.
- Data analysis indicated a 24% decrease in bicycle and pedestrian collisions since 2019.
- The Council adopted the resolution approving the plan and finding it exempt from CEQA.
Closed Session
- The Council convened to discuss pending litigation involving Greenberg, Greene, and GI Industries.
- The City Clerk reported no matters from the session required public disclosure.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The City Council convened a closed session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.98. The specific cases addressed were Greenberg v. City of Thousand Oaks, Greene v. City of Thousand Oaks, and two matters involving GI Industries v. City of Thousand Oaks. Following the session, the City Clerk reported no matters to be disclosed to the public.
Special Presentation: Student Visionaries
- The Council recognized three high school sophomores—Madison Link, Kate Vaughn, and Cadence Lee—for their participation in the Student Visionaries of the Year program hosted by Blood Cancer United. The students presented on their campaign, "Team Rollover Cancer," which aimed to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and patient support. The team reported raising $68,000 over seven weeks and winning the Patient Support Award. The Council presented the students with plaques in recognition of their efforts.
Public Comments
- Four individuals provided public comment:
- Michelle (Santa Rosa Valley): Addressed a previous comment regarding the separation of church and state, arguing that the phrase is not in the Constitution and urging the Council to research the founding documents.
- Anne: Expressed support for displaying the national motto "In God We Trust" in city buildings, citing it as a unifying foundational value.
- John: Shared a quote from Abraham Lincoln regarding the nation's reliance on God and urged the Council to display "In God We Trust."
- Nora Hayes (Zoom): Inquired about city-provided legal counsel for homeowners dealing with Homeowners Association (HOA) disputes. The City Attorney responded that HOAs are private entities and the City cannot intervene in private contract disputes, though community resources like the Caneo Free Clinic may offer assistance.
- Ina McGinnis: Responded to the previous speakers, advocating for inclusivity and noting that the Supreme Court has reinforced the separation of church and state through case law.
Consent Calendar
- Councilmember Newman moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 5-0.
Public Hearing: Film Permit Ordinance and Related Fees (Agenda Item 10A)
- Staff presented a proposal to amend the film permit ordinance to modernize regulations and make the city more competitive for film productions. Key elements of the proposal included:
- Eliminating the $5,000 expedite fee for applications submitted within 10 days.
- Replacing rigid signature survey requirements with a flexible notification system, reserving signature requirements for high-impact scenarios.
- Implementing an "à la carte" fee structure based on cost recovery for specific services rather than a flat daily fee.
- Authorizing the City Manager to adopt an administrative policy to allow for future adjustments without returning to the Council.
- Allocating budget for software maintenance and part-time staff to process permits.
- Public speakers Danielle Borja (Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce) and Kyle Rohrbach (producer and TO Arts Vice Chair) expressed strong support for the changes, noting that the previous ordinance deterred filming. Rohrbach suggested considering a tiered fee structure for digital content creators and establishing a baseline insurance schedule. Staff indicated these suggestions would be considered during the policy development phase over the coming year.
- Council discussion focused on the flexibility of the new policy, the economic benefits of filming, and the need to balance industry needs with resident concerns, particularly in residential areas. Councilmember Adams moved to adopt the ordinance as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 5-0. The ordinance amends the Municipal Code regarding the regulation of commercial filming.
Public Hearing: Solar Panel Canopy Replacement at Los Robles Greens Golf Course (Agenda Item 10B)
- Staff presented a proposal to repair a solar array damaged by a vehicle collision. The original contractor could not meet budget constraints, leading staff to solicit independent pricing. The proposal recommended awarding a design-build contract to Pavletich Electric and Communications Incorporated for $312,917.86, plus contingency, for a total of $364,209. The project is estimated to be completed in less than eight months, with a payback period of under 28 months based on energy savings.
- Councilmember Engler moved to adopt the resolution and award the contract as recommended. The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 5-0.
Public Hearing: 2026 Active Transportation Plan (Agenda Item 10C)
- Staff and consultants presented the 2026 Active Transportation Plan (ATP), an update to the 2019 plan. The presentation included:
- Public Outreach: A summary of extensive outreach efforts, including workshops, online feedback, and engagement with the Bicycle Advisory Team (BAT).
- Data Analysis: A review of collision data showing a 24% decrease in bicycle and pedestrian collisions since 2019. The plan utilized a "propensity model" to identify areas with high potential for active transportation.
- Recommendations: The plan proposes 36 bike corridor improvements, 15 intersection improvements, and 34 sidewalk projects. Projects are categorized by funding source (grant-dependent vs. City pavement program).
- Prioritization: Projects are scored using a Caltrans rubric focusing on equity, demand, safety, engagement, and readiness.
- Council discussion addressed the prioritization of projects, the integration of the plan with the downtown development project, and specific safety concerns at the Hillcrest Drive and Lynn Road intersection. Councilmember Newman raised concerns regarding a misleading graph in the report concerning e-bike usage statistics, which staff acknowledged and agreed to clarify.
- Public speaker Benjamin Quo (Newberry Park) commended the staff's work but urged the Council to move beyond grant dependency and consider direct budget funding for active transportation projects, citing Santa Barbara as a model. He also highlighted the need for improvements at freeway overpasses and the Hillcrest Drive corridor.
- Councilmember Gutierrez moved to adopt the resolution approving the 2026 ATP and finding it exempt from CEQA. The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 5-0.
Department Report
- The Council received a department report. No presentation was provided. Councilmember Adams moved to approve the department report and staff recommendations. The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 5-0.
Announcements
- The City Manager announced the next regular meeting on April 14th, which will include Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, a presentation on the Las Vergnas brine line, a public hearing on a property collaboration with CRPD, and a report on the People Self-Help Housing project.
- The meeting was adjourned.