Agoura Hills Council backs pet-rescue bill, tougher water-theft fines and Pride flag proclamation

The Agoura Hills City Council voted unanimously to approve support for state- and county-level measures during its regular meeting.

Council members approved a letter of support for the FOUND Act, a bill described in the meeting as directing local governments to adopt clear pet-rescue procedures and online resources to reduce unauthorized pet rescues during disasters. The measure was presented to the council as authored by Assembly Member Rick Zaver (as stated in the meeting). The council approved the item by roll call, 4-0.

Council members also approved a separate item urging stronger penalties for hydrant water theft and supporting SB 394, sponsored in discussion by Senator Ben Allen and framed in the meeting with participation by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. Councilmembers described routine illegal hydrant hookups used by contractors and reported fines under current local practice of about $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second and $500 for a third, with a one-year reset. At the meeting, staff and council said a typical water tender carries about 6,000 gallons and that water theft can damage infrastructure and threaten supply during emergencies. The council approved support for SB 394 by roll call, 4-0.

Finally, the council adopted a resolution recognizing June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Plus (LGBTQ+) Pride Month in Agoura Hills and directed staff to fly the rainbow pride flag at the Agoura Hills Civic Center throughout June. Councilmember Anderson introduced the resolution, and the council adopted it 4-0.

On the consent calendar, the council approved the consent items with items 12, 13 and 15 pulled for separate discussion; the remainder of the consent calendar was adopted 4-0. No other votes failed or were tabled during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Consent calendar (minus items 12, 13 and 15): Approved, motion by Council member Anderson, second by Council member Deborah Klein Lopez; roll call 4-0. - Item 12 — FOUND Act support (consent-pulled item): Approved, roll call 4-0. (Council members voting Aye: Council member Anderson; Council member Chris Anstead; Council member Deborah Klein Lopez; Mayor Pro Tem Wolf.) - Item 13 — Support for SB 394 (hydrant water-theft penalties): Approved, roll call 4-0. (Votes: Anderson Aye; Anstead Aye; Klein Lopez Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Wolf Aye.) - Item 15 — Resolution recognizing June 2025 as Pride Month and directing staff to fly the rainbow flag: Approved, roll call 4-0.

Each approval was unanimous among the four council members present. The mayor was absent for the meeting; Councilmember Anderson, Councilmember Chris Anstead, Councilmember Deborah Klein Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Wolf recorded the roll-call Ayes for the items above.