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Council approves pro-housing designation after debate; one member alleges misconduct at state housing agency
Summary
Calabasas council voted 4-1 to approve a pro-housing designation and associated grant authority; one council member said they do not recognize HCD's authority and alleged misappropriation by HCD and its director, an allegation not addressed or corroborated during the meeting.
The Calabasas City Council on Nov. 12 approved the city's application for the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) pro-housing designation and Pro Housing Initiative Program grant by a 4-1 margin after a discussion about potential obligations and uses of the funds.
Council members heard staff describe the program and possible uses of a roughly $150,000 grant example for projects tied to the city's housing element, such as objective design standards. Staff emphasized that the designation is not beyond the city's existing housing-element commitments and that the city may later withdraw if necessary.
During the discussion, one council member (identified in the transcript as Mayor Pro Tim) said they "do not recognize the authority of the housing and community development in this city because of the crimes committed by HCD and its director Zachary Olmstead against the city in misappropriating state funds," and stated they would vote no. No response from HCD or other officials was recorded on the record, and the allegation was not documented as substantiated in the meeting record.
After debate, the council approved the designation and associated item. Staff said the city could use grant funds for eligible housing-element projects and that the grant typically cannot be used to acquire property unless a project is already approved for that site.
Actions and vote: The motion to approve the pro-housing designation was moved by Council Member Shapiro and seconded by Council Member Winrob; the motion carried 4-1. The transcript records one explicit no vote expressed by the council member who raised the allegation; other votes were recorded by affirmation without name in the roll call.
Representative quotes: "In general for the pro housing designation you ... meet certain requirements you can apply for and be part of the program," staff said. "It's not above and beyond what the city has already committed to in its housing element." — staff comment
"I don't recognize the authority of the housing and community development in this city because of the crimes committed by HCD and its director Zachary Olmstead ... I will be voting no," the council member said in the meeting transcript.
The meeting record does not include any immediate verification or rebuttal to the allegation; council members proceeded with the vote and authorized moving forward with the application.
