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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/05/17 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR DECEMBER 5, 2017 CLOSED SESSION: Public Comments: 5:30 p.m., Room CC -8 None City of Diamond Bar v. Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Industry Urban -Development Agency, et al, Sacramento Superior Court Case No. 34- 2017-80002718. City of Diamond Bar v. City of Industry, et al, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BS171295 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lin called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA. CM/Fox stated that during tonight's Closed Session the Council was provided with an update on the two lawsuits that have been filed regarding the City of Industry and the Tres Hermanos'property. No reportable actions were taken. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Pastor Randy Lanthripe, Church in the Valley provided the invocation. ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, C/Lyons, Tye, and Mayor Pro Tem Low and Mayor Lin Staff Present: Dan Fox, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk Manager, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDAS As Presented. MILin announced Council reorganization and thanked the City Council for their support during his tenure as Mayor. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL: SELECTION OF MAYOR — M/Lin called for nominations for Mayor. CITye nominated Councilmember Ruth Low, Councilmember Herrera seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations offered, Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: DECEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL ClHerrera Yes C/Lyons Yes CITye Yes CILow Yes C/Lin Yes SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO -TEM — MILow called for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Lyons nominated Councilmember Carol Herrera to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Lin seconded. There being no other nominations offered, Motion carried by the following Rall Call vote: ClHerrera Yes ClLyons Yes C/Tye Yes CILin Yes MILow Yes Presentations to Outgoing Mayor Lin by MILow and Councilmembers RECESSIRECEPTION: MILow recessed the City Council meeting at 6:45 p.m. RECONVENE: MILow reconvened the City Council meeting at 7:01 p.m. 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: None. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: CM/Fox reported that on Friday the City hosted its first Holiday Flick at Sycamore Canyon Park. Despite the cool weather, about 250 attendees gathered to enjoy the activities. Children were able to participate in a variety of activity including Face Painting, Holiday Crafts, Animal Balloons and Crazy Whoville Hair Styling, as well as photo opportunities with the Grinch! Families were served savory and sweet crepes throughout the evening from the Crepes Bonaparte food truck. The featured movie was Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000 version with Jim Carrey. Thank you to everyone who came out to make this very first event successful. CM/Fox gave an update on the Sycamore Canyon Trail Repair project. The City Council approved a design contract in October for the slope repair. The design work is underway and staff is working with FEMA on the geotechnical requirements and scope of work to fix the project as well as, securing funding. Staff hopes to have the design completed in January and be able to go out to bid about March and complete the project May/June of 2018 to get the trail back open to the public. DECEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL CMIFox provided an update on the Grand Avenue westbound ramp closure reminding everyone that Grand Avenue westbound onramp to the SR57/60 continues to be closed through February 2018 and the westbound off ramp is limited to right turns toward the City, of Industry and Walnut. Staff hopes that everyone has successfully found their new routes. Public Works staff has been actively making adjustments to the traffic signals in response to the new traffic patterns as a result of this closure. The City appreciates everyone's patience during this next phase of construction and encourages everyone to drive slow and be safe.. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Pui-Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library Manager, congratulated M/Low and announced that on Saturday, December 9 at 3:00 p.m. come to the library to meet Jay Vincent, an award winning television, film and commercial composer including the popular TV Series Lego Ninjago. On Wednesday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m. celebrate the Holiday Season with magician Tony Daniels, sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library. For further information on these and other events, check out the library website at colapublib.org/libs/diamondbar/ Allen Wilson congratulated MILow and MPT/Herrera. Mr. Wilson appreciates the in -progress GPAC meetings being open to the public. It is a very transparent process seeking a lot of public input and appreciates the GPAC "adopting" Alternative 1. He stated that he received the Diamond Bar Connection and Winter Recreation Guide this weekend and was interested to learn that the City is considering a November, 2018 ballot measure to increase the hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). He believes that the City has a very healthy budget and no fiscal crisis and therefore does not understand why the City would want to increase the hotel tax for visitors. CM/Fox responding to Mr. Wilson that Council provided direction to staff to look at the feasibility of a ballot measure that would increase the City's TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) from its current rate of 10 percent to a potential as high as 14 percent. Again, the TOT is a surcharge that is added to hotel guests that stay in the City of Diamond Bar and it is not uncommon for cities to have such a tax and over the years Diamond Bar has seen the TOT increasing in various cities throughout the region. Part of the increase would be to narrow the gap and maintain market relevance and the additional revenue helps provide for continued public safety and street maintenance. As Council is aware, the City has a pretty good budget but costs continue to increase. As the City contracts with the LA Sheriffs, costs continue to go up each year in order to maintain the same services that the City currently provides. No decision has been made to date. Council and staff continue to work on this item with sufficient time to decide whether or not to propose a ballot initiative for November 2018. If such initiative were passed, it would help secure the healthy future financial situation for the DECEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL City and should the Council consider placing it on the ballot for November 2018, it would be subject to a vote of the people. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Holiday Diamond Ride — November 24, 2017 through January 2, 2018 — Free shuttle services to and from Diamond Bar Shopping Centers for ages 18 year and older. 5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — December 12, 2017 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive (canceled). 5.3 Traffic and Transportation Commission — December 14, 2017 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive (canceled). 5.4 City Council Meeting — December 19, 2017 — AQMDIGovernment Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive. 5.5 Christmas Holiday — December 25 and 26, 2017 — City Offices closed in observance of the Christmas Holiday beginning Monday, December 25 through Tuesday, December 26, 2017. City Offices reopen Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. 5.6 New Year's Holiday — January 1, 2018 — City Offices closed Monday, January 1, 2018 in observance of New Year's Day, City Offices reopen Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: CILin moved, C/Lyons seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lin, Lyons, Tye, MPT/Herrera, MILow NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 6.1a Regular Meeting of November 21, 2017 —as presented. 6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES: 6.2a Regular Meeting of September 28, 2017, 2017. 6.2b Regular Meeting of October 26, 2017. 6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED November 22, 2017 through November 30, 2017 totaling $852,664.58. DECEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 6.4 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR OCTOBER 2017. 6.5 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES — PHASE 11 PROJECT. 6.6 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE LONGVIEW PARK SOUTH IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. 6.7 APPROVED ADJOURNING THE JANUARY 2, 2018 CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO JANUARY 16, 2018. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None. RECESS: M/Low recessed the City Council meeting to the Public Financing Authority at 7:20 p.m. RECONVENE, M/Low reconvened the City Council meeting at 7:20 p.m, 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Lyons thanked staff for ail of the events and workshops during the past two weeks. There was an Appreciation Luncheon for First Responders, Grand Reopening of Longview Park South, a GPAC (General Plan Advisory Meeting), the Family Winter Movie Night and a Government in Action Workshop. All of these events require a great deal of time and effort by staff which were enjoyed by many facets of Diamond Bar. She thanked outgoing Mayor Lin for his excellent service to Diamond Bar who did a really good job. She looks forward to the leadership of Mayor Low and knows that she too, will serve with distinction. Before the Council meets again Hanukkah will have started and for those of the Jewish faith, Happy Hanukkah to you and goodnight to all. MPT/Herrera thanked outgoing Mayor Lin for his year of service to the City and the great job he did attending meetings and events throughout the City. He did a very good job for the City and the City is grateful to him. She congratulated new Mayor Low who MPT/Herrera knows will do a super job. MPT/Herrera said she is there to help M/Low with whatever she wants done. She wished M/Low a Happy Birthday yesterday and wished her husband Art Happy Birthday today. MPT/Herrera would like to see the City do a little more regarding Holiday and Christmas decorations throughout the City. C/Tye congratulated the Civics class from Diamond Bar High School. It was a big pleasure for him to be a part of the Government/Youth in Action on Saturday which he thought enjoyed a very good turnout for the first such event. Senator Newman shared his time on a Saturday afternoon as did M/Low and C/Lyons to DECEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL answer questions and provide insight into why people run for office and what motivates them to do so. Two weeks from tonight he hopes that everyone will take advantage of the Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale, For those who had a chance to participate in the Diamond Bar Foundation Gala, they had a chance to hear.the Diamond Bar Orchestra and for the most part, they are the Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra. There will be a chance to hear them again on Tuesday, December 19. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins about 7:30 p.m. For questions or tickets and group discounts call 909- 907-4237. The symphony is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization so the cost of the tickets is tax deductible. C/Lin thanked his colleagues for their kind words regarding his service to the City. It was a very worthwhile experience for him. The young folks in the audience tonight have witnessed a very peaceful transition of power in local government. This Diamond Bar Council works together as a solid group and takes turns as Mayor of the City to experience leadership of this City. The City should be very proud that they have a very cooperative and very productive City Council working on their behalf and is very proud of that fact. MPT/Herrera felt there should be more Holiday decorations at City Hall and around town. Unfortunately, there is no budget. This year it might be difficult to raise enough funds and a while ago C/Lin promised to be a fundraising chairperson for next year to raise money to decorate City Hall and other street areas. For those who are interested in donating be sure to contact him. M/Low said it was likely the Council would ask fundraising chairperson Lin to go big on the decorations. It is an honor to sit at the dais with former mayors and she has learned a lot in the past two years observing former Mayors Lyon and Lin and of course watching former Mayors Tye and Herrera on TV. She thanked her colleagues for their confidence and support and said she looked forward to another year of working together and serving the City of Diamond Bar. Last Saturday the City held its first Youth in Government program and is very grateful to Councilmembers Lyons, Tye and State Senator Newman for their participation. A shout out to Assistant to the City Manager, Anthony Santos, Management Analyst Dannette Allen and Sr. Management Analyst Alfa Lopez for their work in creating, organizing and executing that fun event which was very well received. It is that time of year for shopping and she reminded whether one is shopping online or at the mall or at the store, please exercise common sense when it comes to your personal safety, stay in well lighted areas and be aware of your surroundings — don't leave your packages in your car in plain sight, don't leave them on your porch and just be aware. If you see something suspicious, please report it immediately and be safe. To our Jewish friends and neighbors, Happy Hanukkah to you and your families. Thank you to all and good night. DECEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, MILow adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:29 p.m. TOMMYE RiBBINS, CITY CLERK The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 19th day of December 12017. RUTH M. LOW,1I4AYOR