HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/03/18 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
APRIL 3, 2018
STUDY SESSION: MILow called the Study Session to order at 5:37
p.m. in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Lin, Lyons, Tye, Mayor Pro
Tem Herrera, and Mayor Low
Staff Present: Dan Fox, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan
McLean, Assistant City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman,
Community Development Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Ehren
Magante, Network/Systems Administrator; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer;
Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Marsha Roa, Public Information
Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and Tommye Cribbins,
City Clerk.
► CITY OF DIAMOND BAR STRATEGIC PLAN; 2017-2020
CM/Fox thanked everyone for their participation and help in making the State
of the City a successful event.
MILow thanked PIM/Roa and PIC/Areliano for a very successful State of the
City event.
CM/Fox introduced the Strategic Plan for 2017-2020 and stated that the
Strategic Plan is a dynamic roadmap to help realize the community's future
and provide the City Council with the tools to identify and evaluate the City's
Goals and align its strategic priorities into a vision of "Celebrating our Roots,
Building a Thriving Future".
An update of year 2 of the Strategic Plan was presented to the Council for
review and discussion. A summary was provided of completed items and
new proposed items
During discussion of the Parks and Recreation fee policy update item,
C/Lyons asked if there had been any comments regarding the new fees.
ACM/McLean said there had been no comments and staff continued
operating as normal. tots of people are signing up and the place is full and
busy.
C/Lyons asked if there was any feedback about the change in how teams
are signed up.
ACM/McLean said that it had gone really well because there is no stacking
of fields.
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION
CILin asked what the City could do legally about the four HOA's taking back
responsibility for the assessment districts.
CAIDeBerry responded that there is a method for dissolving the districts and
it would have to be looked at from the standpoint of how financially viable it
would be for each of the districts because the districts would not be paying
for property owned by the City. Where the district had private properties with
existing HOA's it could present another problem. Some of these districts
where there are no existing HOA's it would have to be determined whether
there is actually an entity that takes care of the hillsides if the districts were
dissolved.
CAIDeBerry further responded that districts can be dissolved without a ballot
measure but to increase the assessments, there would need to be a vote of
the people within the district (District 38 is citywide).
CM/Fox explained that one of the Consent Calendar Items_ under
consideration this evening is to begin the process to levy assessments for
next fiscal year and if there is a willingness to look at increasing those
assessments it could be done in some amount this year to help reduce the
subsidy.
ClLyons recalled that the assessments were increased last year.
PWD/Liu said they were increased for District 39.
CA/DeBerry said that it could be increased to the highest level it has ever
been as long as it meets a level that was voter -approved without another
vote of the people.
CM/Fox explained that if the Council wanted to increase the assessment to
the CPI, it would require a majority vote of the people living in the district.
Since it is likely to be a small dollar amount on the property tax bill, the City
should at least run the numbers to determine what it would do to the General
Fund subsidy.
ClLyons said that when she and MPT/Herrera took the tour with Bob Rose,
the idea was at that time, to contact the HOA's and to move the responsibility
to them. It does not sound like there has been any progress in that direction.
It is a tricky thing to do but at the end of the day she does not believe the
City should be paying for water that is used to retain the landscape of the
Homeowner's Association.
CMIFox stated that staff would put some attention to this matter to be able
to figure out what options are available and where the Council wants to go.
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION
C/Lyons asked CM/Fox to explain the "Citywide Volunteer Program".
CM/Fox explained that it is the program that allows members of the public to
volunteer to work at a park or City facility such as the Diamond Bar Center
and the Senior Center.
CILin asked what kind of marketing plan could be used to attract more users
to the Diamond Bar Center.
CM/Fox said he believed it would include more direct marketing and an
update of some of the brochures and images as well as, marketing collateral
about the amenities. He believed the real emphasis is that the City is now
able to market toward corporate businesses for weekday/week-long
seminars and corporate meetings, small trade shows and small one-
dayltwo-day business seminars where before that was not possible because
of the lack of availability of long blocks of time.
CILin asked how the center is currently being used on weekdays.
ACM/McLean said that most of it is used for senior programming and
occasional rentals. Staff found that the business community likes the
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday period which the Center has not been able
to accommodate because of firm scheduled events every week.
ACM/McLean said he did not recall the weekly rates but believes there is
room to grow the Diamond Bar Center.
CILin said that his company would like to schedule events at the Center;
however, the biggest handicap is food service. Food has to be catered from
outside. Most places where meetings and seminars are held offer food
service which is very meaningful to large corporations.
M/Low said that the City has a liaison that takes care of catering for the
corporations. One of the volunteers will order the food service for the
businesses.
C/Lyons asked if the City had a list of approved vendors for those who are
concerned.
ACM/McLean responded that the City has a list of vendors that have used
the facility before that have gone through the approval and Health
Department process and staff can help with that. There are no exclusive
"licensed" vendors.
CILin said he believed the marketing plan, whether on the website or hard
copy should identify the entire package of services the Center can provide.
APRIL 3, 2018
PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION
CM/Fox elaborated on the Public Information aspect of the plan. Staff is
looking at adding and upgrading the audio visual systems at the City Hall
Windmill Room and the Diamond Bar Center to be able to live -broadcast on
DBTV. Currently, that is done only from the AQMDIGovemment Center. For
this, staff would be looking to use the PEG money, one percent of the cable
fees or approximately $100,000 in annual revenue which can only be used
for capital improvements. In addition, the City Parks and Trail Maps need to
be updated with a marketing piece that coincides with the City's website and
City app.
CM/Fox stated that the implementation of the website has been completed
and it seems to be going very smoothly. Obviously, staff will continue to
build on that and most of the other public information items have been
completed.
Staff will continue to work with its waste haulers and in particular, Valley
Vista, to ensure state mandates on organic recycling through the next stage
of the organics recycling program. Diamond Bar is due for an update to its
Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City continues to do Neighborhood Watch
programs. Last week the Neighborhood Improvement Subcommittee met
and discussed developing neighborhood improvement strategies to
encourage property maintenance standards in both the residential and
commercial centers.
ClLyons asked if there was currently a strategy for encouraging property
maintenance standards.
CM/Fox said that the current system is somewhat complaint -driven and
somewhat proactive. The idea is to market the idea and make information
available to encourage people and show them what the acceptable and
unacceptable standards are.
MILow suggested a "beautify your front yard" contest like they had in
Pasadena.
CM/Fox said that because the update to the City Development Code and
Design Guidelines needs to begin after the General Plan is finished it has
been pushed out to align with the timing thereof. The Draft General Plan
and EIR will be out on the street next fiscal year. CDDIGubman said that
adoption of the General Plan Update is slated for summer 2019.
ClLyons asked if Sycamore Canyon Trail Repair was included in the plan.
CM/Fox explained that item is in the CIP. This project is getting ready to go
out to bid. Unfortunately, there is a bit of buyers' remorse with the State and
FEMA because they do not think the City should have to repair it to the extent
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION
the City is proposing. For example, they believe some dirt could be placed
beneath the current steps and that would take care of it and the City's
Engineer believes the entire staircase needs to be redone so their dollar
reimbursement amount is a lot less than what was originally promised. Once
the bids are in, staff will continue to work with FEMA and see if they can be
convinced they really do need to pay for it and this is the real cost. At some
point the City will have to make a decision about moving forward with that
project and whether or not it can be done with General Fund monies with the
goal to fight for reimbursement down the road.
PWD/Liu stated that bids are due early May.
CILin asked what the engineer's cost is.
PWD/Liu responded $675,000.
MPT/Herrera asked for an update on the Sycamore Canyon Park repair and
dealings with FEMA because a lot of residents are asking why it is taking so
long and it has been more than a year and it has not been reopened.
CM/Fox suggested it be done at the next City Council meeting in order to
give staff time to prepare a more formal presentation and show some of the
photos of what FEMA is not going to fix so that people will understand what
staff is working against.
CM/Fox talked about Item #42 — proposal for opposing the freight corridor
on SR60 and San Jose Creek wash.
MPT/Herrera explained that this was not a City idea, but a SCAG idea.
ACM/McLean suggested it could be a legislative platform item and the City
could oppose a proposal that came out in the future.
MPT/Herrera said that the City did so with SCAG. It was inserted into the
RTP anyway and Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata said it had to be included
in order to continue getting certain funds from the federal government
because there has to be environmental components in the RTP. The reality
is, there is no money to build
it. Council Members concurred that ACMIMcLean's idea to include it in the
legislative platform.
PWD/Liu stated that at the staff level, there is a financial feasibility study
underway to look at the initial operating system on the SR60 near the 605
Interchange. Operationally, SCAG is looking at and has been looking at
what is feasible to construct as part of the first segment for two years. The
study has not been completed but staff routinely asks for a copy.
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE G CC STUDY SESSION
CM/Fox wondered if staff should be writing letters to SCAG expressing
concerns that this would lead to X, Y and Z, etc.
PWD/Liu said that Council has been very clear that they.need to talk to
Diamond Bar.
MPT/Herrera said that at some point, the truck lanes have to join the SR57
and one of the proposals was to cut across a neighborhood that has about
200 Diamond Bar homes, and the plan was to eliminate those homes and
replace them with truck lanes that would connect to the SR57.
ClLyons asked about the Orange County idea on the truck lanes that would
end at the County line.
PWDILiu said this is an OCTA issue that has to be resolved between the two
counties. There has been some effort to coordinate the lanes between the
two counties but there was no consensus on the route.
ClLyons felt this should also be part of the legislative platform because it
could mean trucks would be backed up for miles.
PWD/Liu explained how this is an issue that reaches far beyond LA County
that requires collaboration.
CILin referred to Page 4 of the document and said he was interested in
seeing Item #3 (Explore and consider alternative senior transportation
models in conjunction with the Diamond Bar Program) completed to consider
the alternatives sooner. He said he was sure other cities might have done
some analysis, both financial and operational, and which way is cheaper and
safer.
CM/Fox said he believed there were cities starting to do that and/or testing
programs. Diamond Bar will need to do the same with respect to its research
to determine whether it will work for this City. The biggest limitation he has
heard about is handicap accessibility. There is no guarantee that the Uber
or Lyft vehicles are handicap equipped or whether they have the personnel
to deal with handicapped. When the taxi program is used the rider can
request a handicapped vehicle. Those matter will have to be investigated
as well as, how people are reimbursed and whether the City administers the
program or the individuals would have to submit receipts for reimbursement,
etc.
CILin pointed out that riders traveling to the Ontario Airport can get off their
ride at one of the Metrolink Stations and call Uber or Lyft and be able to get
a discounted rate for the remainder of their trip to or from the airport with the
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 7 CC STUDY SESSION
balance subsidized by SANBAG which he believes is better than having
buses running continually.
C/Lin referred to Page 10, Item #5 (Develop Public Art program alternatives
for Council Consideration). Stated that in a city in which CILin previously
lived had an Arts Committee which raised a lot of funds to provide public art
in .the park and on street
MILow said she agreed
CILin felt the Council should start considering forming such a committee and
raise $20-$30,000 to begin providing art in the local business community.
Councilmembers discussed what had happened to placing a clock at Grand
Avenue and Diamond Bar Boulevard and that it had been tabled. CILin said
he believed the first step was to create a volunteer arts.committee.
CMIFox said that staff is looking at placing bike racks. There are some very
creative art forms placed on bike racks which often show up in urban
settings. These types of bike racks could be placed at the City parks and
facilities and at bus stops. And there could be some art work placed on
streets that would tie into the rustic/ranch theme, street improvements, etc.
which might help to set the stage as the City adds to its streetscape for which
recycling monies could be used. There are all kinds of things that can be
done including consideration of a comprehensive public art program as well.
C/Lyons said that someone gave her a list of things the City could think about
doing such as having different groups adopt an electrical box and paint it and
have art work on it.
CM/Fox pointed out that in those cases, ongoing maintenance becomes an
issue.
CM/Fox said that if anyone else has thoughts or ideas there will be a couple
of upcoming sessions on the budget. This plan will be a part of those
discussions and staff will be looking for further feedback and input on any of
the items of concern.
Public Comments: None.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City
Council, MILow recessed the Study Session at 0:27 p.m. to the Regular Meeting.
TOYOMYEOCRIBBINS, City Clerk
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 8 CC STUDY SESSION
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 17th day of April. ,
2018.
RU H M. LOW, Mayor
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
APRIL 3, 2018
STUDY SESSION: 5:37 P.M., Room CC -8
► 2017-2020 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE:..
Public Comments: None
Recessed to Regular Meeting at 6:27 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Low called the Regular City Council meeting to
order at 6:35 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.
CM/Fox reported that during tonight's Study Session, Council reviewed the three-year
Strategic Plan and considered updates for year two in preparation of the FY 2018-19
budget. There were approximately 15 items Councilmembers considered adding to the
Strategic Plan which will be incorporated into the budget preparation packages the
Council will discuss in the coming weeks.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Low led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Sr. Pastor Guy Fox, Diamond Canyon Christian
Church provided the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Lin, Lyons, Mayor Pro Tem Herrera
and Mayor Low
Absent: Councilmember Tye was excused.
Staff Present: Dan Fox, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan
McLean, Assistant City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman,
Development Di ector- Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Ehren
Magante, Network/Systems Administrator; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer;
Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Marsha
Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and
Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 MILow and Councilmembers presented Diamond Bar resident and
ambassador for Donate/Life One Legacy Nancy Jolley with a Proclamation
proclaiming April 2018 as DMV/Donate Life California.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
CM/Fox reported that the Grand Avenue westbound onramp to the SR57/60 was
opened last week. Additionally, the new eastbound off ramplwestbound onramp
freeway ramps from the SR60 at Lemon Avenue should open within the next two
weeks.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pui-Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library Manager, announced the upcoming library
events. The Diamond Bar Friends of the Library will host its 251h Annual Wine
Soiree on Sunday, April 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the
Diamond Bar Library, Basically Books, or online at www.dblibrarLriends.org.
Anyone wishing further information on these and other events can check out the
library's website at colapublib.org/libs/diamondbar/.
Allen Wilson, a 21 year resident of Diamond Bar said he received information
regarding the potential for raising the hotel tax (TOT) and that he was against
any such tax.
Ghazal Seho, representing Assemblyman Phillip Chen, stated that yesterday the
Assembly Committee of Revenue & Tax heard and passed two bills that
Assemblyman Chen authored — AB 2590 and AB 3128. AB 2590 would create a
tax exemption for military members who leave California and are on active duty
or with a military branch and AB 3128 that will help facilitate the rehabilitation of
California's disabled veteran community by encouraging ownership of service
animals and create a tax credit for veterans whose animals offer service for a
service -connected disability. Residents who wish to reach out to their
Assemblyman Chen can call (714) 529-5502.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — April 10, 2018 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community.Room, 21810 Copley Drive (canceled).
5.2 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — April 12, 2018 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 29th City Birthday Party —April 14, 2018 --- 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pantera
Park, 738 Pantera Drive.
5.4 City Council Meeting — April 17, 2018 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
5.5 General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting — April 19, 2018 — 6:30 p.m.,
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: CILin moved, C/Lyons seconded, to approve
the Consent Calendar with CILin withdrawing Item 6.5 for separate consideration.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Lin, Lyons, MPT/Herrera, MILow
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
None
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Tye
6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
6.1a Study Session of March 6, 2018 as presented
6.1b Regular Meeting of March 6, 2018 —as presented
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES:
6.2a Regular Meeting of February 8, 2018.
6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED March 1, 2018 through March 28,
2018 totaling $2,647,577.24.
6.4 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR FEBRUARY 2018.
6.6 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NOS. 2018-10 (NO. 38), 2018-11 (NO. 39),
AND 2018-12 (No. 41), ORDERING THE CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE
AND TO FILE A REPORT RELATED TO MAINTENANCE OF
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR LANDSCAPING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NOS. 38, 39 AND 41, AND ANY
ASSESSMENT THEREON, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019.
6.7 APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO SIGN, THE FIRST
AMENDMENT TO THE STREET SWEEPING SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH R.F. DICKSON COMPANY, INC. (DICKSON) EXTENDING THE
1ERMS OF SERVICE FOR IWO YEARS IFIROUGH JUNE :30, 2020,
WITH AN ADDITIONAL TWO-YEAR OPTION,
6.8 APPROVED DESIGN AND PLANS AND AWARDED CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT TO WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORP.,
FOR THE GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1
AND PHASE 2 PROJECT.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 20218-13: APPROVING THE DESIGN
AND PLANS, AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT PAYMENT
ACCOUNT FOR THE GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2 PROJECT; AND,
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
A. APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO SIGN, A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING CORP. IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,873.20
APPROVING BID SCHEDULES "A", "B" AND "C", PLUS A
CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $40,087.32, FOR CONTRACT
CHANGE ORDERS TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY
MANAGER, FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF
$440,960.62.
B. REJECTED ALTERNATE BID SCHEDULE "D" FOR A
PROPOSED TOTAL ALTERNATE BID AMOUNT OF $143,500;
AND,
C. TRANSFERRED $41,237.85 OF MEASURE M FUNDS FROM
THE GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PHASE 2
(PROJECT NO. 26018) TO THE GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENT PHASE 1 (PROJECT NO. 26016).
ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.5 APPROVAL OF THE DESIGN AND PLANS AND AWARD OF
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO ELECNOR BELCO ELECTRIC, INC.,
FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES PHASE III
PROJECT.
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2018--09: APPROVING THE DESIGN
AND PLANS, AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT PAYMENT
ACCOUNT FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL INFRASTRUCTURE
UPGRADES PHASE III PROJECT;
B. APPROVE, AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN, A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH ELECNOR BELCO ELECTRIC,
INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $389,928, PLUS A CONTINGENCY
AMOUNT OF $40,000 FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS TO
BE APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR A TOTAL
AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $429,928; AND,
C APPROPRIATE $230,663 OF PROP C FUND BALANCE
RESERVES TO THE GY 2017- 2018 CIP BUDGET FOR THE
PROJECT.
CILin asked if Phase III represents the conclusion of the entire project.
PWD/Liu responded yes.
CILin asked if the City planned to conduct a before and after analysis once
the project has been completed.
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
PWD/Liu responded yes, once the system comes on line within a year or
so.
CILin asked if the lowest bidder for Phase III was the same contractor who
completed Phases I and II.
PWD/Liu responded yes.
CILin moved, ClLyons seconded, to approve Consent Calendar Item 6.5.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lin,.Lyons, MPT/Herrera,
MILow
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: - None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Tye
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None.
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
CILin said he was very excited about being able to take the newly completed
westbound onramp on Grand Avenue this morning and happy for all of the
people who for the past four months have had to drive down to Brea Canyon and
make a right turn past In -N -Out Burger. Also, the Lemon Avenue Interchange
onramp will also be a very exciting improvement that residents will enjoy. Once
the Brea Canyon onloff ramp is taken out of service, he would like for the City to
negotiate with Caltrans to acquire the right-of-way for possible use as open
space and public art.
ClLyons displayed a flyer for Earth Day Program and stated that the Sanitation
Uistrict will a sponsoring—Earth ay Programs on April 14 from am to 2 pm a
the Sanitation District in Whittier just off the SR60. ClLyons reported that two
weeks ago all four Councilmembers present this evening were in Washington,
D.C. for four days and spent three long, hard 12 -hour days lobbying for additional
money for the SR57/60 Confluence Project. Council spoke with eight different
members of Congress, .staff for both of Diamond Bar's Senators and met with the
Department of Transportation to convey the story of how the SR57I60 traffic jams
and accidents affect Diamond Bar and surrounding communities. The City
should hear in May whether or not there will be any additional money coming to
the City for this project. She congratulated staff on a very successful Easter Egg
Hunt which was the only one she had been to where people did not start hunting
for eggs before the "go" signal. It was a fun time for everybody. Congratulations
to MILow for an excellent, very well -delivered and thoughtful State of the City
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
speech.
MPT/Herrera felt that in the 22 years she has been a Councilmember, it was the
best State of the City address that has ever been presented. Compliments to
staff. It was comprehensive and dealt with all of the different issues the
community has been concerned about and answered many of their questions
and addressed their issues. It was outstanding and M/Low delivered it perfectly.
She was among the four Councilmembers who went to Washington, D.C. and
they were impressed because it was a delegation of about 15 people.
Councilmembers joined forces with Alameda Corridor -East and CEO Mark
Christoffels who did a very good job talking to the different legislators and their
staff members about the needs in the San Gabriel Valley, primarily, the need to
fund the SR57/60 Confluence Project. There is an Omnibus bill that may provide
some money to fund certain portions of the project which Diamond Bar should
learn about in a couple of months. It has been a busy month even though there
was no Council meeting the third Tuesday in March. She attended a luncheon
where Sheriff McDonnell talked about the state of public safety in Los Angeles
County which has been significantly compromised by Propositions 47, 57 and
109 where many criminals are given minimal or no jail time and many felonies
have been downgraded to misdemeanors which means there are more criminals
on the street. This community is considered a very plum target since Diamond
Bar is intersected by two major freeways which gives criminals easy on and easy
off access. There was also a reception she and CM/Fox attended that was put
on by the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network where they hosted various
legislators. Luckily for Diamond Bar, CM/Fox had a pocketful of the SR57/60
pins and as they met Senator Josh Newman and Congresswoman Judy Chu
were given a pin. An interviewer noticed the pin on Senator Newman's lapel and
he was able to talk about how the SR57/60 issue was one of his main priorities
and wants to see that Diamond Bar gets funding for it.
MILow thanked MPT/Herrera and C/Lyons for their kind words about the State of
the City address. She thanked the Public Information Department including
PIM/Roa, PIC/Arellano and MS/Ybarra or their hard work and unwavering
dedication to the event and hopes folks in the audience and at home who were
unable to attend will get a chance to watch the presentation because it is very
informative — it is a roadmap that tells residents what the City has been doing
and hopes to do. She hopes residents have the same optimism as the Council
about the future of their City. Council's trip to Washington, D.C. was very
productive and Council is very optimistic that it is the final stop in the City's quest
to secure the funding that is needed to finish the SR57/60 Confluence project
which would be a great accomplishment by all of the stakeholders. It is very
encouraging to see the many elected officials who are supporting the City in this
effort. Council met with Congresswoman Judy Chu, Ed Royce, Grace Napolitano
as well as Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris and are very grateful for
their support. On March 11 she attended the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant. She
thanked the outgoing Court and congratulated and welcomed the new Court.
Last month she also attended the South Asia Parents Association's 5th Annual
APRIL 3, 2018 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
Evening of Colors which was a very fun event that supports the high school. The
Easter Egg Hunt was lots of fun. She invited everyone to attend the City's
Birthday Party on April 14th, another fun -filled family event!
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, MILow adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 7:16 p.m. in Memory of Willmore "Bill" Holbrow, a 50
year resident of Diamond Bar.
TOMMYE RIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 17thday of _ Argil , 2018•
RUTH M. LOW, MAYOR