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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/17/18 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION APRIL 17, 2018 STUDY SESSION: M/Low called the Study Session to order at 5:56 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 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; Ken Desforges, IT Manager; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; Christian Malpica, Associate Engineer; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. GRAND AVENUE/GOLDEN SPRINGS DRIVE INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: CM/Fox stated that City of Industry is taking the lead on construction of Phase 2a of the Confluence project and the City has been working with the City of Industry to ensure incorporation of Diamond Bar's streetscape and enhancement elements. SCE/Young stated that in 2015 the City's first Comprehensive Streetscape Enhancement project commenced along the Grand Avenue corridor, specifically at the intersections of Grand Avenue/Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue/Longview Drive. As a result of the success of this project, the streetscape design guidelines were developed for future projects to follow on both public and private projects. Council's adopted Strategic Plan continues the vision to incorporate streetscape design elements at other arterial intersections and City entry points. The goal and while there are different projects within the City that are accomplishing this goal, tonight's discussion will center on the Grand Avenue and Golden Springs Drive Intersection. The EIR for Industry East project and the Industry Business Center IVC developments north of the SR57160 Confluence area (in the City of Industry) identify traffic mitigation measures for the Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive intersection (Phase 2a). Improvements include widening of the Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive intersection and the right-of-way for the widening is being acquired from the golf course only so that the Chili's and Mobile Gas Station parcels will not be impacted. Along the southbound Grand Avenue portion of the intersection, the third thrudane will remain and the two left -turn lanes and the dedicated right -turn lane will remain. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION CITye asked where the southbound Golden Springs Drive lane begins. SCENoung explained that ultimately, the improvements will extend from Industry through Diamond Bar and extend through the intersection to Montefino. The new project will eliminate the 4th lane. Additionally, a bike lane will be installed to allow travel through the intersection to the current bike lane at Lavender. A third lane will be added at the Mobil Gas Station and a dedicated right -turn lane for that third lane on Grand Avenue will be added. The shoulder striping is temporary so that when the ultimate improvements are completed along the bridge, that area will become a 4th thru-lane that will turn into a dedicated right -turn lane to the eastbound SR60 onramp. The street widening improvements are being constructed and funded entirely by the City of Industry. As a result of the widening, the Diamond Bar landscaped median along Grand Avenue that contains the rich Lantana and Camphor trees will be removed and as will the very mature Eucalyptus trees at the golf course parking lot and all of the landscaping in the golf course slope. A narrow median will be constructed along Grand Avenue to separate the bidirectional traffic. The City acquired the services of David Evans & Associates (landscape architect) in 2016 to design the streetscape elements for this project to attempt to put back some aesthetic enhancements consistent with the City's design standards. As a result, this project will incorporate and add 51 Crepe Myrtle street trees to the intersection with decorative tree grates and pavers, 49 planters with concrete post and rails in the sidewalk area to create a visual buffer between pedestrians and vehicular traffic, steel panels with windmills at each corner with concrete posts and wood rail where feasible and decorative traffic signals and enhanced crosswalks. CITye asked if the Crepe Myrtles would be sapling or mature trees. SCENoung responded that they would be 24-36 inch box trees. CITye asked what it would take to have the area look mature. PWD/Liu said "bigger than 36 inch" at a substantial cost; however, staff can determine the cost of that option of the Council wishes. C/Lyons asked if the rendering showed what was being installed. SCENoung explained that the renderings depict the ultimate improvements (full maturity). The feedback received regarding the Grand Avenue/Diamond Bar Boulevard project included residents wanting the parkway planters to have more vibrant plantings so for this project, the landscape architect is proposing to change the palate of the planters in the sidewalk and the examples show what the plantings would look like. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION ClLyons asked what the 24-36 inch box trees would look like at the time of planting. PWDILiu said that two years ago when the Grand Avenue Diamond Bar Boulevard trees were planted it included about 12 trees and were about 6-8 feet tall at the time of planting and those trees have since reached maturity. ClLyons agreed the trees look good at this time. CM/Fox said that special consideration has to be given to the size of the box working in the size of the hole in the sidewalk so that the root barriers fit into the space. ClLyons asked if more cows could be placed on the hillside by Chili's. SCE/Young said that the median include a succulent plant (Afterglow) and, Lantana, and grasses that are drought tolerant as well. CITye wanted to make sure, going forward that this third iteration was as durable as it needed to be considering the additional wear and tear to the crosswalk pavers that will occur at this busy intersection. SCENoung explained that staff met with the paver manufacturer who has reviewed the pavers that are currently in place (Longview, Grand Avenue, Diamond Bar Boulevard, Brea Canyon Road) and who provided specific recommendations to incorporate in the next project to try and eliminate some of the maintenance issues the City is seeing at the current locations. Recommendations include using a smaller paver and setting pavers on an aggregate base rather than on a concrete base. CITye said the pavers that are in place appear to be on an aggregate base because they are uneven which should not happen with a concrete base. SCE/Young explained that the concrete base, the water is not allowed to drain and while drainage holes were put in the concrete, ponds of water are forming under the pavers and with the aggregate base, the water will be allowed to drain through properly. The pavers will still be flexible but not in terms of the type of maintenance issues where the pavers are breaking. ClLyons asked if there would be lighting behind the architectural features. SCEIYoung responded that there would be in the sidewalk area but not in the medians. The current cost estimate for the streetscape elements only (Diamond Bar's portion) is projected at a total of $1.61 million which includes the four traffic APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION signal poles Diamond Bar is negotiating with share match since staff believes their projec current landscape pads. the City of Industry for cost - t is removing a value of the PWD/Liu indicated that staff will continue to pursue this issue because Diamond Bar has a very strong case for this request. MPT/Herrera asked if the City had an obligation to the LA County Board of Supervisors to replace the land that is being taken by the freeway. PWD/Liu said that staffs understanding is that impacts that occur on golf courses involve conversations between the Supervisors, LA County Parks and Recreation and the City of Industry. The County is very interested in the mainline improvements and when it is all said and done the entire golf course will be reconstructed to a new 18 -hole golf course and the County is satisfied with the improvement plans that have been submitted to them. CM/Fox said he believes the County expects to have a replacement of about 10 acres for all phases in some form or fashion under the Park Preservation Statute. MPT/Herrera asked if that replacement would be located within the City of Industry or within the City of Diamond Bar. CM/Fox said that is unknown at this point and SCE/Young said the replacement has to occur within the County of LA. M/Low said Tres Hermanos would be a nice area for a 10 -acre park. CM/Fox said that where the undercrossing tunnel is between Golden Springs Drive and the freeway, part of this project will be to relocate that tunnel and one of the golf course holes will need to be relocated. This will be done prior to construction which is anticipated for early 2019 for the physical roadway activity portion. The idea is to keep the golf course operation to every extent possible during the roadway construction. M/Low asked if acreage is being taken from the golf course parking area. SCENoung responded only the slope area. Overall, the parking lot will not be impacted but during construction a few parking spaces will have to be relocated. The final improvements will not impact the parking lot asphalt or the configuration. MILow asked if the other side of the freeway would be impacted. CM/Fox said only the slope which he assumes will be re -landscaped and he is assuming that the County and the golf course will want to put some trees back in that area but it will be a long time before it will be seen at the street level due to the steepness of the grade. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION MILow said that in discussions with the County related to improving the golf course, is it just as to the greens portion or will the building be improved as well. PWD/Liu said he believed they are doing something to the existing clubhouse as well. He would have to look into the details, but he believes the County got a lot out of this project including some interior improvements to the clubhouse and other facilities including drainage facilities. MILow said she would be interested to see if there would be any interest or financial possibility to develop the clubhouse to incorporate a restaurant that could accommodate customers and diners as opposed to just the catering section that they have now. It seems to her it would be a good location for a full restaurant with a good view. ClLyons agreed. ClLyons felt that MILow had a good point about the 10 -acres and engage in discussions with the Supervisor and suggested it should go back into Diamond Bar. MILow said that it could be in Tres Hermanos contiguous or in the City's border. CM/Fox said that staff could ask those questions of the Parks and Rec staff. ClLyons said the City is already very short of park land. SCENoung stated the proposed project schedule is nearing final design and Industry is expecting to bid the project in dune 2018, award the contract in September and move widening construction to January 2019 (to allow for reconstruction of the golf course hole No. 3) with completion anticipated for March 2020. Play on hole No. 3 will continue without interruption during construction. Public Comments: None. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Low recessed the Study Session at 6:21 m. to the Regular Meeting. &M k Pi.4 �j '- TOMMYE CRIBBINS, City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 1st day of May , 2018. k" RUTH M. LOW, Mayor MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR APRIL 17, 2015 CLOSED SESSION: 5:30 P.M., Room CC -8 Public Comments on Closed Session Items: None Offered. 0- 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. STUDY SESSION: 5:56 P.M., Room CC -8 GRAND AVENUE/GOLDEN SPRINGS DRIVE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: Public Comments: None Recessed to Regular Meeting at 6:21 p.m: INTERSECTION CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Low called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA. Mayor Low reported that no reportable action was taken during the Closed Session. CMIFox reported that tonight's Study Session focused on the enhanced design elements that will be incorporated into the Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive intersection improvements, the next phase of the SR57160 Confluence Project, intended to be consistent with what has been occurring throughout the community over the past couple of years. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Low led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: None. ROLL CALL: Council Members Lyons, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Herrera and Mayor Low Absent: Councilmember Lin was excused. Staff Present: Dan Fox, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Ken Desforges, IT Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL . Director; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Christian Malpica, Associate Traffic Engineer; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 MILow and Council Members presented PWD/Liu with the Arbor Day Proclamation. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: CM/Fox reported that Lt. Phil Marquez would be leaving the Diamond Bar/Walnut Station to transfer to the Countywide Services Division where he will serve as a Division Operations .Lieutenant. Lt. Marquez has been a wonderful wealth of resources in dealing with the community and has been an outstanding member of the Sheriff's team. He will be missed in this community and everyone wishes him the best in his career endeavors as he moves forward. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Pui-Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library Manager, announced upcoming library events, as well as The Diamond Bar Friends of the Library will host its 25th Annual Wine Soiree on Sunday, April 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. For information on these and other events check out the library's website at www.colapublib.org/libs/diamondbarlindex.php Susan Pantages, Vice President, Diamond Bar Friends of the Library, encouraged everyone present and those watching to join the Friends this Sunday, April 22nd for the 25th Anniversary of the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library Wine Soiree and Benefit Auction at the Diamond Bar Center on Grand Avenue from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased prior to the event at the Diamond Bar Library, Basically Books, Xavier Florists and Midas Auto Service or, at the door on Sunday. Giang Nguyen, 23842 Chinook Place, stated that this month is Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about the importance of financial education and the serious consequences that may be associated with the lack of understanding about personal finances. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting — April 19, 2018 — 6:30 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.2 Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration -- April 21, 2018 -- 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., AQMDIGovernment Center Parking Lot, 21865 Copley Drive. 5.3 Planning Commission Meeting — April 24, 2018 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — April 26, 2018 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.5 City Council Meeting — May 1, 2018 — 6:30 p.m., AQMDIGovernment Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, 5.6 Parks and Recreation Open House — May 2, 2018 — 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Lyons moved, CITye seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lyons, Tye, MPT/Herrera, MILow NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lin 6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 6.1a Study Session of April 3, 2018 —as presented 6.1b Regular Meeting of April 3, 2018—as presented 6.2 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED March 29, 2018 through April 11, 2018 totaling $1,379,350.09. 6.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2018-14 AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A LIST OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-19. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: 8.1 SYCAMORE CANYON PARK SLOPE EROSION AND TRAIL REPAIR PROJECT UPDATE. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL PWD/Liu reported that in January 2017, back to back storm events occurred over one weekend which resulted in the erosion at Sycamore Canyon Park along the slopes, trails and adjacent to the LA County storm drain easement staircase creating extensive damage. In February 2017 the City retained a geotechnical engineer to determine the extent of the damage and mitigation measures that would be required to repair the damage. The Sycamore Canyon Park Trail which is accessible from inside the park from the Golden Springs Drive side or from Diamond Bar Boulevard has remained open to the public except from the Diamond Bar Boulevard access point which has been closed since February 2017. With the amount of rain that happened over that weekend, the inlet was clogged which allowed water to back up and undermine the slope area around the upper flight of stairs leaving a hole approximately 8 feet deep. Similar conditions were created along the middle area slopes. The erosion continued down to the lower flight of stairs. The design plan involves making sure that the three flights of stairs are removed and replaced, that the handrails on both sides of the staircase are reinstalled, and that the drain inlets are redesigned with new fittings (raised higher) to prevent clogging and build in filter materials to keep water flowing into the storm drain system. C1Tye asked if the failure occurred because of age or design and if the new and improved systems are installed, would they have been able to handle the volume of water that fell in that area. PWD/Liu responded that the proposed improvements will definitely handle the amount of water it has been designed for. The main reason for failure in this case was the vast amount of water that fell in a short amount of time. A critical part of this repair operation is the need to remove the entire failure area and re -compact the area with proper soil materials within the limits proposed. Within these compact limits, the compacted fill slope will be imbedded with geogrids which are fabric membranes to provide the extra layer of structural integrity to retain as much soil as possible. At this point, the project design plan and specifications are near completion and staff has estimated that this cost will be just shy of $600,000 with the inclusion of a 20 percent contingency. At this point, staff believes the engineer's estimate of $600,000 is a reasonable estimate. In addition, staff estimates that about $84,000 will be needed to manage the construction activities as well as to conduct additional soils and geotechnical studies required as part of the construction which means the total cost at this time is $675,000 going forward. To date, the City has APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL spent about $122,000 in engineering design fees as part of the project. Staff has been coordinating with the State and FEMA in seeking their financial assistance to help the City with the cost of the repair work. Based on the current design, if the City is successful in its negotiations with the State and FEMA, the City can get up to 93 percent of the total project cost — based on a total project cost of $800,000; a 93 percent reimbursement amount means that the City could potentially recover close to $740,000 toward completion of this project. However, at this time, FEMA, via the State, is telling the City they feel that they can come up with a reimbursement amount of only $240,000. The City continues to impress upon them that the City's design versus the field opinions for suggested repair work is in complete opposition. They are looking from a cost point of view and the City is saying it wants to do what is necessary in the long term at the real cost of remediation. So, FEMA has said that if Diamond Bar hopes to recover more than the $240,000 it must submit additional information to support that contention. That process has begun. As of today, staff continues to communicate with Cal OES and FEMA and staff remains hopeful that they will get to a better understanding of the scope of work that needs to be followed closely according to the soils and geotechnical experts' recommendations. At this time, staff would like to finalize the Plans and Specs and go out to bid and possibly come back to the Council in June for award of contract. This process will provide staff with "real world" costs from the contractors that will further help staff to provide additional information to Cal OES and FEMA to justify the City's design plan and engineer's estimate. Should the City decide it has a feasible project to proceed, construction could start in July and be completed around the November holiday time. Ideally, staff would like to complete this project sooner but in this instance is being conservative by programming this project for at least 120 working days. ClLyons asked if this was the last piece to make Sycamore Canyon Park whole again. Everything else has been done including the bridges of the stream. PWD/Liu said that this is the slope repair work project. However, at a later time, the multi-year CIP includes another creek bed improvement project that will be brought to the Council's attention at the lower end of the park. ClLyons asked for confirmation that this project would pretty much make the park fully functional. PWD/Liu responded "absolutely." ClLyons said that the stairs in the park were not very good and not very APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL wide and wondered if the new stairs would be better. PWD/Liu when the stairs were built they were originally built for maintenance purposes only. When the trailhead was built the first top flight of stairs was incorporated as part of the trail walkway. As part of the slope repair work, staff is looking to make sure the staircase is completely rebuilt from top to bottom (three flights), handrails will be installed on both sides rather than one side only as they are currently. C/Lyons asked if there was an appeal process to FEMA's contribution of only 23 percent. PWD/Liu responded yes, there will be an appeal process if the City decides to appeal the decision. PMS/Jordan is working closely with FEMA and before that would happen staff is waiting for FEMA's final decision. C/Lyons suggested as a possibility to allow for more access to make the project move along more quickly at less cost the City could close the park at the end of the summer (September) to provide access for equipment staging on both sides when school is back in session and Concerts in the Park are finished. MPTIHerrera thanked staff for providing this information to the Council, residents and the public. People have been asking her throughout the last year why the City hasn't opened the park, what the caution tapes mean and why has it been closed for so many months — more than a year. It is difficult dealing with FEMA and she hopes the City will be successful in a couple of months in looking forward to more funding for what needs to be done. It is not just a matter of what the City wants, it is a matter of safety. The stairs need to be safe for residents and this isn't a "wishful thinking" idea, the City wants it to be safe and thanks to staff for bringing the information forward. CITye said this reminds him of the SR57/60 Confluence project which got delayed until Congressman Royce was able to get Congressman Shuster to come and look at the freeway from Grand Avenue to see it in a completely different perspective when one is standing on a bridge above trucks rumbling by underneath than it is sitting in a comfortable chair in Washington, D.C. The troubling part of this is that FEMA actually came out and looked at this and still maintains that it is okay to do it for far less. He believes that one of the reasons it is at 23 percent is because if the City doesn't tear out the stairs it doesn't have to replace them. The reason that the stairs are being torn out is because they are not safe. He finds it very, very troubling that FEMA would say the stairs should remain and they say when they visit the stairs must remain with work performed under the stairs which to him is ludicrous. Clearly, FEMA needs to change APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL their attitude and look at it from a perspective of safety and what is good for this area. CITye said that as long as the City has an opportunity to redo this, if the stairs were functional, someone would be walking down those stairs. What if the City were able to make it instead of stairs, a trail and the trail headed down the same direction in a switchback manner which would provide more trail area with perhaps crushed granite similar to what is at the top of Diamond Bar Boulevard. He believes such a trail would ultimately be much safer than stairs and hoped staff would look at that possibility and help FEMA understand they should fund what they should fund and the City will design it. He agreed with M/Herrera about what is taking so long. It's not FEMA that gets blamed, it is the City. He hopes that whatever the process and timeframe is that it is made clear to FEMA that Diamond Bar needs their help and will out a check. MII_ow asked if the 23 percent $240,000 is what FEMA believes the project is worth or are they just limiting it to 23 percent of the project total? PWD/Liu said that when FEMA looked at this area they compiled their own estimate in terms of their own idea of what the fix should be which came in at a much lower cost. The scope of their estimate is completely different from the City's estimate and the $240,000 is based on their methodology and in that case they do not think the staircase is warranted to be removed and replaced, they do not think a switchback is a good idea because that is an "improvement" and if the City wants to entertain doing a switchback between the upper and lower areas the entire drainage system configuration would have to be reconfigured which would add to the cost. The City's proposed improvements are designed to address the most serious erosion issues and to further preserve the trail life. From FEMA's perspective they limited their scope in that they were concerned only with those two eroded slope areas. When staff and the City's engineer looked at their proposal, collectively staff was in shock and have tried to convey to them that this needs to be done from a safety standpoint and the life of this public facility and public trail system. M1Low asked if there were any sources of funding other than FEMA that could assist in completing this project. PWD/Liu said that at this time staff is not aware of any other funding sources. Staff can continue to look for other federal or state programs it can lobby. At this time, because of FEMA's initial assessment, they agreed that this is eligible for reimbursement under the assistance they provide to communities throughout the country. Staff believes this is something they will eventually agree to and the staff at Cal OES continues to work with Diamond Bar and hopes that FEMA will come to a decision to fully and completely address the proposed repair plan. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL M/Low asked if it was possible to phase this project so that some of the park could be used. PWD/Liu reiterated that the trail can be accessed from the Golden Springs side of the trailhead and it stops at the chain link fence where the trail ends which disallows proceeding to Diamond Bar Boulevard via the stairs. Once the contractor is awarded the contract, he owns the site and is responsible for everything and only he can determine whether certain areas can be blocked during construction. MPT/Herrera said that there was a great deal of mud in the Sycamore Canyon Park playground area and wondered if FEMA helped with any portion of the cleanup costs. PWD/Liu responded that they did. The City received about $25,000 in reimbursement funds which was close to the full remediation cost. MPT/Herrera asked if FEMA was considering that they had already paid the City for different portions of the park and therefore will not pay any more than $240,000 to fix the stairs. PWD/Liu said he did not believe that was the case. When FEMA visited the site they viewed all of the areas including the pipeline area and became aware of the slope erosion of the trails would be a separate standalone project which is the way in which the City proceeded with FEMA that the reimbursement would be based on this standalone project. C/Tye said it seems to him that what the City has done is turn an access into a county overflow (access to the lower area), a. useful trail. So now it cannot be looked at just as a county worker coming and traversing the stairs to perform his work. It is something that is utilized by the public and he would like to see data on how heavily used that area was which is probably why Council Members are hearing so much from residents because they love hiking that area and it has not been available for so long. If FEMA looks at it from the fact that it is not simply something that accesses an area lower as much as it is something that is heavily used by residents, by hikers and others, he believes that might help FEMA understand what needs to be done. Again, bracing the stairs from the side is just ludicrous. M/Low thanked staff for the very timely report. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL 9, COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Lyons congratulated staff for putting on an extraordinary City Birthday Party. There were many activities for all ages, great new additions including the horses the Sheriff's brought, and the historical display. The weather cooperated and three excellent volunteers were honored. It was a job well-done and thank -you to staff for all of the planning that went into this huge, huge event! She attended a meeting of The Take Back Our Community organization. Diamond Bar has been considered to be a very safe community but it can be made safer and better by residents becoming more actively involved by forming Neighborhood Watch groups. Vehicles have been broken into because people are leaving laptops and iPads and purses on the seat which is an open invitation for someone to break the car window and grab those items. People can also consider joining the community Volunteer Patrol. In addition, please look into the initiative the group is attempting to get on the ballot in November called "Keep California Safe" and should the voters approve this initiative so that it goes into law, it will correct some of the problems with AB109, Prop 47 & 57 and improve public safety. To get more information on this initiative, visit www.keepcalsafe.org C/Lyons said Diamond Bar will miss Lieutenant Phil Marquez. He will be hard to replace. She is very happy for his promotion but he will be sorely missed. She hopes to see everyone at the Wine Soiree and Benefit Auction on Sunday. C/Tye congratulated Lt. Marquez who is the most recent in a long line of lieutenants who have broken Diamond Bar residents' hearts is wished the very best after 27 years of a spectacular career already. C/Tye said that everyone in this room cannot be at the Wine Soiree because there is an age restriction but he hopes everybody who can be there will be at the 25th Annual Wine Soiree. It is a great time and the three hour event flies by and usually, a good time is had by all. It is a world-renowned auctioneer that will conduct the Benefit Auction. C/Tye asked that staff consider placing on the next City Council Agenda the Sanctuary City state issue that is going throughout the state. While Diamond Bar is not a Sanctuary City he would like to know the impacts of what it means to take the action relative to the Sanctuary state move that the legislature took. He wonders how this could have happened and he believes Diamond Bar should step up and tell Sacramento this is not okay. MPT/Herrera plans to attend the Wine Soiree and participate by pouring at one of the tables. Congratulations and farewell to Lt. Marquez who has done a stellar job in Diamond Bar and will be missed. She invited everyone to attend The Sixty Restaurant & Bar ribbon cutting ceremony at 12 noon, the new restaurant on Golden Springs Drive in what was formerly the old Coco's building. She looks forward to the community support of this restaurant. Residents are always looking for places to eat and it is up to them to patronize these businesses so they continue to thrive. She hopes to see a lot of people there tomorrow at noon. APRIL 17, 2018 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL M/Low said the City Birthday Party was great. Staff made a great effort in putting that event together for which she was appreciative. It was a really fun event and she was very glad the City included new things this year such as the displays and horses. Lt. Marquez, Diamond Bar will really miss you and everyone wishes you well and hopes you enjoy your new job. Lt. Marquez has served Diamond Bar very well, Some of the things she has appreciated is that Lt. Marquez and the Captain have presented information to MPT/Herrera and M/Low during the Public Safety Subcommittee meetings, one of which occurred last week where they learned of the efforts the team has put together to make Diamond Bar safe and the numbers and efforts are impressive. MILow reported for the month of February the total class of crimes was reduced from 87 incidents in 2017 to 53 in 2018. What is astonishing is that the total count of residential burglaries during February 2018 was only five which is due to excellent efforts on the part of enforcement and the collaboration and awareness on the part of residents who are alert and aware of something out -of -place and calling it in. Public safety is a joint effort and to that end, Diamond Bar has more than 80 Neighborhood Watch Groups. Those who are not a member of this group, please join. The Ring program was announced last week and there are a few of the promotions left so that for those who have not yet participated the Ring device is still being offered which will harden your home against burglaries. Call the City for coupons for a discount in obtaining The Ring device. In addition to The Sixty Restaurant & Bar Grand Opening, McDonald's has reopened and will have their Grand Reopening next Thursday. She invited everyone to attend the Wine Soiree this Sunday for a really good time. The GPAC meets on Thursday evening. Thanks to everyone for joining tonight's meeting. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, MILow adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:45 p.m. -UL- TOMMY CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 1st day of may 12018. RUTH M. LOW, MAYOR