HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/2018 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
MAY 15, 2018
STUDY SESSION; 'M/Low called the Study Session to order at 5:00
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; Ken Desforges, IT Director; David
Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director;
Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer;
Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Anthony Jordan Maintenance
Superintendent; Amy Haug, Human ResourceslRisk Manager; Marsha Roa, Public
Information Manager; John Beshay, Associate Engineer; Christian Malpica,
Associate . Engineer; Fabian Aoun, Assistant Engineer; Dannette Allen,
Management Analyst; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; and
Tommyp Cribbins,'.City Clerk.
► FY 2018-19- SPECIAL FUNDS, SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, DEBT
SERVICE FUND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BUDGETS:
CM/Fox stated that tonight's meeting is a follow up from the May 15t Study
Session and focuses on the Capital Improvement Program.
FD/Honeywell reported on the follow up items carried over from the May 15t
Study Session. Estimated surplus was adjusted to almost $114,000 and the
$3.9 million reserves that are anticipated to be used remains unchanged.
With respect to Diamond Bar Center staffing, last year the recreation staff
was being used for temporary services to augment staffing needs. Going
forward, the facility attendants will be working exclusively at the Diamond
Bar Center. As full time employees they can make up to $10 more (per hour)
than recreation staff, those personnel costs are higher in FY 2018-19. The
attendance at the special events was also provided.
FD/Honeywell stated that it had been confirmed that Diamond Bar Day at
the Fair would have an additional cost because the fair is no longer paying
for the "Local Heroes" Program and therefore, the total budget for this event
increased by $750 to $6,200. It has been suggested that the City convene
a Special Events Committee and if the Council is interested in pursuing this
matter, it can be placed on the June Stn agenda.
MILow asked who would like to serve on the Special Events Committee.
MPT/Herrera volunteered.
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION
Following discussion, CM/Fox said that this matter would be on the June 5th
agenda to formally create the committee at which time M/Low will have the
opportunity to make the appointments.
C/Tye asked if the LA County Fair was not going to provide complimentary
admission and parking.
FD/Honeywell stated that CITye was correct.
CM/Fox stated that the dignitaries, Council, Commissioners, staff and invited
guests who are there to support the Heroes and Parade event had been
granted free admission and parking. This year, however, it is going to be
$6.60 for attendance related to the Route 66 History Day.and $15 for parking
or about $21.50 per head for invited dignitaries. Residents will also pay that
same rate on Diamond Bar Day at the Fair.
C/Lyons asked if the marching band would be charged $21 per kid to march
in the parade and for the choral group members from Diamond Ranch High
School. If that happens, she would like to step away from Diamond Bar Day
at the Fair.
C/Tye asked why the fair would be charging for something that is no -cost to
them.
CM/Fox said that staffs understanding is that they have a new fair program
director and this is one of the changes they are making this year. It remains
to be seen if they are still camping the reception.
M/Low said she understood they would not be camping that event.
CM/Fox said that RS/Murphey believes it will be camped this year and in
future years that may go away as well.
C/Tye said he would not attend the fair unless it was to support Diamond
Bar.
CM/Fox said that staff would further investigate the matter, particularly with
respect to the school district groups and if the Council decides it does not
want to participate this year that decision can be made in the near future.
FD/Honeywell noted that at the last study session the Council discussed the
proposed additional holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; however, that
request has been withdrawn. The requested 2 percent COLA and the $50
increase to the benefit allotment remains the same.
MPT/Herrera said she is happy about the withdrawal but she felt it would be
more beneficial and significant if the COLA could be increased and asked
MAY 15, 201 S
PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION
for a Closed Session on June 5th for the Council to discuss this matter. She
recommended that staff provide costs for 2.25 percent or 2.5 percent
increases.
FD/Honeywell stated that she could provide the figures now. The amount of
increase for 2.25 percent from 2 percent would be $15,700; and, the
additional increase for 2.5 percent from 2 percent would be $31,400.
MILow asked how much the increase would add to the retirement payments
for each of the employees.
FD/Honeywell explained that the increase figures she provided_ was the all -
in increase which includes retirement, etc.
MILin said that a 2.5 percent increase is very little and employees have
earned that.
MPT/Herrera agreed that it was very modest.
MILin said that if the Council agrees it doesn't require another Closed
Session.
MPT/Herrera agreed. Council unanimously agreed to the 2.5 percent
increase.
FD/Honeywell said she would build that into the budget.
CM/Fox thanked the Council and said he believed all of the employees would
be very appreciative of that action.
FD/Honeywell said that an example of special funds is the Community
Organization Support Fund for which the City designates $15,000 per year
to help with various community groups within the City.
ClLyons said she would like to discuss this further since it was $20,000 and
was dropped to $15,000 and the City now has more community groups.
FD/Honeywell said that it dropped in 2009-10 likely due to the recession.
MPT/Herrera said that some groups do not realize they need to submit a
Letter of Request for funds and if they were funded in 2007, for example,
they may have an expectation of being funded again for the same amount
without realizing they need to submit a formal letter. In past years, there
were not that many requests. There were the usual requests like Friends of
the Library, the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant, the Diamond Bar Community
Foundation and those groups know what they need to do to acquire the
funds; however, many of the other groups don't know what they have to do.
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION
Typically, it has been $15,000 and her question is that if there is anyone who
submits a request gets rejected.
CM/Fox said he believes that happened to the Chinese-American
Association Gala. They asked for a table sponsorship of about $750 and the
City is out of money for the year because the $15,000 has been exhausted.
The City can provide individual tickets for Council through the meetings
budget. Small amounts are given out from time to time and there is no magic
formula of who gets what. Staff tends to look back to see if something has
been sponsored over the years or, if it is something the Council has
participated in over the years, and provide whatever support it can.
FDIHoneywell explained that a lot of the groups will have booths at City
functions and they do get a revenue share.
CM/Fox said if it is something that is really important the budget can usually
accommodate the request.
Following discussion, the Council. concurred. to increase the fund to $20,000
FD/Honeywell reminded Council that the allocation of $100,000 from the Law
Enforcement Reserve Fund is used for as -needed saturation patrols within
the City.
The Technology Reserve Fund - $1 million was set aside in the current fiscal
year to pay for a new finance system and Parks & Recreation system. By
the end of this fiscal year, about $70,000 will have been spent toward these
systems. The balance will be carried over into the next fiscal year.
The OPER Fund — FD/Honeywell said that a few years back the Council set
aside about $596,000 to pay for the OPEB liability. This amount has been
sitting in the reserve fund and each year about $85,000 has been paid into
the Trust Fund that was set up through CalPERS and the City will continue
this pattern.
Special Revenue Funds — FD/Honeywell explained that these are the funds
(Prop A, Prop C, Measure R) that are used to pay for a lot of CIP projects.
This budget contains two proposed new funds. The Street Beautification
Fund which are funds from developers that are required to make payments
to the City for street beautification. The City has collected about $368,000
in the current year which is why she is seeking approval of the fund this year
so that the money can be booked into this fund and eventually, that money
will be used to complete the Diamond Bar Boulevard Complete Streets
Project which is currently in design of which $50,000 has been used. The
second fund that can be approved for the upcoming fiscal year is the
Measure A "Neighborhood Parks Act Fund". This Act was approved in 2016
as a replacement for the expired Prop A Safe Parks Fund.
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION
Staff is proposing to purchase a Ford Fusion plugin hybrid card for CM/Fox
during Fiscal Year 2018-19 through the AQMDIAB2766 Fund.
The Debt Service Bond — In 2011 the Diamond Bar Center bond was
refinanced to a fixed rate. This bond is due to mature in 2033 and Council
asked about paying the bond off early. She contacted the City's Bond
Trustee and was told that the City is not allowed to pay down any of the
principal until after June 1, 2021. At that time the balance will be $7,830,000
and the City will be required to pay accrued interest at that point. If the
Council wishes to make partial payments or pay off the full balance due, that
can be done. The yearly bond payment is about $855,000.
CILin asked for an explanation of the increase in the City Council budget.
FD/Honeywell said that more money was added for travel and conferences
based on meeting locations. .
CILin asked if salary was part of the budget item. The salary portion is very
small going from about $135,800 to $139,100. The salary does not increase
because Council Members are on a stipend, it is the benefits portion that
increases which is very minor ($4,000).
PWD/Liu reported that Council approved 34 projects in FY 17118 with a total
budget of $21,217,428. To date, 9 projects have been completed for a total
cost of $3,294,810 which is $179,804 under Council's authorized budget. An
additional 3 projects are under construction for a total contract authorization
of $860,960 and are expected to be completed by June 30 with a savings of
up to $140,000. There are an additional 13 projects in progress with design
or construction that will be carried over into FY 2018-19. The Lemon Avenue
Interchange Project Metro grant funds in the amount of $9,345,827 was
transferred to the City of Industry in March 2018 to allow Industry to fully
administer the construction.
PWD/Liu stated that the total Proposed Budget is $10,283,768 — there are a
total of 31 projects proposed (excluding outside agency projects such as the
SR60 at Grand Avenue Improvements and Private Developer Improvements
such as Larkstone Park). Project include Street Improvements, Traffic
Management/Safety Improvements, Transportation Infrastructure
Improvements, Miscellaneous Public Works Improvements, and Facilities,
Parks & Recreation Improvements.
SCE/Young reported on Proposed Street Improvement Projects with a total
Proposed Budget of $2,641,026 — includes Residential and Collector Street
Rehabilitation — Area 6 Construction Carryover - proposed budget
$1,650,000; CDBG Area 6 Curb Ramp Project — New Project — proposed
budget $208,026; Residential and Collector Street Rehabilitation — Area 7
Design — New Project— proposed budget $60,000; Pathfinder Road
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION
Rehabilitation Carryover (construction completed, awaiting final invoicing
from the County) — proposed budget $20,000; and, Arterial Street
Rehabilitation (Diamond Bar Boulevard from Mountain Laurel to Clear Creek
Canyon) New Project — proposed budget $700,000.
Proposed Traffic Management/Safety Proiects with a total proposed budget
of $2,307,156 includes Traffic Signal Infrastructure Upgrades, Phase 3
Construction Carryover (under construction) — proposed budget $476,128;
Adaptive Traffic Control System Carryover (vendor procurement underway)
proposed budget $1,610,000; CopleylGolden Springs Drive Intersection
Modification Carryover (under construction) — proposed budget $171,028;
and, LED Illuminated Street Name Sign Design New Project — proposed
budget $50,000.
C/Lyons asked how much it would cost to complete the project.
SCENoung estimated over $100,000 for 70 signalized intersections.
PWD/Liu said that in this case as in the case of other projects, staff has been
very proactive in pursuing other funding sources. For LED energy efficiency
there may be specific funding opportunities.
SCENoung explained the proposed Transportation Infrastructure
Improvements with a total proposed budget of $190,000 which includes
Lemon Avenue Interchange Project Carryover (under construction) --
proposed budget $40,000, and Lemon Avenue Quiet Zone Carryover —
proposed budget $150,000.
Proposed Miscellaneous Public Works Improvements with a total proposed
budget of $2,756,922 includes Groundwater Drainage Improvements Phase
1 & 2 Carryover (under construction) -- proposed budget $75,000;
Groundwater Drainage Improvements Phase 3 -Design new project —
proposed budget $65,000; Sewer System Evaluation and Capacity
Assurance Plan Carryover (LA County has begun work on the report) —
proposed budget $64,551; Diamond Bar Boulevard Complete Streets (GSD -
60 Freeway) Design Carryover (Conceptual design completed) proposed
budget $200,000; Grand GSD Intersection Enhancements Carryover —
proposed budget $1,511,511; Library Sign Replacement new project —
proposed budget $75,000; Electric Charging Station at City Hall new project
— proposed budget $63,860, and City Entry Monuments Carryover —
proposed budget $702,000.
SCENoung reminded Council that several months ago, staff brought the
proposed design to the Council for discussion and Council directed staff to
go out to bid to see what the costs would be for further consideration. Bids
were opened on April 5th and staff received only two bids which were very
favorable. The following options are proposed for Council's consideration:
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 7 CC STUDY SESSION
Option 1: The base bid of $346,761 included the landscape median
improvements with the angular rock plus the monument. With the addition
of a contingency and the estimated CM/Inspection services of $88,239, the
total cost for both locations would be $435,000.
Option 2: Addition to the base bid for the Median Post &Wooden Rail with
Decorative Steel Panels would increase the overall construction cost to
$540,000.
Option 3: Building on options 1 and 2 with the addition of Parkway Entry
Columns to either side of the monument in the sidewalk area would increase
the overall construction cost to $720,000.
Option 4: All of the aforementioned improvements with the addition of Accent
Boulders to the medians would increase the overall construction cost to
$800,000.
The current 201718 budget has available funding in the amount of
$415,925. The proposed FY 2018-19 adds $286,075 in General Fund to
create an overall available budget of $702,000. With that available budget,
Option 1 or Option 2 can be constructed. There will be savings of General
Fund dollars of up to $267,000 depending on which option is selected. If
Options 3 and 4 were under consideration, additional funds would be needed
for construction: $18,000 for Option 3 and $98,000 for Option 4. Because
it will impact the upcoming budget, staff is seeking Council's decision on
which Option it would like to pursue.
C1Tye said the decision should not be based on what was done at Grand
and Diamond Bar or Grand and Longview thinking it would work at Golden
Springs Drive and Calbourne Drive or Diamond Bar Boulevard and Temple
Avenue. In his opinion, putting wood rails up on the sidewalk side would
cause people to wonder when it would be finished so the City Council should
look at something that appears completed when it is finished. He
recommended a hybrid of the Options.
C/Lyons said she liked the monument and believes it speaks well to have
continuity in the entrances to the City.
MPT/Herrera suggested leaving out the rails.
CM/Fox said that the bid specs have been set up to give the Council the
opportunity to award the individual components.
CITye said this would be a hybrid of the four options.
CM/Fox explained the details of the hybrid to include Option 2, Entry
Monument and Landscape Median Improvements, Median Post & Wooden
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 8 CC STUDY SESSION
Rail with Decorative Steel Panels in the median ($540,000) with the addition
of Accent Boulders in the medians ($60,000) for a total of $600,000.
Council unanimously concurred to the Option 2 Hybrid as detailed by
CM/Fox.
SCE/Young explained that the CIP presented at the next Council meeting
will be adjusted to accommodate the hybrid of Option 2 which saves
$100,000 of General Fund monies.
Proposed Facilities, Parks & Recreation_ Improvements for a total proposed
budget of $2,388,664 includes: Heritage Park Improvements Design
Carryover— proposed budget $145,000. PWD/Liu explained that staff would
like to begin the design to remodel the park (the facility and recreation
amenities). In the current year both Heritage and Peterson were under
consideration. After assessing all available resources, staff is
recommending that the City focus its resources on Heritage Park first and
then on the new Sunset Crossing Park project. There are suggestions in the
Parks Master Plan for Heritage Park, but there were not a lot of ideas about
Peterson Park. There will be a community engagement process.
C/Lyons asked why the budget was different for the Heritage Park design
budget and the Sunset Crossing Park design budget.
PWD/Liu said that because they are working with a current infrastructure and
maintaining the footprint of the building and making sure all of the
improvements are up-to-date for Heritage whereas the Sunset Crossing
Park design has no current infrastructure.
PWD/Liu said the other project that staff is concerned about is the Sycamore
Canyon Slope Erosion Repairs project with a proposed budget of $686,000
for construction. Tentatively bid opening is scheduled for May 30 and staff
hopes to have realistic numbers for the Council to consider sometime in
June.
C/Tye asked if staff had reconsidered changing the stairs to a switchback
trail.
CM/Fox said that until staff works through FEMA to see what can be done,
if the decision is made to go that route, FEMA will be out altogether. He felt
staff was making some progress with FEMA with the revised scope and is
hoping the bids come in in the meantime to provide concrete numbers to
share with FEMA and show them what the City really needs to do.
C/Lyons asked what the drawing on Page 13 was.
MAY 16, 2018
PAGE 9 CC STUDY SESSION
CM/Fox explained that this is the initial concept plan for Sunset Crossing
Park that was submitted with the grant application which Council approved
in April.
PWD/Liu said that the concept shows a defined entrance to the new park,
two playground areas with shade structures and surfacing as well as, a small
storage room for maintenance activities, two tennis courts that can be
converted into Pickle Ball courts, a small three-point basketball court, and
walking and exercise trails similar to what was done at Diamond Canyon
Park. This is a 2.83 acre parcel with sitting and picnic areas at various
locations in the park. The applications have been submitted and staff is
hoping for good news.
PWD/Liu referred the Council to the table (funding sources for the proposed
CIP Budget on Page 14 of the presentation totaling $10,283,768. When staff
puts these numbers together- for budget purposes, the goal is to prepare
these numbers within a reasonable estimate of each special revenue funds.
For the most part, the numbers are fairly solid. However, there are a few
funding sources that may require some tweaking. For example, the Sale of
Prop A. Funds $860,000. The budget proposes to sell $1.2 million and
depending on the exchange rate that number may vary. Also, the FEMA
amount of $238,783 is based on their minimum commitment. As previously
mentioned, if the City is successful in its negotiations with FEMA it will
receive an additional $400,000-$500,000 to pay for the full cost of the repair
work.
Public Comments: None.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City
Council, MILow recessed the Study Session t 6:17 p.m. to the Regular Meeting.
T MMYE CRIBBINS, City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 5th day of June
2018.
RUTH M. LOW, Mayor
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MAY 16, 2018.
STUDY SESSION:
5:00 P.M., Room CC -8
► FY 2018-19 SPECIAL FUNDS, SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, DEBT SERVICE
FUND, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BUDGETS.
Public Comments: None.
Recessed to Regular Meeting at 6:1 i p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Low called the Regular City Council meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA. .
CMIFox reported that during tonight's Study Session, Council reviewed the proposed
Capital Improvement Program for FY 2018-19 that includes about $10.3 million worth of
investment in the community which is pretty evenly divided amongst traffic
improvements, roadway improvements and parks and facilities improvements. The
budget will be brought to the Council for adoption on June 5th
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: -Mayor Low led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Cantor Paul Buch, Temple Beth Israel, provided the
Invocation.
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; Ken Desforges, IS Director, David Liu, Public Works
Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development
Director; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City
Manager; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk Manager; Marsha Roa, Public
Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; and Tommye
Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: None.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None.
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Douglas Barcon reported that when driving east on Sunset Crossing Road to
Diamond Bar Boulevard the left turn is problematic.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/Fox stated that PWD/Liu would look into the matter and determine whether it
needs to be referred to the Traffic and Transportation Commission.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — May 22, 2018 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.2 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — May 24, 2018 — 7:00 p.m.,
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 Memorial Holiday — City Offices closed on Monday, May 28, 2018 in
observance of the Memorial Holiday. City Offices reopen on Tuesday,
May 29, 2018 at 7:30 a.m.
5.4 City Council Meeting — June 5, 2018 — 6:30 p.m., AQMDIGovernment
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive. -
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: MPT/Herrera moved, CITye 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 Study Session Minutes of May 1, 2018 —as presented.
6.1b Regular Meeting Minutes of May 1, 2018—as presented.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES:
6.2a Regular Meeting of March 22, 2018,
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED GENERAL PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES:
6.3a Minutes of November 30, 2017.
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED APRIL 26, 2018 THROUGH MAY
9, 2018 TOTALING $807,328.46.
6.5 APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE FIRST
AMENDMENT TO LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
CONTRACT WITH MICE CORPORATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $140,000
FOR A TOTAL FISCAL YEAR AUTHORIZATION NOT -TO -EXCEED
$506,576.
6.6 AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE CERTIFICATE OF
COMPLIANCE FOR LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT LLA -18-37 (SOUTH
POINT WESTILARKSTONE PARK) ON BEHALF OF THE CITY -AS THE
OWNER OF LARKSTONE PARK.
6.7 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO'S 2018-15 (NO. 38), 2018-16 (NO. 39)
AND 2018-17 (NO. 41) DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO LEVY
AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO. 38, NO. 39 AND NO. 41 AND DIRECTED THE CITY
CLERK TO ADVERTISE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO BE SET FOR THE
JUNE 19, 2018 REGULAR MEETING.
7. PULIC HEARINGS: None.
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None.
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
CILin thanked staff for their diligence on the proposed budget. During his four
years on the City Council he has observed his colleagues to be very conservative
and frugal and working to save the City money wherever possible. The City has
a very lean, mean budget of about $30 million. This is the start of "silly season"
and for those who just received their ballots, make sure to vote.
C/Lyons echoed CILin's comments regarding the budget. There has been a
great deal of information presented to the Council, and staff has been very
diligent in the preparation and follow up providing additional information and
answering questions. The presentations have been very thorough and thank -you
to staff for all of their hard work. During her time on the Council there have been
several discussions about different boy scouts in the community who have
received their Eagle award. And wants to bring attention to the fact that there are
five Diamond Bar Girl Scouts, all high school students, who are receiving the
highest rank attainable, the Gold Award: Jackie Gabela, Jaclyn Martinez, Emily
Ong, Nicole Parks, and Megan Shen. On behalf of the City Council,
congratulations to all and best to each of them in the future.
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
CITye also thanked staff for their hard work on the budget process. Many hours
go into the preparation of the budget as well as many more hours spent by staff
and Council going over the budget, asking questions and reaching good
decisions. He especially likes the attitude of the staff who, with projects that are
especially expensive, are always looking for grants and as FD/Honeywell says,
the General Fund is the last place staff goes for resources. It is a real mindset
and the reason Diamond Bar is in such good fiscal shape.' As Council's
representative on the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, he
participated in their budget exercise last week and the District is preparing for
increased expenses due to outbreaks of Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, and others.
The little bit of rain the City experienced over the last week is all that is needed to
incubate disaster. If there is a problem and people need Vector Control to
respond, please call 562--944-9656. Last week he participated in the celebration
of David Hall's life. It is hard to describe in a few words everything that David
touched. He was described as 'a "hurricane", "a force of nature" and he was
involved in the business community, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, and
served as a trustee at Mt. SAC for. 20 plus years. David and his great smile truly
will be sorely missed.
MPT/Herrera echoed her colleagues who spoke about staff and their preparation
of the budget. Diamond Bar has, over many years, consistently maintained a
very prudent budget and the City is fortunate to not have layoffs as do many
neighboring cities. Diamond Bar lives within its means, unlike a lot of
neighboring cities which is due to the very prudent staff and City Council. The
fact is, costs are rising and sales tax is not increasing the City's revenues and
Diamond Bar will have to continue its frugality to continue maintaining the City in
a good fiscal manner.
MILow added her thanks to staff for their hard work. Staff has been preparing
the budget for months and all of their thoughtful work comes through in their
presentations and how they make everything work. Everyone appreciates the
great work staff does, not only for the budget but every day. MILow announced
that ClLyons was selected to a seat on the LA County Library Commission and
that she will be an excellent advocate for the Diamond Bar Library and the county
library system. MILow reminded everyone that this is the beginning of summer
vacation and encouraged everyone who goes on vacation to exercise prudence
and careful planning in securing their properties and making sure the mail, etc.
are held or picked up regularly as well as letting your neighbors and Sheriff's
Department know you will be away. There is nothing worse than coming home
from a vacation and finding things amiss.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, MILow adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 6:49 p.m.
7 , 1, ��, r� -t - Z -r
TOMMYE CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
MAY 15, 2018 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 5th day of June , 2018.
RUTH M. LOW, MAYOR