HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/18 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
CLOSED SESSION: 5:30 P.M., Room CC -8
Public Comments on Closed Session Items — None Offered.
Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9
Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation
City of Diamond Bar v. City of Industry, et al,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BS 173224
City of Diamond Bar v. City of Industry, et al,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BS171295
City of Diamond Bar v. Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Industry
Urban -Development Agency, Successor Agency to the Industry Urban -
Development Agency, et al Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento
Case No. 34-2017-80002718-CU-WM-GDS.
Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code 54957
Title: City Manager
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 stated that no reportable actions were taken during tonight's Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: MILow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Pastor Jake Kim, Northminster Presbyterian Church
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; Ryan Wright, Parks & Recreation Director; Grace Lee, Senior Planner;
Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk
Manager; Dannette Allen, Management Analyst; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information
Coordinator; and, Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
September 18, 2018 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 M/Low and Council Members presented Certificates of Recognition to
Mary Lou Vargas and David Hernandez for coming to the aid of a resident
in distress.
1.2 MILow proclaimed September 25, 2018 as "If You See Something, Say
Something" National Awareness Day. MILow and City Council Members
presented the Proclamation to Captain Reyes.
1.3 MILow and Council Members presented a Certificate Plaque to Paco's
Tacos, 1131 S. Brea Canyon Road, Unit 1, as New Business of the Month
for September 2018.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Manuel Baca spoke about the history of Mt. SAC and asked for support of
Measure GO, a $750 million Facilities Bond based on a master plan the school
has been working on.
Larry Redinger, explained that the Bond Measure, if approved, will support the
facilities master plan to prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and
universities, improve student safety and campus security, improve classrooms
and learning environments necessary for job training, and upgrade the aging
facilities. Mt. SAC has buildings that were constructed in the 50's and 60's which
are deteriorating, unsafe and unhealthy and need to be updated to current
standards.
Susan Pantages, VP Diamond Bar Friends of -the Library, invited everyone to
participate in the Second Annual Gently Used Purse Sale fundraising event in the
Windmill Room of the Diamond Bar Library on Saturday, November 10tH
Mrs. Pantages asked for an update on Tres Hermanos.
Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Librarian, spoke about upcoming Library events
during the month of October including the Friends of the Library sponsored
student one thousand words or fess essay contest "How a Book Changed My
Life". Essays are due by Saturday,. October 6t". For additional program
information consult the Library website at www.LACountyLibrary.org.
Pastor Kim said that his church has focused on homelessness and to that end
will sponsor a "Face of Homelessness" symposium on Saturday, November 31d
from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30,p.m. This event is open to the public and Deputy Sheller
will be one of five speakers.
September 18, 2018 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
4: RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/Fox stated that this Council has taken a strong position to oppose any
development of a massive solar farm on the Tres Hermanos property and in
response to that position, the City has filed three lawsuits over the last year to
protect the community's interest in that property. The City of Industry has finally
begun to reach out to the City of Diamond Bar in an attempt to resolve those
outstanding lawsuits and through -negotiations and discussions, newspapers
have reported that the City of Industry is no longer interested in pursuing a solar
farm project on the property. Diamond Bar remains cautiously optimistic that that
reporting is true and correct. Nonetheless, Diamond Bar will continue to be
active and engaged in discussions with the City of Industry to determine their real
intentions for the property. At this point Diamond Bar cannot disclose or discuss
the contents of those negotiations because they are confidential, but as soon as
the City has information to share it will be forthcoming which the Council hopes
will be for the ultimate betterment of this community to protect ' the residents'
interests.
CILin said that this Council is determined to fight to the end to preserve the
quality of life of Diamond Bar residents.
CITye said that many years ago Bob Huff referred to election time as "silly
season" and this is the time folks will hear silly things, especially with the chatter
on social media where he saw that one of the council challengers is telling
people that this Council has already decided how Tres Hermanos will be
developed. When that person was challenged that there were no votes that
mentioned anything regarding how it would be developed he responded that of
course you're not going to see any votes because they do it behind closed doors.
A Closed Session such as the one the Council had today was for two purposes:
1) to consider litigation and 2) talk about public employee reviews. Everything
the Council decides that will make a change has to come before the Council in
open session. That is why folks elect these Council Members, so that the
Council can be held accountable for what is ultimately decided.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — September 25, 2018 — 7:00 p.m.,
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive (Canceled).
5.2 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 27, 2018 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 City Council Meeting — October 2, 2018 — 6:30 p.m., ACMDIGovernment
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
5.4 Diamond Bar Restaurant Week — October 5th through 215t with 22
restaurants participating. Check out www.diamondbarrestaurantweek.com
for all of the latest participants and their restaurant week specials.
September 18, 2018
PAGE 4
CITY COUNCIL
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Lyons moved, CILin seconded, to approve
the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Cali
vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lin, Lyons, Tye, MPT/Herrera, M/Low
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
6.1a Regular Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2018 — as presented.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES:
6.2a Regular Meeting of July 24, 2018.
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES:
6.3a Regular Meeting of February 22, 2018
6.3b Regular Meeting of June 28, 2018.
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED AUGUST 16, 2018 THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 TOTALING $1,719,343.72.
6.5 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR JULY 2018.
6.6 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE MORNING CANYON
ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT #24414 (CDBG PROJECT
#60183216) AND AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO
FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION.
6.7 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE GROUNDWATER
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT — PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2
(PROJECT #'S 26016 AND 26018) AND AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION.
6.8 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2018-38 AMENDING THE CITY'S
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR DESIGNATED CITY
PERSONNEL (BIENNIAL UPDATE).
6.9 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2018-39 APPROVING PROPOSITION A
LOCAL RETURN TRANSIT FUND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT WITH THE
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE AMOUNT OF $230,000.
September 18, 2018 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
6.10 APPROVED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH
JIVE/LOGMEIN, FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS AND BULLSEYE
TELECOM, AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN FIVE-
YEAR AGREEMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AS
FOLLOWS:
A) JIVEILOGMEIN IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $33,111.00;
B) FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF
$9,300.00; AND,
C) BULLSEYE TELECOM IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $7,796.88.
7. PULIC HEARINGS: NONE.
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: NONE.
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
CITye congratulated Juan Garcia, Owner of Paco's Tacos. He is open seven
days a week and the reason he is not here tonight is because he is probably
working Taco Tuesday. It is incredible that he worked there three years prior to
acquiring the business. He saw an opportunity to become an owner and
invested in the American Dream. CITye thanked Mary Lou Vargas and David
Hernandez who are the true essence of the "If you See Something, Say
Something" edict. It is a rare individual who sees somebody in need and steps
forward to help.
MPT/Herrera was very sad to inform the public that Reverend Monsignor James
"Jim" Loughnane passed away last night after suffering an aneurism in his aorta.
He was pastor of St. Denis Church for 25 year and was always a faithful attendee
and great supporter of the City of Diamond Bar and frequently present at City
Council meetings to provide the Invocation. He will be sorely missed. This. is
"silly season" and a lot of statements are being made in campaigns and as such,
she requested that at the next Council meeting there be an agenda item that
speaks to Economic Development and what the process is for bringing new
business to the City and what the City is doing to encourage new business to
locate in Diamond Bar including participating in the annual International Council
of Shopping Centers Convention.
ClLyons said that on Thursday she was privileged to fill in for MILow at Diamond
Bar Day at the Fair during which four Diamond Bar Community Heroes were
honored including Steve Acciani, Pamela Robinson, and Student Community
Heroes Natalie Chung and Rachel Wang, both Diamond Bar High School
students. On September 10th the Alameda Corridor East Construction and
Committee Projects Board dedicated the San Gabriel Railroad Trench. She is
September 18, 2018 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
very excited about Restaurant Week and she is again planning her strategy for
participating with all of the establishments during the event. Like the rest of the
Council she will miss Monsignor Loughnane who was a fixture in Diamond Bar.
She offered a photo of her first grandchild Nora who was born September 11th
and like all babies, is beautiful.
CILin said that roadway construction coordination is a challenge adjacent to
Diamond Bar. For example, he wonders why Fullerton Road and Fairway were
shut down at the same time. In fact, one evening last week the entire
interchange of Fairway was shut down, both on and off ramps as well as the
road, which created major chaos. It took him 25 minutes to go from Fairway to
Grand Avenue and he believes the closures could have been handled differently.
MILow commended CM/Fox and staff for two items on tonight's Consent
Calendar, Items 6.8 and 6.10. Item 6.8 designates new employees who must
complete Conflict of Interest forms. All City Council Members as well as senior
staff members are required by law to complete a Conflict of Interest statement
because Diamond Bar believes in transparency and because it is the law which
the City follows in order to protect the residents of Diamond Bar against
decisions that might be made for any other reason except for what is best for the
City and its residents. This item expands individuals who now fall under this
requirement. Item 6.10 is a new contract with new communication services
which allowed the City to acquire new phones and new systems while saving
money. Congratulations and thanks to staff for their good work. She
congratulated the community volunteers who were recognized at the Fair. On
September 9th she joined in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Pacific Crest
Drum & Bugle Corp. The group will participate in the Rose Parade on January
1St 2019 representing Diamond Bar. Congratulations to the Corp and to Director
Stuart Pompel who has been with the organization since its inception. On
September 22nd the Diamond Bar Chinese Association celebrates their Moon
Festival at Pantera Park where everyone can enjoy Chinese food, fun, music and
entertainment galore. She remembered Monsignor Loughnane for his many
years of service to Diamond Bar and 25 years at St. Denis Church who was a
wonderful, peaceful, kind and humorous presence and who will be sorely missed.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, MILow adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 7:20 p.m. to September 18, 2018, in memory of
Reverend Monsignor Loughnane of St. Denis Church.
September 18, 2018 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
TOMMYE ORIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The forego' g minut are hereby approved this 2nd day of October 2018.
f
RUTH 'BVI. LOVA, MAYOR