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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110519 - Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Herrera 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. Staff in attendance: City Manager Dan Fox, Assistant City Manager Ryan McLean, City Attorney David DeBerry, Community Development Director Greg Gubman, Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Wright, Public Works Director David Liu, Finance Director Diana Honeywell, Human Resources Manager Amy Haug, Public Information Coordinator Cecilia Arellano, and City Clerk Kristina Santana. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: M/Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Pastor Joseph Lo, Gateway Friends Church, provided the Invocation. ROLL CALL: Council Members Chou, Low, Lyons, Mayor Pro Tern Tye and Mayor Herrera. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 Mayor Herrera and City Council Members presented a Certificate Plaque to Nekter Juice Bar, 1118 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard, as New Business of the Month for November 2019. 1.2 Foothill Transit awarded Mayor Herrera the 2019 American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Sonja Reed, Diamond Bar Women's Club, spoke about Camp Pendleton's Adopt a Military Family program. There are currently about 350 families in need of Christmas gifts and anyone willing to help can donate directly to the Diamond Bar Women's Club, P.O. Box 4035, Diamond Bar 91765. For those who have questions, please call her at (909) 234-2074. Club members will purchase, wrap and deliver the gifts to Camp Pendleton. Cindy Liu, Taiwanese American Cultural Society, presented the City Council with a Certificate of Appreciation for their support of the October 6th Multi -Cultural Festival. Pui-Ching Ho spoke about programs and events taking place at the Diamond Bar Library during the month of November. She invited residents to visit the library's November 5, 2019 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL website at https://Iacountylibrary.org/diamond-bar-library/ for additional information regarding library programs and events, many of which are sponsored by The Friends of the Library. Emerson Chen asked the City to help him with tree roots that are damaging the concrete in front of his house where he has lived for 30 years. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: CM/Fox said that staff is aware of Mr. Chen's complaints and has been working with him for the last several months. Staff members have made several visits to the property and explained the process for tree removals and that the City removes trees if they are causing structural damage or if they are unhealthy. The City sent an Arborist to the property several times and staff is in the process of finalizing a report that should be done in the next couple of days. Staff anticipates that the trees are healthy and that root pruning may address Mr. Chen's concerns. Mr. Chen has continued to raise concerns about the trees because he does not want the trees that are adjacent to his property. This is not an item on the Council's agenda nor would this be an item that would normally come to the Council for consideration. Staff continues to work with Mr. Chen to the best extent possible. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Veterans Recognition — Thursday, November 7, 2019 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue. 5.2 Veterans Day Holiday — Monday, November 11 th — City Offices closed in observance of the Holiday. City Offices reopen on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 a.m. 5.3 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission — November 12, 2019, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive (canceled). 5.4 Regular Meeting of the Traffic and Transportation Commission — November 14, 2019, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.5 America Recycles Day — Saturday, November 16, 2019 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Building parking lot, 21865 Copley Drive 5.6 Regular Meeting of the City Council — November 19, 2019, 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Low moved, MPT/Tye seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: November 5, 2019 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Lyons, MPT/Tye, M/Herrera NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: 6.1a SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 8, 2019 — as presented. 6.1 b STUDY SESSION OF OCTOBER 15, 2019 — as presented. 6.1 c REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 15, 2019 — as presented. 6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED COMMISSION MINUTES: 6.1a PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 23, 2019. 6.1 b PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2019. 6.1c PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2019. 6.1d TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 8, 2019. 6.1e TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2019. 6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED OCTOBER 10, 2019 THROUGH OCTOBER 30, 2019 TOTALING $1,139,677.10. 6.4 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2019, 7. PUBLIC HEARING(S): 7.1 ORDINANCE NO. 02 (2019) — AMENDMENTS TO DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 2.32.040(G), 2.36.040(G) AND 2.40.040(G) REVISING COMMISSION MEETING TIMES. PRD/Wright presented staff's report stating that the Parks and Recreation Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of each month and the Traffic and Transportation Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month. Each monthly agenda typically provides information that staff considers routine in nature, which include information on upcoming events, previous events, maintenance updates, etc. Based on varying work schedules and traffic conditions as well as, scheduling conflicts, Commissioner's attendance has varied over the past year and at times, has resulted in a lack of quorum. On occasion there will be an agenda item that is unique that requires Commission feedback and special attention such as, Sportsmanship Award Winners, park designs (Heritage Parking and Sunset Crossing Park) which typically occur three to four times a year. Similarly, the Traffic and Transportation Commission receives monthly updates on various projects and programs including the Sheriff's Department's statistical reports. The typical Parks and Recreation Commission meeting lasts about 30 minutes whereas, Traffic and Transportation Commission meetings usually last from 30 to 60 November 5, 2019 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL minutes. The meetings are run efficiently and in good order, of course, and at times, the amount of time required by Commissioners and staff to prepare reports, commute, etc. takes more time than the actual meetings themselves. Rarely, do either Commissions receive input/feedback from the public because in present times the public generally looks to the City for immediate feedback through phone calls, email, social media, etc. In addition, Commissions may call special meetings as needed at any time which has not happened but can be scheduled should the need arise. The proposed ordinance would allow the City Council to establish Commission meeting dates, locations and time by resolution which would match the process City Council meetings fall under which is under Section 2 which states that the date and time of regular meetings shall be established by resolution of the City Council and, this would allow for greater flexibility to meet current and future scheduling modifications without the need to amend the ordinance. The Parks and Recreation Commission addressed this item several months ago and passed it by a vote of 3-1. The Traffic and Transportation Commission addressed this item and passed it as well by a vote of 4-0 a vote to move to a bi-monthly meeting beginning in January 2020. Should the City Council introduce this ordinance, an accompanying resolution would be presented at the next Council meeting on November 19th to establish a bi-monthly meeting beginning in January 2020 for both the Parks and Recreation Commission as well as, the Traffic and Transportation Commission. There would be no changes to the Planning Commission meeting as they schedule meetings twice a month. PRD/Wright and PWD/Liu are present should the City Council have any questions. C/Lyons said that when she served on the Parks and Recreation Commission and meetings were on the 4th Thursday, it was always a problem in November and December because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Perhaps the Parks and Recreation Commission should meet on the 1st or 3rd Thursday. She thinks the bi-monthly (every other month) meeting is probably a very good idea except for November/December meetings. PRD/Wright said that C/Lyons is correct. Each year, the Parks and Recreation Commission addresses this issue at their October meeting which they did this October and accordingly, the Commission elected to not schedule meetings in either November or December and reconvene in January 2020. C/Chou said that he was struck by PRD/Wright's statement that staff is spending more time preparing for the meeting than the actual meeting takes which means there is certainly room for improvement. He asked PRD/Wright to talk to the Commissioner's stipend and staff's time and overtime to prepare for the meetings so that the City Council might have a sense of potential cost -savings. November 5, 2019 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL Est PRD/Wright responded to C/Chou that on average between the two Commissions, staff estimates an annual savings of about $5,000 if the bi- monthly schedule is adopted. M/Herrera opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m. With no one wishing to speak on this item, M/Herrera closed the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m. CM/Fox stated that staff's recommendation is that the City Council Introduce for First Reading by Title Only, Waive further Reading of the Ordinance and schedule for Second Reading and Adoption, an Ordinance of the City of Diamond Bar, California, amending Diamond Bar Municipal Code Sections No. 02 (2019) Amendments to Diamond Bar Municipal Code Sections 2.32.040(g), 2.36.040(g) and 2.40.040(g) revising Commission meeting times to be set by Resolution. C/Lyons moved, C/Chou seconded, to Introduce for First Reading by Title Only, Waive further Reading of the Ordinance and schedule for Second Reading and Adoption, an Ordinance of the City of Diamond Bar, California, amending Diamond Bar Municipal Code Sections No. 02 (2019) Amendments to Diamond Bar Municipal Code Sections 2.32.040(g), 2.36.040(g) and 2.40.040(g) revising Commission meeting times to be set by Resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None Chou, Low, Lyons, MPT/Tye, M/Herrera None None 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Chou said it has been a busy couple of weeks since the last Council meeting. He thanked staff for the Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today at Sycamore Canyon Park. It was very well attended and the Council was present to support the event. The outcome of the project was excellent with the inlet and stair buildout. Congratulations to staff. The residents and Council Members very much appreciate all of your work on this project. C/Chou visited It's Everyday Coffee Shop which took over the It's a Grind location and are offering more menu items. He is looking forward to their success and hopes that the Council will honor them as a New Business of the Month in the near future. He congratulated Boy Scout Troop 777 on their 50th Anniversary. Many Council Members were on hand to help with the celebration of this momentous occasion. He thanked the first responders and firefighters for addressing the scare the City had a couple of weeks ago with the Brea fire. The first responders were on the scene very November 5, 2019 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL quickly and he was there to witness the manpower and resources allocated almost immediately to fight the fire during winds of 40-50 mph. Thank you to the firefighters for a job well done and for keeping the community safe. C/Low said it was great fun this morning (being at the Sycamore Canyon Grand Reopening) and the work is superior. The City and residents are very appreciative that after three years that beautiful trail is open. There was lots of enthusiasm expressed. She thanked staff and offered a special thanks for getting the bulk of the funding from FEMA. She also thanked staff for a great Halloween party last Saturday with kids and animals and humans and their costumes which showcases the great community of Diamond Bar. As of October 18th there is a new sign on the SR60 near the Lemon Avenue off ramp dedicating that area to Mayor Jack Tanaka (the Mayor Jack Tanaka Highway). Thank -you to residents and efforts of Senator Ling Ling Chang and to Caltrans for getting this done which is a great tribute to Mayor Tanaka and the recognition of his work on behalf of Diamond Bar. She thanked the firefighters who were able to so quickly and so effectively put out the fire on October 30th. The community greatly appreciates their service. C/Lyons said she made it to all 29 restaurants during Restaurant Week and she has the photos and weight gain to prove it. It was fun visiting old favorite restaurants and discovering new restaurants. A big thank -you to SMA/Lopez whose energy and can -do attitude made this event a success beyond her wildest dreams. It was terrific and there will probably be more about this event at the next City Council meeting. Staff has executed and planned many festive events over the past couple of weeks. The Halloween party was great and the best part was seeing the little kids dressed up and excited. The Grand Reopening of Sycamore Canyon Park Trail was already being enjoyed by many people and there were about 80 individuals celebrating the event at Sycamore Park. With respect to the firefighters and the fire, the Council was actually honoring the Public Safety officers, and the firefighters and the Sheriff Department's personnel were at a luncheon honoring them when the fire broke out so the fire department went through the line to get food, sat down to eat and almost immediately were called to fight the fire. Diamond Bar is very proud of them and everything they did to prevent the fire from getting to Diamond Bar. All three events were very well executed by staff and Council appreciates staff's dedication. She and MPT/Tye also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 777 along with C/Chou. Diamond Bar is a better place for having troops here for such a long period of time providing community service to Diamond Bar. Last week she attended a meeting regarding voting solutions for all people — VSAP. If you vote in person, the way you vote will change beginning in 2020. There are a lot of interesting facts about the new system including there will be 11 days to vote and there will be a thousand locations all over LA County where people can vote meaning there will be places close to where one works, shops or goes to school. She showed a picture of what the new voting booth looks like. The process is very much like it is today but people will be voting on something that looks a lot like an iPad as opposed to an INKA ballot. She was able to try out the equipment which was very easy to use and she has asked CM/Fox to get the demo machine to Diamond Bar so that residents can check it out as well. For November 5, 2019 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL those who vote by mail there will be no change. She hopes to see a lot of veterans at the City's Veterans Day Celebration. Congratulations to M/Herrera for being selected as the one and only active board member across the entirety of North America for the year. It is a big honor and very appropriate given the number of years M/Herrera has spent on transportation issues and Diamond Bar is proud to have M/Herrera as its Mayor. MPT/Tye said the Halloween party was a lot of fun. He wonders about the people that not only dressed up their dog but left the house looking like their dog. It was great fun to see the kids playing and over 500 people coming out in costume and playing carnival games. Great job by staff — thank you very, very much. The one thing that was the most meaningful was the Troop 777's 50th Anniversary. Diamond Bar is only 30 years old and they have been around since prior to cityhood. Herb Hurst had the vision to start that troop in 1969 and to paraphrase Confucius, if you are planning for one year, plant rice; if you planning for 10 years, plant trees and, if your plan is for 50 years, start a Boy Scout Troop and 50 years and 130 Eagle Scouts later, Troop 777 is still going strong. Congratulations to them and their current Scout Master Martin Cardenas who continues to lead them. M/Herrera said that as her colleagues have stated, it has been a busy couple of weeks and staff has been very active and busy with different events including the Halloween party with all of the dogs, the Appreciation Luncheon for Public Safety and upcoming this Thursday, the salute to the Veterans. Thanks to staff for all of the good work they do. She thanked Foothill Transit for supporting her in receiving the award. One does not achieve these kinds of awards in a vacuum. It takes a lot of people to support a person who achieves things and Foothill Transit has always been very supportive and the City of Diamond Bar is always very supportive of the various activities that City Council Members take part in. Thanks to all of her colleagues for the great jobs they do. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Herrera adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kristina Santana City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 19th day of November, 2019. Carol Herrera Mayor