HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.10.20 Agenda Packet - Regular Meeting
City Council Agenda
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
6:30 PM
PUBLIC ADVISORY:
Consistent with the Governor’s latest Executive Order to Stay at Home, avoid gatherings and
maintain social distancing, the regular meeting portion of the agenda will be conducted
telephonically and Members of the City Council and staff will be participating via
Teleconference. There will be no physical meeting location for the regular meetin g.
How to Observe the Meeting:
To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of
the public can observe the meeting by calling +1 (415) 655-0060, Attendee Access Code: 604-
559-054 or by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8593174163567097104 .
How to Submit Public Comment:
Members of the public may provide public comment by sending written comments to the City
Clerk by email at cityclerk@DiamondBarCA.gov by 5:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Please
indicate in the Subject Line “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.” Written comments will be distributed to
the Council Members and read into the record at the meeting, up to a maximum of five
minutes.
Alternatively, public comment may be submitted by logging onto the meeting through this link:
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will be called upon one at a time during the Public Comment portion of the agenda, and will be
asked to state their name and agenda item they wish to comment on. Speakers are limited to
five minutes per agenda item, unless the Mayor determines otherwise.
American Disability Act Accommodations:
Pursuant to the Executive Order, and in compliance with the Ame ricans with Disabilities Act, if
you need special assistance to participate in the Council Meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s
Office (909) 839-7010 within 72 hours of the meeting. City Council video recordings with
transcription will be available upon request the day following the Council Meeting.
The City of Diamond Bar thanks you in advance for taking all precautions to prevent
spreading the COVID-19 virus.
STEVE TYE
Mayor
NANCY A. LYONS
Mayor Pro Tem
ANDREW CHOU
Council Member
RUTH M. LOW
Council Member
JENNIFER "FRED" MAHLKE
Council Member
City Manager Dan Fox • City Attorney David DeBerry • City Clerk Kristina Santana
DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING RULES
Welcome to the meeting of the Diamond Bar City Council. Meetings are open to the public and
are broadcast on Spectrum Cable Channel 3 and Frontier FiOS television Channel 47. You are
invited to attend and participate. Copies of staff reports or other written documentation relating
to agenda items are on file and available for public inspection by contacting the Office of the
City Clerk. If requested, the agenda will be made available in an alternative format to a person
with disability as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you
have questions regarding an agenda item, please contact the City Clerk at (909) 839-7010
during regular business hours.
PUBLIC INPUT
Members of the public may address the Council on any item of business on the agenda during
the time the item is taken up by the Council. In addition, members of the public may, during the
Public Comment period address the Council on any Consent Calendar item or any matter not on
the agenda and within the Council’s subject matter jurisdiction. Any material to be submitted to
the City Council at the meeting should be submitted through the City Clerk.
Speakers are limited to five minutes per agenda item, unless the Mayor determines otherwise.
The Mayor may adjust this time limit depending on the number of people wishing to speak, the
complexity of the matter, the length of the agenda, the hour and any other relevant
consideration. Speakers may address the Council only once on an agenda item, except during
public hearings, when the applicant/appellant may be afforded a rebuttal.
Public comments must be directed to the City Council. Behavior that disrupts the orderly
conduct of the meeting may result in the speaker being removed from the meeting.
INFORMATION RELATING TO AGENDAS AND ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL
Agendas for regular City Council meetings are available 72 hours prior to the meeting and are
posted in the City’s regular posting locations, on DBTV Channel 3, Spectrum Cable Channel 3,
Frontier FiOS television Channel 47 and on the City’s website at www.diamondbarca.gov. The
City Council may take action on any item listed on the agenda.
HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS
Copies of agendas, rules of the Council, Video of meetings: (909) 839-7010
Computer access to agendas: www.diamondbarca.gov
General information: (909) 839-7000
Written materials distributed to the City Council within 72 hours of the C ity Council meeting are
available for public inspection immediately upon distribution in the City Clerk’s Office at 21810 Copley
Dr., Diamond Bar, California, during normal business hours.
THIS MEETING IS BEING VIDEO RECORDED AND BY PARTICIPATING VIA
TELECONFERENCE, YOU ARE GIVING YOUR PERMISSION TO BE TELEVISED.
THIS MEETING WILL BE RE-BROADCAST EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT
9:00 A.M. AND ALTERNATE TUESDAYS AT 8:00 P.M. AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR
LIVE VIEWING AT
HTTPS://ATTENDEE.GOTOWEBINAR.COM/REGISTER/8593174163567097104 and
ARCHIVED VIEWING ON THE CITY’S WEB SITE AT WWW.DIAMONDBARCA.GOV.
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
October 20, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor
ROLL CALL: Chou, Low, Mahlke, Mayor Pro Tem
Lyons, Mayor Tye
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor
1. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
"Public Comments" is the time reserved on each reg ular meeting agenda to
provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the Counci l
on Consent Calendar items or other matters of interest not on the agenda that
are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Although the C ity Council
values your comments, pursuant to the Brown Act, members of the City Council
or Staff may briefly respond to public comments if necessary, but no extended
discussion and no action on such matters may take place. There is a five -minute
maximum time limit when addressing the City Council. At this time, the
teleconference moderator will ask callers one at a time to give their name and if
there is an agenda item number they wish to speak on before providing their
comment. If you wish to speak on a public hearing item or council consideration
item, you will then be called upon to speak at that point in the agenda.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR:
All items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered by the City Council to be
routine and will be acted on by a single motion unless a Council Member or
member of the public request otherwise, in which case, the item will be removed
for separate consideration.
OCTOBER 20, 2020 PAGE 2
3.1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2020 MEETING.
3.1.a October 6, 2020 City Council Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the October 6, 2020 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
Requested by: City Clerk
3.2 CITY COUNCIL RECEIPT OF COMMISSION MINUTES.
3.2.a Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of January 23, 2020
3.2.b Planning Commission Minutes of February 25, 2020
3.2.c Planning Commission Minutes of April 28, 2020
3.2.d Planning Commission Minutes of May 12, 2020
3.2.e Planning Commission Minutes of May 26, 2020
3.2.f Planning Commission Minutes of August 25, 2020
3.2.g Traffic and Transportation Commission Minutes of March 12, 2020
3.2.h Traffic and Transportation Commission Minutes of July 9, 2020
Recommended Action:
A. Receive and file the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting
minutes of January 23, 2020;
B. Receive and file the Planning Commission meeting minutes of
February 25, April 28, May 12, May 26, and August 25, 2020; and
C. Receive and file the Traffic and Transportation Commission
Minutes of March 12, and July 9, 2020.
Requested by: City Clerk
3.3 RATIFICATION OF CHECK REGISTER DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
THROUGH OCTOBER 7, 2020 TOTALING $205,301.78.
Recommended Action:
Ratify the Check Register.
Requested by: Finance Department
3.4 RESPONSE TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL
REPORT 2019-2020; A DIET FOR LANDFILLS, CUTTING DOWN ON
FOOD WASTE.
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Mayor to sign, and direct City Staff to transmit the attached
response prior to the deadline.
Requested by: City Manager
OCTOBER 20, 2020 PAGE 3
3.5 JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT FOR USE OF FACILITIES.
Recommended Action:
Approve, and authorize the City Manager to sign, the Joint Use
Agreement with Walnut Valley Unified School District.
Requested by: Parks & Recreation Department
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE.
5. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: NONE.
6. COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
7. ADJOURNMENT:
Agenda #: 3.1
Meeting Date: October 20, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2020 MEETING.
STRATEGIC
GOAL:
Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the October 6, 2020 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Minutes have been prepared and are being presented for approval.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 3.1.a October 6, 2020 City Council Minutes
3.1
Packet Pg. 6
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 6, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tye called the Regular City Council meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Tye stated that consistent with COVID-19 regulations, all Council Members and
staff were participating via teleconference and there was no physical location for public
attendance. The Public was invited to join the meeting online or by phone at the
numbers printed on the agenda.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Tye led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Andrew Chou, Ruth Low, Jennifer
“Fred” Mahlke, Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Lyons, and
Mayor Steve Tye
Staff participating telephonically: Dan Fox, City Manager; Dave DeBerry, City
Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the
City Manager; Dannette Allen, Senior Management Analyst; Ryan Wright, Parks and
Recreation Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Hal Ghafari, Public Works
Manager/Assistant City Engineer; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director;
Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Amy Haug, Human
Resources and Risk Manager; Ken Desforges, Information Systems Director; Marsha
Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Informat ion Coordinator;
Raymond Tao, Building Official; and, Kristina Santana, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As submitted.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley Annual Report –
Canceled – future date to be determined
1.2 Diamond Bar Restaurant Week Video Presentation
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
CM/Fox invited residents to participate in one of two virtual information meetings
regarding the November 3, 2020 sales tax Measure DB.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CC/Santana read the following comments submitted via emails:
Raphael Plunkett thanked Allison Santogrossi and Diego Tamayo for hosting the
candidate forum, C/Chou for sharing voting information and the City for hosting
the Measure DB sessions.
3.1.a
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OCTOBER 6, 2020 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
Teame Ozeqbe commented on and expressed opposition to Proposition 16.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR: MPT/Lyons moved, C/Low seconded, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented with C/Chou abstaining on Item 4.1. Motion
carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons, M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
4.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
4.1a SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 REGULAR MEETING.
4.2 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 TOTALING $1,053,984.66.
4.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2020-40 APPROVING THE INVESTMENT
POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021.
5. PUBLIC HEARING(S):
5.1 SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 02(2020) AMENDING TITLE
15 OF THE DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT BY
REFERENCE, TITLE 32, FIRE CODE, OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
CODE, AS AMENDED, WHICH CONSTITUTES AN AMENDED
VERSION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 2019 EDITION.
Building Official Tao presented the staff report.
M/Tye opened the Public Hearing.
With no one wishing to speak on this matter, M/Tye closed the Public
Hearing.
C/Mahlke moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to approve Second Reading of
Ordinance No. 02(2020) amending Title 15 of the Diamond Bar Municipal
Code to Adopt by reference, Title 32, Fire Code, of the Los Angeles
County Code, as amended, which constitutes an amended version of the
California Fire Code, 2019 edition. Motion carried by the following Roll
Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons,
M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
3.1.a
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OCTOBER 6, 2020 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
6.1 ZONE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW FOR A NEW SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 1111 N. DIAMOND BAR
BOULEVARD [PLANNING CASE NO. PL2015-253].
CM/Fox presented a brief report.
M/Tye opened Public Comments.
Douglas Barcon questioned the authenticity of the land use map and
zoning in the updated General Plan, and requested Council verification
that the information presented for their vote is correct.
Paul Diebold questioned the rationale for the zone change and suggested
a condition for future development of the site.
M/Tye closed Public Comments.
CDD/Gubman responded to public comments that the property has always
had a residential designation with a commercial zoning designation. The
landowner presented a conceptual plan for a commercial office building
which met with negative response primarily due to site capacity
restrictions, and the residential General Plan designation was determined
to be consistent with the residential properties to the north and across the
Boulevard and rezoning it to be consistent with the General Plan was
determined to be the more appropriate solution.
CDD/Gubman responded to Mr. Barcon that the General Plan Map on the
City’s website is correct and asked Mr. Barcon to please contact SP/Lee
for additional information to help resolve his concerns.
C/Mahlke moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to approve for Second Reading
by title only, waive full reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 01(2020)
approving the Zone Change application. Motion carried by the following
Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons, M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS None
C/Mahlke moved, M/Tye seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-41
denying the Development Review application based on the Findings of
Fact contained therein. Motion failed by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mahlke, M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Low, MPT/Lyons
3.1.a
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OCTOBER 6, 2020 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS None
6.2 FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 APPROPRIATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR
GENERAL FUND, SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AND CAPITAL
PROJECT CARRYOVERS AND FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 FINAL
ADJUSTMENTS.
FD/Honeywell presented the staff report.
MPT/Lyons asked if other sources were contacted regarding exchange of
Prop A funds (Item F) and CM/Fox responded that staff is not aware of
any agencies soliciting Prop A funds at this time.
MPT/Lyons asked where the excess money from the design phase of
Sunset Crossing and Heritage parks would go and FD/Honeywell
responded that in general, leftover monies are re-programmed into other
phases of those or other park projects.
C/Low asked if there was a market rate for the exchange of Prop A Funds
and FD/Honeywell said that at this time, cities were not generally in a
position to offer money. C/Low asked if Foothill was offering discounted
rates to their riders and M/Tye said that while it may be addressed at
some point, Foothill is not currently making an issue of non-paying riders.
C/Low asked how the City could use the Prop A funds in lieu of
proceeding with the exchange and FD/Honeywell responded that funds
could be used for bus shelter renovations.
C/Low asked if the $300,000 CDBG funding for COVID-19 relief was
reflected in the revenue or expenditure categories presented this evening.
FD/Honeywell explained that those funds were spent during July/August of
Fiscal Year 2020-21 and are not reflected in the numbers presented this
evening.
FD/Honeywell explained that some of the budget savings was due to
deferred maintenance, law enforcement, Building and Safety, etc. but a
good portion was a result of Parks and Rec programming that did not
happen ($750,000) which allowed for a balanced budget without having to
dip into rainy day funds. Approximately $150,000 in General Fund monies
was used for COVID related expenses, money th at will be reimbursed to
the General Fund when federal and state reimbursement monies are
received.
C/Chou asked for staff recommendation to Council for possible uses of the
$800,000 or portion thereof as well as, discussions with other agencies
about getting a higher exchange rate.
C/Mahlke said that the June report for monies coming in for Prop A
3.1.a
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OCTOBER 6, 2020 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
indicates numbers are down more than 20 percent which means Diamond
Bar will receive a smaller amount going forward. She asked if the City
ever spent all of its Prop A money and FD/Honeywell responded no, that
the City always has an excess of funds and has been able to exchange
the funds and not lose them. C/Mahlke said she favored Foothill Transit’s
purchase because they provide transportation for the City and asked if
other agencies wanted to engage in the exchange. FD/Honeywell said it
has grown increasingly to engage other cities because they are stretching
to meet expenses and preserve their general funds. C/Mahlke asked how
staff arrived at the $800,000 figure. FD/Honeywell said she chose
$800,000 because she likes to keep a $100,000 cushion in the fund in
case expenditures are higher than anticipated. She said she would ask
Foothill if they have a minimum dollar amount they would accept at
Council’s request.
MPT/Lyons said she understands not wanting to give the money away but
believes the $600,000 could serve the City well if it could be used for
parks.
C/Chou suggested staff come back to the Council with recommendations
for refurbishing a number of bus shelters, research the expiring franchise
agreement with the bus shelter operators, consider adding advertising
space to the shelters for income generation to the City and identify how to
get the highest dollar exchange for remaining funds.
Following Council’s discussion on Item F, CM/Fox offered that many of the
bus shelters are in need of repair and should the Council decide to move
forward, staff would implement a plan that would identify this as a Capital
Improvement project for the next Fiscal Year when the City would have an
accumulation of Prop A Funds that would need to be used or exchanged.
Since the franchise agreement expires June 2021, it would be a good time
to research that item as well. In the meantime, the Council may wish to
pursue the exchange to shore up the City’s General Fund this Fiscal Year
and avoid having to dip into the emergency contingency funds.
MPT/Lyons felt Council should move forward with at least half of Item F.
M/Tye asked if Item F could be brought back for consideration with a full
report and recommendation and CM/Fox suggested that staff be given
time to prepare a report for presentation to the City Council at a later date
whether to implement a Capital Improvement project and/or to move
forward with the $800,000 sale of Prop A Funds or a portion thereof, and
that Council move forward with action on Items A through E at this time.
C/Low moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to approve an appropriation from
General Fund reserves of $187,030.40 to carry forward appropriations
from FY 2019-20 to FY 2020-21 for previously encumbered goods and
services. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
3.1.a
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OCTOBER 6, 2020 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons,
M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
C/Mahlke moved, C/Low seconded, to approve an appropriation from
various Special Revenue Funds reserves of $805,212.26 to carry forward
appropriations from FY 2019-20 to FY 2020-21 for previously encumbered
goods and services. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons,
M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
C/Chou moved, C/Mahlke seconded, to approve an appropriation from
Capital Improvement Project Fund reserves in the amount of $498,488.78
to carry forward appropriations from FY 2019 -20 to FY 2020-21 for
previously encumbered goods and services. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons,
M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
C/Mahlke moved, C/Chou seconded, to carry over the related purchase
orders encumbered in FY 2019-20 in the amount of $1,131,053.96 to FY
2020-21. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons,
M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
C/Low moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to approve various final budget
adjustments to FY 2019-20 for additional appropriations in various
accounts including $1,586.43 for the General Fund and $235,467.41 in
Special Revenue, Capital Improvement and Internal Service Funds.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Low, Mahlke, MPT/Lyons,
M/Tye
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Council concurred to continue Item F., Authorization for staff to pursue a
Prop A Exchange with Foothill Transit in an a mount up to $800,000, for
3.1.a
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OCTOBER 6, 2020 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
further consideration by the City Council to a future date uncertain.
7. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Chou thanked staff for the financial update and was pleased that the City did
not have to dip into its emergency fund. He spoke about Restaurant Week,
Round 5 of business grants from LA Regional Fund, and election season.
C/Low thanked FD/Honeywell and City staff for an excellent report on the City’s
financial condition, talked about Restaurant Week as well as, the Halloween
costume contest and pumpkin decorating contest, and thanked MPT/Lyons and
C/Mahlke for hosting zoom classes with her over the past three months.
C/Mahlke thanked staff for their hard work a nd knowledge-sharing, the
community for their support of LA Sheriff’s Deputies and hardworking firefighters,
community organizers and students for hosting the Council Candidate Forum,
and residents for participating in the Council Women Learning and Sharin g
Session on the California Proposition. October is Breast Cancer Awareness and
Domestic Violence Awareness month. She asked everyone to participate in
Restaurant Week and stay safe.
MPT/Lyons spoke about Restaurant Week, updated the Council on the San
Gabriel Valley Council of Governments meeting and SB1120. She thanked
FD/Honeywell for a successful budget and asked for an overview of the first
quarter budget in a study session (councilmembers concurred).
M/Tye spoke about the community honoring deputies and firefighters. He
expressed his appreciation for the outstanding job staff has done keeping the
City running during the pandemic and encouraged residents to participate in
Restaurant Week. He thanked the Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriff’s for
apprehending vandals and reminded residents that parks are open to the public
and that they should continue to be careful and stay safe.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 8:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
__________________________
Kristina Santana, City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 20th day of October, 2020.
__________________________
Steve Tye, Mayor
3.1.a
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Agenda #: 3.2
Meeting Date: October 20, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: CITY COUNCIL RECEIPT OF COMMISSION MINUTES.
STRATEGIC
GOAL:
Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Receive and file the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting minutes of
January 23, 2020;
B. Receive and file the Planning Commission meeting minutes of February 25, April
28, May 12, May 26, and August 25, 2020; and
C. Receive and file the Traffic and Transportation Commission Minutes of Marc h 12,
and July 9, 2020.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
It is the practice of the City of Diamond Bar to provide the City Council with approved
Commission meeting minutes. The Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of
January 23, 2020; and the Planning Commission minutes of February 25, April 28, May
12, May 26, and August 25, 2020; and the Traffic and Transportation Commission
minutes of March 12 and July 9, 2020 have been approved and are being transmitted to
the Council for your information.
PREPARED BY:
3.2
Packet Pg. 14
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 3.2.a Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of January 23, 2020
2. 3.2.b Planning Commission Minutes of February 25, 2020
3. 3.2.c Planning Commission Minutes of April 28, 2020
4. 3.2.d Planning Commission Minutes of May 12, 2020
5. 3.2.e Planning Commission Minutes of May 26, 2020
6. 3.2.f Planning Commission Minutes of August 25, 2020
7. 3.2.g Traffic and Transportation Commission Minutes of March 12, 2020
8. 3.2.h Traffic and Transportation Commission Minutes of July 9, 2020
3.2
Packet Pg. 15
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL - THE WINDMILL ROOM
21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765
JANUARY 23, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair/Orona called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
in the City Hall Windmill Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Hsieh led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Present: Aaron Salo, Manisha Sulakhe (6:42pm), Vice
Chair Kim Hsieh, Chair Tommy Orona.
Absent: Commissioner Benny Liang
Staff Present: Ryan Wright, Parks and Recreation Director; Christy Murphey,
Recreation Superintendent; Anthony Jordan, Maintenance Superintendent; Jake
Velasco, Recreation Specialist; and, Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Coordinator.
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: PRD/Wright
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1.1 Approval of Minutes for the October 24, 2019 Regular Meeting.
VC/Hsieh moved, C/Salo seconded, to approve the Minutes for the
October 24, 2019 regular Meeting. Motion carried by the following Roll
Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Salo, Sulakhe, VC/Hsieh,
Chair/Orona
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Liang
2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
2.1 JANUARY RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE: - RS/Murphey
RS/Velasco, new Youth Program Specialist, introduced himself to the
Commission.
2.2 JANUARY 2020 MAINTENANCE REPORT – MS/Jordan
Chair/Orona said he noticed the field at Peterson Park was closed and
asked staff for an explanation.
3.2.a
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JANUARY 23, 2020 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION
MS/Jordan responded to Chair/Orona that the field is currently under
renovation. Fields are closed for approximately eight to nine weeks once
a year to scalp and over-seed the fields to give them an opportunity to rest
while growing new turf. The field at Peterson is scheduled to reopen
February 3rd.
C/Hsieh said it appeared that three of the City’s parks have suffered from
increased amounts of graffiti. MS/Jordan responded that the amount of
graffiti he has reported is not very significant. Graffiti happens from time
to time which he thought was noteworthy but fairly insignificant when
compared to other cities. The City contracts with a graffiti removal service
that patrols the city on a bi-weekly basis. If they see any graffiti, they will
take care of it. So too, his staff and contractors are very pro active in
removing graffiti when encountered.
3. OLD BUSINESS: None
4. NEW BUSINESS:
4.1 COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE:
PRD/Wright reported that in accordance with the Commission’s
recommendation, the bi-monthly meeting schedule was approved by the
City Council in November 2019. Moving forward, the Commission will
meet every odd month with the next meeting scheduled for March and so
forth.
In February 2020 the City Council provides their recommendations for
appointments to all Commissions and depending on Council’s
recommendation next month, there may be new faces on this
Commission. During the March meeting, the Parks and Recreation
Commission will reorganize.
PRD/Wright thanked the Commissioners for their service.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
C/Sulakhe thanked staff for the good work and said she is excited about the trail
hiking days as well as, all of the hard work that staff puts in to the City’s parks.
She welcomed RS/Velasco.
C/Salo thanked staff for all of the hard work that they do toward putting on all of
the programs. He is especially grateful that the City continues to develop new
programs. He thanked RS/Velasco for coming on board and looks forward to
working with him in the future.
VC/Hsieh thanked staff and her colleagues for their outstanding work. Each
year she has seen many positive changes. She welcomed RS/Velasco to the
“family.” She loves the Healthy Diamond Bar idea and whether or not she
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returns to the Commission, she will continue to be involved. She is planning to
visit the community garden as well.
Chair/Orona thanked staff for all of their hard work. He was at the Snow Fest
which was a ton of fun with tons of snow. It was exciting to watch the kids play.
He knows it takes a lot of work to put on such an event for which he is grateful.
He welcomed RS/Velasco. Chair/Orona said it has been a pleasure for him to
serve as Chair of the Commission during the past year. He has learned a lot in
the two years serving which have flown by. He appreciates everything and
thanked PRD/Wright for his kind words. It has been fun working with
PRD/Wright and Chair/Orona said he hoped he would continue working with
him.
ADJOURNMENT: With no one objecting and no further business before the Parks and
Recreation Commission, Chair/Orona adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m. to March 26th.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this day of , 2020.
Respectfully Submitted,
RYAN WRIGHT, SECRETARY
Attest:
TOMMY ORONA, CHAIRPERSON
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 25, 2020
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SCHEDULED PUBLIC MEETING AND FOR THE SAFETY OF
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND CITY STAFF DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC, A TEMPERATURE TEST AND SYMPTOM SCREENING WAS REQUIRED
TO ENTER THE CITY FACILITY AND PARTICIPATE. ANYONE WITH A TEMPERATURE
TEST RESULT OF 100.4 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR HIGHER, AND/OR DISPLAYING
A SYMPTOM OF COVID-19 OR EXPERIENCING A SYMPTOM ASSOCIATED WITH
COVID-19 WITHIN THE 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING, WAS DENIED ACCESS
TO THE FACILITY AND MEETING. FACE COVERINGS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
PROTOCOLS WERE MANDATORY UPON ENTRY TO THE CITY FACILITY.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair/Mok called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. in the City Hall Windmill Room,
21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Naila Barlas, Mahendra Garg
telephonically), Raymond Wolfe, Vice Chairperson
William Rawlings, and Chairman Kenneth Mok.
Staff Members Participating: Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; James
Eggart, Assistant City Attorney (telephonically); Grace Lee, Senior Planner; and, Stella
Marquez, Administrative Coordinator
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Susan Mullins stated that the five-minute time limit did not
provide sufficient time for her to speak on upcoming Item 7.1. She summarized
emails she submitted listing her complaints and concerns about life-threatening
probabilities involving physical and mental harm for residents with health issues
during construction, including noise, debris, dust and pollen. She is also concerned
about traffic accidents with people texting and driving , as well as drivers’ inability to
see in the fog and heavy rain.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
4.1 Minutes – Regular Meeting – June 23, 2020.
C/Wolfe moved, VC/Rawlings seconded, to approve the June 23, 2020,
Meeting Minutes as corrected. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
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AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Barlas, Garg, Wolfe, VC/Rawlings,
Chair/Mok
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
5. OLD BUSINESS: None
6. NEW BUSINESS: None
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S):
7.1 ZONE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW NO. PL2015-253 – Under
the authority of DBMC Sections 22.48 and 22.70, the property owners and
applicant requested a Zone Change to modify the existing zoning district from
Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) to Low Density Residential (RL) to be
consistent with the General Plan land use designation, and approval of
Development Review application to construct a new 4,333 square foot, two
story single family residence measuring 28’- 8” high on an 11,225 square foot
0.26 acre) undeveloped vacant lot.
PROJECT ADDRESS: 1111 Diamond Bar Boulevard
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
PROPERTY OWNERS: James Chin Chou
1359 Bentley Court
West Covina, CA 91791
APPLICANT: Creative Design Associates
17528 Rowland Street, 2nd Floor
City of Industry, CA 91748
SP/Lee presented staff’s report and recommended that the Planning
Commission forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve Zone
Change and Development Review No. PL2015-253.
Chair/Mok opened the public hearing.
Debra Pedley said she was opposed to the project. As a real estate appraiser
she knows this house will not be accessible. They will want to build a wall that
will create a visual problem for people traveling down the street and delivery
people will have to sit outside the gate. There will be trash pickup on Diamond
Bar Boulevard and a buyer may want to paint the house a weird color and who
would stop them from doing so. Cyclists come through Diamond Bar at a high
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rate of speed and they will not see cars coming in and out of the property and
drivers will not see cyclists going 50 mph down the hill, especially when it is
foggy. A house this size belongs in The Country and not in this neighborhood.
As a result of this project, home purchases will decline and values will go down
in the neighborhood.
Susan Mullins summarized emails she submitted listing her complaints and
concerns about life-threatening probabilities involving physical and mental
harm for residents with health issues during construction including noise,
debris, dust and pollen. She is also concerned about traffic accidents with
people texting and driving, as well as drivers’ inability to see in the fog and
heavy rain.
Douglas Barcon asked that his prior comments and letters be included and
referenced and stated he continues to oppose plans for the property because
he believes the new project should not be approved. In addition to his previous
concerns, the current plan was brought to the Planning Commission prior to
approval of the updated General Plan when it was zoned commercial and he
felt the property would have been more suitable for a cell tower that looked like
a windmill.
Joanna Angarola agreed with many statements made by previous speakers
including the health concerns about debris and pollen being carried into the
neighborhood by high winds during construction, traffic collisions and
obstruction of the view from her back yard.
Donna Earnheart said when the City Council tabled this project for a traffic
study she thought the project would not move forward because to her, it is
obvious it is not a suitable location for a home.
Chair/Mok closed the public hearing.
Chair/Mok re-opened the public hearing.
Ken Lee, owners representative and land use consultant introduced the project
team and thanked staff for quickly mobilizing to put tonight’s hearing together.
VC/Rawlings asked for comments regarding the traffic study. Tom Huang ,
Traffic Engineer, responded that the design speeds were based on the speed
limit on Diamond Bar Boulevard which is 50 mph. According to the downhill
grade of between 3 and 6 percent, the sight distance analysis was based on
the Caltrans and AASHTO standards, which translates to a minimum required
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site distance of about 550 feet. Based on this analysis, there is adequate site
distance looking north for southbound oncoming traffic with an actual site
distance of over 900 feet.
CDD/Gubman responded to VC/Rawlings that the General Plan designation
has always been residential on the subject property. However, there has
always been an inconsistency between the General Plan designation, the
underlying land use long-term plan for the site, and the zoning of commercial.
From time to time there are errors and inconsistencies between the General
Plan and the zoning and they must be consistent before any land use can be
approved.
VC/Rawlings said his concerns remain that this project is not one that he would
support as is, even though he is open to hearing more from the applicants
because he is particularly concerned about the character of the neighborhood
and how this project would fit. He would prefer that the property be developed
as commercial so that it would generate a return on investment for the
property.
Chair/Mok closed the public hearing.
C/Wolfe said that the best use of this parcel certainly is not Neighborhood
Commercial, which is an issue that has been addressed. While he would not
purchase a house perched on a bluff overlooking a freeway, he believes in the
property owner’s rights and the property owner and applicant have worked
diligently for a long period of time with City staff to make sure the project meets
the City’s requirements. C/Wolfe stated that In 2017 he requested the traffic
analysis to make sure that this project was not going to create unsafe
conditions, and while that traffic analysis certainly cannot adjust to every illegal
behavior or poor decision that drivers make, law enforcement works to make
sure that to the extent possible, there are not drivers who are not paying
attention while they are driving, whether they are texting, reaching for the
hamburger or whatever else they may be doing. With respect to comments
regarding the dust and noise, every development in Diamond Bar and
elsewhere creates dust and noise, which are temporary and the City’s
standard conditions address this issue. He moved to recommend approval of
the item at the June 23 meeting, and given the opportunity he will do so again
this evening.
C/Wolfe moved, Chair/Mok seconded, to recommend City Council approval of
Zone Change and Development Review No. PL2015-253 as recommended by
staff. Motion carried 4-1 by the following Roll Call vote:
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AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Barlas, Garg, Wolfe, and Chair/Mok
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Rawlings
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
8. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None
9. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
CDD/Gubman stated that tonight’s action was a recommendation only, and this
matter will be reschedule for a hearing before the City Council with the City Council
providing the final decision whether to approve or deny the project , or to approve it
with modifications. When a date for the City Council hearing has been determined,
the public will be notified.
10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As listed in the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission,
Chair/Mok adjourned the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 22nd day of September, 2020.
Attest:
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Gubman
Community Development Director
Kenneth Mok, Chairperson
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CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING
WINDMILL COMMUNITY ROOM, DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL
21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR
MARCH 12, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
Commissioner Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Diamond Bar City
Hall Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Quan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Michael Gonzalez, Kim Hsieh,
Surendra Mehta, Cynthia Quan, Andrew Wong
Also Present: David Liu, Public Works Director; Christian
Malpica, Associate Engineer; Fabian Aoun,
Associate Engineer; Nicholas “Nick” Delgado,
Engineering Technician; and, Marcy Hilario,
Administrative Coordinator.
I. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER – PWD/Liu introduced Kim Hsieh
II. REORGANIZATION OF THE TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
C/Quan nominated C/Gonzalez to serve as Chair of the Traffic & Transportation
Commission for the upcoming term. C/Wong seconded the nomination. There were
no other nominations offered. C/Gonzalez was unanimously elected to serve as
Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission by the following Roll Call
vote:
C/Gonzalez Yes
C/Hsieh Yes
C/Mehta Yes
C/Quan Yes
C/Wong Yes
C/Quan nominated C/Wong to serve as Vice-Chair of the Traffic and Transportation
Commission. Chair/Gonzalez seconded the nomination. There were no other
nominations offered. C/Wong was unanimously elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the
Traffic and Transportation Commission by the following Roll Call vote:
Chair/Gonzalez Yes
C/Hsieh Yes
C/Mehta Yes
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C/Quan Yes
C/Wong Yes
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2020.
C/Quan moved, C/Mehta seconded, to approve the Meeting Minutes of
January 9, 2020 as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Mehta, Quan, VC/Wong,
Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Dr. Christopher, Principal, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and School, 23300 Golden
Springs Drive, reiterated his three recommendations provided during the October
2019 meeting for planting or not planting trees or shrubs at the church site on Golden
Springs Drive. The Commission chose a fourth option which was to do a study.
During the week of February 24th, three (3) new trees were planted (before and after
photographs presented to the Commission) and the after photo gives an idea of the
line-of-sight hindrance drivers experience entering and exiting Mt. Calvary. Over 200
people a day enter the property via an “entrance only” at the south end of the property
and exit on the north end of the property, where it seems to be a problem for drivers.
Thus, Dr. Christopher is sharing his disappointment that there was no “give and take”
between the community and the City. He fully expected that when the study was
taking place, City staff would contact him and, because he was not, he is present this
evening to appeal the planting of those trees because of his concern about the safety
of the children and families.
PWD/Liu stated that staff would provide the Commission a report presentation on this
item under Item V.B.
V. ITEMS FROM STAFF:
A. TRAFFIC STATISTICS – December 2019 and January 2020.
Chair/Gonzalez requested that PWD/Liu speak to the two traffic fatalities on
Page 16 of the report, as to whether it was an issue related to traffic safety and
whether the City needed to address the issue.
PWD/Liu responded to Chair/Gonzalez that the traffic fatalities have nothing to
do with safety to motorists or to the general public. In one case, the fatality
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involved a police pursuit by the Pomona Police Department involving a
motorcyclist. Unfortunately, toward the end of the pursuit, the cyclist crashed
into a tree. In the second case, the fatality involved an older gentleman
pedestrian who was crossing a private street as a vehicle was proceeding
along the private street and the driver of that vehicle was unable to stop.
Chair/Gonzalez moved, C/Quan seconded, to Receive and File the December
2019 and January 2020 Traffic Statistics. Motion carried by the following Roll
Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Mehta, Quan, VC/Wong,
Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
B. MONTHLY UPDATES OF VARIOUS PROJECTS/PROGRAMS:
a) Adaptive Traffic Control Signal System (ATCS) – AE/Malpica – Staff
continues to fine-tune and monitor the system to address potential
fluctuations in traffic flow through the City’s main arterials.
b) Pantera Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan – AE/Malpica –
Staff is working with the City’s Traffic consultant on the preliminary
design plans and on-line petition process to obtain 67 percent majority
approval.
c) Castle Rock NTMP between Cold Springs Lane and Fountain
Springs Road – AE/Malpica – The Notice of Completion was filed and
the project has been deemed complete. Active improvements will be in
place for six months, at which time staff will conduct an after-study to
assess the effectiveness of the NTMP tools including the collection of
traffic volumes, speed data and observing data of additional
improvements. If after the six months residents elect to have the
permanently installed devices removed, staff will consider such a
request upon receipt of 67 percent of the residents.
d) Traffic Delineators at Grand Avenue and Cleghorn Drive –
ET/Delgado – Staff has received complaints from residents living along
Cleghorn Drive and associated communities regarding westbound traffic
on Grand Avenue when exiting at Cleghorn Drive. As a result, staff is
considering implementing a pilot program to install delineators on Grand
Avenue in the right-turn pocket at Cleghorn Drive to protect traffic and
ensure the right turn into the Cleghorn Drive neighborhood. This would
hinder drivers from using that lane to continue along Grand Avenue
toward Diamond Bar Boulevard.
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e) Street Name Sign for Niagara Bottling Company (Niagara Way) –
ET/Delgado – Niagara Bottling Company has moved to the City of
Diamond Bar with headquarters at 1440 Bridge Gate Drive. At that
location is a signalized intersection with signage that references 1440
Bridge Gate Drive, which was set in place for the previous business
occupant. Niagara has proposed for the sign to be personalized to
state “Niagara Way” which would be dedicated to the sole tenant of that
parcel, Niagara Bottling Company. Staff has reviewed this request and
has determined that it will improve wayfinding on Bridge Gate Drive for
employees, visitors, couriers and emergency services. Niagara will be
responsible for paying all costs associated with ordering and installing
the sign. Approval of this item is on the April 7, 2020 City Council
agenda. At that time Niagara Bottling Company will also be recognized
as the “New Business of the Month”. Staff will retain the existing street
name signs that read “1440 Bridge Gate Drive” to be reinstalled should
this property be vacated by Niagara Bottling Company in the future.
f) Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive Intersection Improvements –
AE/Aoun – Construction on golf course hole #3 is tentatively scheduled
to commence next month. Diamond Bar is awaiting confirmation from
the City of Industry and LA County Parks and Recreation that
construction will move forward as scheduled.
g) Diamond Bar Boulevard Complete Streets Corridor – AE/Aoun –
The design consultant is scheduled to submit the 90 percent plan
submittal for plans, specs and estimates by the end of March for staff
review. Staff continues to pursue additional funding for construction of
the project.
h) Area 7 and Diamond Bar Boulevard Road Rehab Project – AE/Aoun
This project is complete. The last phase restored all traffic signals to
normal operations by restoring the ground detector loops and synching
them with the traffic system.
i) Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church/School Driveway Line-of-Sight Study
AE/Aoun – Staff directed our traffic engineering consultant to perform
a line-of-sight evaluation and look at the specific concerns of Dr.
Christopher and the school parents, as well as other opportunities to
improve the safety at that intersection. The line-of-sight and
engineering study was completed and submitted to the City. The study
found that when a vehicle is exiting the school driveway and looking left,
the sight distance is limited by two factors; 1) curvature of the roadway,
and 2) landscaping on the slope on private property next to the school
in the vicinity of the bus stop, which is visible in the first photo that Dr.
Christopher provided to the Commission this evening.
The study did not find that the trees were a limiting factor for sight
distance in their original state, as planted. It was concluded that three
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3) trees could be replanted in the sidewalk area, to be spaced at a
minimum of 40 feet apart and have a maximum trunk diameter of 24
inches when fully grown. Staff confirmed that both of these
requirements have been met with the spacing currently between 50-59
feet per tree, exceeding the minimum 40-foot requirement; and, the
diameter of the trees when fully grown are under 24 inches. These
standards have been confirmed by the City’s Traffic Engineering
Consultant. In the update email staff sent to Dr. Christopher, he was
asked if he and his team would like to meet out in the field with staff to
explore other opportunities to improve the safety because the Traffic
Engineering Study, while it did not find that the trees were an issue,
identified opportunities for safety improvements. The study
recommends a stop sign and a stop bar be installed on the driveway
just before one exits the school. The stop bar would be installed at a
location that would best allow drivers to see in between the trees as
they are laid out and would aid drivers in knowing where to best stop to
see the oncoming traffic. Staff would be able to assist the school team,
make any adjustments necessary and mark out where the stop sign and
stop bar should be located. Additionally, staff and the City’s Code
Enforcement Officers can work with the neighboring private property
owners to potentially trim and/or remove the landscaping within the line-
of-sight and, the neighboring property owner would be responsible for
maintaining those trees that are currently in the line-of-sight. In
addition, staff contacted the Sheriff’s Department to let them know of
these concerns, because it is a potential that along this stretch of
roadway, cars will likely proceed at speeds faster than the speed limit.
Increasing enforcement in that area will allow drivers to notice the
Sheriff’s presence and perhaps slow their speed down. Staff can also
look at opportunities for additional signage along the corridor to make it
clear that drivers should follow the speed limit by reducing their speed,
thereby increasing the safety of that intersection. As a matter of
information, the study is available at City Hall to be reviewed and when
such documents are released, the City requests that the receiver fill out
a Public Document Request on-line so that the City has a record of all
documents released.
Chair/Gonzalez asked Dr. Christopher if he believes a “right-turn-only”
at the exit would solve the problem. Dr. Christopher responded that it
would certainly make it safer, but less convenient for many of those that
enter and leave the school property. However, there are instances
when safety requires inconvenience. He said he agreed with staff that
the problem was the speed of vehicles. The speed limit is 40 or 45 and
at their property, it begins to announce a 25mph speed limit because of
Lorbeer Middle School; however, it does not slow down traffic for Mt.
Calvary’s school. Perhaps it would help if the speed limit were reduced
all of the way down to Diamond Bar Boulevard.
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Dr. Christopher asked for an explanation of a “stop bar” and AE/Aoun
responded that a stop bar is a striped line on the ground, adjacent to the
stop sign. Dr. Christopher said that one of the members suggested that
the entire intersection could be redesigned to incorporate the exit
driveway to be controlled by the nearby traffic signal, which might be
worth exploring as well.
C/Quan, retired principal of Golden Springs Elementary School, stated
that matters of safety are very concerning to her. In her experience,
what is effective when she drops off her two grandsons, is a large
flashing light that reports the driver’s speed at the furthest point of
getting to the school. It might encourage drivers to reduce their speed.
Dr. Christopher said he drives by such a flashing sign every morning in
Anaheim Hills. It blinks and reports the speed, which he believes is an
effective measure that should be considered.
Chair/Gonzalez said he did not recall any signage on Golden Springs
Drive eastbound that indicated there was a school coming up and, If his
recollection is correct, he would recommend such signage be installed
in addition to what C/Quan suggested.
AE/Aoun suggested a meeting be organized for staff and Dr.
Christopher’s team to review these opportunities. In addition, staff can
include a copy of the Engineering Study in the next Commission
meeting packet.
PWD/Liu reminded the Commission that this item is on tonight’s agenda
as an “informational” item. Therefore, no decisions can be made on
further action until the item is placed on the agenda as an “action” item.
In order to continue the dialogue to reach a conclusion acceptable to
both parties, PWD/Liu would like staff to have further discussions with
Dr. Christopher and his team. In addition, he proposes to place in the
record as part of the next Commission meeting agenda, the entire study
which contains a considerable amount of detail regarding facts and
statistics. Once the meeting between staff and the school has
concluded, both findings and recommendations could be presented to
the Commission.
j) 2020 INFRA Grant Application for the SR-57/60 Confluence
Chokepoint Relief Program – PWD/Liu – On Monday, February 24th,
the City of Diamond Bar partnered with LA County Metro and submitted
the grant application for the Confluence Project to the U.S. Department
of Transportation (USDOT) seeking $50 million in funding for the current
2020 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant
program. For the last several years, the City has been diligent and
consistent in submitting funding and grant applications to the federal
government to help with this project of both national and regional
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significance. This year, the City of Diamond Bar actively participated in
the preparation of this application along with Caltrans, the San Gabriel
Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and the City of Industry.
This project is currently estimated to cost about $420 million and with
any federal assistance, construction will commence in August 2022
rather than July 2024. Currently, the design is expected to be
completed by the end of 2021.
Chair/Gonzalez moved, VC/Wong seconded, to receive and file the
updates on Various Projects/Programs. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Mehta, Quan,
VC/Wong, Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
PWD/Liu offered to meet with C/Hsieh to bring her up to speed on
public works projects.
VI. OLD BUSINESS: None
VII. NEW BUSINESS: None
VIII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS:
IX. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS:
C/Mehta reported that he observed overgrown tree branches near the stop sign at
Gold Rush and Chandelle that he felt needed to be trimmed back.
VC/Wong stated that a couple of residents reported to him that during rush hour when
the traffic lights on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Quail Summit are not operating
properly, it flashes red and acts as a stop sign which has caused a big delay for
parents who have to take their children to the school. He asked if there was a solution
to assist the traffic to move more effectively such as placing a traffic deputy at the site
during certain hours.
PWD/Liu said it might be possible at any given location or signalized intersection,
depending on the time of day and the level of congestion. The City’s system alerts
when signals are on flash due to power outages, etc. and upon receiving these
notices, staff can, from the traffic management center, diagnose the situation. If it
occurs during peak hours, staff can request that a deputy be dispatched to service the
area, if warranted. If the situation occurs during non-peak hours and traffic is moving
as it should be, that resource may not be utilized.
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X. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS: As noted in the Agenda
PWD/Liu reported on changes to the schedule as a result of Covid-19. Today at 5:30
p.m., City Hall, the Diamond Bar Center and Heritage Park were closed to the public.
Temporary changes are being implemented to the City’s operations as indicated in the
memorandum provided to the Commission this evening. All March events have been
canceled and updates will be available on the City’s website as they become
available.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and
Transportation Commission, Chair/Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this day of , 2020.
Respectfully Submitted,
David G. Liu, Secretary
Attest:
Michael Gonzalez, Chairperson
3.2.g
Packet Pg. 57
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 9, 2020
Consistent with COVID-19 regulations, all Commissioners and staff are participating
via teleconference and there is no physical location for public attendance. The public
has been invited to join the meeting online or by phone at the numbers printed on the
agenda.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 7:05
p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice-Chair Wong led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Kim Hsieh, Surendra Mehta,
Cynthia Quan, Vide-Chair Andrew Wong, Chair
Michael Gonzalez
Also Present: David Liu, Public Works Director; Hal Ghafari,
Public Works Manager/Assistant City Engineer;
Christian Malpica, Associate Engineer; Fabian
Aoun, Associate Engineer; Nicholas “Nick”
Delgado, Engineering Technician; and, Marcy
Hilario, Administrative Coordinator.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2020.
C/Quan moved, VC/Vice-Chair Wong seconded, to approve the Meeting
Minutes of March 12, 2020 as edited by PWD/Liu. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Mehta, Quan, VC/Wong,
Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
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JULY 9, 2020 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION
III. ITEMS FROM STAFF:
A. TRAFFIC STATISTICS – April and May 2020.
VC/Wong moved, C/Mehta seconded, to receive and file the April and May
2020 Traffic Statistics. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Mehta, Quan, VC/Wong,
Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
B. ADOPTED FY2020-2021 CIP (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM)
BUDGET
A PowerPoint presentation was provided to the Commission by PWM/Ghafari.
Chair/Gonzalez moved, C/Quan seconded, to receive and file the adopted FY
2020-2021 CIP Budget. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Mehta, Quan, VC/Wong,
Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
C. MONTHLY UPDATES OF PROJECTS/PROGRAMS:
a) Adaptive Traffic Control Signal System (ATCS) – AE/Malpica – The
project has been completed and the system is currently running at the
48 intersections. Staff will continue to monitor and fine tune the system
for the rest of the year.
b) Pantera Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan – AE/Malpica –
Staff launched an on-line petition process on June 19, 2020 for the
residents to obtain a 67% (103 households) majority approval of the
residents along the affected streets for implementation of the proposed
traffic calming tools. On-line survey responses are due on July 8, 2020.
c) Castle Rock NTMP between Cold Spring and Fountain Springs
Road – AE/Malpica – The collection of traffic counts is on hold due to
the COVID-19 Pandemic. Counts collection will resume once everything
returns back to normal on the streets.
d) Traffic Delineators at Grand Avenue and Cleghorn Drive –
ET/Delgado – Staff is preparing to deploy delineators along the
dedicated right turn lane to prohibit westbound vehicles from making
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JULY 9, 2020 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION
illegal maneuvers. A conceptual design has been prepared.
C/Quan and the Commission recommended installation move forward
while traffic is minimal. PWD/Liu responded that staff will work with the
maintenance team to proceed with installation.
e) Street Name Sign for Niagara Bottling Company (Niagara) –
ET/Delgado – Niagara Bottling Company has recently moved into their
new headquarters at 1440 Bridgegate Drive in Diamond Bar. Niagara is
the sole-tenant of this property. The City owns and maintains the public
street and the signalized intersection that services the private driveway
to Niagara’s facility. Niagara’s development team has requested the
personalization of the street name signs at the traffic signal to read
Niagara Way.”
Staff has thoroughly reviewed this request and has determined that it
will improve wayfinding on Bridgegate Drive for employees, visitors,
couriers, and emergency services. Niagara will be responsible to pay for
the labor and materials costs to order and install the new street name
sign panels.
Staff will recommend approval of this item at a future City Council
meeting once Niagara Bottling Company is recognized as “New
Business of the Month.” Staff will also retain the existing street name
signs that read “1440 Bridgegate Drive,” should this property be vacated
by Niagara Bottling Company in the future.
f) Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive Intersection Improvements –
AE/Aoun – As a prerequisite to the intersection improvements, the
construction on hole number three at the golf course is scheduled for
late September/early October 2020.
g) Diamond Bar Boulevard Complete Streets Corridor – AE/Aoun –
Staff submitted review comments for 90% of the PS&E to the
consultant. Staff continues to pursue additional funding for the
construction of the project.
h) Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church/School Driveway Line-of-Sight Study
AE/Aoun – After the last Commission meeting in early March, staff
contacted Mt. Calvary’s Principal, Dr. Steven Christopher, to meet at the
school and discuss how to best implement the recommendations from
the line of sight study that was prepared by the City’s traffic engineering
consultant. Unfortunately, this coincided with the State and County’s
Stay-At-Home orders due to COVID-19. Dr. Christopher suggested to
wait until things improve before meeting in the field to move forward
with the improvements. Staff is in communication with Dr. Christopher to
meet at a future date.
3.2.h
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JULY 9, 2020 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION
i) 2020 INFRA Grant Application for the SR-57/60 Confluence Relief
Program – PWD/Liu - On Monday, February 24, 2020, the L.A. County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) submitted the grant
application for the SR-57/60 Confluence Chokepoint Relief Program
Project to the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking $50 million in
funding from the FY 2020 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA)
discretionary grant program. The City of Diamond Bar actively
participated in the preparation of this application along with Caltrans,
the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), and the
City of Industry.
The Project has a total cost of $420,288,000. With 2020 INFRA funds,
or an early investment of Federal funds, Metro will be able to begin
construction in August, 2022 rather than July 2024. Most importantly,
an INFRA award will unlock a matching State commitment of $222
million in SB 1 funds.
Last week, announcements were made by USDOT regarding INFRA
Grant Awards. Once again, our SR-57/60 Confluence Project was not
awarded an INFRA Grant. Also, there were no projects awarded in
California. The Administration confirmed awards to 20 projects in 20
states, using all or most of the $906 million that Congress made
available. 8 of the selected projects were “urban” and 12 were “rural”.
The DOT received 173 eligible applications from 47 states, requesting
about $7 billion in funding.
This outcome is truly disappointing. We will continue to work closely
with Metro to maintain the Project’s momentum despite this temporary
setback.
j) Diamond Bar Golf Course Mitigated Negative Declaration –
PWM/Ghafari – Metro prepared a short PowerPoint presentation for the
SR-57/60 Confluence Project which also includes information relative to
the Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive Project and the Diamond Bar
Golf Course Renovation Project. They coordinated with Public Works
staff and had public presentation at our July 7th Council Meeting.
PWD/Ghafari also provided the Commission with a link to keep updated
on the project: https://www.metro.net/projects/sr5760/.
Additionally, Metro is also preparing an interactive map of showing the
freeway improvements together with a fact sheet that will be available
on the Metro website beginning in July. These materials are being
prepared to coincide with the release of the Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Diamond Bar Golf Course
Renovations at the beginning of a 30-day review period. SGVCOG is
the lead agency for this CEQA document.
The golf course renovation work is a mitigation for the upcoming
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JULY 9, 2020 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION
freeway improvements. This renovation work will be publicly bid by the
SGVCOG, and expected to begin in January 2021.
k) Diamond Bar Boulevard Rehabilitation (Mountain Laurel Way to
Pathfinder Road)– AE/Aoun – Plans are in design for a pavement
rehabilitation project on Diamond Bar Boulevard beginning where last
year’s project left off on Mountain Laurel Way and ending at Pathfinder
Road. The Project will consist of a 2” - 6” pavement grind/overlay and
upgraded or newly constructed ADA curb ramps where the existing
ramps do not meet current ADA standards. The plans are expected to
be completed in the next month with construction tentatively scheduled
for September.
C/Hsieh moved, C/Quan seconded, to receive and file the updates on
Various Projects/Programs. Motion carried by the following Roll Call
vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Mehta, Quan,
VC/Wong, Chair/Gonzalez
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
IV. NEW BUSINESS: None
V. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: None
VI. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS:
C/Hsieh asked if a stop sign was mandatory at a three-way intersection and whether
residents could request their removal. She also commented that street sweeping was
inadequate in her neighborhood.
PWD/Liu responded to C/Hsieh that effective July 1st, the City has a new street
sweeping contractor and staff will monitor the services in C/Hsieh’s area. Stop signs
are regulatory and require a formal traffic warrant study to justify installation.
Ignoring a stop sign is not basis for its removal.
C/Quan again requested trimming or removal of the bougainvillea in the median at
Shotgun and Grand Avenue. PWD/Liu asked AE/Malpica to have staff monitor the
landscape conditions.
VC/Wong thanked staff for clearing the brush near the stop sign at Chandelle Place
and Gold Rush. C/Mehta appreciated staff’s action.
3.2.h
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JULY 9, 2020 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION
VII. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS: As noted in the Agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and
Transportation Commission, Chair/Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this day of , 2020.
Respectfully Submitted,
David G. Liu, Secretary
Attest:
Michael Gonzalez, Chairperson
3.2.h
Packet Pg. 63
Agenda #: 3.3
Meeting Date: October 20, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: RATIFICATION OF CHECK REGISTER DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
THROUGH OCTOBER 7, 2020 TOTALING $205,301.78.
STRATEGIC
GOAL:
Responsible Stewardship of Public Resources
RECOMMENDATION:
Ratify the Check Register.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Expenditure of $205,301.78.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The City has established the policy of issuing accounts payable checks on a weekly
basis with City Council ratification at the next scheduled City Council Meeting.
The attached check register containing checks dated September 30, 2020 through
October 7, 2020 totaling $205,301.78 is being presented for ratification. All payments
have been made in compliance with the City’s purchasing p olicies and procedures, and
have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate departmental staff . The attached
Affidavit affirms that the check register has been audited and deemed accurate by the
Finance Director.
PREPARED BY:
3.3
Packet Pg. 64
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 3.3.a Check Register Affidvit 10-20-2020
2. 3.3.b Check Register 10-20-2020
3.3
Packet Pg. 65
3.3.a
Packet Pg. 66
City of Diamond Bar Check Register
CHECK #
CHECK DATE
VENDOR NAME
OTP VENDOR NAME
INVOICE DESCRIPTION
ORG
OBJECT
AMOUNT
537 10/7/2020 4IMPRINT INC DBRW PROMO ITEMS 250170 51400 $700.17
10/7/2020 4IMPRINT INC DBRW PROMO ITEMS 100150 54900 $1,556.88
CHECK TOTAL $2,257.05
538 10/7/2020 AFFORDABLE GENERATOR
SERVICES INC
SERVICE CALL - GENERATOR - DBC 100510 52320 $322.20
CHECK TOTAL $322.20
539 10/7/2020 BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE
SERVICES INC
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE - AUGUST
2020
100510 55505 $6,044.00
10/7/2020 BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE
SERVICES INC
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE - AUGUST
2020
100630 55505 $29,719.00
10/7/2020 BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE
SERVICES INC
ADDL' LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE -
PETERSON PARK
100630 52320 $641.67
10/7/2020 BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE
SERVICES INC
ADDL' LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE -
PANTERA
100630 52320 $562.50
CHECK TOTAL $36,967.17
540 10/7/2020 CAROLE L BALDWIN CC INSTRUCTOR PAYMENT FALL 2020 100520 55320 $72.47
CHECK TOTAL $72.47
541 10/7/2020 CDW GOVERNMENT F-5 PREMIUM ANNUAL SUPPORT 100230 52314 $2,039.00
10/7/2020 CDW GOVERNMENT COMPUTER SUPPLIES – INFO SVCS. 100230 51200 $91.03
CHECK TOTAL $2,130.03
542 10/7/2020 CODING MINDS INC CC INTRUCTOR PAYMENT FALL 2020 100520 55320 $60.00
CHECK TOTAL $60.00
543 10/7/2020 CSGPR ABC PUBLIC RELATIONS DBRW AD IN THE WEEKLY 100150 54900 $999.00
CHECK TOTAL $999.00
544 10/7/2020 CAROL A DENNIS MINUTE SECRETARY FOR COUNCIL
MEETINGS IN JULY 2020
100130 54900 $475.00
10/7/2020 CAROL A DENNIS MINUTE SECRETARY FOR COUNCIL
MEETINGS IN AUG. 2020
100130 54900 $100.00
10/7/2020 CAROL A DENNIS MINUTE SECRETARY FOR COUNCIL
MEETINGS IN SEP. 2020
100130 54900 $200.00
CHECK TOTAL $775.00
545 10/7/2020 DMPR 4 LLC STORAGE OCTOBER 2020 100130 52302 $1,743.00
3.3.b
Packet Pg. 67
City of Diamond Bar Check Register
CHECK #
CHECK DATE
VENDOR NAME
OTP VENDOR NAME
INVOICE DESCRIPTION
ORG
OBJECT
AMOUNT
CHECK TOTAL $1,743.00
546 10/7/2020 DOGGIE WALK BAGS INC DOGGIE BAGS - OCTOBER 250170 51200 $1,051.20
CHECK TOTAL $1,051.20
547 10/7/2020 EMERALD LANDSCAPE SERVICES
INC
LANDSCAPING SERVICES AT CITY HALL -
SEPTEMBER 2020
100620 52320 $1,026.00
CHECK TOTAL $1,026.00
548 10/7/2020 GATEWAY CORP CENTER ASSOC ASSOCIATION DUES FOR JULY 2020 100620 52400 $1,755.37
10/7/2020 GATEWAY CORP CENTER ASSOC ASSOCIATION DUES FOR AUG 2020 100620 52400 $1,755.37
10/7/2020 GATEWAY CORP CENTER ASSOC ASSOCIATION DUES FOR SEPT. 2020 100620 52400 $1,755.37
CHECK TOTAL $5,266.11
549 10/7/2020 GERALDINE KELLER CC INSTRUCTOR PAYMENT FALL 2020 100520 55320 $6.00
CHECK TOTAL $6.00
550 10/7/2020 GUARANTEED JANITORIAL
SERVICE INC
JANITORIAL SERVICES - SEPTEMBER 2020 100630 55505 $2,450.00
10/7/2020 GUARANTEED JANITORIAL
SERVICE INC
JANITORIAL SERVICES - SEPTEMBER 2020 100510 55505 $5,400.00
10/7/2020 GUARANTEED JANITORIAL
SERVICE INC
JANITORIAL SERVICES - SEPTEMBER 2020 100620 52320 $8,724.00
CHECK TOTAL $16,574.00
551 10/7/2020 HUMANE SOCIETY OF POMONA
VALLEY INC
ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES IN OCT.
2020
100340 55404 $16,690.33
CHECK TOTAL $16,690.33
552 10/7/2020 JIVE COMMUNICATIONS INC CITY PHONE SYSTEM - OCT. 2020 100230 52200 $2,452.18
CHECK TOTAL $2,452.18
553 10/7/2020 JOE A GONSALVES & SON INC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – OCT 2020 100130 54900 $2,500.00
CHECK TOTAL $2,500.00
554 10/7/2020 MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL
INC
CIP CANYON LOOP TRAIL ENV JULY 301630 56104 $30,197.25
CHECK TOTAL $30,197.25
555 10/7/2020 OFFICE SOLUTIONS OFFICE SUPPIES-COVID-19 106130 51200 $393.94
10/7/2020 OFFICE SOLUTIONS OFFICE SUPPLIES - GENERAL SUPPLIES 100130 51200 $154.17
CHECK TOTAL $548.11
3.3.b
Packet Pg. 68
City of Diamond Bar Check Register
CHECK #
CHECK DATE
VENDOR NAME
OTP VENDOR NAME
INVOICE DESCRIPTION
ORG
OBJECT
AMOUNT
556 10/7/2020 ONE TIME PAY VENDOR ASTRID MICHEL EVENT REFUND 100 20202 $1,000.00
CHECK TOTAL $1,000.00
557 10/7/2020 ONE TIME PAY VENDOR LINGYI WU CC REFUND TENNIS - COVID19 100 20202 $56.25
CHECK TOTAL $56.25
558 10/7/2020 ONE TIME PAY VENDOR MIRIAM RAMIREZ
GARCIA
EVENT REFUND 100 20202 $6,218.00
CHECK TOTAL $6,218.00
559 10/7/2020 ONE TIME PAY VENDOR YUTING ZHOU CC REFUND TENNIS - COVID 19 100 20202 $56.25
CHECK TOTAL $56.25
560 10/7/2020 SHUM CRYSTAL CC INSTRUCTOR PAYMENT FALL 2020 100520 55320 $158.40
CHECK TOTAL $158.40
561 10/7/2020 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON 652 S BREA CANYON ROAD 238638 52210 $25.09
10/7/2020 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON DISTRICT 39 - SEPTEMBER 239639 52210 $232.95
10/7/2020 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON PARKS - SEPTEMBER 100630 52210 $3,058.08
10/7/2020 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON DISTRICT 38 - SEPTEMBER 238638 52210 $300.54
10/7/2020 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON DISTRICT 41 - SEPTEMBER 241641 52210 $129.54
CHECK TOTAL $3,746.20
562 10/7/2020 THE COMDYN GROUP INC GIS SUPPORT - SEPT 2020 100230 54900 $1,270.88
CHECK TOTAL $1,270.88
563 10/7/2020 THE KNOT WORLDWIDE INC ONLINE VENUE PAGE FOR DBC 100510 52160 $4,992.00
CHECK TOTAL $4,992.00
564 10/7/2020 THE TAIT GROUP INC CS-ENGINEERING - VARIOUS TRAFFIC-
RELATED PROJECTS - JULY 2020
100615 54410 $5,400.00
10/7/2020 THE TAIT GROUP INC CS-ENGINEERING - VARIOUS TRAFFIC-
RELATED PROJECTS - AUGUST 2020
100615 54410 $5,400.00
CHECK TOTAL $10,800.00
565 10/7/2020 THE WINDMILL SEPT/OCT ADVERTISEMENTS FOR DBRW
AND HALLOWEEN
100150 54900 $800.00
10/7/2020 THE WINDMILL SEPT/OCT ADVERTISEMENTS FOR DBRW
AND HALLOWEEN
100520 52160 $800.00
10/7/2020 THE WINDMILL JULY/AUGUST AD FOR EMERGENCY
ALERTS
100240 52160 $500.00
3.3.b
Packet Pg. 69
City of Diamond Bar Check Register
CHECK #
CHECK DATE
VENDOR NAME
OTP VENDOR NAME
INVOICE DESCRIPTION
ORG
OBJECT
AMOUNT
CHECK TOTAL $2,100.00
566 10/7/2020 TREMCO COMPREHENSIVE ROOF MANAGEMENT
- C.HALL/DBC/PARKS
100630 55505 $2,522.05
10/7/2020 TREMCO COMPREHENSIVE ROOF MANAGEMENT
- C.HALL/DBC/PARKS
100510 52320 $3,890.86
10/7/2020 TREMCO COMPREHENSIVE ROOF MANAGEMENT
- C.HALL/DBC/PARKS
100620 52320 $4,357.66
CHECK TOTAL $10,770.57
567 10/7/2020 UNITED RECORDS MANAGEMENT
INC
INFORMATION SERVICES - AUG. 2020 100230 55000 $594.00
CHECK TOTAL $594.00
568 10/7/2020 VALLEY VISTA SERVICES , INC. STREET SWEEPING SERVICES - JULY 100655 55510 $11,953.80
10/7/2020 VALLEY VISTA SERVICES , INC. STREET SWEEPING SERVICES - AUGUST 100655 55510 $13,189.20
CHECK TOTAL $25,143.00
569 10/7/2020 WALNUT VALLEY WATER DISTRICT DISTRICT 41 AUG - PT 2 241641 52220 $9,988.96
CHECK TOTAL $9,988.96
570 10/7/2020 WAXIE SANITARY SUPPLY JANITORIAL SUPPLIES - CITY HALL 100620 51200 $461.67
CHECK TOTAL $461.67
571 10/7/2020 WEST COAST ARBORISTS INC TREE WATERING 100645 55522 $1,360.00
10/7/2020 WEST COAST ARBORISTS INC LLAD 39 MAINTENANCE 9.1.20 - 9.15.20 239639 55522 $1,147.50
10/7/2020 WEST COAST ARBORISTS INC GRID 38 TREE CARE AND MAINTENANCE 238638 55522 $285.00
10/7/2020 WEST COAST ARBORISTS INC CITYWIDE TREE CARE AND
MAINTENANCE
100645 55522 $3,516.00
CHECK TOTAL $6,308.50
GRAND TOTAL $205,301.78
3.3.b
Packet Pg. 70
Agenda #: 3.4
Meeting Date: October 20, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: RESPONSE TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL
REPORT 2019-2020; A DIET FOR LANDFILLS, CUTTING DOWN ON
FOOD WASTE.
STRATEGIC
GOAL:
Safe, Sustainable & Healthy Community
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the Mayor to sign, and direct City Staff to transmit the attached response prior
to the deadline.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury annually undertakes a number of investigative
reports, the results of which are published in its annual Final Report. In its 2019 -2020
Final Report, the County Grand Jury released an investigative report entitled “A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste” (Attachment 1). The Report outlines a variety
of issues related to remaining landfill capacity, recycling, food waste, and diversion of
organic waste away from landfills. The Grand Jury outlined a set of recommendations in
the Report for County jurisdictions, cities, and other public entities, including school
districts, to consider in order to address these issues.
A response to recommendations in a Civil Grand Jury report is required by California
Penal Code within ninety (90) days following the release of the report to the public and
no later than Friday, October 30, 2020. Cities are asked to provide a response to
recommendations 1.1, 1.3, 1.8, and 1.14 which can be found on page 29 of the report.
The City’s response to these recommendations is included in Attachment 2.
ANALYSIS:
3.4
Packet Pg. 71
The Civil Grand Jury chose to focus on the County’s food waste programs and policies.
This Committee found a patchwork system of managing food waste, whether generated
from businesses or residents. The general recommendations impacting cities can be
summarized into three (3) general categories:
1. Modify contracts to implement recommendations and adopt ordinances requiring
a residential organic food waste program;
2. Create incentives/subsidies to encourage participation in source separated
organic programs; and
3. Emphasize education and public outreach.
The implementation of the recommendations requires additional detailed analysis which
will include working with the City’s franchisees, third-party haulers, food donation
centers and research of innovative technologies available to business. Although there
are no financial impacts with this report, certain Grand Jury recommendations, if
implemented, would require additional financing resources. Staff will be analyzing each
recommendation including the fiscal impact of each, potential funding sources, and
bring back those action items in the future for City Council consideration.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved this item as to form.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 3.4.a A DIET FOR LANDFILLS Cutting Down on Food Waste
2. 3.4.b City of Diamond Bar - Draft Response Letter
3.4
Packet Pg. 72
A DIET FOR
LANDFILLS: Cutting
Down on Food Waste
2019-2020
Los Angeles County
Civil Grand Jury A DIET FOR LANDFILLS: Cutting Down on Food Waste3.4.a
Packet Pg. 73
A DIET FOR LANDFILLS: Cutting Down on Food Waste3.4.a
Packet Pg. 74
1
A DIET FOR LANDFILLS:
Cutting Down on Food Waste
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
"Cutting food waste is a delicious way of saving money, helping to feed the world
and protect the planet.”
--Tristram Stuart, Environmentalist1
Food does not belong in the garbage. When edible, it can and should be consumed
(Appendix 1 and 2). Food waste is the largest portion of the “organic waste” stream
taken to landfills every year, instead of being separated and recycled for secondary
use.2 Diverting organic waste from landfills will significantly reduce methane gas
emissions, which have a negative impact on public health and contribute to climate
change.3
This Committee investigated how Los Angeles County (County) disposes of its waste,
and more specifically, how it addresses one of its own diversion goals: reducing waste
sent to landfills by 80% by the year 2025,
4 with a 75% reduction in the organic waste
sent there.5
Organic waste--which also includes green/yard waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and
food-soiled paper6--makes up the largest portion of the garbage going to landfills.7
The State of California has mandated that all commercially-generated organic waste
must be diverted from landfills, and recycled.8
According to the County sustainability plan:9
“Most important to the growth of organics recycling is proper source
separation of waste. Any contaminated waste streams provide difficulties to
waste management and oftentimes deem waste non-recyclable. It is critical
that all LA County residents are educated on waste separation.”
1 https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1504986 (accessed 4/20/20)
2 2018 Countywide Organic Waste Management Plan Annual Report (published December 2019),
https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# Page 8 (accessed on 4/16/20)
3 https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-and-composting (accessed
4/14/20)
4 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Page 1 (accessed 10/22/19)
5 “Los Angeles Countywide Sustainability Plan”, https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/strategies/strategy-9d?goal=836
6 ibid
7 https://www.salon.com/2018/12/15/already-a-climate-change-leader-california-takes-on-food-waste_partner/
8 https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/Commercial/Organics/
9 “Our County” Los Angeles Countywide Sustainability Plan, https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/strategies/strategy-9d?goal=836
3.4.a
Packet Pg. 75
2
This separation of organic waste is an important component in sustaining an effective
recycling program. Once organic waste is properly separated (both from the rest of
the garbage, and by whether it’s green or food waste), it can be processed through
composting or anaerobic digestion.10
Within the County, the latest estimate shows that 1.9 million tons of food waste is
being sent to landfills each year,11 with a per day estimate of 4,000 to 6,000 tons.12 In
order for that to change, this Committee found that an adequate framework at the
grassroots level is needed. We discovered a labyrinth of ways that food waste
continues to end up in landfills, with many roadblocks standing in the way of fully
implementing the State mandate.
In addition, those residents, schools, and businesses committed to appropriate food
waste separation and recycling are often left to their own devices, unless their waste
hauler or jurisdiction offers this service. The Committee identified several
opportunities for supportive public policies that can incentivize and create avenues to
increase food waste recycling and organic waste diversion rates.
10 ibid. Compost: The product, rich in nutrients, results from the decomposition of organic material. Anaerobic Digestion: Organic
matter, such as food waste or sewage, is broken down to produce biogas and biofertilizer.
https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/strategies/strategy-9d?goal=836 and https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2019/07/OurCounty-Final-Plan.pdf Page 206 (Appendix IV)
11 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# 2018 Countywide Organic Waste Management Plan
Annual Report, Page 9
12 https://www.sgvtribune.com/2016/07/30/your-food-waste-is-clogging-up-californias-landfills-heres-how-recycling-could-fix-it/
(accessed 9/12/19)
2018 Countywide Organic Waste Management Plan Annual Report
(see footnote 11)
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BACKGROUND
“People put their trash out, and I like to joke that they think the trash fairies picked it
up...they don’t know where it went . . . they just want it gone.”
--waste management expert13
Critical mass in the need for more effective waste management has been building for
years in the County. The year 2019 provided this Committee with two urgent reasons
to make changes when it comes to food waste separating and recycling.
1. Recycle Markets Collapse, Sending More Waste to Landfills
x In 2017, China announced it would no longer accept most of the mixed paper
and plastics shipped from the United States and other countries.14
x Chinese officials pointed to “contamination”15 as one of the reasons they were
not willing to take America’s shipments.16 All of a sudden, more material is
being landfilled instead of recycled, negatively impacting the County’s
diversion rates.17
x A City of Los Angeles official told this Committee that the result of the China
policy change is this: previously, the City received $1 million per year for the
recyclable materials it collected; now, the City pays $5 million per year in
order to have it processed.18
x Landfills in the County will eventually reach capacity (Appendix 3).
x County officials are looking to organics recycling as a solution.19
2. State Mandates Big Changes in Organics Recycling
x The mission of the California Department of Resources Recycling and
Recovery (CalRecycle) includes increasing “the diversion of organic materials
13 Per Committee interview on 1/7/20
14 China National Sword Policy, https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Page 1 (accessed 10/22/19)
15 “Recycling contamination is a significant issue. Contamination happens when items are placed in the incorrect system/bin. If
recyclables are placed in the appropriate recycling bin, but contain food remnants, the food can contaminate the bin and its
contents. Therefore, all the bin’s content would need to be landfilled.” Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future
Annual Progress Report 2019 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Page 6
16 https://e360.yale.edu/features/piling-up-how-chinas-ban-on-importing-waste-has-stalled-global-recycling (accessed 2/20/20)
17 Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future Annual Progress Report 2019
https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Executive Summary, Page 1
18 Interview was conducted on 2/27/20
19 Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future Annual Progress Report 2019
https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Page 1
3.4.a
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4
away from landfills and toward the production of value-added products such as
compost, fertilizers, and biofuels.”20
x Assembly Bill 1826 (Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling) required the
following, as of January 1, 2019:21 all businesses and multi-family dwellings
with five units or more, generating four or more cubic yards of solid waste per
week,22 must separate and recycle their organic materials.
x As of January 1, 2020, Assembly Bill 1594 requires green waste to be diverted
from landfills for recycling in order to meet diversion goals.23 Otherwise, green
waste in landfills would be considered “disposal.” Landfills use green waste as
Alternative Daily Cover,24 part of operating a landfill.
x Failure to comply will subject the jurisdiction (whether County or a city) to
fines of up to $10,000 per day.25
METHODOLOGY
1. Visited the following:
9 landfills
9 anaerobic digesters
9 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF, pronounced “murfs”)
9 compost facilities
2. Interviewed waste management experts, including:
9 County Department of Public Works officials
9 municipal public works officials
9 state officials
9 federal officials
9 waste haulers
9 engineers
9 academicians
9 atmospheric scientists
9 food policy experts
9 business owners
9 large facility managers
20 https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Organics/
21 https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/recycle/commercial/organics/
22 Waste of about 24 large trash bags: https://wasteindustries.com/commercial/dumpster/4yardtrash
23 https://www.cawrecycles.org/ab-1594-williams-compostable-organics-management
24 https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/Basics/ADCBasic
25 https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/Reporting/Biennial/
3.4.a
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5
9 teachers and public education officials
9 non-profit organizations dealing with edible food recovery
3. Conducted in-person interviews, site visits, phone interviews, and research into a
number of the 88 cities in the County to assess food waste collection services available
to businesses, residents or both
4. Conducted on-site visits to the trash areas of some buildings in the County that
generate a large amount of food waste
5. Researched cities in the United States and in other countries that are separating and
recycling food waste
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION
“In the year 2019, waste management should be more of a priority. We have the
conversion technologies available: anaerobic digestion, thermal conversion, etc. . . .
there isn’t any reason to throw anything in a landfill.”
--County waste management expert26
Landfills
x Landfills are complex operations, with liners, rainwater collection, ground
monitoring, and gas collection27 (Appendix 4 “Anatomy of a Landfill”).28
x “Landfills in California are the biggest belchers of methane,”the potent
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) that contributes to climate change, according to a
2019 study by research scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena,
CA.29 Researchers used an airborne imaging spectrometer to show that 41
percent of emissions in the atmosphere came from landfills, while the dairy, oil
& gas industries contributed 26 percent each.
30
x Methane, as described in the Countywide Sustainability Plan, “...isreleased
...by the decay of organic waste in landfills.”31
26 Per Committee interview 11/19/19
27 https://www.sfswma.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Anatomy_of_a_Landfill.pdf
(click on Anatomy of a Landfill; accessed on 5/13/20)
28 The illustration was a poster the Committee saw displayed in the lobby area of the Environmental Health Protection Branch of
the County Public Health Department on 2/19/20
29 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/california-landfills-are-belching-high-levels-climate-warming-methane (accessed 1/14/20),
study published in the magazine Nature, Nov. 6, 2019
30 ibid
31 https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/OurCounty-Final-Plan.pdf Page 213 (Appendix IV) (accessed
9/13/19)
3.4.a
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6
x Landfill managers showed us their onsite gas-to-energy system, which captures
methane and converts it into electricity that can be used by the facility or sold.
Several landfill operators expressed concern that their gas-to-energy operation
depends on the organic waste brought to the landfill.
x Gas capture at landfills creates electricity and revenue for the landfill operator,
but also has economic and environmental disadvantages.32 State officials report
that even the best-managed landfills only capture 50% to 80% of the methane
gas generated.33
x Even closed landfills in the County may need to be managed for decades.34
The South Coast Air Quality Management District held community meetings
in the fall of 2019 to alert residents in East Los Angeles about Cogen Landfill,
closed in 1959, which was now, 60 years later, showing elevated gas
emissions.35 The County is planning to build a system for managing the
remaining methane gas emissions.36
x Per CalRecycle: “Diverting organic waste from landfills to compost facilities
and anaerobic digestion facilities, along with implementing food recovery
programs, will significantly reduce methane emissions from landfills, many of
which are located in or near disadvantaged communities. Reducing these
emissions will have beneficial impacts on climate and public health and will
result in avoided social costs. Social costs estimate the health and
environmental damage that is avoided by reducing GHGs [Greenhouse Gases],
as opposed to representing the cost of achieving the GHG reductions.”37
x According to County officials, the demand for organic waste processing
capacity is currently being handled by existing facilities located both in and out
of the County.38 However, looking to the future, County officials said there is
a shortfall when it comes to food waste recycling infrastructure, in particular,
32 https://www.wastedive.com/news/disputed-ground-the-future-of-landfill-gas-to-energy/557706/
33 CalRecycle, ”Proposed Regulation for Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Methane Emissions” Page 11 (document
provided to Committee by County official on 12/2/19) https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-
cse&cx=017557373779849962485:erv3s56gka0&q=https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/docs/cr/laws/rulemaking/slcp/impactassessme
nt.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjzkd7nj_3pAhWkJzQIHQo2D18QFjABegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw3wpNngocnTPeO9PaPSWsbG
34 https://pw.lacounty.gov/pmd1/easternhilllandfill/ (accessed 2/20/20)
35 https://pw.lacounty.gov/pmd1/easternhilllandfill/docs/City-Terrace-Community-Meeting-10.29.19.pdf
36 ibid
37 CalRecycle, ”Proposed Regulation for Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Methane Emissions” Page 37 (document
provided to Committee by County official on 12/2/19) https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-
cse&cx=017557373779849962485:erv3s56gka0&q=https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/docs/cr/laws/rulemaking/slcp/impactassessme
nt.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiP0pqbmv3pAhX2CzQIHWASARgQFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0p_Lv9IiayvzUCkKqB45u
p
38 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/ShowDoc.aspx?id=8693&hp=yes&type=PDF 2018 Countywide Organic Waste
Management Plan Annual Report, Page 1
3.4.a
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7
and more facilities need to be built in Los Angeles County, rather than
continuing to rely on out-of-County sources as has been the custom.39
x Landfills we visited had a constant flow of trucks bringing in waste from
throughout the County; “tipping fees” were displayed at each front gate, letting
the waste hauler know the cost per ton for the material that was being brought
for disposal.40 A 2019 study by Harvard Law School
41 pointed out that banning
organics from landfills can lead to a reduction in landfill hauling and tipping
costs.42
Where solid waste goes in Los Angeles County43
Waste Hauler
¡The County Department of Public Works serves the 125 unincorporated areas,
and has contracts with 30 authorized waste haulers, including such companies
39 ibid
40 https://www.lacsd.org/services/solidwaste/tipping_fees.asp
41 https://wastedfood.cetonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Harvard-Law-School-FLPC-Center-for-EcoTechnology-CET-
Organic-Waste-Bans-Toolkit.pdf, Pages 20-21 (accessed 11/4/19)
42 ibid
43 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/Help/faq.aspx About Solid Waste, #2, “Where does our solid waste go?”
3.4.a
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8
as Athens Services,44 NASA Services,
45 Waste Management46 and Waste
Resources.47
¡Some waste-hauling companies own or operate landfills in the County or in
nearby counties and take material to that landfill.
¡Most of the 88 cities in the County have a contract with a single waste hauling
company; a small number provide their own municipally staffed waste
collection services for residential or both residential and commercial.48
¡In 2016, the City of Los Angeles created 11 franchise zones and awarded
exclusive contracts to seven waste haulers to handle the waste for commercial
and multifamily properties.49
¡Most communities don’t offer a food waste collection service; instead, most
offer one for yard and garden waste.50 In a throwback to the City of Los
Angeles’ ranching days, the City offers curbside collection of horse manure to
its residential horse owners.51
¡There are more avenues in place for systematic collection of yard/green waste
(Appendix 5).
¡Only 4% of the County’s organic waste recycling infrastructure is able to
accept food waste.52
Transfer Station/Materials Recovery Facility
¡These are facilities that receive unprocessed waste, temporarily store it, and
transport it off-site to another facility.
53 Some of the facilities also sort and
separate, by hand, or by use of machinery, items that can be recycled or
composted.54
¡Out of 20 transfer stations in the County, only eight are designated as having
capacity to receive separated food waste.55
44 https://athensservices.com/
45 http://nasaservices.com/
46 https://www.wm.com/us/en/mybusiness
47 www.wasteresources.com
48 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Page 42
49 https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2016/dec/09/l-council-approves-huge-trash-franchise-system/ (accessed 10/20/19)
50 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Page 38
51 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-s/s-lsh-wwd-s-c/s-lsh-wwd-s-c-
hmc?_afrLoop=9961970215956670&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null&_adf.ctrl-
state=f6dfvef8p_1#!%40%40%3F_afrWindowId%3Dnull%26_afrLoop%3D9961970215956670%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%2
6_adf.ctrl-state%3Df6dfvef8p_5 (accessed 5/13/20)
52 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Page 32, (accessed 5/8/20)
53 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future
Annual Progress Report 2019, Page 50
54 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future
Annual Progress Report 2019, Page 48
55 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Table 4A-1 (accessed 5/8/20)
3.4.a
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9
Composting Facility
¡There are eight composting facilities and 12 facilities called “chip and grind”;
all of them process green waste, not food waste.56
Waste-to-Energy Facility
¡The County lists three facilities as providing Anaerobic Digestion, a process by
which organic matter, such as food waste or sewage, is broken down in the
absence of oxygen to produce biogas and biofertilizer.57 Only two process food
waste: the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant in Carson, and the Kroger Co
(Ralphs/Food4Less) facility in Compton which recycles food waste from its
own stores (around 300, from Bakersfield to San Diego).
This Committee found a patchwork system of managing food waste, whether
generated from businesses or residents. A consultant hired by the County to examine
the changes needed in order to build a strong organic recycling program identified 11
ways the County can do things differently,58 including:
x Getting elected officials more involved in supporting and endorsing change
x Reducing amount of food waste at the source (Appendix 6)
x Building more capacity at nine anaerobic digestion facilities that can process
food waste
x Simplifying the permitting process to increase food waste processing
x Creating incentives to start diversion; offer subsidies; modify contracts
x Adopting ordinances for single family residences and apartment buildings with
less than five units, with a process that quantifies, monitors and enforces
x Emphasize education and public outreach59
“Los Angeles County is close to the largest agricultural production center in the world
and has many viable markets for organic materials . . . There is strong statewide
policy, financial incentives to assist in the development of facilities, and state
incentives for the marketing and sales of the by-products of organic waste recycling
(like compost and mulch) . . . However, the biggest disincentive may be the status quo,
which is less costly to rate-payers and provides for significant revenue for collection
and disposal companies.”60
56 Ibid, Table 4A-1
57 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# 2018 Countywide Organic Waste Management Plan
Annual Report, Appendix B, Table 1B
58 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Page 39
59 ibid
60 ibid, Page 49
3.4.a
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10
“...at the end of the day, public agencies ultimately control solid waste and how it is
handled. Cities and counties are already sending clear signals to their service-
provider haulers on what types of facilities and programs they need to meet new
legislative mandates.”61
Food Waste Recycling Examples Throughout the County
x In the unincorporated areas of the County, a few businesses currently subscribe
to food waste collection services, including four supermarkets that are enrolled
in the County’s pilot food waste diversion program.62
x The County’s Department of Public Works headquarters in Alhambra serves as
a good model for other cafeterias: food waste generated at the employee
cafeteria is separated from other trash, composted in special containers outside
the cafeteria, with the resulting compost used to provide nutrient-rich cover to
the onsite garden (Appendix 7). Good signage and ongoing employee training
are vital to this process.
x For those businesses separating food waste and having arranged its pickup by
their waste hauler, the food waste is taken to the Puente Hills Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF). The Committee observed that this was a small pile
in a corner of the massive facility (Appendix 8). Food waste material arrives
from restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses from the following
cities: Arcadia, Baldwin Park, Gardena, Glendale, Industry, La Verne, Long
Beach, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Pomona, San Dimas, and Santa Fe Springs. In
addition, some commercial businesses in the unincorporated communities of
Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights have made arrangements to have food
waste processed at this facility, according to an official at the Sanitation
Districts of Los Angeles County (the Districts).63
x At the Puente Hills MRF, a bio separator turns the food waste pile into a type
of “slurry” that will then be taken to the Districts’ wastewater treatment plant
in Carson.64 Digesters at the Carson plant use sewage material to turn the food
waste slurry into a biogas that provides electricity to the plant, and provides
compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles that pull up to fuel.65
61 ibid, Page 49
62 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/tf/isw/isw_2019_09.pdf Page 3 (accessed 3/23/20)
63 https://www.lacsd.org/aboutus/default.asp
64 https://www.biocycle.net/2019/12/04/sanitation-districts-gear-food-waste-codigestion/
65 ibid
3.4.a
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11
x City of Los Angeles--A City official mentioned several pilot programs that
deal specifically with food waste:66
¾some food service employees at LAX have been trained to separate
food waste from the trash67
¾522 homes in the Westchester area have been given special garbage
disposals (In-Sink Pilot) that can break down certain food waste for
processing at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant68
¾an upcoming pilot planned for 18,000 homes, that will allow food
waste to be placed in the green bin for weekly curbside pickup 69
x Manhattan Beach--Since 2015, the city has offered food waste curbside
pickup and recycling to all its businesses and residents, at no extra cost to
them.
¾The city contracts with Waste Management for its waste hauling needs.
Food waste is taken to the company’s CORe food waste recycling
facility in Orange and turned into “slurry.”
¾The material is then transported to the wastewater treatment plant in
Carson.
¾Manhattan Beach residents are billed in a Pay-As-You-Throw system,70
where 100% of the cost is dependent on the weight of the grey-color
bin, which is for regular trash.71
x Culver City--The city uses its own city staff for waste collection,72 and
contracts with Athens Services for the food waste that is placed in the green
bins, along with yard waste to be recycled at its composting facility in
Victorville (American Organics), according to a city official.73
¾Once a year, Athens brings Culver City 20 tons of the compost material
and the city gives most of it away to residents as a gift for gardens.74
¾“It is the best-smelling stuff you can imagine, it is so earthy and high-
end as a nutrient for the soil,” one city official told us. “Our gardeners
love it.”
66 Per Committee interview on 2/27/20
67 https://www.lawa.org/en/lawa-sustainability/sustainability-elements-material-resource-management (accessed 3/2/20)
68 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-s/s-lsh-wwd-s-o/s-lsh-wwd-s-o-
isp;jsessionid=2bZOgJ_enNejz3sx4nR_7yAVHcBXLbRq6WYPusobejfPxTBx7VDe!-839466798!-945519779?_adf.ctrl-
state=iheptuwke_1&_afrLoop=10334715382636628&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null#!%40%40%3F_afrWindowId
%3Dnull%26_afrLoop%3D10334715382636628%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3Diheptuwke_5 (accessed
3/6/20)
69 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/wcnav_externalId/s-lsh-wwd-s-o-cyfwp (accessed 10/6/19)
70 https://patch.com/california/manhattanbeach/city-approves-pay-as-you-throw-trash-rates
71 https://tbrnews.com/news/manhattan-beach-food-waste-program-recycled-million-pounds-since/article_bcc4a38a-ac25-11e6-
a470-1376873e5c29.html (accessed 9/25/19)
72 https://wasteadvantagemag.com/from-metal-to-plastic-culver-city-ca-makes-the-move-to-more-durable-containers/
73 Committee interview on 10/22/19
74 ibid
3.4.a
Packet Pg. 85
12
x Claremont--The city offers its businesses a free food waste recycling program,
and hired a new driver to pick up food waste from about 65 businesses that
have signed up.75
¾The food waste (food scraps, vegetable trimmings, plate scrapings, and
spoiled food) is taken to a Burrtec Industries facility in Fontana for
recycling.76
¾The city is working on expanding the food waste pickup in 2021 to all
residents.77
x Redondo Beach--The city contracts with Athens Services for waste disposal,78
which offers businesses a food scrap collection program, where food waste can
be placed in the green bin, along with yard waste.79
¾“A recycling program can reduce your trash service and save you
money,” according to the city‘s website.80
Food Waste Recycling in the United States and Around the World
x As of 2016, at least 198 communities in the United States offer curbside food
waste pickup.81 These include cities such as:
9 Seattle--offers residents and businesses curbside food waste collection
9 New York City--offers certain businesses curbside food waste collection
9 San Francisco--in 1996, became the first city in the nation to establish a
large-scale food composting program for businesses and residents.82
9 Santa Barbara--offers businesses and residents food waste pickup, with a
fee reduction if less trash goes to the landfill83
9 Portland--offers curbside food waste pickup and yard waste that can be
combined in the green bin
x Alameda County84 offers food waste curbside collection in all of its 14 cities
(including Berkeley and Oakland) and six unincorporated areas85
75 Committee interview with city staff member on 1/2/20
76 Per Committee interview on 1/2/20
77 https://business.claremontchamber.org/blog/claremont-chamber-chatter-2371/post/organics-newsletter-article-city-of-
claremont-6317 (accessed 9/13/19)
78 https://athensservices.com/residential-services/city-of-redondo-beach/
79 https://www.redondo.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=2084&TargetID=9 (accessed 10/4/19)
80 ibid
81 https://www.biocycle.net/2015/01/15/residential-food-waste-collection-in-the-u-s-2/ (accessed Jan. 8, 2020)
82 www.nrdc.org/resources/san-francisco-composting, published on 10/24/17, (accessed on 10/30/19)
83 https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/services/recycling/business/bins.asp (accessed 9/27/19)
84 https://www.biocycle.net/2015/01/15/residential-food-waste-collection-in-the-u-s-2/
85https://dusp.mit.edu/sites/dusp.mit.edu/files/attachments/project/Municipal%20Curbside%20Compostables%20Collection%20%
20What%20Works%20and%20Why.pdf Pages 8, 11, 53-56
3.4.a
Packet Pg. 86
13
x Dozens of municipalities have formalized weekly drop-off programs for
residential food scraps at central locations, including:
9 Fort Worth86
9 Washington D.C.87
9 Buffalo88
9 Orlando89
x Sweden banned organic waste from landfills in 2005; less than 1% of
household waste goes to landfills; waste-to-energy infrastructure turns food
waste and organic waste into biogas that runs more than 200 city buses, as well
as garbage collection trucks.90
x South Korea has had a Pay-As-You-Throw type system of charging
households for waste collection since 2013.91 Food waste has been banned
from landfills since 2005; Seoul’s 10 million residents separate their food
waste. These policies have led Seoul’s food waste to decrease by 10%, or by
more than 300 tons a day.92
Schools in Los Angeles County
x Every school in the 80 school districts in the County has excess edible food
and food scraps going to landfills, and County health officials have developed
strategies that can help.93 Cal Recycle also encourages each school district to
work with its contracted waste hauling company to implement organics
recycling on campus.94
x The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school
district in the country,95 has a waste hauling contract with Republic Services.96
This Committee could not find a provision for systematic food waste
separation/recycling; the only two bins observed at randomly selected schools
were a large blue dumpster and a black dumpster in parking lots.
86 https://fortworthtexas.gov/solidwaste/compost/
87 https://zerowaste.dc.gov/page/food-yard-waste-residents#:~:text=Food Waste Drop-Off District residents, How to Compost at
Home
88 https://wasteadvantagemag.com/buffalo-ny-offers-food-scrap-recycling-program/#:~:text=The City of Buffalo is,be safely
recycled into compost.
89 https://www.orlando.gov/Initiatives/Food-Waste-Drop-Off
90 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/21/climate/sweden-garbage-used-for-fuel.html (accessed 1/15/20)
91 https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/27/food-waste-around-world (accessed 5/7/20)
92 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/policies-helped-south-koreas-capital-decrease-food-waste (5/4/20)
93 http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/LACFRI_ShareTablesFoodDonationsInSchools.pdf Page 5
94 https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/reducewaste/schools
95 https://achieve.lausd.net/about#:~:text=Second largest in the nation,,School District Board of Education.
96 https://home.lausd.net/apps/news/article/322535 (accessed 5/10/20)
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x LAUSD throws away 600 tons of food waste each week, at a cost of at least
$100,000.97 In 2017, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that allows campuses to
collect unopened items and untouched fruit and donate them to food banks.98
In addition, there is a program called Share Table (Appendix 6) where
unwanted items can be safely offered to those who want them.
x In Los Angeles County, an estimated two million people face food insecurity.99
x Education officials interviewed by this Committee spoke about some LAUSD
schools, where children as young as preschool-age learn about separating food
waste, and teachers and volunteer parents use a compost bin onsite in order to
“feed” the school garden.100 However, several education officials stated that
many schools do not recycle food waste, and the dumpsters are only for trash
and recyclables.
x Aside from a school garden increasing healthy eating habits in children,101 the
care and maintenance of a garden teaches students about food waste and
composting. A County official told this Committee that a garden on every
campus would need institutional support from top leadership in order to be
sustained.102
x A County health education official expressed frustration that nutrition
education is getting short shrift at schools and recounted a health insurance
executive stating: “We keep seeing kids with Type II diabetes, who don’t know
the difference between a protein and a carbohydrate.”103
x A survey sent to all school districts by the County Department of Public Health
in 2019 to assess food waste on the 2,206 campuses in the County got a 50%
response rate, according to a County health official.104 A preliminary look at
the results showed a wide variety of recommended strategies being used to
reduce food waste: from “Offer vs. Serve,” to using the Share Table idea.105
Only 3% of schools reported composting food scraps onsite or offsite,
according to the County health official.
97 https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-edu-school-food-waste-law-20170928-story.html (accessed 5/10/20)
98 ibid
99 https://www.lafoodbank.org/about/hunger-in-l-a/ (accessed 9/20/19)
100 Committee interview on 2/25/20
101 https://www.heart.org/en/professional/educator/teaching-gardens
102 Committee interview on 2/25/20
103 ibid
104 Committee interview on 1/3/20
105 http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/LACFRI/
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x The County Department of Public Works offers free consultations and
materials in a School Garden Program,106 and has installed gardens at Fishburn
Elementary School in Maywood and McKinley Elementary School in San
Gabriel.107
Obstacles for those who want to recycle food waste
x Even when restaurants WANT to separate and recycle food waste, they are
thwarted: the waste hauler takes it to a landfill anyway (Sweetgreen
example)108
x Cafeterias located in some buildings owned and/or managed by the State (case
in point, the cafeteria on the ground floor of the Clara Shortridge Foltz
Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles)109 do not have any visible
mechanism for separating/recycling food waste, according to numerous
Committee visits per week over a period of several months. According to an
interview with a cafeteria employee on November 15, 2019, the only product
recycled is cooking oil.
x The Committee also interviewed a waste expert familiar with the workings of
the Clara Shortridge Foltz building who said food waste collected from the
cafeteria, as well as waste that ends up in the large dumpsters in the loading
dock area of the building, is probably going to a landfill.110 “There is just so
much contamination in the bins,” the expert told our Committee. “It’s cheaper
and easier for companies just to take it to a landfill. All staff would need
training about separating in order for organics recycling to work.”Committee
members visited the loading dock area on October 15, 2019, and observed
seven large dumpsters, most filled with trash bags that appeared to be unsorted,
and blue recycling-designated dumpsters empty and off to the side.
x The expert, who is also familiar with waste collection in the Downtown Los
Angeles area, told our Committee that all large companies and agencies in the
area are encouraged to recycle food waste, but few do. Waste hauling
companies that collect trash have to pay to dump the trash, and they “have to
pay more to dump organics, so there needs to be more of an incentive” to get
properly-sorted waste to its proper destination.111
106 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/sg/school.cfm
107 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future
Annual Progress Report 2019, Page 19
108 https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-01-15/sweetgreen-green-image
109 Per Committee interview on 10/15/19, where the “LunchStop Weekly Menu” was provided to cafeteria patrons at the Clara
Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
110 Committee interview on 10/15/19
111 ibid
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x This Committee identified a food vendor company called LunchStop,112 which
offers franchisees the opportunity to operate employee and other types of
cafeterias113 in the County. Some are in courthouses (such as the one in
Pasadena114 and the one at the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court115) with
no visible food waste recycling option that our Committee could determine.
x While many courthouses in Los Angeles County are under the jurisdiction of
the State (Judicial Council of California), most cafeterias in these buildings are
inspected by the County Department of Public Health.116
x Even in some buildings or facilities where the County has jurisdiction, the
cafeteria vendor does not appear to offer food waste separation/recycling, e.g.,
at the cafeteria operated by a LunchStop franchisee in the Hall of
Administration,117 where the County Board of Supervisors meets. Our
Committee also learned that there is no separation/recycling of food waste at
the Hollywood Bowl,118 where the County has contracts with other food
vendors.119
x Some employees at businesses that have special bins throughout the store
(Target, Costco, etc.) with special signage to collect food waste told this
Committee that those bags are thrown into the regular trash bin in the back.120
x For some managers of large facilities in the City of Los Angeles, there seems
to be no cost savings in taking on the issue of food waste. In fact, there is an
added cost for the trouble of separating out food waste and training staff,
several managers told this Committee.121
x During the course of our investigation, the Committee found that for those who
do not live in a city that offers food waste recycling options, residents are left
either to do backyard composting themselves, or throw food waste in the trash.
112 http://www.lunchstop.com/
113 http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/117393.pdf
114 https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2011/07/20/pasadena-courthouse-cafeteria-reopens-after-six-year-hiatus/ ; This link
demonstrates that LunchStop was still operating in the Pasadena Courthouse in 2020:
http://www.decadeonline.com/results.phtml?agency=pas&violsortfield=TB_CORE_INSPECTION_VIOL.ENTERED_BY&viol
ortorder=DESC&forceresults=1&forcefac=0&offset=0&businessname=LunchStop&businessstreet=&city=&zip=&facilityid=&F
TS=&soundslike=&sort=FACILITY_NAME
115 http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/117393.pdf
116 https://ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ezsearch
117 Per Committee visit and interview with cafeteria employee on 11/15/19
118 Per Committee interview with County official on 2/19/20
119 Our Committee found the vendors of Sodexo/Compass and the Lucques Group. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sodexo-
centerplate-idUSKBN1DF0S2 https://thelucquesgroup.com/hollywood-bowl.html Committee concluded that Sodexo was still
one of the vendors, based on the 2019 Public Health Department inspection list:
https://ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ezsearch
120 Per Committee interview with employees on 11/6/19, and on 11/6/19 and 11/9/19 visits to a Costco and Target
121 Per Committee interviews/visits to large facilities on 11/27/19, 12/16/19, and 2/13/20
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x In the city of Los Angeles, for residents, it doesn’t matter how much trash you
generate, the cost is the same, according to the bimonthly bill many of our Jury
members receive every month. Residents are charged a flat Solid Resources
Fee (SRF) that is applied to the City’s Clean Water, Solid Resources, and
Watershed Protection.122 The fee funds the collection of solid waste, landfill
costs, and a numerous list of associated costs. “Since the Solid Resources Fee
funds more than just refuse collection, the fee is still applied—even if your
dwelling produces little, or no, refuse waste,”123 according to the City’s LA
Sanitation website.
x A City official stated, “it’s hard for people to separate food waste; it can be
smelly; where do you keep it, etc. We’re working on a good way to do it. We
have pilot programs.”124
x This Committee found strong interest from residents and businesses
interviewed. For those residents who are already committed to food waste
separation and recycling (whether from their single-family house, or
apartment), the only option our Committee found was LA Compost:125
¾a nonprofit organization that has a drop-off booth at several weekly
farmer’s markets
¾relies on volunteers and donations
¾operates several hubs throughout the City where residents can drop off
their food waste126
¾in January of 2020, before the Covid-19 Pandemic, only eight of the 32
hubs were open due to growing demand, and not enough capacity127
¾during the pandemic, LA Compost continued accepting food waste
drop-offs at one of the 26 community gardens throughout the City, and
volunteers said that every Sunday, there was a constant stream of
people
122 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-au/s-lsh-au-r/s-lsh-au-r-
b;jsessionid=uynsAdj5Ie5pC1htNKKGWExRuZ0qern6N_Mv-lZPs-8bGx0gKmqt!-839466798!-
945519779?_afrLoop=8682239760179039&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=Ed19lWET&_adf.ctrl-
state=197i51z7vh_1#!%40%40%3F_afrWindowId%3DEd19lWET%26_afrLoop%3D8682239760179039%26_afrWindowMode
%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3D197i51z7vh_5 (click on “About Us” and then “Understanding Rates”)
123 ibid
124 Per Committee interview on 2/27/20
125 www.lacompost.org
126 https://www.lacompost.org/faq
127 https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/greater-la/the-challenges-of-composting-in-la/composting-in-la-isnt-as-easy-as-it-sounds
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x Many college campuses in the County have ongoing sustainability initiatives:
¾Cal State Northridge--dining services staff collects kitchen plant food
waste and uses it for composting in its garden on campus.128
¾Occidental College in Eagle Rock--students have begun composting
programs for food waste, but continue to find it challenging to sustain
the program as students graduate.129 In 2016, the campus contracted
with waste hauling company Athens Services to have food waste taken
to the company’s composting facility in Victorville.130
¾Students whose home cities, like Seattle, have curbside compost pickup
programs express surprise that fellow students are not as diligent about
food separation/recycling.131
x The County’s Department of Public Works has identified nearly 200 facilities
where organic waste should be separated and recycled, from cafeteria kitchen
food prep areas (“back of house”); cafeteria dining areas, lunch rooms,
employee workstations, landscaping.132 Educational material has been
provided, and compliance is encouraged, according to County officials.133
However, County officials said they don’t know how many of the identified
entities are meeting the mandate, which requires organic waste recycling as of
January 1, 2019,134 and that more action may be forthcoming once the State
outlines regulations around the $10,000 fine per day. A random check by our
Committee calling and visiting a few of the facilities, in conjunction with our
conversations with waste haulers, leads us to believe that there is room for
improvement in implementing organic waste recycling in these facilities.
128 https://www.csun.edu/sustainability/sustainable-garden-education-center
129 https://www.theoccidentalnews.com/features/2018/03/27/good-waste-composting-efforts-campus/2892421 (accessed 11/3/19)
130 https://www.theoccidentalnews.com/news/2016/01/01/college-looking-to-further-expand-composting-program/2880886
131 https://www.theoccidentalnews.com/news/2018/03/20/student-led-compost-initiative-begins-braun-hall/2891999 (accessed
2/17/20)
132 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/organics/pdf/AB1826Memo_2018.pdf
133 Per Committee interviews on 10/7/19 and 11/19/19
134 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/organics/pdf/AB1826Memo_2018.pdf Page 2
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COVID-19
The pandemic provides an opportunity to reimagine how things can be, and our
Committee was pleased to see the word “waste” in the mix in an article published
on May 13, 2020, in the Los Angeles Times:135
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Tom Steyer, a billionaire former hedge fund
manager turned climate change activist, to co-chair his Task Force on Business
and Jobs Recovery. Twenty state lawmakers signed a letter last month to
Steyer and Newsom’s chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, urging the governor’s office
to consider recovery investments that prioritize “clean economy job creation.”
The letter reads, “We know the clean economy —transportation, housing, energy,
water, manufacturing, waste, and natural and working lands —is one of the most
cost-effective, resilient job creation sectors economy-wide.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
This Committee recommends a public education campaign around food waste that
creates drop-off food waste centers in more areas of the County and provides financial
incentives, as well as County-owned facilities “leading by example”in recycling food
waste—all of which require a little help from our friends.136
We recommend:
1.1 Each of the 88 cities, and the County’s unincorporated areas, should establish a
weekly food waste drop-off center. The center can be at a farmer’s market, such
as the one held each Thursday near Los Angeles City Hall, or at another
appropriate site. City and County officials can arrange for the food waste
collected to be taken to a nearby facility for recycling, or can establish contracts
with organizations such as the Los Angeles Community Garden Council or
landscaping companies for composting.
1.2 County officials should initiate programs using composting technology (such as
Compostology137 or Earth Cube138) that can compact food waste and can be
easily installed in offices and schools.139
135 https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-05-13/half-million-clean-energy-job-losses-amid-coronavirus
136 From the Beatles song “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
137 https://www.compostology.us/about (accessed 9/26/19)
138 http://compostingtechnology.com/in-vessel-composting-systems/earth-cube/
139 https://www.biocycle.net/2015/03/31/school-district-rolls-out-food-waste-reduction/ (accessed 10/12/19)
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1.3 County and city officials should create an incentive program for residents and
businesses to separate food waste. This could be in the form of a gift card to a
local grocery store/farmer’s market, or a discount on a solid waste fee. For
example, in the city of Santa Barbara, 150 businesses (restaurants, grocery
stores, coffee shops, etc.) have signed up for the city’s Foodscraps program, and
can save several hundred dollars a month off their trash collection fee.140
1.4 County officials should work with community colleges and workforce training
programs, to increase classes about food waste recycling and careers in waste
management that focus on diversion and conversion technologies.
1.5 County officials should create a garden/compost program at Pitchess Detention
Center in Castaic and investigate the option of a garden at some or all of the
juvenile detention facilities.
1.6 The County Department of Public Health should develop a program to train its
300 food inspectors as “ambassadors” when they are in the field. The inspectors
need to be armed with the Food DROP brochure,141 as well as information about
how that establishment can safely separate and recycle any food waste. (This
recommendation is also for Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own
Public Health departments.)
1.7 The County Department of Public Health should take the lead in creating a food
waste education component as part of its permit process required for all outdoor
public events that will be serving food. Department officials can work with the
event manager ahead of time to plan for excess edible food donation, and for
how food waste will be collected and separated. (This recommendation is also
for Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own Public Health
departments.)
1.8 County officials should modify contracts with food vendor companies that are
inside County facilities, such as the Hollywood Bowl, the Arboretum, the Los
Angeles County Museum of Art, and cafeterias located at County hospitals, to
include food waste separation and recycling. Especially at the Hollywood Bowl,
which draws more than 17,000 people142 for most of its summer concert events,
has several food options onsite,143 and traditionally draws large pre-concert
picknicking crowds, implementing a food waste recycling program can be part
of a public education campaign.
140https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/services/recycling/business/foodscrap.asp#:~:text=About%20The%20Program,like%20your%
20recycling%20and%20trash. (accessed 2/17/20)
141 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/sbr/food-drop.aspx
142 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Bowl
143 https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/when-youre-here
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1.9 The County Board of Supervisors should require that the vendor operating the
Hall of Administration cafeteria institute procedures to separate food waste, both
in the food prep area, and in the dining room.
1.10 The City of Los Angeles should partner with LA Compost to expand that
organization’s footprint in the city to increase its capacity to collect and compost
food waste.
1.11 The City of Los Angeles should work with its 99 Neighborhood Councils to
increase public education around food waste separation/recycling programs.
1.12 All 80 school districts located in the County should work with local public
works and health department officials to create a garden and compost program
in every school,144 and monitor edible food recovery efforts.145
1.13 All 80 school districts should develop a garden/compost program that can be
available for students in the myriad after-school daycare options available on
campus (LACER, After the Bell, STAR, etc.).
1.14 Elected officials in the County and cities should adopt the 11 suggestions in the
March 2018 Countywide Organics Waste Management Plan146 and express
support for the need to increase capacity and site and build new facilities to
handle organic waste.
144 www.ecocycle.org (accessed 5/2/20)
145 https://www.ecocycle.org/files/School%20Compost%20Programs%20Pathways%20to%20Success.pdf “School Compost
Programs: Pathways to Success” (accessed 4/3/20)
146 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Page 39
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REQUIRED RESPONSES
Responses are required from:
Recommendation Responding Agency
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,
1.14
County Board of Supervisors
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,
1.14
Chief Executive Officer Sachi Hamai
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.12,
1.14
County Department of Public Works
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,
1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14
County Chief Sustainability Office
1.1, 1.3, 1.8, 1.14 Mayors of 88 cities
1.5 County Department of Probation
1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.12, 1.13 County Department of Public Health
1.6, 1.7 Long Beach Department of Health and
Human Services
1.6, 1.7 Pasadena Public Health Department
1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.12, 1.13 County Department of Environmental
Health
1.14 Internal Services Department
1.8 County Parks and Recreation Department
1.1, 1.3, 1.8, 1.10, 1.11, 1.14 Mayor of City of Los Angeles
1.12, 1.13 Superintendents of all 80 school districts
1.12, 1.13 Los Angeles County Office of Education
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Hind Baki, Chair
Nirja Kapoor
John Palos
Jenalea Smith
Judith Whitman
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APPENDIX 1147
147 https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-hierarchy
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APPENDIX 2148
148 https://ilsr.org/food-waste-hierarchy/
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APPENDIX 3149
Active Landfills in Los Angeles County
Landfill Site Owner Operator End of
Operation
Antelope Valley
Recycling and
Disposal Facility
Waste Management,
Inc.
Waste Management,
Inc.
2042
Azusa Land
Reclamation (Inert)
Azusa Land
Reclamation Co., Inc.
Waste Management,
Inc.
January
2025
Burbank Landfill #3 City of Burbank City of Burbank
Department of Public
Works
January
2053
Calabasas Landfill County of Los
Angeles
Los Angeles County
Sanitation Districts
September
2025
Lancaster Landfill &
Recycling Center
Waste Management,
Inc.
Waste Management,
Inc.
March
2044
Pebbly Beach
Landfill (Avalon)
City of Avalon CR&R Environmental
Services
July 2028
San Clemente Island
Landfill
U.S. Navy U.S. Navy January
2032
Savage Canyon
Landfill
City of Whittier City of Whittier Public
Works Department
150
December
2048
Scholl Canyon
Landfill
Co-Owned by City of
Glendale and Los
Angeles County
Sanitation Districts
Los Angeles County
Sanitation Districts
December
2024
Sunshine Canyon
Landfill
Republic Services,
Inc./BFI
Republic Services,
Inc./BFI
February
2037
149 http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/EP/solid_waste/facilitieslandfill.htm?func=1&Landfill=landfill (accessed 1/31/20);
https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/OnlineServices/search-solid-waste-sites-esri.aspx (accessed 2/5/20)
150 https://www.cityofwhittier.org/government/public-works/trash/landfill-services
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APPENDIX 4151
151 https://www.sfswma.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Anatomy_of_a_Landfill.pdf
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APPENDIX 5
Green Waste Pick-up and Recycling options available in County Unincorporated
Areas (CUC)
x The County’s Department of Public Works oversees the waste hauler
agreements for the 125 unincorporated areas,152 which include Altadena,
Hacienda Heights, and Marina Del Rey. About 1 million people live in those
areas; the “Mayor” of each area is the corresponding member of the County
Board of Supervisors.153
x Many franchise waste haulers offer separate collection and recycling services
for green waste.154 Some waste haulers offer one solid waste bin for mixed
refuse for commercial clients. The mixed waste is hauled to a material
recovery facility where some things may be diverted from a landfill, unless
there is too much contamination.155
x Landscapers can deliver green waste generated from their operation to
processing facilities that specifically recycle green waste. Currently, there are
over 100 facilities in Los Angeles County and nearby counties that accept
green waste generated in Los Angeles County.156
x In 2018, Public Works consultants visited over 70 multi-family complexes and
found that only a few generated more than 1 cubic yard of green landscape
waste.157
x The various waste haulers serving residents in the CUC are required to provide
three separate bins: one for trash, one for recyclables, and one for green
waste.158
Green Waste Pick-up and Recycling Options Available for City of Los Angeles
x The State’s most populous city, Los Angeles, manages its waste through the
LA Sanitation Department.159 For approximately 80,000 businesses and multi-
family complexes, the City of Los Angeles is divided into service areas and
assigned a waste hauler under the RecycLA program.160 The program assigns
seven waste haulers to 11 zones in the City.161
152 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/WasteHauler/
153 https://lacounty.gov/government/about-la-county/unincorporated-areas/
154https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/docs/pdf/faq/Commercial%20Waste%20Franchise%20System%20FAQ%20for%20Waste
%20Haulers.pdf
155 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future
Annual Progress Report 2019, Page 47-48
156 www.dpw.lacounty.gov/Epd/Tf/lsw/lsw
157 ibid
158 https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/swims/News/swims-more-links.aspx?id=4# LA County Countywide Organic Waste Management
Plan March 2018, Executive Summary xi
159 www.lacitysan.org
160 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-s/s-lsh-wwd-s-zwlaf/s-lsh-wwd-s-zwlaf-au?_adf.ctrl-
state=3z2x730v8_5&_afrLoop=11962272467624951#!
161 https://www.waste360.com/commercial/los-angeles-bpw-award-11-franchise-zones-seven-waste-haulers
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x Green waste is taken to Griffith Park, where it’s mixed with zoo doo (collected
from herbivores at the adjacent Los Angeles Zoo) and biosolids (sewage
products).162 The Griffith Park Composting Facility makes a final compost
product that is used throughout the park, and for the City’s Free Mulch Give-
Away Program.
x The mulch produced by the City is registered and trademarked as Topgro ®;
the City gives its Department of Recreation and Parks half the compost
created, and the rest is sold to private entities such as landscape companies.163
x Residential customers in the City are provided three bins for separating items
for trash day:164 one for trash, one for recyclables, one for green waste (no food
waste can be placed in this bin as it would contaminate the green waste); an
extra bin for horse manure is provided for a nominal fee.165
162 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-s/s-lsh-wwd-s-gw/s-lsh-wwd-s-gw-gpcf#:~:text=The
Griffith Park Composting Facility,trimmings from acres of landscaping.
163 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-s/s-lsh-wwd-s-gw/s-lsh-wwd-s-gw-faq?_adf.ctrl-
state=3z2x730v8_758&_afrLoop=11962739376231226#!
164 https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home?_adf.ctrl-state=3z2x730v8_758&_afrLoop=11962955571838333#! Scroll down to
“What Goes in Each Bin”
165 ibid
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APPENDIX 6
Edible Food Recovery
x In 2018, the County Department of Public Works launched the Food Donation
and Recovery Outreach Program Food DROP website (www.FoodDROPLA.
com) to provide resources for businesses in the unincorporated communities to
safely donate excess edible food and reduce food waste. In addition to federal
Good Samaritan laws that can provide legal protection, donating edible food
can possibly provide a tax deduction.166
x In 2018, the County’s Smart Business Recycling Consultants visited over 130
large food service establishments to survey how they currently manage
organics and recyclables and to connect these businesses with local charities to
donate edible excess food. Twenty-six businesses indicated that they donate
edible food.167
x Organizations like Food Forward168 last year collected 26 million pounds of
edible food from various companies.169 The organization’s four 26-foot trucks
pick up produce that otherwise would go to waste and distribute the bounty to
agencies serving the needy from Santa Barbara to the California-Mexico
border. Staff pick up excess produce from the largest produce market in the
United States, located in Downtown Los Angeles, and nearby produce houses,
as well as farmer’s markets.Volunteer teams also are sent to pick residents’
backyard fruit and distribute to food pantries.
x Companies like Imperfect Produce170 ship boxes of imperfect-looking fruits
and vegetables, and packaged food that has been rejected for cosmetic reasons.
x There are many websites available to help residents who want to reduce food
waste in their kitchens
9 www.savethefood.com
9 www.cawrecycles.org (Californians Against Waste)
x For the K-12 school environment in Los Angeles County, the County
Department of Public Health has developed resources to help each campus
reduce food waste.
9 http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/LACFRI/
166 www.FoodDROPLA.com
167 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/tf/isw/isw_2019_09.pdf Page 3
168 www.foodforward.org
169 https://www.dailynews.com/2019/06/20/this-new-produce-depot-is-a-game-changer-for-north-hollywood-based-food-forward/
(accessed 2/23/20)
170 www.imperfectfoods.com (accessed 9/25/19)
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APPENDIX 7171
Food Waste Recycling: County Department of Public Works Headquarters172
171 https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/Roadmap/PDF/annual_report_2019.pdf
Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future Annual Progress
Report 2019, Page 37
172 All photos in Appendix 7 were taken by members of the 2019-2020
Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury on 3/11/20
The Department reported that, in
2018, its food waste reduction
practices in the cafeteria prevented
over 300 pounds of food waste
from being generated, and did not
generate any leftover food for
donation.
In addition, almost 18,000 pounds
of food waste was collected from
the cafeteria kitchen, dining area,
break rooms, and special events
and sent to be recycled at an
anaerobic digestion facility. An
additional 1,200 pounds of food
waste from the cafeteria kitchen
was composted on site in the worm
bins (see picture below).
County Department of Public
Works Headquarters in Alhambra:
Photos of the employee cafeteria
signage, showing food waste
separation, and serving as a model
for other County facilities.
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31
The food waste separated in the cafeteria is then brought to special worm-composting
bins onsite. Worm composting is using worms to recycle food scraps and other
organic material into a valuable soil amendment called vermicompost. Worms eat
food scraps, which become compost as they pass through the worm's body.173
173 http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.html (accessed 5/3/20)
The compost is then used at the onsite garden, which grows vegetables that
can be offered to employees or cafeteria cooks.
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32
APPENDIX 8
Food Waste Transfer and Processing: Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility 174
174 All photos in Appendix 8 were taken by members of the 2019-2020
Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury on 10/15/19
A line of trucks bringing various types of separated waste
such as cardboard and bottles/cans for recycling. The
smallest pile below is the food waste pile.
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October 20, 2020
Honorable Kevin Brazile, Presiding Judge
Los Angeles Superior Court
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
210 West Temple Street, 11th Floor, Room 11-506
Los Angeles, CA 90012
civilgrandjury@lacourt.org
Re: A DIET FOR LANDFILLS: Cutting Down on Food Waste
Dear Judge Brazile:
The City of Diamond Bar is in receipt of the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020
report titled: A Diet for Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste, which was released July 31,
2020. California Penal Code Sections 933(a), 933.05(a), and 933.05(b) require that the public
agency provide response to all Recommendations within ninety (90) days following the
release of the report, and no later than October 31, 2020. More specifically, the report
requires incorporated cities in Los Angeles County to provide responses to
Recommendations 1.1, 1.3, 1.8 and 1.14.
This response was reviewed and authorized by the Diamond Bar City Council at the
October 20, 2020 City Council meeting.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide the responses to the grand jury report. Please
contact City Manager Daniel Fox at 909.839.7010 or dfox@diamondbarca.gov with any
questions regarding the submitted response.
Sincerely,
Steve Tye
Mayor
Attachment 1: City of Diamond Bar Response to Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report
cc: City Council
Daniel Fox, City Manager
Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager
David Liu, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Greg Gubman, Community Development Director
3.4.b
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City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
1
R 1.1. Each of the 88 cities, and the County’s unincorporated areas, should
establish a weekly food waste drop-off center. The center can be at a
farmer’s market, such as the one held each Thursday near Los Angeles City
Hall, or at another appropriate site. City and County officials can arrange
for the food waste collected to be taken to a nearby facility for recycling,
or can establish contracts with organizations such as the Los Angeles
Community Garden Council or landscaping companies for composting.
R 1.1 Response: The City agrees with this recommendation. The
recommendation requires additional analysis.
In addition to the provision for weekly residential refuse collection
services, the existing residential solid waste agreement with Waste
Management includes a yard waste reduction discount. Residents
that receive backyard composting instruction (including viewing a
video or attending a City-sponsored event) and secure a
composting container are eligible for a waiver of the mandatory
yard waste bin, resulting in an ongoing monthly savings. The City
works with the Los Angeles County Public Works Smart Gardening
Program, to host an average of three (3) free public composting
classes per year.
In order to comply with Recommendation R1.1, the City would need
to amend its contracts with either its residential and/or commercial
waste haulers to expand the current services to provide for a food
waste drop-off center, and further analysis is needed as to whether
having a drop-off center is the appropriate program for increasing
residential food waste recycling in the City. A reasonable timeframe
for determining whether such a program is viable is 12 months after
the contracts are amended.
R 1.3 County and city officials should create an incentive program for residents
and businesses to separate food waste. This could be in the form of a gift
card to a local grocery store/farmer’s market, or a discount on a solid waste
3.4.b
Packet Pg. 108
City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
2
fee. For example, in the city of Santa Barbara, 150 businesses (restaurants,
grocery stores, coffee shops, etc.) have signed up for the city’s Foodscraps
program, and can save several hundred dollars a month off their trash
collection fee.
R 1.3. Response: City agrees with this recommendation. The
recommendation has been partially implemented.
The City of Diamond Bar contracts for commercial waste hauling
services under an exclusive franchise with Valley Vista Services. This
franchise was amended in 2017 to include, among other terms, a
new source separated organic collection service. Businesses are able
to establish service using a 96-gallon cart, minimum 1 day per week
collection at the established rate of $43.01 per month. The City’s
pricing for organic waste recycling is lower than trash rates, thus
providing an economic incentive for participating businesses.
Although the City generally agrees with this finding, to implement
incentives for recycling of residential food waste, the City would
need to amend its residential solid waste agreement with Waste
Management. The City can work with Waste Management to
determine whether the provisions of incentives will increase the
recycling of food waste within the City, what the incentives would
consist of and the associated cost. If such a program appears viable,
the City estimates successful implementation in approximately 12
months after the contract is amended.
R 1.8. County officials should modify contracts with food vendor companies that
are inside County facilities, such as the Hollywood Bowl, the Arboretum, the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and cafeterias located at County
hospitals, to include food waste separation and recycling. Especially at the
Hollywood Bowl, which draws more than 17,000 people142 for most of its
summer concert events, has several food options onsite,143 and
traditionally draws large pre-concert picknicking crowds, implementing a
food waste recycling program can be part of a public education
campaign.
3.4.b
Packet Pg. 109
City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
3
R 1.8 Response: Not applicable. This recommendation is directed to the
County only.
R 1.14 Elected officials in the County and cities should adopt the 11 suggestions in
the March 2018 Countywide Organics Waste Management Plan 146 and
express support for the need to increase capacity and site and build new
facilities to handle organic waste.
R 1.14 Response: City agrees with this recommendation. The City of
Diamond Bar supports the need to increase capacity and site and
build new facilities to handle organic waste.
Suggestions in the March 2018 Countywide Organics Waste
Management Plan
R.14(1) - Commercial Recycling Ordinance. Adopt an ordinance with
requirements for businesses and haulers to achieve specified recycling
requirements (if not already in place). Includes system to quantify recovery,
monitor compliance with requirements and methods for enforcement
action as necessary.
R.14(1) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
partially implemented.
The existing franchise agreements and Diamond Bar Municipal Code
place the diversion requirements on the waste haulers and not the
specific businesses. Diamond Bar Municipal Code Sec. 8.16.450. -
Diversion requirement, states that “a collector shall not deposit at any
landfill more solid waste than the percentage designated in the
franchise agreement. That percentage of solid waste shall be
diverted from landfills through reduction, recycling and composting
activities. Through implementation of the franchise agreement, a
collector shall assist the city in meeting its diversion obligations under
Public Resources Code § 41780”.
3.4.b
Packet Pg. 110
City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
4
R.14(2) - Adopt an ordinance establishing organic collection requirements
on properties not subject to AB 1826 including but not limited to single-
family residential (SFR) dwellings and multi-family residential dwellings with
2-4 units. Includes system to quantify recovery, monitor compliance with
requirements and methods for enforcement action as necessary.
R.14(2) Response: City agrees. In order to comply with
Recommendation R.14(2), the City will need to consider amending
its Municipal Code to establish organic collection requirements on
single-family residential dwelling and multi-family residential dwelling
with 2-4 units. Further analysis is needed to consult with the existing
waste haulers and determine the best collection methods for an
organic program. A reasonable timeframe for determining whether
such a program is viable, is 12 months.
R.14(3) - Establish standards or requirements for self-haul (landscapers and
other qualified providers) to meet recycling requirements. Includes
reporting requirements and audit procedures to ensure minimum standards
are being met as well as licensing requirements.
R.14(3) Response: City agrees. Diamond Bar Municipal Code Sec.
8.16.590. - Gardener's exclusion, currently exempts the occasional
removal of green waste as a result of significant tree trimming,
gardening or landscaping activities generating waste beyond that
which can be placed in a container. In order to comply with this
recommendation, the City will need to consider amending the
Municipal Code and evaluate the impacts of removing this
exemption.
R.14(4) - Flow control to direct material collected to qualified processing or
composting facilities.
R.14(4) Response: City agrees. The existing franchise agreements for
both residential and commercial services contain a requirement for
End Use of Green Waste. Solid waste contractors are required to
divert green waste materials collected through weekly cart, holiday
3.4.b
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City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
5
tree collection, roll-off box collection and mixed waste processing
from disposal. Contractors are responsible for monitoring how the
green waste will be diverted and for selecting alternative facilities, if
necessary, to ensure diversion.
In order to comply with Recommendation R14.(4), the City will need
to amend its contract with its residential and commercial waste
haulers to expand the current services to provide for a food waste
drop-off center and further analysis is needed as to whether having
a drop-off center is the appropriate program for increasing
residential food waste recycling in the City. A reasonable timeframe
for determining whether such a program is viable, including
successful implementation, is 12 months after the contracts are
amended.
R.14(5) - Modify existing contract or establish a new trash collection
contract or franchise to include specified recycling requirements. Such
action may include contract language modifications, separation of
commercial/multi-family collection into separate contract(s), extension of
existing contracts or franchises or qualified licensing. Should include
provisions for quantifying recovery, reporting compliance and enforcement
actions.
R.14(5) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
implemented.
R.14(6) - Establish new trash collection contracts or franchises with
commercial or other exclusivity clauses and specified recycling
requirements. Should include provisions for quantifying recovery, reporting
compliance and enforcement actions.
R.14(6) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
implemented.
R.14(7) - Modify existing contract or establish a new trash collection
contract or franchise to require the hauler to provide separate collection of
3.4.b
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City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
6
organic waste to entities (i.e., residential and commercial) that generate
organic waste and deliver the material to a qualified organics recycling or
composting facility. Should include provisions for quantifying recovery,
reporting compliance and enforcement actions.
R.14(7) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
partially implemented.
In order to comply with Recommendation R14.(7), the City will need
to amend its contract with either its residential waste hauler to
expand the current services to provide for a separate collection of
food waste. Further analysis is needed to determine the appropriate
program for implementing a residential food waste recycling
program. A reasonable timeframe for determining whether such a
program is viable, including successful implementation, is 12 months
after the contracts are amended.
R.14(8) - Require the hauler to provide 2 or more separate bins for wet/dry
commercial collection system in which the contents of certain bins are
delivered to a materials recovery facility with organics extraction
technology. Should include provisions for quantifying recovery, reporting
compliance and enforcement actions.
R.14(8) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
implemented.
R.14(9) - Provides incentives for participation in organics collection by
implementing subsidies to offset the incremental costs of collection,
separation and processing of organics to the degree necessary to change
behavior and establish a successful base program. Should include
provisions for quantifying recovery and reporting compliance to maintain
eligibility for incentives.
R.14(9) Response: To implement incentives for recycling of residential
food waste, the City would need to amend its residential and
commercial solid waste agreement. The City will work with Valley
3.4.b
Packet Pg. 113
City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
7
Vista Services, Inc., and Waste Management to determine whether
the provisions of incentives will increase the recycling of food waste
within the City, what the incentives would consist of, and the
associated cost. If such a program appears viable, the City estimates
successful implementation in approximately 12 months after the
contracts are amended.
R.14(10) - No change to contracts but educate businesses to comply with
the law. Includes business compliance monitoring and identification of
resources that would be made available to businesses to ensure
compliance and build program support.
R.14(10) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
implemented.
Education and outreach have been a key factor in increasing AB
1826 compliance. The City has incorporated organics outreach using
the jurisdiction’s and the hauler’s websites, notices through hauler
billing inserts, and providing written notices including outreach
materials to all covered businesses.
R.14(11) - Provide businesses with guidance/assistance in the
implementation of scalable on-site organics management aggregation
methods and available technologies.
R.14(11) Response: City Agrees. The Recommendations have been
implemented.
The City has performed site visits to the majority of the City businesses,
starting in early 2017. The City has provided advice of organics
program implementation, expanding traditional recycling, and
minimizing trash services and associated costs. In 2019, the City also
began educating business on food waste donations and helping
firms with minimal organic waste generation to be granted di minimis
waivers as allowed by AB 1826.
3.4.b
Packet Pg. 114
City of Diamond Bar
Response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury’s 2019-2020 report titled: A Diet for
Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste
October 20, 2020
8
In addition to the public education methods stated above, the City
has also worked with the franchised commercial waste hauler, Valley
Vista Services Inc., to establish an AB1826 business assistance
program that directly supports compliance technical assistance
provided to business owner/managers. This is a collaborative
approach and includes hauler provided in-person monitoring
activities, on site assessments and the implementation of program
recommendations included in technical assistance reports provided
to businesses.
3.4.b
Packet Pg. 115
Agenda #: 3.5
Meeting Date: October 20, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT FOR USE OF FACILITIES.
STRATEGIC
GOAL:
Responsible Stewardship of Public Resources
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve, and authorize the City Manager to sign, the Joint Use Agreement with Walnut
Valley Unified School District.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds have been traditionally included in each fiscal year’s budget to cover the
cost of such facility use.
BACKGROUND:
Like many municipalities, the City of Diamond Bar has joint use agreements with local
school districts. The City’s agreements with Pomona Unified and Walnut Valley Unified
School Districts provide language to ensure both organizations work cooperatively in
the development, use, and maintenance of school district facilities (i.e. fields, gyms, and
tracks). These district facilities are crucial athletic and meeting spaces for City
programming, as well as other local organizations. An example of these facilities that
benefit City programming include sports such as youth basketball at Chaparral Middle
School and adult volleyball at South Pointe Middle School.
ANALYSIS:
The Joint Use Agreement with WVUSD was adopted by the City and WVUSD in July of
1992. Despite the extended period of time, the agreement has supported a positive
working relationship for both organizations. The facilities provided by WVUSD have
allowed the City to program a variety of youth and adult sports year after ye ar. In order
to better communicate and fine tune the 1992 agreement, City staff and WVUSD staff
3.5
Packet Pg. 116
have spent several months reviewing and updating the previous agreement in order to
meet current and future needs of both organizations. Based on a thorough r eview and
several meetings, a revised Joint Use Agreement was completed.
The intent of both organizations to work cooperatively and serve the community remains
the same. The agreement as a whole is very similar in context as the original
agreement. Proposed modifications are primarily administrative rather than operational.
Improvements were made to increase communication opportunities, revise scheduling
processes, and update language after legal review. This agreement is a crucial element
for City programming, but also ensures a continued positive relationship with community
partners. The following are several highlights to the revised agreement:
• The revised agreement will remain in effect until terminated by either party
which may be accomplished with 60 days’ notice.
• The City will continue to pay relevant WVUSD facility fees per the current fee
schedule. This includes custodial costs incurred during City programs.
• WVUSD will continue to make a concerted effort to provide the City first use
after WVUSD needs are met.
• Updated WVUSD facility use policy terms and conditions were identified.
• All insurance requirements and indemnity clauses remain unchanged.
• The WVUSD Board recently approved the proposed Joint Use Agreement
unanimously on September 16, 2020.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement as to form.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 3.5.a Joint Use Facility Agreement
3.5
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