HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.12.10 - Minutes - Special MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lyons called the Special City Council meeting
to order at 11:00 a.m.
Mayor Lyons stated that consistent with COVID-19 regulations, all Council Members
and staff participated 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 Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Andrew Chou, Stan Liu, Steve Tye,
Mayor Pro Tern Ruth Low, Mayor Nancy Lyons
Staff participating telephonically: Dan Fox, City Manager; Dave DeBerry, City
Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the
City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community
Development Director; Dianna Honeywell, Director of Finance; Ken Desforges,
Director of Information Services; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Kristina
Santana, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As submitted.
1. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered.
3. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
3.1 EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY SIGN AND TEMPORARY OUTDOOR
COMMERCIAL SERVICES POLICY — CDD/Gubman
MPT/Low asked how many permits had been issued since the policy was
initiated and have there been any difficulties with how the policy and
program or outside dining is being administered and regulated.
CDD/Gubman responded that permits number in the dozens and there
have been no difficulties. Permits are approved within a day or two of
receipt and any issues are resolved during inspection.
C/Tye asked if banners are being reconciled with permits since the policy
does not require permits and size and placement of banners has not been
limited. CDD/Gubman explained that permits are being issued only for
outdoor dining or other outdoor components of a business operation.
MPT/Low asked if there was an exception for congregating and shared
equipment for church services and faith -based gatherings as well as,
DECEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
exercise businesses, and CDD/Gubman responded that outdoor church
services and other gatherings are allowed subject to the physical
distancing requirements.
C/Chou asked if outdoor church activities require a temporary use permit
and CDD/Gubman responded that they are required to apply and obtain
approval of an outdoor Temporary Use Permit for the protection of the
peace and quiet of the neighborhoods.
C/Liu moved, C/Tye seconded to Extend the Temporary Sign and
Temporary Outdoor Commercial Services Policy until all indoor occupancy
restrictions are lifted by the State and/or, County COVID-19 indoor
business occupancy restrictions are lifted. Motion carried by the following
Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Liu, Tye, MPT/Low,
M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS None
3.2 COVID-19 BUSINESS RECOVERY EFFORTS — CM/Fox
C/Liu asked if the City could provide virtual workshops for the business
community and business owners to inform them about assistance
opportunities that become available. Also, because business owners who
started their businesses in 2020 were not eligible to apply for the business
grants, is there anything that can be done to assist them. He suggested
special drawings and prizes to encourage residents to shop local.
CM/Fox responded to C/Liu that he is not sure the City has the technical
expertise to conduct virtual workshops for businesses. However, the City
shares such information in other ways with the business community. With
respect to businesses being in business for less than a year and not
qualifying for the grant program, that is a Council decision and will depend
on whether the City receives another round of Cares Act funding to
provide small business grants. The parameters of the shop local program
is up to the Council as well.
C/Chou said he would like for the City to have a more formal plan for the
next 24 months to help businesses as well as, be more proactive in
hosting workshops, etc. He suggested a subcommittee or task force be
formed to focus on and assist with the recovery phase efforts and stabilize
the income base post pandemic and if Council concurs, he would like to
be involved in such an effort.
C/Tye stated that this Council should be focused on how this City makes it
possible for the restaurants of Diamond Bar to continue to serve people
outdoors. The question is whether this Council is going to say it does not
DECEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
agree with LA County. Many cities have their own health departments and
Palmdale and other cities are looking to have their own health
departments as well. Maybe it is time for Diamond Bar to say it is okay to
eat outdoors in this City.
MPT/Low agreed with C/Tye that the state of restaurants and businesses
in Diamond Bar is very frustrating. She agrees it is up to this Council to
take action now. She does not have enough information to know whether
Diamond Bar can establish its own health department, but she believes
Diamond Bar needs to lobby its supervisors and the entire LA Board of
Supervisors with a resolution or letter signed by the Mayor stating that
Diamond Bar disagrees with the order and believes there has not been
shown to be any link between the spread of COVID and outdoor dining
and, at the very least this City Council wants them to revoke the order or
give Diamond Bar an exemption for outdoor dining. At the same time, she
would like for staff to explore the possibility of contracting with another
health agency.
MPT/Low asked how many businesses were on the waiting list for another
grant round and CDD/Gubman responded that the City received
approximately 180 applications and 97 grants were awarded.
M/Lyons asked for Council concurrence that all supervisors, assembly
representatives and senators as well as, the State of California be lobbied
for immediate relief for outdoor dining and she suggested that staff
immediately prepare a letter accordingly.
C/Chou said it is disheartening to see what is happening with businesses
but felt the City should continue to be led by science and facts and not just
political views. He understands that businesses are suffering which is why
he believes there needs to be a long term plan to help them survive.
C/Tye said he believes it is time for Diamond Bar to do something and he
believes there needs to be a concerted effort to ask for an exemption and
accept responsibility and liability going forward.
M/Lyons asked for roll call on MPT/Low's recommendation of lobbying the
County and State for an exemption to reinstate outdoor dining in Diamond
Bar.
C/Chou No
C/Liu No
C/Tye Yes
MPT/Low Yes
M/Lyons Yes
M/Lyons asked for roll call on C/Tye's and MPT/Low's recommendation of
obtaining information about the possibility of participating in the health
DECEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
department of West Covina, Lancaster, Pasadena or Long Beach as well
as, any other cities considering moving toward that end.
C/Chou No
C/Liu
Yes
C/Tye
Yes
MPT/Low
Yes
M/Lyons
Yes
M/Lyons felt that with respect to virtual workshops, small businesses do
not have the time or means to research options and asked if there were
other options for getting information out to assist them. For example, she
was concerned whether small businesses were aware of SB1447 and the
tax credits offered for small business and, she was concerned that some
small businesses may not have the time to attend seminars to obtain such
information. CM/Fox said that staff can look for other channels of pushing
out information including through the San Gabriel Valley Economic
Partnership.
C/Tye suggested that staff contact the Regional Chamber of Commerce to
engage their help to get the information out to small businesses
regardless of whether or not they are Chamber members. MPT/Low and
M/Lyons agreed that C/Tye's suggestion was a good idea.
CM/Fox said that staff would share any and all available information with
the Chamber.
MPT/Low wondered if the DB Connection and the City's website could
highlight such information. CM/Fox responded to M/Lyons that the DB
Connection goes to residences only. However, businesses can also view
the electronic version.
C/Liu asked if businesses provide contact information such as email
addresses. CM/Fox responded that they do and indicated his staff would
coordinate with the information team to determine how the system might
be supplemented to push the information out to businesses.
M/Lyons asked if the task force/subcommittee proposed by C/Chou could
be part of the Economic Development Subcommittee's work product and
C/Chou agreed that it could be.
CM/Fox said the situation continues to be challenging and everyone
should wear a mask and social distance when out in public and comply
with the current orders to be out for essential business and services during
the holidays to minimize the risk of community spread. Regardless of
what we think should or should not be open, this situation is out of control
- not just in Diamond Bar and California but across the United States and
our national health system is on the verge of collapse. While it is
DECEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
frustrating, this is the worst surge. Staff will continue to look into all
avenues for moving the needle in the right direction for Diamond Bar as
we get COVID under control.
C/Tye suggested Diamond Bar lobby to get the 1,000 bed Mercy Hospital
Ship to the Port of San Pedro and CM/Fox said that staff would pass that
request to Supervisor Hahn's office.
4. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Chou thanked his colleagues for a lively discussion. While individual
approaches might be different, Council Members want the best for Diamond Bar
residents and businesses. Continue to be safe, wear masks when in public,
social distance and help each other get through this pandemic.
C/Liu said he appreciated the Mayor, Council and staff taking time for today's
discussion. Council Members are very passionate about the residents and want
the best for the City and he appreciated the lively discussion. He asked
everyone to do their part to keep the community, themselves and everyone safe
while continuing to support local businesses.
C/Tye thanked MPT/Low for asking for today's discussion, the Mayor for
authorizing the special meeting and staff for executing it on such short notice.
MPT/Low thanked M/Lyons for authorizing today's special meeting and CM/Fox
and his staff for putting it together as well as, the work they will be doing in
putting together letters and moving forward with advocacy efforts. The Council's
actions show that they care about their community and she is happy to be
moving forward in a positive direction to do something for residents and
businesses. She wished that everyone stay safe and take care of their loved
ones.
M/Lyons said she was very happy that playgrounds are reopening because
children and parents will benefit. She asked if the trails were open again and
CM/Fox responded that the trails were open. She thanked her colleagues for
attending this special meeting and staff for getting things together very quickly
and being accepting of additional work in the month of December. Everyone
please stay safe.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 12:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Kris "na Santana, City Clerk
DECEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 5t" day of January, 2020.
G%C) aw
Nancy Lyons, ayor