HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.01.05 - Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF .
MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
-
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lyons called the Regular City Council meeting
to order at 6:30 p.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; Ryan Wright, Parks and Recreation Director; David Liu, Public Works
Director; Hal Ghafari, Public Works Manager/Assistant City Engineer; Greg
Gubman, Community Development Director; Dianna Honeywell, Director of Finance;
Ken Desforges, Director of Information Services; Marsha Roa, Public Information
Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Kristina Santana, City
Clerk
Terry Muse, Waste Management Representative, explained Waste
Management's modified pickup schedule for January 2021 as a result of COVID-
19 staff shortages.
MPT/Low thanked Ms. Muse and Waste Management for their fine service to the
community.
C/Liu spoke about a resident's frustration with not receiving notice of green waste
pickup and asked if credits would be issued. Ms. Muse explained how residents'
needs can be accommodated, assured everyone that services have not been
reduced and that extra green waste should be placed in bags next to the carts for
pickup.
C/Tye felt there was a reduction in service when only two of his three cans are
picked up and believed fee adjustments were in order.
Ms. Muse explained that due to COVID-19 quarantines and a 25 percent
reduction in its workforce, Waste Management does not have the staff to make
weekly pickups. However, everything will be picked up in accordance with the
JANUARY 5, 2021 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
contract. In the meantime, staff is working overtime and not taking vacation or
days off to ascertain full service continues.
C/Chou said residents were paying for weekly pickup and believed they should
be offered credits for the change in schedule.
M/Lyons asked for patience during this one month period and invited Ms. Muse
to participate in the January 19t" Council meeting and provide residents an
update.
C/Tye felt it was appropriate for Waste Management to offer residents a credit.
M/Lyons said she did not disagree with C/Tye and again suggested the Council
ask Ms. Muse to participate in the January 19t" meeting after researching the
possibility of Waste Management issuing credits and let residents know whether
weekly service would resume in February.
CA/DeBerry reminded Council that this matter is a City Manager Report item and
does not qualify for Council action. The City is submitting a letter to Waste
Management with respect to the changes in service and asking whether there
might be consideration for issuing credits to residents. Council will be provided
an update at its next regular meeting.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CC/Santana read the following comments submitted via email:
Karen McQueen objected to C/Chou being passed over for Mayor Pro Tem.
Allen Wilson wrote about residents expressing their grievances about C/Chou
being passed over for Mayor Pro Tem.
Iris Mann wrote about C/Chou being denied the opportunity to serve as Mayor
Pro Tem and Mayor in accordance with Council tradition.
Douglas Barcon spoke about Waste Management's temporary schedule change,
why C/Chou was not afforded the privilege of serving as Mayor Pro Tem, and the
seriousness of COVID-19 health orders and apparent lack of concern about the
pandemic among many community members.
A concerned citizen wrote of their dismay about Council's actions at the last
meeting and the lack of explanation about C/Chou not being nominated to serve
as Mayor Pro Tem.
Public comments offered telephonically:
Raphael Plunkett appreciated the City's offering of online classes and options
and for mailing the calendar. She suggested Waste Management make robo
JANUARY 5, 2021 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
calls to residents regarding schedule changes and provide bags and/or
additional bins.
Joe Plunkett, expressed dismay regarding C/Tye's response to resident's
concerns at the last City Council meeting, asked C/Tye to resign, and
recommended the City Council adopt term limits for Council Members.
Brian Worthington felt everyone should have a right to speak and whether
residents agree or disagree with what Council Members say, the members
who were voted into office are extremely talented and responsive to residents'
needs and should be thanked for what they do to keep this City functioning in
a safe and prudent manner. In his opinion, the level of extreme criticism
going on in the City is unprecedented. He called for civility and unity going
forward.
Kevin Hayakawa said he was shocked and disappointed by C/Tye's response
to public comments, and felt that Council wanting to reopen outdoor dining
and implement a City run health department were inappropriate and in
defiance of LA County COVID-19 health orders.
Catherine Lee thanked C/Tye for his quick response regarding graffiti at
Peterson Park Trail and said she is disheartened to hear the same small
group of people attacking C/Tye and other Council Members on social media
and during Council meetings.
Michael Ramirez congratulated the City Council and voiced his appreciation
for Council Members' efforts on behalf of the community and asked that the
community unify efforts toward COVID-19 and shutdowns.
Terry Muse stated that Waste Management has a customer notification
system via text or voicemail and asked residents to go onto either website
www.home.wm.com/Diamond-Bar or www.wm.com/us/en/my-wm-mobile-app,
or call 1(800) 266-7551 and update their information to make sure they
receive timely notifications. Lastly she stated that Waste Management does
not stock waste bags.
CM/Fox stated that calendars will be mailed out this week and will have
community directory information, street sweeping schedule, etc. and he will
check on how magnets will be disbursed, if available.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Chou moved, MPT/Low seconded, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented with MPT/Low abstaining from approval of 3.1.b.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: Chou, Liu, Tye, MPT/Low, M/Lyons
None
None
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
JANUARY 5, 2021 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
3.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
3.1a DECEMBER 10, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING
3.1 b DECEMBER 15, 2020 REGULAR MEETING
3.2 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED DECEMBER 10, 2020 THROUGH
DECEMBER 30, 2020 TOTALING $1,311,339.99.
3.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2021-01 EXTENDING THE DECLARED
LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-
19).
4. PUBLIC HEARING(S):
4.1 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
ALLOCATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022 — CDD/Gubman
CDD/Gubman provided a staff report summarizing the recommended
funding allocations
C/Tye asked the amount of Home Improvement budget for last year and
CDD/Gubman responded that it was slightly over $100,000 and it is not
likely the full amount will be used during the current fiscal year.
M/Lyons opened the Public Hearing.
There being no one who wished to speak on this item, M/Lyons closed the
Public Hearing.
MPT/Low asked if unused budgeted funds could be repurposed for other
uses and CDD/Gubman responded that funds could only be repurposed
for projects in the construction category including Public Works projects or
the Home Improvement program. MPT/Low asked if unused funds could
be carried forward to subsequent years and CDD/Gubman responded that
funds must be spent within three years of allocation.
C/Chou asked how monies are used to support senior programs and
CDD/Gubman responded that there is flexibility as long as monies are
used for programs that support the senior community or for purchase of
PPE that benefit the senior community. The City pays the liability
insurance for five senior clubs and giveaways are evenly distributed as
well. In addition, a good portion of the funds are used to subsidize
salaries of Parks and Rec staff that help administer the programs and any
surplus money is evenly divided among the five groups.
MPT/Low moved, C/Liu seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2021-02
approving the Community Development Block Grant Funding Allocations
for Fiscal Year 2021/2022. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
JANUARY 5, 2021 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
9
H.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Chou, Liu, Tye, MPT/Low,
M/Lyons
None
None
5.1 AGREEMENT WITH FOOTHILL TRANSIT AUTHORITY EXCHANGE OF
PROPOSITION A FUNDS — FD/Honeywell
FD/Honeywell provided a staff report summarizing the PROP A Exchange
recommendation.
Following Council discussion and staff comments and responses,
MPT/Low moved, C/Tye seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2021-03
approving and authorizing the Mayor to sign, Proposition A Local Return
Transit Fund Exchange Agreement selling $800,000 of Proposition A
Funds to Foothill Transit Authority; and, appropriated $800,000 from the
Proposition A Fund and recognize $600,000 in General Fund revenue for
the exchange. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Tye, MPT/Low, M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Liu
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
REPORTSCOUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ATTENDARCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBERCOMMENTS:
C/Chou wished everyone a Happy New Year, talked about the pandemic, how
restaurants are struggling to pay online delivery service fees and asked if Council
would be willing to discuss how the City might help mitigate the situation at a
future meeting. Council concurred to schedule the matter for discussion.
C/Chou asked residents to please stay home as much as possible, wear masks
and practice safe distancing.
C/Liu wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked residents for supporting
each other through this difficult time. He thanked M/Lyons, Council Members
and staff for continuing to deliver services to the community. Saturday, January
9t" is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and at today's town hall meeting, the
Sheriff said that during this time the best way to support each other is to stay
home and comply with the health and safety ordinances. He asked residents to
voice their support for law enforcement in Diamond Bar.
C/Tye said his comments during the last Council Meeting were directed to
C/Chou and not public speakers, noted that Sheriff Alex Villanueva recognized
Captain Al Reyes and the Diamond Bar Sheriff's staff during his Town Hall
meeting today, and thanked Terry Muse from Waste Management for sharing
information about their service during the pandemic. Happy New Year to
JANUARY 5, 2021 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
everyone.
MPT/Low said she missed the last City Council meeting due to illness from which
she has recovered and thanked everyone for their well -wishes, and especially
those from her colleagues. She thanked Terry Muse for participating in tonight's
meeting, talked about her participation in Sheriff Villanueva's virtual town hall and
said she was encouraged by the Sheriff's response to budget cuts that there
would be no reduction in service for Diamond Bar. She was saddened by
comments regarding the selection of Mayor Pro Tern and asked for respect for
her colleague's votes. Diamond Bar is a City of good and caring people and her
intention is to work with her colleagues on the City Council to move the City
forward in a positive manner during this difficult and challenging time. She
wished everyone good health and a good 2021.
M/Lyons commented on the benefits of street sweeping and residents removing
their cars from the streets. She asked CM/Fox to comment on these issues.
CM/Fox stated that to require removal of vehicles from streets during certain
hours would require public hearings and adoption of an ordinance. This topic
has been discussed numerous times and if the Council is interested in pursuing
the matter again, he would request a majority direction from the Council.
M/Lyons felt it was a good goal but that it might not be a good time to address
this issue and asked for Council input to which no Council Member responded.
M/Lyons said that today, on behalf of the City, she asked the LA County Board of
Supervisors to bring in additional medical staff to deal with the pandemic and in
particular, the healthcare staff from the United States Naval Ship Mercy. She
participated in a town hall safety meeting with Captain Reyes of the Diamond
Bar/Walnut Sheriff's Station and LA County Sheriff Villanueva. C/Tye is the
longest serving Council Member and has worked very hard on behalf of the City
and its residents and was instrumental in initiating many projects to the benefit of
Diamond Bar.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
zie
Kristina Santana, City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 19t" day of January, 2021.
/ v a/
Nancy Ly , Mayor