HomeMy WebLinkAbout02_06_18 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
CLOSED SESSION: 5:30 P.M., Room CC -8
Public Comment on Closed Session Agenda
City of Diamond Bar v. Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Industry
Urban -Development Agency, et al, Sacramento Superior Court Case No. 34-
2017-80002718
City of Diamond Bar v. City of Industry, et al, Los Angeles Superior Court Case
No. BS171295
CM/Fox stated there was no reportable action taken during tonight's Closed Session.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Low called the Regular City Council meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Low led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Monsignor James Loughnane, St. Denis Catholic
Church, provided the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Lin, Lyons, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem
Herrera, and Mayor Low
Staff Present: Dan Fox, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan
McLean, Assistant City Manager; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works
Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development
Director; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk Manager; Marsha Roa, Public Information
Manager; Anthony Santos, Assistant to City Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public
Information Coordinator; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
1. . SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
NEW BUSINESS OF THE MONTH:
1.1 MILow and City Councilmembers presented General Manager, Jonathan
Hsieh with a Certificate Plaque on behalf of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, New
Business of the Month for February 2018, located at 235 S. Diamond Bar
Boulevard.
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
1.2 PREVIEW OF THE CITY'S NEW WEBSITE.
Public Information Manager Marsha Roa provided a PowerPoint
presentation outlining the City's new website.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
CM/Fox introduced Capt. Al Reyes of the Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriffs Station
who provided an update on the Crime rate in the City. .
Captain Reyes provided a public safety update. The City enjoyed a relatively low
crime rate in 2017. As a result, the City was listed in www.safehomes.com as
one of safest cities ranking number 8 (251' percentile) throughout the nation for
2017. He congratulated Diamond Bar on reaching this milestone. In January
2017 there was a spike in residential burglaries which can be attributed to people
being on vacation during the Chinese New Year holiday. The department took a
proactive approach this year to provide residents with security tips for residents
and by publishing them at stations, posting them on social media websites and
the City's website. In addition, the Sheriff's Department contacted the local
Chinese media and provided them with those safety tips. These safety tips can
be used throughout the year. This year like last year the Volunteer on Patrol
Vacation Check program will be widely utilized. He received a letter from a
Diamond Bar resident who expressed his appreciation for the Volunteer's
checking on their home, which he was able to monitor via his smartphone. In
addition to social media and public awareness efforts, the City provided extra
funding for additional patrols throughout the neighborhood. Special Assignment
Team Deputy Scheller partners with City staff to grow the Neighborhood Watch
Programs and to partner with community members to act as a force -multiplier.
The Department has witnessed great success and increased calls from
individuals reporting suspicious activity because of this program which has
helped the Department be successful in apprehending individuals involved in
property theft crimes. The Department has made significant arrests throughout
the year which are posted on Facebook and Twitter.
There has been a 38 percent drop in part one crimes during the year to date in
2018 compared to the same period in 2017. There has been a 49 percent drop
in residential burglary and a 50 percent drop in theft from vehicles year to date.
The Department continues to work diligently to monitor and respond to crime
trends.
C/Lyons asked Captain Reyes to explain what a Part 1 crime is.
Captain Reyes responded that Part 1 crimes are specific crimes that are reported
to the FBI and are divided into violent and property crimes. Aggravated assault,
forcible rape, murder and robbery are classified as violent. Arson, burglary,
larceny (theft), and motor vehicle theft are classified property crimes.
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
C/Tye said he encourages everyone who "sees something to say something" and
he believes one of the most interesting things that happened recently, which
made its presence known on Facebook and was taken up by the media, within a
couple of days one of the perpetrators su rrend ered 'because of information that
was available and the technology that was used to take photos of the
perpetrators who were breaking into the home. C/Tye asked Captain Reyes to
comment.
Captain Reyes responded that the incident relayed by C/Tye is a perfect example
of what he had mentioned as far as people in the community partnering with the
department to be a force -multiplier. There were two separate residential
burglaries that occurred recently in Diamond Bar. Both victims had surveillance
technology that interfaced with the smartphones which allowed them to capture
the images of the suspects. Both residents posted the images on Facebook and
both residents compared the images and recognized that they appeared to be
the same suspect and reported the crimes. The Department took the report,
collected those images which were displayed on Channel 4 and Channel 9.
Within one day, one of the responsible suspects turned himself in to the station
and the detectives are actively working the case and have submitted a complaint
to the District Attorney for filing and investigating whether this suspect may be
responsible for other residential burglaries in this area.
C/Tye said that everyone feels the Sheriff's Department is the City's police
department and a partner in all things. Everyone is very grateful for the work the
Department does and keeping residents as safe as it can.
Captain Reyes thanked C/Tye for his support.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pui-Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library Manager, highlighted library activities and
events taking place in February. She invited everyone to celebrate Chinese New
Year at the Diamond Bar Library with an afternoon of fun activities, art and music
on Saturday, February 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This program is
sponsored by The Diamond Bar Friends of the Library. There will be a special
story time with students of the Diamond Bar High school Honor Society on
Wednesday, February 14th at 4:00 p.m. In celebration of Black History Month,
performers will bring African Traditions and African-American Folk tales to the
library on Saturday, February 17th at 3:00 p.m. All ages are welcome. For
further information on these and other events, check out the library's website at
colapublib.oM/libs/d iamondbar/
Daniel Levanos, City Ambassador for One Legacy Donate Life announced that
April is Donor Awareness Month. The annual Donate Life rose float, The Gift of
Time won another Tournament of Roses Theme (Human Kindness) Trophy
Award. And for the 130th Tournament of Roses, the theme will be "The Melody of
Life." Since April is donor awareness month, One Legacy is asking cities to
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
declare April as DMV Donate Life California Month with a proclamation for the
importance of organ donation and thank the City Council for last year's
proclamation. The 16th Annual Donate Life RunANalk will be held on April 28th on
the campus of California State University Fullerton and the Mayor of Fullerton
has issued a friendly challenge to all civic leaders to join him in the Mayorathon
challenge by participating in the event. The deadline for the City Proclamation is
April 20, 2018 and he looks forward to receiving Diamond Bar's proclamation. As
soon as he receives the Mayorathon packet he will drop it at City Hall.
Teri Muse, Waste Management said that in 2017 over 12,000 ton of recyclables
were diverted from the waste stream by the residents of Diamond Bar. The top
three items that were recycled in the City were green waste, paper and
construction debris. The lowest amount of recyclables were beverage cans and
bottles with the exception of those that could be redeemed for cash which go
back to the recycle centers. Residential recycling increased one percent in 2017
in Diamond Bar which has 46 percent diversion. Waste Management is focused
on educating residents about the proper way to recycle which includes placing
empty plastic bottles, cans and cardboard in the recycle bin, particularly keeping
food and liquids out of the recycling bin because water and other liquids can
actually contaminate an entire load; plastic bags are not allowed including trash
bags and zip lock bags. So, Please do not put recyclables in trash bags into the
recycling bins. To help demonstrate what actually happens once recyclables are
put into the recyclable cart, Waste Management is hosting a multi-chamber tour
for residents and businesses in Arcadia, Diamond Bar, Baldwin Park, Laverne
and San Dimas on April 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 12;00 noon open to the public
first 100 who RSVP). Thank you for allowing Waste Management to continue
serving the City of Diamond Bar.
Robin Smith read a letter she sent to CA/DeBerry regarding the January 16th
Council Meeting and his comments about the Millennium project and requested
his response.
Bryan Leung said there was a new development near his home which is called
the Walnut Drive project. Residents were never given notice of this matter and
when they attended a presentation by the developers the residents were told the
developers had gone through the CEQA process but the residents, never were
given a chance to comment on that process. The developers and the City of
Industry stated that the City of Diamond Bar planners knew about the
development but the residents did not and his request is, that moving forward, if
anyone in the City knows about such a project they should let the residents
know.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CA/DeBerry said that with respect to the comments from Ms. Smith, he never
received the letter, but Ms. Smith, according to one of the petitioners, is one of
the litigants in the Inland Oversight Committee vs. the City of Diamond Bar and
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
Millennium her own legal counsel. brought an action in that Court seeking to
enjoin Millennium from developing in the Kicking Horse area. The Court found
that Millennium had an easement in the area and the right to develop in that
area. With respect to all of her other questions about documents, her attorneys
were given ample opportunity by the Court to submit all of the evidence they had.
Millennium submitted the evidence they had to show they had those rights and
the Court determined, at least preliminarily, that Millennium had the right to go
onto that property. From the standpoint of questions revolving around the current
litigation, Ms. Smith needs to talk with her own lawyer rather than ask the City's
lawyer to give her that information.
CM/Fox said that with respect to Mr. Leong's comments and the City of Industry
housing project, he shares the speaker's frustration. Diamond Bar received
notice of the project the same day the residents received the notice which was
the Thursday prior to the Christmas holiday which the City of Industry was then
closed for that following week. Staff has been monitoring the project and has
reviewed the environmental documentation, the Mitigated Negative Declaration
that was referenced in that public notice. Staff believes, in reviewing that
document, it is actually fairly complete and technically appropriate for the type of
development that it is. The Industry's Planning Commission originally back in
January continued the matter. The Planning Commission held a meeting today
and that meeting was again continued to next week so no decision has been
made by the City of Industry Planning Commission and no recommendation has
been made. He believes the applicant held a community workshop last Tuesday
night, the same night that Diamond Bar held its General Plan Joint Planning
Commission and City Council meeting with a number of residents attending. At
this point, he believes that all of the information about what is being proposed is
out in the public and whether individuals agree with the project or not may be a
different story. Diamond Bar provided comments on the record today that the
City of Diamond Bar is interested in the project and will continue to monitor the
project. Diamond Bar has suggested some minor conditions of approval for their
inclusion into the development project and have yet to see how they will respond.
CILin said the piece of property where Industry is developing is within the Sphere
of Influence of Diamond Bar. If that is the case, by law, Diamond Bar has to be
notified before the process begins.
CM/Fox responded that the property is within the City of Industry and directly
across the street to the City of Diamond Bar where the two share a common
border. It is a small sliver of land that is tucked in between the Walnut Drive and
the SR60 on which there is one house. It is technically within the City of Industry
and they would have entitlement authority for that project. Diamond Bar has the
right and the ability to comment. When one considers alternatives of what could
be there under the current zoning of industrial uses with City of Industry directly
across the street to residents, staff believes that it is a better land use
compatibility project in that regard.
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
5.
6,
CITye said that the City can commiserate with Mr. Leong respective to getting
information from the City of Industry. It is important to understand that this is a
City of Industry property. They are entitled to build what they want to build. They
can take input from Diamond Bar and they do not have to do anything with it
unlike property that is in the City of Diamond Bar that the City of Industry would
like to do whatever they want without considering Diamond Bar's input over
which Diamond Bar has land use authority (Tres Hermanos property). It is
probably a good practice to not believe everything one hears and know that this
City is here for Diamond Bar residents. Unfortunately, some property does abut
City of Industry and Diamond Bar will do it's very best to keep everyone apprised
of what is going on.
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — February 8, 2018 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — February 13, 2018 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 Presidents Holiday — February 19, 2018 — City offices closed Monday,
February 19, 2018 in observance of Presidents Holiday. City offices
reopen Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 7:30 a.m.
5.4 City Council Meeting — February 20, 2018 — 6:30 p.m.,
AQMDIGovernment Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
CONSENT CALENDAR: CILin moved, ClLyons seconded, to approve
the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 6.9 pulled by ClLyons for
separate consideration and discussion. Motion carried by the following Roll Call
vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lin, Lyons, Tye, MPT/Herrera, MILow
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
6.1a Regular Meeting of January 16, 2018 —as presented
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES:
6.2a Special Meeting of November 16, 2017.
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES:
6.3a Regular Meeting of November 9, 2017,
6.4 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES:
6.4a Regular Meeting of November 28, 2017,
6.5 RECEIVED AND FILED GENERAL PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES:
6.5a General Plan Advisory Coimmittee Meeting of June 15, 2017,
6.6 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED JANUARY 11, 2018 THROUGH
JANUARY 31, 2018 TOTALING $1,655,488.32.
6.7 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR DECEMBER 2017.
6.8 APPROVED CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TAIT &
ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE DESIGN OF AREA 6 RESIDENTIAL AND
COLLECTOR ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF
50,000 PLUS A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $5,000 FOR A TOTAL
AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $55,000.
6.10 APPROVED ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR SPECIAL LEGAL
SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 FROM GENERAL FUND
RESERVES TO CONTINUE SPECIAL LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED
BY SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP.
ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.9 RECEIVED AND FILED GENERAL PLAN STATUS REPORT FOR 2017.
C/Lyons explained that this status report is a listing of items that were
accomplished in 2017 by City staff and with input and guidelines from the
City Council. There are five or six pages of this list of things that were
accomplished this year and she highlighted certain items she found
interesting. Improvements in the City's parks, acquiring land for a new
park and then the soon-to-be enjoyed Larkstone Park; water usage was
reduced 25 percent, improvement of traffic flow on the main Diamond Bar
streets through Adaptive Traffic Control Signals, continued work on the
General Plan update and probably everybody's favorite which is the new
Diamond Bar Ranch Center which opened with a beautiful new Sprouts
and now a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and a Chipotle. She congratulated
staff and said she was sure the rest of the Council agreed, on all of the
objectives that were actually reached in the calendar year 2017. She did
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
not believe this should go through as just another thing because it is not
just another thing — it is five pages of good things.
MILow agreed that the City should be very proud of the achievements of
2017.
CILyons moved, MPT/Herrera seconded to Receive and File the General
Plan Status Report for 2017. Motion carried by the following Roll Call
vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Lin, Lyons, Tye, MPT/Herrera,
MILow
None
None
S.1 SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PROPOSED
RULE 1410 ANALYSIS.
AtoCM/Santos presented staff's report on SCAQMD's proposed Rule
1410 for Council's discussion and direction to staff. The proposed Rule
1410 is currently evaluating the use of Hydrofluoric Acid and its Alkylation
chemical) process. The two main items being used to evaluate whether
the SCAQMD will impose new restrictions include impacts to public health
and impacts to businesses and consumers. Those in support of PR 1410
contend that the current technology impacts air quality and by extension,
public health. Those opposed to PR 1410 contend that the new
replacement technologies would place significant financial burdens on
those companies which could lead to lost jobs, gas shortages and by
extension, price increases on gasoline of 25 cents or more per gallon.
MILow asked if there were working groups in the process of working these
issues and if so, have they prepared their report as a result of their
studies.
AtoCM/Santos responded that there have been a series of six community
workshops over the last year or so and the group has been working
through some of the discussion points. The SCAQMD Board has ultimate
decision-making authority with regard to those discussion points and
whether they actually take in the feedback of residents, community
groups, businesses, and their related impacts will be their decision.
However, it is something that staff wanted to bring to Council's attention
because it could have impact to Diamond Bar residents and businesses.
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
C/Lin asked for staff's recommendation.
AtoCM/Santos said that staffs recommendation is to request direction
from the Council whether or not to take a formal position on the proposed
PR1410.
CITye indicated that he is a little disappointed that the League of California
Cities will not take a position on this item because it is only a "rule" and not
legislation." To him, rules somehow become legislation when nobody is
looking. The AQMD is the organization that tried to ban fire rings at local
beaches. And it wasn't until they were ready to take those fire pits out that
people got up -in -arms and beat that back. He finds it humorous that this
is something they do under the guise of protecting air quality and that they
think this impacts air quality. Cows passing gas impacts air quality. There
are some things that something can be done about and some things
where nothing can be done, but he really thinks this is something Diamond
Bar should weigh in on and he would highly recommend that the Council
provide a letter of opposition to this "rule" so that it does not become, at
some point in the future, legislation and everyone is asking how and when
did that happen.
Brad Jensen indicated that he handles political, legislative and regulatory
affairs for the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. The partnership
opposes PR 1410 and opposes an outright ban on the use of Hydrofluoric
Acid or modified Hydrofluoric Acid and also opposes a phase-out of the
use of that chemical. It is a very technical issue that essentially comes
down to there are two oil refineries in Torrance that employ about 1,500
people locally in Southern California, a good portion of which is labor
union employees. The refineries provide about 20 percent of the gas that
is produced in the State of California. It also has a very significant impact
because they produce roughly 80 percent of the diesel fuel for the ships at
the ports of Long Beach and LA and 30 percent of the jet fuel used at
LAX. He does not know how much fuel is used at Ontario but assumed it
was a similar proportion, roughly 30 percent. The SGVEP is very
concerned about this new rule and the affect it would have on these two
oil refineries, especially on the local economy. If this rule were to go into
effect, SGVEP believes that these two oil refineries will close costing
these jobs and raising gas prices significantly. California uses a very
unique blend of gas and it cannot be replicated in many places around the
country, and to import that type of gas would be very costly and very
difficult. The refining capacity in California is very limited as it exists and
losing these two refineries would put the state on a razor's edge about its
long term gas supply. The effect in the San Gabriel Valley is very
significant which sits very close to Ontario Airport which is a huge
economic engine for the area. Also, with a loss of these two oil refineries
there would be a very significant jump in the oil prices. He has a list of 38
companies that are engaged in transportation -related businesses here in
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
Diamond Bar and his data suggests that they have sales totaling roughly
54 million a year. He is not entirely sure how much of that is in sales tax
but it would be very significant.
C/Lin asked Mr. Jensen why he came to the conclusion that based on PR
1410 the Torrance refineries would close.
Mr. Jensen said he is not an expert on oil refineries. The chemical
Hydrofluoric Acid is very dangerous. However, he has a lot of confidence
in the safety measures that are in place and new safety measures that will
come online shortly. One of these refineries was formerly owned by
Exxon Mobil. There was an instance in one of these refineries in February
2015 but it is now under new management by a PBF Energy which runs
four other oil refineries in different parts of the country. They have taken
great measures to improve the safety of this facility and they are working
very much hand=in-glove with their employees who feel very confident
about the safety measures that are in place and that the use of this
chemical does not pose a serious risk to the safety and health of the
people in and around Torrance and other nearby communities.
Hazardous chemicals are used all of the time for different processes and
we manage that risk and we take a number of safeguards to ensure that
people are safe. He has a lot of confidence in the good people of the
labor unions, that if they feel that this chemical that they work with every
day is being safely used and does not pose a risk to the community, many
of whom live in the Torrance area, he has a lot of confidence in their view.
M/Low asked if Mr. Jensen had reviewed the data regarding emissions
that are being proposed to do away with by proposing this ban.
Mr. Jensen said he was not sure this was the type of data being
considered by the AQMD. He believed that people in the community
approached the AQMD expressing concern about the use of this chemical
which was discovered about 300 years ago and is used in a variety of
different processes including metal engraving and etching. The way the
state uses it is through an alkalization process to create the special brand
of gasoline that is used in this state. It has been used at the refinery now
owned by PBF Energy for 50 years and the modified version called MHF
has been used since 1997. It is a safer version and much more stable.
This chemical, if mixed with water, is essentially very, very safe because it
knocks out the toxicity. He believes what AQMD is trying to do is to
consider several proposals that would ensure the maximum safety and
one of the things they are looking at is an outright ban to get rid of this
chemical completely. They are also considering phasing it out over a
period of time and maybe putting in some kind of new chemical process.
The AQMD Board subcommittee had a hearing on this issue a couple of
weeks ago in Torrance and they have directed their staff to come back
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
with more concrete proposals in a matter of weeks.
MILow asked if the other alternatives were being proposed in yet another
rule number.
Mr. Jensen said he believed they were being considered as alternatives.
There is a new Alkalization process underway at a refinery in Salt Lake
City which uses a different kind of chemical process. There is also a
different type of chemical called Sulfuric Acid which is used in different
types of oil refining processes. But converting these refineries that have
been using this chemical for decades to a completely different chemical
process would require these companies to invest much more money, time
and effort and it can be very difficult to bring on new equipment or a new
facility in California. For the Economic Partnership, the ramifications of
that for the entire region are very significant, hence the opposition of PR
1410.
CITye moved, MPT/Herrera seconded, to authorize the Mayor to send a
Letter of Opposition to PR 1410 to the South Coast Air Quality
Management District.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
Lin, Lyons, Tye, MPT/Herrera,
MILow
None
None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
CITye thanked all who attended the Ribbon Cutting for Coffee Bean and Tea
Leaf. It is great to have them in town. It is a wonderful renaissance the City is
enjoying at the Sprouts Center (former Kmart Center). He looks forward to
visiting the new Chipotle, refurbished McDonald's, Ross and other retailers that
will bring their businesses to Diamond Bar. He does not remember the CEO of a
company present at a ribbon cutting ceremony and everyone is grateful that John
Fuller was there to show his support. After talking with a couple of people he
hopes the south end of town will get a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf as well.
C1Lin said that two weeks ago the City Council and Planning Commission held a
joint meeting regarding the General Plan update. It was one of the most
productive meetings he has attended. There was a large number of people who
participated in shaping the City's future. Whether there was consensus or not,
there was a decision to move forward with an Alternative for the environmental
assessment. Diamond Bar's biggest problem is the traffic congestion and the
SR57160 Confluence. Two years ago voters approved Measure M which is
supposed to generate $120 billion in the next 40 years to improve the
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
transportation throughout the county. Unfortunately, the Confluence project was
included with a starting date of 2028. Over the years the City Councils and staff
worked to convince state and federal officials to help provide the means to get
the funding accelerated. Prior to Measure M the cost was $235-250 million
which was beyond the City's means to finance. In recent days, the City has been
told that LA County Metro may accelerate the schedule for improving the
SR57160 Confluence. If that happens, the design should be completed as early
as three years and construction can commence in five years which is great news
for Diamond Bar. Hopefully, Metro can follow through with this plan.
C/Lyons said that Diamond Bar highly values its Volunteer Patrol, community
volunteers who take on many tasks that are very helpful to this community.
Earlier tonight Captain Reyes mentioned that the Volunteer Patrol provides
vacation checks so that when people are on vacation the Volunteer Patrol will go
to the homes, get out of their car to walk around and make sure everything looks
secure. Perhaps there might be other things the Volunteer Patrol could do to
help the community. For example, perhaps the Volunteer Patrol could be trained
to check out certain retail areas and business parks, etc. to make sure that
businesses are in good shape, that they are up to code, signage is good and the
landscape is in good order. They could also look at the parks that are owned by
the City to supplement staff. In addition, it is good to have a fresh set of eyes on
these things and she thought perhaps the Council might want to consider
whether it would be good to expand the role of the Volunteer Patrol. She
attended a meeting last week on the future of the Ontario Airport and she
believes that like her, many residents love the Ontario Airport which she uses as
often as possible. As Mr. Jensen said, there will be a daily non-stop flight
between Taiwan and the Ontario Airport in March of this year. In addition, the
CEO of the airport said they are working deals with various airlines to fly non-
stop from Ontario to Washington D.C., New York, Boston and Florida. They are
also looking at getting non-stop flights to Paris and London. She thinks the area
will see a vital and vibrant Ontario Airport ready to serve the area and it will again
be wonderful. Several people have asked her for an update regarding the Take
Back our Community organization that Diamond Bar joined the end of 2017
which serves to reduce crime, tell the full story about crime rates, Proposition 57
and other things. The group has sponsored a Ballot Measure Reducing Crime
and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018." Anyone who is interested in learning
more can Google it to see if they would like to sign the petition to get the
measure on the ballot. She agreed with her colleagues that Coffee Bean and
Tea Leaf is off to a great start. It is relaxing, the coffee is good and it is a great
place to hang out.
MPT/Herrera thanked Captain Reyes for providing safety tips on how to protect
homes in Diamond Bar which is of great concern to residents. She thanked the
City for paying extra money for more patrols and more unmarked vehicles which
will certainly help deter crime and help the residents to feel safer. The tips the
Captain recommended, lights on to make it appear someone is in the home when
owners are away for several days and to make sure doors are locked. Some
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL
people do not lock their front doors and unwanted guests can walk right in the
house. Please remember to lock all windows and doors when leaving your
homes. She looks forward to more safety tips and information. The Ribbon
Cutting at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf was well attended this morning and it is
great to see that shopping center so vibrant with so many cars in the parking lot
with people visiting different shops. People are looking forward to the opening or
Ross and The Habit will be opening sometime this summer.
M/Low thanked Captain Reyes and his team. She and MPT/Herrera had a very
lengthy Public Safety Subcommittee meeting with the department where they
were briefed on the details of what they are doing to reduce crime and the extra
efforts they are making toward that end which is greatly appreciated. The
number of Neighborhood Watch groups are up to 84 now which shows that
people are very interested in these groups. They are effective and they work.
Not only do people watch out for themselves, they watch out for neighbors and
their properties as well which has proven to be successful in deterring crime and
apprehending the suspects who commit these crimes. Thanks to the Department
and to staff for their diligence in this effort. On January 27th she attended the
Diamond Bar Friends of the Library Volunteer Appreciation Dinner honoring a
group of individuals who work very hard to support the library and literacy efforts.
The group honored Rick Rogers, Richard Malooly, Lydia Figueroa, Susan
Pantages, Helen Lin and Michael Brown. She congratulated the honorees and
thanked them for their service to the library and the community. Anyone who is
interested in volunteering at the City can apply to serve as a commissioner on
the City's website. The deadline for applications is tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
Diamond Bar received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the
Government Financial Officers Association for the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Budget.
This award is the highest recognition of governmental budgeting and is a
significant achievement in financial stewardship for Diamond Bar. She
congratulated FD/Honeywell and MA/Allen for their excellent work. Happy Lunar
New Year to everyone celebrating the holiday. Be safe.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Low adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 8:01 p.m.
V LL===
Tommye 6ftbbins, City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this2oth-day of February , 2018.
Ruth M. Low, Mayor