HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.05.17 - Minutes - Study SessionCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL WINDMILL COMMUNITY ROOM
21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765
MAY 17, 2022
CALL TO ORDER. MPT/Chou called the Study Session to order at 5:00
p.m.
MPT/Chou stated that consistent with State Assembly Bill 361, members of the City
Council were present or participated telephonically. Members of the public were
encouraged to participate and address the City Council during the public comment portion
of the meeting either in person or via teleconference and those attending the meeting in
person were advised that face coverings were recommended.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Stan Liu, Nancy Lyons, Steve Tye,
Mayor Pro Tern Andrew Chou, and Mayor Ruth Low
(telephonically).
Staff in Attendance: Dan Fox, City Manager; Omar Sandoval, Assistant City
Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City
Manager; Dannette Allen, Senior Management Analyst; Jason Jacobsen, Director of
Finance; Amy Haug, Human Resources and Risk Manager; Greg Gubman, Community
Development Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Jason Williams, Maintenance
Supervisor; Hal Ghafari, Public Works Manager/Assistant City Engineer; Christian
Malpica, Associate Engineer; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Ryan
Wright, Parks and Recreation Director; Kristina Santana, City Clerk
Staff Present Telephonically: Fabian Aoun, Associate Engineer; Nicholas Delgado,
Engineering Technician
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered
2. FISCAL YEAR 2022=2023 OPERATING BUDGET:
FD/Jacobsen and ACM/McLean presented the staff reports.
C/Lyons asked about parkway maintenance and CM/Fox responded that staff has
been able to replace some plantings when funds and resources are available and
if the Council is interested in a more comprehensive plan for renovation of the
medians, it would require monies from the General Fund since LLAD No. 38
operates in a deficit.
C/Lyons asked about the proposed Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with music
provided by the two high schools. CM/Fox stated that an option is asking the
Diamond Bar Community Foundation to help sponsor the event If there is no
community or business sponsorship, the cost to the community would be about
$10,000 for decorations and lighting of the windmill and about $15,000 for the
special event (stage, tents, PA systems, etc) for a total of $25,000. C/Lyons
indicated she was in favor of such an event. M/Low said she was in favor of the
ceremony if staff could creatively put such an event together. MPT/Chou and C/Liu
supported the ceremony as well.
MAY 1712022 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION
C/Lyons suggested creating a Restaurant Week phone app and wanted to be sure
sufficient monies were dedicated to the improvements at Maple Hill Park. CM/Fox
responded that the $650,000 estimate includes design and construction in FY 22/23
for replacement of the playground and restroom building pending whether an
additional appropriation is needed to complete construction.
C/Tye said he was concerned about depending on hearing from the property owner
about the tree lighting/windmill lighting and wanted it included in the budget. He
thanked staff for presenting a very effective budget to the Council.
M/Low asked whether fees for use of the AQMD facility was included and CM/Fox
responded that they are. FD/Jacobsen responded to M/Low that staff is anticipating
revenues to increase compared to the current operating budget overall at 8 percent
and are seeing those trends in real time.
M/Low said she appreciated the thought,
the operating budget.
care, and planning staff put into creating
MPT/Chou thanked staff for a thoughtful budget which addresses the needs of the
community and its residents. He inquired if the monthly medical benefit allotment
was sufficient to keep up with rising health plan costs which HR&RM/Haug indicated
it would be appropriate for reconsideration at mid -year.
C/Lyons asked about crossing guard coverage and CM/Fox responded that staff is
currently seeking bids from new providers for the next fiscal year and anticipates a
slight increase over what is being proposed which will be detailed in the final budget.
CM/Fox detailed Council recommendations and requests as follows: A request for
a tree lighting event and for $25,000 to be added to the Parks and Recreation
Department budget; a request for increasing the Restaurant Week budget under
Economic Development and including updating of the app — staff would recommend
adding $10,000 for a total budget of $35,000; and Council indicated an interest in
relooking at the benefit allotment for adjustments at mid -year once the new rates
are available from CalPERS; and that during the design phase for Maple Hill Park,
staff needs to make sure the restrooms are appropriately designed. The final
budget will be presented on June 7t" for Council adoption.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council,
MPT/Chou recessed the Study Session at 6:13 p.m. to the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
Kristina Santana, City Clerk
MAY 17, 2022 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 7th day of June, 2022.
Ruth M. Ldw, Mayor