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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/10/1996 Minutes - Town Hall MeetingMINUTES . OF TnWN HALLmELTIUQ Saturday, February 10, 1996 Heritage Park Community Center 2900 Brea Canyon Road CALL TO ORDER: M/Ansari called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m. in the Heritage Park Community Center, 2900 Brea Canyon Road, Diamond Bar. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Oscar Law. COUNCILMEMBER INTRODUCTION: Councilmembers Harmony, Herrera and Werner, Mayor Pro Tem Huff and Mayor Ansari. CITY STAFF MEMBERS: David Liu, Deputy Public Works Director; James DeStefano, Community Development Director; Lynda Burgess, City Clerk; Kellee Fritzal, Administrative Assistant; Troy Butzlaff, Assistant to the City Manager; Larry Luter, Sergeant at Arms; Terry Belanger, City Manager. DISCUSSION: City of Industry's proposed Materials Recovery Facility - CM/Belanger reported that the first two MRF environmental impact reports failed as a result of responses from D.B. and Walnut communities. The cities of D.B. and Walnut have jointly retained an environmental consulting firm and a legal firm to provide special services to oppose construction of the MRF. The EIR is expected to be completed by the end of February. Craig Klute asked if there were other proposed sites for the MRF location. M/Ansari stated that Western Waste will be developing their MRF at the Chino prison location with prisoners working at the MRF. Chino Hills and Temple City are also in the process of locating MRF sites. CM/Belanger stated that the above proposed MRF sites are in competition with the City of Industry MRF. A map of alternative sites for the City of Industry MRF was reviewed. M/Ansari asked if the City of Industry is willing to look at alternative locations. CM/Belanger stated that the City of seriously ls -main ooked into other proposed cus is the Grand Avenue location and they have no Y sites. FEBRUARY 10, 1996 PAGE 2 Oscar Law stated that the City of Industry owns the Tres Hermanos property and asked if the City of Industry offered that land to D.B., would D.B. forget about fighting the MRF project. C/Harmony stated that the General Plan offers what the City of Industry's plans are for the Tres Hermanos property. C/Werner corrected C/Harmony in that there is no specific plan on the Tres Hermanos property. The prior City Council participated with the City of Industry in an Economic Analysis to explore land use opportunities. There are no land use policies in place other than what is reflected in the General Plan. M/Ansari further advised that during the Four Corners Transportation Meeting, the Tonner Canyon owners discussed the intentions for their property. John Balis, City Engineer for the City of Industry,. advised that they wanted to develop a large potable water reservoir and a reclaimed water reservoir on the Tres Hermanos property. MPT/Huff stated that he had met with the City of Industry and that they are not using the Tres Hermanos property as a bargaining tool. It was made very clear that the MRF plans are not welcome in D.B. In response to C/Harmony, CM/Belanger advised that the economic analysis prepared for D.B. and Industry was not a specific plan but a conceptual document. Upon its conclusion, it presented three alternative concepts for use of the property. One of the goals discussed for the land sites included a high school within the Pomona Unified School District. M/Ansari introduced Don Schad, Vice Chairman, Planning Commission; Joe Ruzicka, Chairman, Parks & Recreation Commission; Mike Goldenberg, Vice Chairman, Parks & Recreation Commission; Jack Istik, Chairman, Traffic & Transportation Commission; Dexter MacBride, former D.B. Council member and current Trustee to the Mt. Sac Board of Trustees and D.B.'s representative to the L.A. County Vector Control Board. M/Ansari asked how much the MRF will cost the City of Industry. CM/Belanger stated that the City of Industry will be able to construct a MRF without having to show a contracted waste stream. The estimated cost is unknown and it is not known how the money will be provided. The design shows a lot of rail and sound control. Jack Istik, Chairman, Traffic & Transportation Commission, stated that the MRF will become a permanent facility with a rail transfer station. He asked the Council to support the fight against the MRF. The General Plan FEBRUARY 10, 1996 PAGE 3 Committee proposed that the City of Industry land be used for one high school and one house. MPT/Huff stated that it is in the City's interest to find a MRF that can handle the city's recyclables; however, the proposed ,site is too close to schools, homes, etc. M/Ansari advised that the MRF site will also be used as a major rail station for transportation of waste products. 2. Local/Regional Traffic Issues - CM/Belanger reported that the City has been actively pursuing traffic improvements within the City and freeway corridors, HOV projects have been approved on the 60 and 57 freeways. The Council has been to Sacramento to meet with local legislators and appeared before the CTC. A lobbyist who specializes in CTC activities to assist us in making sure that the 60/57 interchange project remains at a funding level in 1996. He further reported on completed street improvements on D.B. Blvd and Grand Ave. During the 1996 calendar year, portions of D.B. Blvd., Pathfinder Rd., Brea Canyon Rd. and all of Sunset Crossing will be resurfaced. All above -ground Edison equipment is presently being relocated to underground. Estimated completion time is set for before summer. With regard to the Heritage Homes, traffic signs have been in place for traffic cut -through control. A traffic control study is currently being conducted in the area of the Quail Summit Homes with regard to traffic cut -through. Once the data is compiled, there will be two workshops to review and comment on the results. Jack Istik reported on the proposed park at the Sunset Crossing cul-de-sac. He asked that prior to resurfacing Sunset Crossing, that the street be narrowed for a more residential look. Traffic coming off of the 57 freeway south are not directed as to where the 60 freeway on ramps are. C/Wemer suggested that Cal Trans place signs directing the traffic off of the freeway to the 60 freeway on ramps. Carl Fekete asked that everyone, including pedestrians, respect and abide traffic lights and signs. Further, he complained about the volume of noise impacting his neighborhood during D.B. High School activities. C/Werner stated that school traffic will be addressed by the school sub committee. There is no effort on behalf of the school district to provide any traffic management and suggested to the school districts to work with the City to, help manage school traffic and parking. M/Ansari is in favor of C/Wemer's suggestion. FEBRUARY 10, 1996 PAGE 4 Mr. Mute is looking forward to the traffic study workshop. He reported that both school districts were invited to attend the Traffic & Transportation meeting. Mr. Evans, Walnut Valley School District, indicated that traffic issues are the City's problem and the problem should be dealt with on a school -by -school basis. Mr. Walsh, Pomona Unified School District, brought representatives to help initiate a plan with City staff. The "no parking" in front of Castle Rock School has helped. Traffic enforcement is needed during the a.m., afternoon and p.m. hours. With regard to Brea Canyon improvement projects, he requested for a time line. He also asked for an update on the expansion of the 57/60/D.B. Blvd. park -n -ride facility. With regard to the Brea Canyon project, C/Wemer advised that L.A. County presented a list of project list deficiencies in the amount of $5,000,000. Issues for development of Brea Canyon Road are under discussion. CM/Belanger reported that freeway off ramp lights and signs are provided through the County and staff will follow up on the areas in need. The 57/60/D.B. park -n -ride is being completed by CalTrans and staff will follow up on the completion. Brea Canyon Rd. has been discussed at the staff and Council level. This has been a long term project.due to the desire to protect the existing roads with resurfacing. This is on the project list as a two-phase project with concerns of the incorporation of trees, sidewalks and roads. Mr. Law thanked David Liu and Kellee Fritzal for their continued efforts. There is a problem with students not using city sidewalks and requested that the Sheriff start issuing "jay walking" tickets. M/Ansari requested that this issue be addressed with the school sub committee and the school districts. Dexter MacBride expressed appreciation for the City's promotion of the Town Hall Meeting. He read an article from the Tribune regarding Proposition 203 the school construction bond measure and urged the community to vote in favor of the proposition. C/Wemer asked if Proposition 203 will help support Walnut Unified School District schools. Don Schad requested an update on Larkstone Park and recommended that staff work with the Walnut Unified School District in obtaining trees from each state for planting in Larkstone. He commented that Sandstone Canyon should not be developed. He thanked Council and staff for holding this -- Town Hall Meeting. CM/Belanger reported that the City and the Walnut Unified School District need to agree on a trade of approximately 3 acres. It has been indicated to FEBRUARY 10, 1996 PAGE 5 the school district that the park will not be developed across the street from the school. Sub committees will be developed to investigate a proper location for this park. State grant applications have been completed relating to the placement of trails both in Sandstone Canyon and upper Sycamore Canyon. 3. Pantera Park Project - Mr. Klute asked why the developer never completed this park and asked for an update. CM/Belanger advised that Pantera Park consists of approximately 23 acres. This land was donated by a developer and donated through Quimby funds. As a result of the home development in that area, the money went to County Parks and the City received the. land but no development money when it incorporated. The County had an opportunity to vote on 'The Safe Park" Bond Act and one of the projects in that act specifically set forth was the construction of Pantera Park. Funds allocated to this park is $1.4 million in non -discretionary money and $500,000 in discretionary money. The concept of the park has been approved by Parks & Recreation and Planning Commissions and Council and plans and specifications are currently being prepared with construction starting the summer of 1996. Trees for the park have been budgeted; however, several developers owe the City trees which will be a part of their mitigation. A community center' has not been recommended for this park because of no major arterial existing in that neighborhood. CDD/DeStefano advised that the tree palette includes walnuts, oaks and sycamores, which will be provided through the developer's obligations. A trail system wiii be developed with signage indicating the different tree species. CM/Belanger advised that other trees have been discussed but not implemented into the plan as of yet. 4. Additional Topics of Interest - Jack Gutowski asked if the two individuals were identified as gang members in the stabbing of a police officer at the Krikorian Theater incident. Does the City have a proactive plan in dealing with or policing the young people in our community. M/Ansari advised that she has requested a copy of the youth program from the Cities of Claremont and Santa Clarita. CM/Belanger stated that the incident at the theater was not gang -related, but • rather, two people that had too much to drink. There have been gang incidents in D.B. and there has been a special force assigned to deal with the young people. FEBRUARY 10, 1996 PAGE 6 Deputy Luter stated that the two off-duty deputies did everything possible to not get involved. Eli Ply, Assistant News Editor of the D.B. High School newspaper, stated that because some students fail to obey the law, other students should be not characterized as irresponsible. Ms. Jefferson indicated that her two sons have been harassed by the Sheriff and the Sheriff has an involvement problem_ and they need to be a more supportive force. M/Ansari suggested that the communication between the Sheriff and the community needs to be addressed and discussed at the next Town Hall meeting. C/Harmony stated that he supports the Sheriff Department; however, many residents have complained about speeding tickets being issued. WAnsari asked for comments in regard to holding Town Hall Meetings and how often they should be held. She advised that MPT/Huff and she will be meeting with staff and the waste companies to discuss the trash pick up. — ADJOURNMENT: M/Ansari adjourned the Town Hall Meeting at 12:00 p.m.