HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2003 Minutes - Regular Meeting1
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
OCTOBER 21, 2003
STUDY SESSION: M/Herrera called the Study Sess on to or er at
5:05 p.m. in Room CC -8, Government Center/AQMD Auditorium, 21865 E. C pley
Dr., Diamond Bar, CA.
Present: Council Members Chang, O'Cnnor,
Mayor Pro Tem Huff, and Mayor Herrera.
Also present were: Linda Lowry, City Manager; Mike Jenkins City
Attorney; James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager; David Doyle, Deputy City
Manager; David Liu, Director of Public Works; Bob Rose, Comm inity Services
Director; Linda Magnuson, Finance Director; April Blakey, Public Information
Manager; Fred Alamolholda, Senior Engineer; John Ilasin, Assis an Engi eer;
Teresa Arevalo, Sr. Management Analyst; Ruben Soriano, Neighbo ood
Improvement Officer and Lynda Burgess, City Clerk.
► PARKS AND MEDIAN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJEC REVII
► DISCUSSION REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO DEVELOPMENT
REGARDING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE.
► PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mayor Herrera adjourned the Study Session at 6:25 p.m. to the Regul r City
Meeting.
CALL TO ORDER: M/Herrera called the meeting to orer at 6:41 p.m.
in the Government Center/SCAQMD Auditorium, 21865 E. Copley Dr., Diaand
Bar, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
INVOCATION:
Church gave the invocation.
Mayor Pro Tem Huff led the P
Pastor Ab Kastle, Diamond
ROLL CALL: Council Members Chan
Zirbes, Mayor Pro Tem Huff, and Mayor Herrera.
of Alleg
n Christian
nor,
Also present were: Linda Lowry, City Manager; Mike Jenkins, City
Attorney; James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager; David Doyle Deputy City
Manager; David Liu, Director of Public Works; Bob Rose, Community Se ices
Director; Linda Magnuson, Finance Director; April Blakey, Public Information
Manager and Lynda Burgess, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: CM/Lowry announced that
6.9 would be moved to Council Consideration, Item 8.2
Item
October 21, 2003 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 Proclaimed October 20-25, 2003 as World Population Awareness Week.
1.2 Proclaimed October 20-24, 2003 as Red Ribbon Week.
1.3 Proclaimed October 25, 2003 as Make a Difference Day.
1.4 Proclaimed October 28, 2003 as National Immigrants Day.
1.5 Proclaimed October 2003 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
1.6 Introduced new Traffic Sergeant, Chris Blasnek.
1.7 Recognized the Diamond Bar Detective Bureau for Recent Law Enforcement
Achievements.
1.8 Presentation given by Deputy Mark St. Amant, Community Resources, L.A.
County Sheriff Department, Diamond Bar/Walnut Station Staff regarding the
"Community Resource Vehicle."
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 Naming of the Community/Senior Center Contest.
2.2 Presentation by Bernard Li, Advantec Consulting Engineers, regarding the
Citywide Traffic Signal Timing Program. Mr. Li graphically demonstrated the
advantages of the City's new traffic signal timing program and pointed out the
reduction in wait times and stops at various signalized intersections and
arterials throughout the City.
2.3 Announcement by Victor Valdovinos, Senior Resident Engineer, CaiTrans, of
the upcoming extended closure at the westbound SR -60 Grand Avenue On
Ramp.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Aziz Amid reminded everyone that the Candidates Forum would be held on
Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Government Center/SCAQMD
Auditorium, 21865 E. Copley Dr. He also invited everyone to attend the Growth
Visioning Workshop Hosted by the Four Corners Transportation Policy Committee
on October 29, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in the Government Center/SCAQMD Cafeteria,
21865 E. Copley Dr.
Eileen Ansari showed documents supporting her previous statement that the League
of Sensible Californians received funding from C/Zirbes, MPT/Huff and M/Herrera.
She stated that the primary donor to the League is the Larouch Land Company,
Marie Buckland spoke about what she felt was sign pollution. She displayed
photographs showing Council incumbent's signs that she believed were in violation
of the City's rules requiring only one sign per block. She had a problem with Mr. Huff
running for both City Council and State Assembly and she wanted to be able to
decide who would fill a vacant City Council seat, not the Council.
Jeff Koontz, Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce, thanked everyonfor attending
the "Taste of San Gabriel Valley."
Clyde Hennessee supported MPT/Huff's candidacy for both the City Council
an
J the
State Assembly. He agreed that Mr. Huff could help Diamond Bar even
October 21, 2003 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
than
he already has by becoming a member of the State Assembly. He felt
17445 Railroad, City of Industry. It has contributed $6,060 to a local PACcommittee
ot of
the things the other Council candidates are promising have already
as of July 1. She did not know how much money, if any, had been given to
the
under Mr. Huff's leadership. He commented that a statement recentl
League of Sensible Californians. Her concern was that Larouch Land Company
d in
The Windmill indicated that Mr. Huff had been making many trips inSacram
resided at the same location as Valley Vista Services. During her investigation
of
lators in
businesses registered with the State of California she discovered that one c
f the
principals of Larouch Land Company is Dave Perez, an employee of Valley
Jista
and representative to D.B. Further, she stated that Joe and Lois McManus,
background supporters of local committees, are the Treasurer and Assi3tant
Treasurer of The League of Sensible Californians. She said that if printed a
isles
are detrimental to candidates of D.B., there is no way to trace the money
until
January 31 but that there is a current investigation afoot to track the money.
She
has no concern about candidates receiving contributions from Valley
Vista.
However, she said she has difficulty with money being funneled into apolitical
ction
committee (PAC) that may assist only three Council Members. Shea ked the City
to
investigate the committee and monies received. She pointed out that 999 Ha
cher
Avenue (the MRF) backs up to Valley Vista Services and wondered w y Valley
Vista
is involved with D.B. Council races. On another matter, she asked the Cou
it to
postpone naming the Community/Senior Center until after November4 becausethe
senior group did not receive the information until today and many members w
II not
return until November 4 because the Community Center is not available next v
reek.
Mary Matson said that two weeks ago, she asked what would happen to MPT/Fluff's
City Council seat if he were to be elected to the State Assembly next year.
She
reported that, during the past two weeks, she spoke with a number of residents,
and
is now confused because a number of residents said Mr. Huff told them that he
was
not running for the Assembly. She displayed information received from the Secretary
of State regarding his candidacy. She wanted to know if he is running for Council
for
four years or is he going to quit the Council if he is elected to the State Assembly
next year?
Marie Buckland spoke about what she felt was sign pollution. She displayed
photographs showing Council incumbent's signs that she believed were in violation
of the City's rules requiring only one sign per block. She had a problem with Mr. Huff
running for both City Council and State Assembly and she wanted to be able to
decide who would fill a vacant City Council seat, not the Council.
Jeff Koontz, Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce, thanked everyonfor attending
the "Taste of San Gabriel Valley."
Clyde Hennessee supported MPT/Huff's candidacy for both the City Council
an
J the
State Assembly. He agreed that Mr. Huff could help Diamond Bar even
further
than
he already has by becoming a member of the State Assembly. He felt
that a I
ot of
the things the other Council candidates are promising have already
been
done
under Mr. Huff's leadership. He commented that a statement recentl
publish
d in
The Windmill indicated that Mr. Huff had been making many trips inSacram
nto.
Mr. Hennessee pointed out that it's the City Council's job to visit legi
lators in
October 21, 2003 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
Sacramento. He stated that he would be sorry to see Mr. Huff leave the City of
Diamond Bar if he is elected to the State Assembly.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT:
MPT/Huff stated that he had not donated to the Political Action Committee that Mrs.
Ansari referred to. He further stated that, in February 2003, he announced his
candidacy for State Assembly and had been open about his candidacy since that
time. He felt that his election to the Assembly would greatly benefit D. B. He pointed
out that the signs displayed by Mrs. Buckland were located on private property and
are exempt from the City's sign ordinance.
MlHerrera stated that she had received contributions from five Political Action
Committees including the Professional Peace Officers Association. She also
received contributions from Council Members representing other cities because they
value her regional leadership abilities and accomplishments.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: CM/Lowry presented the Schedule of
Future Events as listed on the Agenda.
DCMIDoyle explained that the naming of the Community/Senior Center could not be -
delayed because the contractor required the name prior to November 7 to insure
timely placement of the monument.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: ClChang moved; MPT/Huff seconded to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items No. 6.1.2 and 6.9. Motion carried
by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - Chang, O'Connor, Zirbes, MPT/Huff,
MlHerrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None
6.1 APPROVED MINUTES:
6.1.1 Study Session of October 7, 2003—As submitted.
6.1.2 Regular Meeting of October 7, 2003 — Continued to November 4,
2003.
6.2 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES:
6.2.1 Special Meeting of September 3, 2003 — Receive and file.
6.2.2 Regular Meeting of September 11, 2003— Receive and file.
October 21, 2003 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
6.3 APPROVED WARRANTS — dated October 9 and October 16, 2003 totaling
$429,213.99. (C/O'Connor voted no on approval of Purchase Order No.
13429).
6.4 REJECTED CLAIMS:
6.4.1 Filed by Tae Hee Kim and Ho Hyun Kim, filed August
6.4.2 Filed by Julietta Corrales, a minor, filed September 14, 2003.
6.5 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR AREA 5 ASPHALT RUE BER
AND AGGREGATE MEMBRANE (ARAM) OVERLA PRO ECT
PERFORMED BY MANHOLE ADJUSTING, INC.
6.6 APPROVED EXONERATION OF CASH DEPOSIT IN LIEU OF GRADING
BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,400 FOR LOT NO. 16 0TRACT NO.
39679 (1440 BRIDGE GATE DRIVE).
6.7 APPROVED APPROPRIATION OF $8,000 FROM LLAD #30 RESERVES
TO REPAIR FENCES AND GATES AT CITY -OWNED OPEN PACE AST
OF DIAMOND BAR BOULEVARD.
6.8 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-61 APPROVING THE SALE OF
PROPOSITION A FUNDS TO THE CITY OF CLAREMONT.
6.9 (MOVED TO 8.2)
6.10 APPROVED AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH DUBBE LY GA CIA
ASSOCIATES, INC. TO COMPLETE ALL REMAINING LIBRARY BOND
ACT APPLICATION INFORMATION ($13,000).
6.11 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-62 APPROVING APPLICATION OR
GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $157,327 FORT E ROB RTI-
Z'BERG-HARRIS BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
6.12 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-63 APPROVING APPLICATION
FOR
GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $256,000 FOR THE
PER CAPITA
GRANT PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER,
CLEAN
AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND COASTAL PROTECTION
ACT
OF 2002.
7, PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
October 21, 2003 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
8.1 APPROVED FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. XX (2003) AMENDING
THE DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PENALTY
PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE —
DCM/DeStefano presented staff's report.
Clyde Hennessee felt that the City had not followed through on compliance
with the Ordinance that was originally adopted in 1999.
Moved by C/Chang, seconded by C/Zirbes to approve first reading with the
following changes:
Section 1.04.070 is amended to read: "The administrative fine shall be paid
to the City within thirty (30) days from the date of service of the Citation.
1.04.080, Chapter 5 is amended to read: "Any responsible person to whom
an administrative citation is issued may choose to contest the citation by
requesting an administrative hearing within thirty (30) days of service of the
Citation"
Section 1.04.150, Chapter 8 is amended to read: "At the conclusion of the
hearing or within thirty (30) days thereafter, the administrative hearing officer
shall render a decision as follows:"
Where in Sections 1.04.090, 1.04.100 and 1.04.150 of the proposed
Ordinance refer to "regular first class mail,„ the proposed Ordinance is
amended to read as follows: "by Certified Mail, Postage Prepaid, Return
Receipt Requested and by First Class Mail."
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - Chang, O'Connor, Zirbes, MPT/Huff,
M/Herrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None
8.2 APPROVE MARKETING PLAN TO ATTRACT A TRADER JOE'S
SPECIALTY GROCERY STORE TO DIAMOND BAR AND APPROPRIATE
$21,000 FROM THE FY 2003-04 GENERAL FUND — DCM/DeStefano
presented staff's report.
M/Herrera moved, C/Zirbes seconded, to approve Option No. 1: Postcard
mailed directly to approximately 40,000 households (approximately 129,000
population) as outlined below:
October 21, 2003 PAGE 7 ' CITY COUNCIL
Printing $8,00
Mail House Services $ 40
Postage $5,00
Anticipated Reply Mail Postage at a maximum
40% return rate = 16,000 cards = $7,52
Motion carried 4-1 by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - O'Connor, Zirbes, MPT/ uff MIHrrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS - Chang
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS - None
C/Chang said he would have to vote "No" because he was incomfoitable
about spending $21,000 when the City had already made sevE ral attempts to
bring them to D.B. He wanted to be sure, however, that the City continued
working toward locating a major grocery store in the Country Hills Towne
Center.
9. COUNCIL SUB -COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMME
C/O'Connor announced that she participated in the following meeting
3 over th
past
two weeks: Youth Master Plan Steering Committee, the Chamber
Mix
, -r at
Southland Christian School, the D.B. H. S. Mentor Program, dedication
cf
the
Sheriff's Motor home, D.B. Community Foundation, Walnut/Diamon
J Bar She'riff's
Booster Club meeting and the Chamber of Commerce 'Taste of the
Valley."
She
said that today she attended the grand opening of the Parole Museum.
With regard
to public comments on the upcoming campaign, she commended candidates
for
not
having their signs placed up high on light poles in shopping centers,
She was
3orry
to see the willful destruction of candidate signs and asked residents
to teas
that
type of behavior. She encouraged everyone to participate and drivesafely
during
the
Halloween activities.
C/Chang congratulated the Parole Museum on its grand opening
in D.B.
He
commended the dedication of the parole officers. He announced that
nore than
100
Castle Rock Elementary School students visited City Hall today to lean
how the
City
operates. He commended Advantec Consulting Engineers for an excellent
job
on
the Citywide Traffic Signal Timing Program.
C/Zirbes said that while the Property Maintenance Ordinance is not
perfect,
most
could agree that the City's streets and neighborhoods are improved. He
agreec
with
Mr. Chang on some of his points about Trader Joe's. He said that, having
sper
t the
past 18 months working to get a supermarket to locate in the Country
Hills Towne
Center, he knows how challenging it is. He reported that companies
Nant raw
data
based on the demographics of an area and base their decision accordingly.
H
3 felt
that a more proactive approach might compel Trader Joe's to locate to
the aree.
He
announced that the Sports Complex Task Force held its first meeting
two weeks
October 21, 2003 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
ago. He felt that during the next few months, the community and sports
organizations would come together to consider short-term needs and possible
solutions while looking to incorporate a larger sports complex. He said he continues
to work on getting a supermarket to locate in the Country Hills Towne Center. He
thanked DCM/DeStefano for his efforts toward concluding purchase escrow of the
center. He said that, recently, the level of odor has increased at the sewage pump
building located at Fountain Springs and Castle Rock due to small malfunctions and
algae in the storm drain channel. He indicated that, during a meeting last week with
staff members and Los Angeles County representatives, the problem was
addressed and mitigation efforts are underway. He thanked the Friends of the
Library for hosting this month's fun events. He encouraged everyone to attend
tomorrow's Candidate f=orum or tune in to Channel 3 and to take time to study the
issues and the candidates and vote on November 4. He wished his wife, Jolene, a
Happy Birthday.
MPT/Huff also enjoyed reading Holes to a diverse group. He said that he and
M/Herrera visited with the Senior Group today and shared a video update on the
Community/Senior Center. He indicated that it is clear that there has been a
concerted effort to sully him during the last few Council meetings. He stated that is
proud of his record and what the Council has achieved over the years. He asked
people to judge him on his record, not by the utterances of his political opponents.
He announced that crime is down 47% but the City does not rest on its laurels;
tonight the City unveiled a community source vehicle, a way to reach neighborhoods
and assist law enforcement. He said that, at a time when the State has run up a
$38.2 billion deficit, D.B. has more than doubled its reserves and is completing a
beautiful community center facility. Further, he said that the City has fine-tuned its
traffic signals in an attempt to more smoothly move traffic through the community;
D.B. has acquired 350 acres of open space at no cost to the residents and
purchased another 20 acres contiguous to the open space for the amount owed for
back taxes, D.B. was acknowledged as a Tree City U.S.A. during his tenure as
Mayor, and D.B. is building trails. In addition, he said that D.B. has a Youth Master
Plan underway and has kicked off a Sports Complex Task Force. He indicated that
these are some of the many things that this Council has accomplished and those
are the things he would encourage voters to consider. He explained how he was
encouraged to run for State Assembly and he did so in 1998 and stated that there is
no guarantee that he will be successful in running for the State Assembly this time
around. He said he was committed to always serving the community of D.B. in
whatever capacity the citizens desire.
M/Herrera said she enjoyed participating in the `Taste of the San Gabriel Valley" at
Mt. SAC and attending today's grand opening of the T.H. Pendergast California
Parole Museum. She reported that she is proud to have served as its Board
Member for the past two years and stated that the museum is the first of its kind in
the nation, thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Bob Pacheco in obtaining funding
from the State. She said she is also proud that the City has provided a link on its
Website for the museum. She also was pleased to announce that escrow closed on
the Country Hills Towne Center. She reported that, for some time, people have
October 21, 2003 PAGE 9 CITY
complained about the center's management and she is encourage
COUNCIL
that tha
new
owner is very open to new businesses and is aggressively seeking a
grocery store.
She announced that it is City Manager evaluation time and that she
and MP
Huff
are distributing paperwork and looking to scheduling a time for evaluation
scores.
She indicated that, during Public Comments over the past several w
eks, residents
have asked candidates to have a clean campaign and yet, those very
individuals
are
dragging this campaign down. She felt campaigns should focus on
the positive
attributes and skills of the candidates and not conduct witch hunts.
10. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct,
M/Herrera
adjourned the meeting at 10:03 p.m.
'J
LYNDA BURGESS, CITY
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 4th day of
CAROL HERRERA, MAYOR