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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/1/2007 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MAY 1, 2007 STUDY SESSION: M/Tye called the Study Session to order at 5:50 p.m. in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA. Present: Council Members Chang, Everett (telephonically), Herrera, MPT/Tanaka and Mayor Tye. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David Doyle, Assistant City Manager; Michael Jenkins, City Attorney; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Susan Full, Sr. Accountant; Ryan McLean, Senior Management Analyst; Rick Yee, Sr. Engineer; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk 110- FOUR CORNERS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS C/Herrera explained that in order for D.B. to receive greater visibility and have more input into projects that affect the City it created the Four Corners Transportation Coalition with members from four counties. FCTC has placed significance on four projects that affect the member counties and the FCTC is attempting to elevate those four projects and obtain funding. SCAG has supported the Four Corners Committee for a number of years and has recently stated that since the member counties have a coalition it no longer needs the Four Corners Policy Committee. C/Herrera said she was reluctant to sever ties with SCAG and she would rather maintain a connection between the Four Corners and SCAG for several reasons including the fact that it benefits the group politically to remain under the umbrella of SCAG. It occurred to several FCTC members to convert the policy committee to a sub -region under SCAG, a possibility she has discussed with Mark Pisano with SCAG who thought it was a very good idea and would assist in filling a gap in the four corners area. Mr. Pisano envisioned the new sub -region becoming involved in discussing housing, transportation and water issues with cities within the four corners area. Mr. Pisano also felt that the affected water districts should be represented on the sub -region committee. C/Herrera said in talking with various cities in the four corners there is a definite interest in forming such a sub -region of SCAG. She asked the Council to consider taking action on this matter soon because she believed it would greatly benefit D.B. and elevate the policy committee to a higher level of visibility. MPT/Tanaka asked if the FCTC members could serve as the sub -region members? C/Herrera responded that because of the 501(c) 4 it has special abilities to collect monies from non -profits and spend money as it wishes without mandates. FCTC was created for lobbying efforts to market the projects. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION Its purpose for marketing the four projects is different. The sub -region or COG would have a different purpose and would be comprised of different types of agencies — cities, water districts, law enforcement, fire safety, etc. The JPA states that any government agency may be a member. The coalition could work in coordination with the sub -region or Council of Governments to lobby and spend money to further whatever objectives the sub -region or COG was attempting to achieve. C/Herrera stated that she has invited cities to join together on May 7 to discuss a scoping meeting and what items the sub-region/Council of Governments should address. CM/DeStefano said that staff would place this matter on the May 15th City Council agenda for consideration. ► CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - Discussion and Action CM/DeStefano reminded Council that this was the time of year staff begins putting together the FY 2007/2008 for Council's consideration. As a part of that process, staff intends to have a detailed discussion on May 15 with Council on goals and objectives for next year. Staff is asking that over the next couple of weeks Council Members look at the current goals and objectives, the status of those goals and objectives and help staff determine which goals and objectives the Council wishes to maintain for next year and thereafter, which items Council Members believe are completed and can be eliminated from the list, which items the Council may not wish to continue pursuing, and, which new goals, policies and programs Council Members may wish to have staff explore for inclusion within the budget that are not on the current list. CM/DeStefano stated that also on May 15 staff would bring forward a summation of the Department Manager's list of goals and objectives for the next year. CM/DeStefano said he would prefer to have the City consider goals and objectives in a three-year window because many projects take more than a year to complete. ► CANARY ISLAND PINE TREES CM/DeStefano reported that one of the City Council's goals was to look at a tree replacement program. As a result of CSD/Rose's investigation, CM/DeStefano and CSD/Rose are recommending that the City Council withdraw the goal for this year. CSD/Rose stated that the issue is whether to include this item in the new FY budget or remove it from the list of Goals and Objectives. When staff MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION looked at tree replacement in the major arterials, it found 466 trees on Golden Springs Dr. Diamond Bar Blvd. and Brea Canyon Rd. The tree inventory indicates that these trees are among the most valuable trees in the City at a value of about $5,000 each for a total value in excess of $2.3 million. The cost to remove and replace the trees would be approximately $190 per tree for a total cost of $275,000. The bigger issue is the aesthetics and change that would occur as a result of removing these trees because the trees are maturing to the height that is making a visual impact on the community. C/Chang said he proposed replacement so that in the years ahead the community would enjoy larger trees with bigger and better canopies like Chino and Montclair. He was concerned about the future image of D.B. In the short term, the residents may not like the result and the cost may be prohibitive at this time. M/Tye said he appreciated C/Chang's concerns. However, the huge trees tend to break up sidewalks and curbs and D.B. would likely have the same problem. He would be more inclined to replace trees in neighborhoods with trees that would ultimately provide a larger canopy rather than taking out an entire inventory of Canary Pines. He further suggested that a larger space could be carved out around the current trees to provide more room for growth and at the same time preserve the inventory the City currently enjoys. He likes the pine tree feel but he would not favor replacing an entire inventory of trees. C/Herrera concurred with M/Tye's recommendation to expand the tree wells. C/Everett asked if the City had been successful expanding the tree wells. CSD/Rose said the most recent effort to do so was not successful and there was likely a 50/50 chance that such an effort would be successful. C/Everett said he supporting maintaining the present tree inventory. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Tye adjourned the Study Session at 6:27 p.m. J-,,'�� L17L, TOMMYE tRIBBINS, City Clerk MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this , 2007. --� STEVE YE, Mayor 15th day ofxt::,p 1 1 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL-, REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MAY 1, 2007 CLOSED SESSION: 5:00 p.m., Room CC -8 Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda ► Government Code Section 54956.8 — Conference with Real Property Negotiators Property Negotiations: Address: Portion of Lot 13, Tract No. 3941 and Portion of Lot 3, Tract No. 3941 Agency Negotiator City Manager Negotiating Party Robert R. Reed Family Trust STUDY SESSION: 5:50 p.m., Room CC -8 ► Four Corners Council of Governments — Discussion and Action ► Council Goals and Objectives — Discussion and Action ► Canary Island Pine Trees - Tree Replacement Program — Discussion and Action Study Session adjourned at 6:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tye called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. in The Government Center/SCAQMD Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA. CM/DeStefano reported that during the Closed Session Council discussed status of property the City is considering acquiring. There was no reportable action. CM/DeStefano reported that during tonight's Study Session, Council discussed proposed formation of Council of Governments to create a governmental entity that would oversee transportation related issues in this immediate area. Council agreed to place the matter on the May 15 City Council agenda for consideration. Council began discussion of its proposed Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Goals and Objectives. Following discussion of a possible tree replacement program for the inventory of Canary Pines along the boulevards, Council directed staff to leave the trees in place. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Speed Klinzing led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Monsignor James Loughnane, St. Denis Church, gave the invocation. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Council Members Chang, Everett (telephonically), Herrera, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Mayor Tye. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David Doyle, Assistant City Manager; Michael Jenkins, City Attorney; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Rick Yee, Sr. Engineer; Ryan McLean, Senior Management Analyst; Alfredo Estevez, Desktop Support Technician and, Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk APPROVAL OF AGENDA: CM/DeStefano requested that Item 8.1 be continued to May 15, 2007 in order to allow appropriate time to more effectively describe the property scope of work and property description. M/Tye requested that Item 8.1 be moved to just after the "Public Comments" portion of the agenda to allow for public comments on the item. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 M/Tye proclaimed May 2007 "Water Awareness Month" and presented the proclamation to Ling Ling Chang, President, Walnut Valley Water District. BUSINESS OF THE MONTH 1.2 M/Tye presented a City Tile to Ann Cheon, Y.I.C. Taekwondo, as Business of the Month for May 2007. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 2.1 Farben Drive Group Home Update: CM/DeStefano reported that progress continues on the Farben Drive Group Home matter. The State has conducted a site visit and has been working with the facility operator to correct deficiencies outlined by the State. The State has scheduled a meeting this Thursday for Officials with the County of San Bernardino, who is the placement agency, as well as State officials and City Staff to discuss the issues that D.B. has with the facility and means of correction. On tonight's City Council agenda is consideration of four bills regarding group homes. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: David DeMers, 22935 Happy Hollow Rd., said he had issues regarding the increased traffic that would result from converting the golf course to a commercial shopping center. If the City is concerned about increasing revenue it should help revitalize its underutilized and underdeveloped centers. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL Michael Kight, 23204 Antler Dr., agreed that the City had a traffic problem and he rejected the idea of turning the golf course into a shopping center. Thirty-six homes back up to the golf course and if the area is turned into an asphalt parking lot it will devalue the adjacent homes. Jerry Hamilton said he did not get answers to his questions during the community meeting. Dr. Gilbert Yanow, 23356 Wagon Trail Rd., said he disagreed with Council's intent to develop the golf course because it would create a tremendous increase in traffic and he felt open space should be preserved. Janet Peets, 445 Golden Prados presented the City Council with a petition containing approximately 300 signatures signed by concerned residents who are strongly opposed to development of the golf course property. John Harbaugh, 23347 Wagon Trail Rd., talked about additional traffic on the Grand Ave. Bridge and on Grand Ave. The golf course should remain where it is currently located. He urged the Council not to move the golf course and not enter into a pre -annexation agreement. Serena Liu, 24209 Peak Court, spoke against replacing the golf course with a retail center that would worsen the traffic situation. Cindy Tsai, 791 Leyland Dr., expressed her opposition to building a retail center in place of the current golf course and opposed proceeding with an EIR at a significant cost to taxpayers. She urged the Council to place this matter on the ballot. Christy Cunico, 22426 Falconburn Way, thanked the City for improving her quality of life and thanked Council for holding an open house. She asked the City Council to maintain the open spaces and green areas because with the development on the westerly side of the freeway a lot of open area has been lost. Loss of the golf course to retail development would result in loss of green open space and would result in increased traffic on an already congested roadway. Lu Zheng, 23239 Antler Dr., thanked the City for hosting the "Envision Diamond Bar" event two weeks ago. However, there was no real time for discussion and he did not get his questions answered. He said he was deeply troubled by the City's recent rush to develop urban centers, a direction that goes against the City's stated goal of maintaining a country lifestyle and preserving of open space. Bin Li, 1900 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights, asked the City Council to pass a resolution against the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL CA/Jenkins advised the Mayor that the speaker should relinquish the microphone and that public comments were limited to matters within the Council's jurisdiction. The relationship with China and China's treatment of the particular group addressed by the speaker is not within the Council's subject jurisdiction. Thomas Kuper, 1552 Summitridge Dr., said he opposed redevelopment of the mature golf course property and recommended more public outreach. Nina Goncharov, 23631 Gold Nugget Ave., spoke about car repair operations and inoperable vehicles parked on her street. She asked Council Members to visit the area and observe the neglect. Teresa Quan, 23628 Gold Nugget Ave., asked for help to resolve the problem of her neighbor running a car repair business at his home and parking junk cars in front of her house and her neighbor's homes. Carolyn Sutton, 1107 N. Moonlight Summit Dr., thanked the Cityforthe open house and asked for more public outreach. She felt the golf course should remain in its current location because a retail center would result in more traffic. Sam Sutton, 1107 N. Moonlight Summit Dr., spoke against moving the golf course and putting up a retail center because it would result in loss of wildlife and increased traffic. Don Sutton, 1107 N. Moonlight Summit Dr., said the Council had done many good things but losing the golf course would be bad for the City and create additional traffic. Ray Rodriguez, Gold Nugget Ave., said his neighborhood was very rundown, there were old cars on the street that had not been moved for years, garages that were used to manufacture kitchen cabinets for resale; and houses that need painting and so forth. He asked the City to give the residents a hand to reverse this trend. Paul Duplessis, 629 Golden Prados Dr., asked the Council to do a better job communicating with the citizens of D.B. and spoke against development of the golf course property. Sam Pastarini 573 Golden Prados Dr., spoke against development of the golf course property and offered other solutions for producing revenue. Beverly Kerry, 1103 Moonlight Summit Dr., said she moved to D.B. to enjoy a quiet bedroom community. She said she does not want more traffic and shopping. When she shops she leaves D.B. and she is content to do that. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL Asok Agarwal, 455 Golden Prados Dr., said he heard about the mall shopping center that was being built on the golf course. He was disappointed because he moved from Glendale to D.B. four years ago to have a more country living atmosphere. Arlene Smith, 415 Camaritas Dr., thanked M/Tye for responding to her email about the D.B. Golf Course. She said it was unfortunate that residents heard about the proposal from an outside company and not from the City. She felt it would be a big mistake to develop the golf course property. Jewel Lee, 23210 Golden Crown Circle, asked the City Council who came up with the idea to develop the golf course to create revenue. Residents are opposed to development of the golf course and opposed to paying a half million dollars for a study. Anna Garza, 533 Camaritas Dr., said she appreciated all that the Council had done for the City and asked the Council to reject development of the golf course property because the traffic problems in the area are already bad and need attention. Abraham Tsai, 791 Leyland Dr., heard about the annexation and golf course development from an outside organization and said he was opposed to it. He urged the Council to communicate better with its residents. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: M/Tye stated that the reason he is the only one that responded to a speaker's email was because he and his colleagues agreed that he would assume the lead in responding to emails. CM/DeStefano responded to speakers that with respect to code enforcement staff was aware of two problem properties on Golden Nugget. Neighborhood Improvement officers routinely visit the area and provide "Notices to Correct" to the various property owners. Staff is aware of the cabinet-making operation but has not found evidence that could be used for prosecution. He said that it would be helpful if residents called the City when they noticed a problem so that staff could immediately respond. The vehicle repair operation has been difficult to ascertain. He suggested that CDD/Fong could meet with residents to better determine what activities were being conducted and how staff would respond. CM/DeStefano stated that the golf course property is designated as a "golf course" in the City's General Plan and not as "Open Space." The potential re -use of the golf course has been an issue being explored for 18 years since the City's Incorporation. The golf course is owned by Los Angeles County and is located within the City of D.B. The City does not benefit from revenues generated from the property except for the sales tax revenue. The freeway -oriented golf course enjoys 350,000 vehicle trips per day on the MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL adjacent freeway and provides an opportunity to explore a potential reuse, which is all that the City Council has asked staff to consider. The City Council has made no decision regarding redevelopment of the golf course property and has said that in order to look at the City's financial future one of the obvious areas is growth and economic development. One question was regarding financial feasibility of a potential project and the City has no answer to those questions at this point. An EIR for a project on a property the size of the golf course is a large and costly undertaking. Over the years, staff has received many requests from residents to provide restaurant opportunities and retail opportunities so that residents do not have to drive to other cities for products and services. There is a small amount of available and suitably sized land in D.B. for such ventures. The Country Hills Towne Center and the Kmart Center are two examples of areas that without the benefit of a Redevelopment Agency the City has little ability to assist developments and redevelop properties. Cities adjacent to D.B. have spent millions of dollars of public monies to redevelop communities. D.B. does not have that ability and it makes it very, very difficult for a community like D.B. to be able to redevelop areas. As a result, the market conditions determine what occurs on the property. D.B. spent years trying unsuccessfully to get a wide variety of goods and services to the Country Hills Towne Center location and as a result, the shopping center has now taken a different direction. Kmart is on a long-term lease that is extraordinarily favorable to Kmart, and until Kmart decides to vacate the property it will be incredibly difficult for change to occur on that site. Councils past and present have been enormously successful in taking care of the public resources. The City has healthy reserves and when those reserves are used, they are used for capital improvements and quite often for physical improvements to the City's roadway network. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: 8.1 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TEMPLETON PLANNING GROUP FOR CREATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT TO EVALUATE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIAMOND BAR GOLF COURSE SITE AND RELOCATION OF THE GOLF FACILITY ($397,672) AND AUTHORIZE A 15% CONTINGENCY ($60,000) TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF $457,672. (Continued from April 17, 2007). CM/DeStefano reported that Item 8.1 is consideration of award of contract for the creation of an Environmental Impact Report meant to evaluate potential development of the existing Diamond Bar Golf Course and relocation of the golf course facility to a site presently located near Pathfinder Rd. outside of the City limits of D.B. at a total cost of $457,672 that includes a $60,000 contingency. Staff's recommendation is for Council to continue the matter to allow staff an opportunity to assess the proposed scope of work and to re-examine MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL the EIR with respect to the total project and work involved. C/Herrera moved, MPT/Tanaka seconded, to continue the matter to a date to be determined. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Everett, Herrera, MPT/Tanaka, M/Tye NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ;i. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — May 8, 2007 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive. 5.2 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — May 10, 2007 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21825 Copley Drive. 5.3 City Council Meeting — May 15,2007— 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21825 Copley Drive 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Chang moved, C/Everett seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. M/Tye requested that specific changes be made to 6.1(b). Motion carried by the following Roll Call: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: 6.1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Chang, Everett, MPT/Tanaka, M/Tye None Herrera 6.1.1 STUDY SESSION OF APRIL 17, 2007 — Approved as submitted. 6.1.2 REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 17, 2007 — Approved as amended. 6.2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES: 6.2.1 STUDY SESSION OF FEBRUARY 27, 2007 — Received & Filed 6.2.2 REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 2007 — Received & Filed. 6.2.3 REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2007 — Received & Filed. 6.2.4 REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2007 — Received & Filed. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL 6.2.5 REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2007— Received & Filed. 6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER CONTAINING CHECKS FOR APRIL 12, 2007 THROUGH APRIL 25, 2007 in the amount of $1,391,039.26. 6.4 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT—for the month of March 2007. 6.5 a) APPROPRIATED $37,660 OF GENERAL FUND BALANCE RESERVE TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET FOR FY 2006-07 AND AMENDED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH DMS CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR WASHINGTON CUL-DE-SAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,160, PLUS A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $3,500 FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF $37,660. b) APPROPRIATED $21,000 OF GENERAL FUND BALANCE RESERVE TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET FOR FY 2006-07; APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS; AND AWARDED THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE WASHINGTON STREET CUL-DE-SAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO DREAMBUILDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $109,120; AND AUTHORIZED A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $11,880 FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER, FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $121,000. 6.6 APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE SUB -COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT AB 411 (EMMERSON), SB 708, SB 709 AND SB 710 (DUTTON) AND OPPOSED SB 964 (ROMERO). (a) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-27: SUPPORTING AB 411 (EMMERSON), PERMITTING A LOCAL AGENCY TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL LOCAL LAND USE INFORMATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR CONSIDERATION PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE LICENSED GROUP HOME IN A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. (b) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-28; SUPPORTING SB 709 (DUTTON) PERMITTING A LOCAL AGENCY TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL LOCAL LAND USE INFORMATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR CONSIDERATION PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE LICENSEED GROUP HOME IN A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL (c) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-29: SUPPORTING SB 78 (DUTTON) REQUIRING A STATE LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY WITH SIX OR FEWER RESIDENTS TO OBTAIN A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FROM THE HOSTING LOCAL AGENCY. (d) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-30: SUPPORTING SB 710 (DUTTON) REQUIRING A STATE LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY TO OBTAIN A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM ITS HOST COUNTY. (e) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-31: OPPOSING SB 964 (ROMERO) MAKING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE BROWN ACT SEVERELY LIMITING ESSENTIAL BASIC COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE BODIES AND THEIR STAFF MEMBERS. 6.7 APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE CONTRACT WITH INLAND ROUNDBALL OFFICIALS TO OFFICIATE THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR ATHLETICS PROGRAM FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2007 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $30,000. 6.8 APPROVED AMENDMENT NO.3 TO THE CONTRACT WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS FOR CITYWIDE TREE MAINTENANCE AND WATERING SERVICES TO THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR FOR FY 2007-08 IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $238,050, INCLUDING A 3.5% C.P.I. UNIT PRICE INCREASE. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: Item 8.1 was moved to the beginning of the Agenda. 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Everett thanked the speakers for coming forward to speak this evening and for participating in community events. He agreed that the City needed better communication between Council and residents. He was disappointed that so many opportunities had been missed. However, he has been on the Council only a short time and his sense is that Council Members and staff have attempted to work with residents earnestly and be open with its constituents. He attended the Envision Diamond Bar and felt it offered an ' open and honest dialogue. He felt that CM/DeStefano had responded very honestly and openly to public questions and concerns and explained very well the climate in the City that has lead to tonight's discussion. He stated that while everyone may not agree with what was said the points were honest and considerable and all need to be weighed in the final analysis and MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL decision. Council will continue to be sensitive to continuing dialogue. He said that he received one telephone call on the golf course matter. However, the caller did not leave a return telephone number. He said he was very saddened by the death of Rita Myer, a community servant. He wished Roger Myer a speedy recovery and sent his heartfelt sympathy to the Myer family. C/Chang said that the Council heard speakers' comments and concerns. Council Members live in D.B. and whatever the speakers suffer when it comes to regional traffic concerns Council Members suffer as well. And what residents enjoy, Council Members enjoy. During the 20 years C/Chang has lived in D.B. the population figures have changed very little. However, the cut -through and regional traffic has become very difficult for the City. D.B. led the charge for the SR57/60 HOV lane fix and is taking the lead with respect to regional traffic growth. With the exception of commute hours, the City remains generally peaceful and quiet. He thanked the residents for participating and hoped that everyone would continue to express their views. With respect to the golf course property, it is a prime location that must be studied in order to consider the best solution for possible development for the residents and future generations. City Councils past and present have helped make D.B. one of the most livable cities in the region and have moved forward with decisions it believes is only in the best interest of all residents. Without redevelopment funds the City cannot afford to provide incentives to shopping centers for revitalization and the residents would like to have fine dining and shopping available in their City. He acknowledged the loss of Rita Myer and extended his sympathy and condolences to her family. Services are scheduled for Saturday at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier at 11:00 a.m. C/Herrera acknowledged speaker's wishes for the City. Someone asked how long the Council Members had lived in D.B. She moved to the City in 1966. D.B. has changed a lot. In 1966 there were about 9,000 residents, there was no Diamond Bar Boulevard, no SR57 and no SR60. There are now almost 60,000 residents. It is called "growth." Some people have mentioned that they want D.B. to remain a bedroom community. The City can do that. It can be left as it is. But along with that comes no ability to support what is currently being offered to residents in the way of programs, beautification, etc. A speaker mentioned that she liked being in a bedroom community and when she wanted to go shopping she did so outside of the City. That's fine but D.B. does not benefit in the form of revenues from people shopping in other cities. The city in which the individual shops gets richer because that city has the benefit of more sales tax and can support their city and their programs. While a number of people present tonight wanted D.B. to remain as it is, the City Council on a regular basis hears from other residents who want something else for D.B. Council hears from a lot of youth sports organizations that want more ball fields. On an annual basis high school swim teams approach the City Council to ask for swimming pools — diving pools, lap pools, etc. All of that costs money and it is a challenge for the five Council Members to try and balance the needs and still maintain the MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL MPT/Tanaka said he would pledge to continue being responsive to all residents of D.B. and would try to listen to individual needs and concerns. He thanked everyone who attended tonight's meeting and expressed concerns about the golf course property. He also thanked everyone who attended Envision Diamond Bar Open House on Saturday. The Council will take all input into account in making its decision. Last Wednesday he attended the Senior Club meetings; attended the D.B. Women's Club Luncheon during which the City Council acknowledged Dorothy Hawk on her 901h Birthday; he attended Del Paso High School renaming ceremonies during which the institution was renamed the Ron Hockwalt Academy; he and M/Tye attended the Highland Valley/Overlook Ridge area Neighborhood City that all of the residents want and love and still be able to afford the things other people are asking to have. The City has been exploring for a number of years how it can get additional revenues. It is unfortunate that D.B. is in a position that many things are out of its control. The County of Los Angeles owns the golf course —not D.B. Someone mentioned that there is a lot of revenue that comes from the golf course. That may be true but D.B. does not benefit from that revenue. There are weddings held there — D.B. does not benefit from those events. The City receives a small share of sales tax but the bulk of the revenue goes to Los Angeles County because the golf course property is County -owned. D.B. is at a disadvantage because of its location. Some individuals feel that D.B. has freeway access so it is convenient to go to other places. Two major freeways dissect the City. When accidents occur motorists leave the freeway and merge onto the City's streets creating additional traffic problems. Residents get frustrated because they cannot move about and get to their homes. And so the City pays to install stop signs and signals so that residents can get out of their neighborhoods and take their kids to softball, basketball, soccer practice and so forth. D.B. is surrounded by a lot of affordable housing growth in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The good jobs are in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and as a result, D.B. gets even more traffic as motorists traverse the area from home to work and back again. D.B. is a regional leader in seeking regional traffic solutions. The City Council will do what the residents want because the City Council Members are elected by the people and represent the people. But she wanted people to carefully consider what they ultimately want. If residents really want to remain a "bedroom" community the City will eventually run out of money. The City has healthy reserves because it is very fiscally conservative. She said she believed it was the City's responsibility to do "something" and to plan now before the City gets to the point where it runs out of money and resources. C/Herrera attended Arbor Day. D.B. is proudly a Tree City and tree plantings were done at Pantera Elementary School. She suggested that next year the City hold the Arbor Day event at Diamond Ranch High School. She echoed sentiments of her colleagues stating that it is a sad day for the City to have lost Rita Myer, an individual who lived in D.B. for many years and was involved in many community organizations and activities. C/Herrera offered her sympathy and prayers to Rita's family. MPT/Tanaka said he would pledge to continue being responsive to all residents of D.B. and would try to listen to individual needs and concerns. He thanked everyone who attended tonight's meeting and expressed concerns about the golf course property. He also thanked everyone who attended Envision Diamond Bar Open House on Saturday. The Council will take all input into account in making its decision. Last Wednesday he attended the Senior Club meetings; attended the D.B. Women's Club Luncheon during which the City Council acknowledged Dorothy Hawk on her 901h Birthday; he attended Del Paso High School renaming ceremonies during which the institution was renamed the Ron Hockwalt Academy; he and M/Tye attended the Highland Valley/Overlook Ridge area Neighborhood MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL Watch meeting; attended the Sheriff's Boosters held their annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner where they recognize their outstanding volunteers in the Rowland Heights, Walnut and D.B. and also recognized the "Explorer Volunteer of the Year." On Saturday evening he attended the San Gabriel Valley District Women's Club Dinner during which his wife Wanda was recognized and honored as "D.B. Citizen of the Year." On Sunday the City celebrated its 18th Birthday. He thanked staff for an outstanding event. He congratulated Volunteers of the Year that were recognized — Orien Pagan, Annie Kohl, Nancy Lyon and Jack Shah. On Sunday he and Planning staff attended the Crestline/Diamond Canyon Annexation Community meeting; Monday he attended the D.B. 4 -Youth meeting and discussed the third middle school dance scheduled for May 11 at the Diamond Bar Center; The Battle of the Bands contest is scheduled for August 29 with all high school bands participating and four bands will be selected to compete. On Tuesday night he attended the PUSD Board meeting; On Wednesday the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation held its Victims Awareness Week barbecue fundraiser; on Wednesday Lorbeer Middle School held its Evening of the Stars Open House and Fundraiser; on Thursday he attended the CLOUT networking breakfast and the Arbor Day celebration at Pantera Elementary School; He concurred with C/Herrera's recommendation to hold the next Arbor Day celebration at Diamond Ranch High School; Saturday he attended the Teddy Bear Tea for the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation. He thanked students for attending tonight's meeting and remaining through the entire meeting. He offered his and his wife Wanda's condolences to Roger and his family on the loss of Rita Myer. M/Tye referred to an earlier speaker who commented that the City had done nothing about traffic since he moved to D.B. M/Tye respectfully disagreed with the speaker. The City has done many things to cope with growing traffic. For example, the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program is innovative and useful and the City is working to make the situation as good as possible with its limited tools. Many speakers'said that more information was needed and every Council Member would agree and residents will get more information. This is a completely transparent process and no decisions are being made through a backdoor or in smoke filled back rooms — they are made in public as evidenced by over an hour of public comments on that very subject. A speaker asked about re-establishing the retail centers the City has and he believed the CM/DeStefano addressed that issue when he said the City lacked the redevelopment mechanism to get that accomplished. The City staff and Council are attempting to do the very best it can with what it has available. One of the most frustrating things is to hear people say that the City really needs to open up and be transparent. Again, on the first and third Tuesday of every month the public is welcome to take their best shot at the Council. It is very, very frustrating to know that residents have a concerted campaign against their City Council that deals in misinformation and half-truths while wanting the City Council to be open and transparent. Last Thursday the Hills for Everyone held a meeting that many of the speakers attended and those speakers could attest to the fact that that ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 9:10 in honor of Rita Myer. d TOMMYE tRIBBINS, CITY CLERK MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL meeting was not open to the public. It was not only a closed -door meeting, some people were asked to leave that meeting. Residents really need to ask themselves what the agenda is of that group and what are they trying to accomplish that they would close their doors and not allow certain members in to hear what they had to say. What is it that Hills for Everyone is trying to accomplish behind closed doors and what misinformation and flat out lies are they telling residents. M/Tye requested that staff place on the agenda consideration of a sister city organization in Korea. He congratulated Christy Murphy for receiving the California Parks and Recreation Society Professional Service Award for District 8. What is especially significant is that the award was for recognition by her peers. He thanked everyone who attended Envision Diamond Bar on April 21. The Council continues to digest all of the input and the City Council appreciates that residents took their time on a Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to attend the event. This is a long process and the City will get better at the process through additional communication. The 18th City Birthday Party celebration was a good time and he thanked CSD/Rose and staff members for their work and participation, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, DBIA and Kathy Nolan and her team as well as, the non -profits that participated. He again congratulated the four outstanding volunteers who were recognized that day. D.B. is a better place for the four diverse individuals and their contributions to the community. Arbor Day at Pantera was a terrific experience. D.B. has been a Tree City since 2001 and Pantera has benefited from a terrific collaboration of organizations and individuals. He congratulated fifth -grader Robin Alexa, the Arbor Day Poster Contest winner. He was recently a guest reader at the library, a very special event for him. Chaparral Middle School will have a band performance at the D.B.H.S. amphitheater. The Brahma Foundation fundraiser is slated for May 4 at the Diamond Bar Center. M/Tye said that it was a privilege to live in such a wonderful community and to be able to serve the residents as a member of the City Council. The Council's thoughts and prayers are with the family of Andrew Anabe following a bad accident over the weekend. This meeting will be adjourned in memory of Rita Myer. He said he could not remember a City work task that did not involve both Roger and Rita Myer as a unit. The Council's thoughts and prayers are with Roger and his family. Everyone will miss Rita's bubbly effervescent personality, all of the energy she brought to all of the volunteer efforts in which she participated. Rita was a wonderful sweet spirit and she will be greatly missed. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 9:10 in honor of Rita Myer. d TOMMYE tRIBBINS, CITY CLERK MAY 1, 2007 PAGE 14 CITY COUNCIL The foregow.9 minutes are hereby approved this 15tday of xay , 2007. STEVE TYE, MAYOR