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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/15/2007 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MAY 15, 2007 STUDY SESSION: M/Tye called the Study Session to order at 5:47 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; Linda Magnuson, Finance Director; Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Rick Yee, Sr. Engineer; Joyce Lee, Management Analyst; (Ryan McLean, Senior Management Analyst; Alfredo Estevez, Desktop Support 'Technician and, Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk ► REVIEW OF FY 2006-07 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES/INTRODUCTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 BUDGET. CM/DeStefano reported that the City's current resource is about $20.8 million, appropriations of about $20.1 million and a transfer of about $2.5 million from reserves into the Capital Improvement Program. This year staff intends to provide the City Council with a written policy on June 5 that confirms the Council practice of using General Fund reserves for major capital investments. This year's proposed CIP budget is about $7.8 million. Within the CIP and General Fund budget there are a variety of changes that will be forthcoming on June 5. The City Council will also have a decision package of about $865,000 ($400,000 annual budget increase) to consider on June 5 upon final decision by CM/DeStefano. CM/DeStefano further reported that sales tax would remain virtually the same. This year the City is expecting a full year of sales tax performance from Target. Some costs will increase — Sheriff's by about $350,000 (7.5% increase from the County); Increase by LA County for property tax administration by about $70,000; benefit enhancement to 48 full-time and 85 part-time staff including cost of living by about $210,000. Overall the City is in pretty good shape and will end the 2008 with a significant reserve of about $22-24 million. Staff is concerned about increasing costs and the need to generate new revenue streams. At some point the City will start to be more concerned about long-term spending habits. However, this may be offset by the economic development strategies the City has incorporated by including more sales tax and property tax dollars to help offset the concerns and grow the municipal services. CM/DeStefano stated that staff intends to bring the City Council all details of the proposed budget on June 5. MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION C/Herrera asked if the 2008 year-end reserves were allocated or unallocated funds. FD/Magnuson said that a portion — about $7.5 million, would be used for economic development. CM/DeStefano said that in the current year's budget, staffing resources for economic development activities are coming out of reserves and it would be his recommendation that the Council not fund staffing with reserves. In the proposed budget staffing for economic development is coming out of the General Fund (about $100,000). C/Chang asked about the allocation for Public Safety. In FY 2005/06 the allocation was $4.6 million; last year (2006/07) it was about $5 million. The proposed allocation is $5.5 for 2007/08 or about an 8 percent increase. CM/DeStefano said it would be about $5.1 million for 2007/08. The City budgeted more than it actually needed in the current budget year. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: CM/DeStefano reported that economic development goals were first on staff's list and that the City Council may wish to list its traffic and transportation goals and objectives first because the average citizen within the community sees traffic as the City's biggest issue. Staff sees resources/economic development as the biggest priority so it may be a good idea to switch those items to show the public that transportation is in the forefront. With respect to the Kmart center, staff has not gotten very far with the property owner. CM/DeStefano felt that on Monday the owner would be showing his latest site plan and would be asking the City for $20 or so million to develop the acreage. The issues with Kmart are the same in terms of lack of investment and interest and their long-term lease. Regarding economic development funds, the City has moved forward to implement the economic development strategy that was implemented as a result of the Council's January/February 2006/07 discussions. Creating a strategic plan for a high quality commercial activity center is focused around the D.B. Golf Course; Evaluation of Site D — staff and the School District focused on getting JCC project done and decided to focus on Site D after. However, Dr. Beckler and staff want to move forward and there is a meeting set in about a week to try and conclude outstanding issues with respect to the MOU that was MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION drafted three to four months ago. The strategy is to get this completed before Dr. Beckler leaves the end of June. The website enhancement is not yet concluded. Developing a dynamic center ties back to the golf course; business to business market program utilizing the web including questions about what residents want in their community — through a couple of resources staff knows what the community wants and staff is working with the Chamber discussing the Chamber's role in business to business marketing; Transportation — the signal interconnect project is moving forward and staff continues to maintain its opposition to truck traffic on the SR60. Staff continues to be a part of working toward regional solutions dealing with a more appropriate distribution of traffic throughout the area; The Lemon Avenue off -ramp project moves forward. The City was awarded $2.3 million additional dollars closing the gap on the $17 million project; Staff continues to pursue the SR57 fix — there has been a lot of Four Corners activity working with MTA; the ACE project is well under way and is scheduled for completion in about a year; Reviewing parking ordinances — this item has been around for a few years and staff cannot seem to get to this item. CM/DeStefano asked if Council wanted staff to continue pursuing this matter. Pursue a library bond act application — Staff has not continued to pursue this item due to the failure of the Library bond measures passing in June and November. At this time, staff is awaiting for further Council direction regarding the library issue. M/Tye asked why the interconnect project was taking so long. PWD/Liu said it was a lengthy process working through a new system from design to implementation. Staff visited various cities that had implemented a similar system to determine whether this would be a good system to pursue. The County is pursuing the design of the closed circuit system, which must fit into the City's design standard. Lots 1 & 61 — the original intent was to pursue those lots for potential development of a sports park development. As part of staff's early negotiations with AERA Energy staff emphasized this use. In a recent flyer addressed to the community of D.B. AERA used the term "sports park." It is staff's goal to continue working with AERA Energy as the principal means of gaining such an amenity. Because Lots 1 & 61 are already restricted as Open Space properties, development cannot occur MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION there and staff is recommending that this item be deleted or deferred pending conclusion of the AERA Energy discussions; Expanding the sphere of influence — Council is aware of what is occurring with AERA Energy. Staff is moving forward with the Crestline/Diamond Canyon Neighborhood and next Tuesday the Planning Commission is scheduled to take action on the proposal; Tres Hermanos/Tonner Canyon — staff has had recent discussions with the City of Industry and as indicated by C/Chang during tonight's Closed Session, Industry is looking at a potential Master Plan for all of their holdings. Joint Use Developments — staff continues to work with both school districts on this matter. The Lorbeer project will commence construction in about a month and so too will the Paul C. Grow Park project. Wireless Internet (WiFi); Staff continues to look at this matter and waiting to see what other cities are doing with Edison and what other cities are doing across the country with respect to providing wireless services to their communities; City of Industry property — Six to eight months ago the Council discussed changing boundary lines with the City of Industry off of Walnut Dr. and that may or may not have an affect on this matter. Youth Master Plan — CSD/Rose is moving forward although he has been stalled due to one of his key staff member being out due to illness for the past few months; Trails Master Plan — staff continues to move forward with capital improvement investments and modifications to the overall Master Plan; Master Sign Program with shopping centers — this is not something staff has moved forward with. It was tied to a "City Branding" category which has been slowed down because CM/DeStefano wants staff to be more focused on the larger project such as the golf course; Library — currently there are no funds set aside in the new budget for library enhancements since none were requested. Staff is seeking Council's direction on this issue; Tree Replacement Program — staff received good direction from the Council at its last meeting; Town Forum — the only meeting held was the "Envision Diamond Bar" meeting and more will be held; MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION PUBLIC COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Tye adjourned the Study Session at 6:37 p.m. TOMM CRIBBINS, City Clerk Larkstone Park — those are complete with the JCC Project approval. JCC intends to begin construction this fall; The Zip Code Issue and Enhancing the scope of DBTV Channel 3 — staff continues to work on this on a regular basis; Public Works Yard — looking at the Calbourne property and more specifically the ACE property at Washington St. and Brea Canyon Rd.; The Windmill at the Ralph's Shopping Center — a proposal was forwarded to the owners a few weeks ago that seeks an "agreement" on the property opposed to actual purchase of the property that would allow the City to as maintain and protect the Windmill. CM/DeStefano asked Council to consider the aforementioned items and to think about some of the goals and objectives on a three-year basis. M/Tye asked Council to get their thoughts in writing and back to CM/DeStefano by May 22. ► ESTABLISH SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP — HANAM, GYEONGGI-DO- PROVINCE SOUTH KOREA. DCM/Doyle gave a brief report and asked for direction from Council as to how to proceed. CM/DeStefano asked if the Council was interesting in creating a relationship. C/Chang explained why Hanam City was interested in establishing a relationship with D.B. Following discussion, Council concurred to write a letter to the province officials thanking them for their consideration and indicating D.B. was not interested in forming a "sister city" relationship at this time but would welcome them to visit. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Tye adjourned the Study Session at 6:37 p.m. TOMM CRIBBINS, City Clerk MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 5th day of June , 2007. 1, 0 7A STEV , Mayor 1 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MAY 15, 2007 CLOSED SESSION: 5:00 p.m., Room CC -8 No. 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 Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None Offered. STUDY SESSION: 5:47 p.m., Room CC -8 ► Council Goals and Objectives — Discussion and Action ► Establish Sister City Relationship — Hanam, Gyeonggi-do-Province South Korea — Discussion and Action Study Session adjourned at 6:37 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tye called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. in The Government Center/SCAQMD Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA. CA/Jenkins reported that during tonight's 5:00 p.m. Closed Session there was no public comments; the City Council gave direction to staff and there were no reportable actions taken. CM/DeStefano stated that during tonight's Study Session staff presented the status of the Council's Goals and Objectives for the current Fiscal Year and the FY 2007-2008 Budget. Council also discussed possible formation of a Friendship City relationship with Hanam City in South Korea. Following discussion, Council concurred to remain friends with the City; however, at this time would not be pursuing an official Sister/Friendship City relationship. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Gary Neely, Representing Assemblyman Huff's office, led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Pastor Mark Hopper, Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, gave the invocation. MAY 15, 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; Linda Magnuson, Finance Director; Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Ryan McLean, Senior Management Analyst; Marsha Roa, PI Manager; Rick Yee, Sr. Engineer; Alfredo Estevez, Desktop Support Technician and, Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 M/Tye presented Certificates of Recognition to students from Lorbeer Middle School for being named 2006-07 CADA/CASL Outstanding Activities Program participants for maintaining a balance of extracurricular activities. Students present to receive the Certificates were Laureen Bousmail, Student Body President; Sarah Palmer, Student Body Vice -President; and John Rubio, Teacher Advisor. Students Kristina Carrillo, Student Body Secretary and Andrew Branks, Student Body Treasurer were unable to attend. BUSINESS OF THE MONTH 1.2 M/Tye presented a Certificate Plaque to Ara Cho, SOMA Music Academy as New Business of the Month for May 2007. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Irene Wang reported that the Diamond Bar Library reopened on Monday, May 7. She hoped that everyone would come to visit the beautiful space. There are now 10 computer stations for general use, four of which were donated by Supervisor Knabe. Steven Sakata, 1625 Meadowglen Rd., said that before the City spends funds toward conversion of the Diamond Bar Golf Course it should take into consideration the impact it would have on the youth of D.B. Claire Schlotterbeck, Executive Director, Hills for Everyone said the 30 -year old award winning non-profit group created Chino Hills State Park and is now working to protect the natural lands along the SR57 and is seeking funds to purchase the land currently owned by Aera Energy. Ms. Schlotterbeck said that contrary to M/Tye's statement her group is working in support of preservation of the natural lands that currently buffer Brea, Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights and LaHabra Heights. She stated that six surrounding communities have joined with Hills for Everyone in this 1 MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL pursuit. The Hills for Everyone meeting at the Diamond Bar Golf Course was a private invitation -only meeting and only two people were asked to leave the meeting — ACM/Doyle and Jeff Mache, the Aera Energy representative. Unlike Hills for Everyone, D.B. is a public entity and is subject to transparency and accountability laws. The Hills for Everyone agenda is on the front page of the group's website www. hillsforeveryone om. M/Tye asked Ms. Schlotterbeck to comment on the flat out lie that people were given that there would be no new golf course built. Supervisor Knabe would not entertain the notion of turning over a County golf course to development if there were no plans to rebuild a golf course in another County location. Having a state -of - art golf course versus a 40 -year old golf course fronting the freeway seems on its face a good idea and should certainly be considered without being dismissed out of hand. He said he had difficulty with Ms. Schlotterbeck's contention that Aera's property is a "natural buffer' between Diamond Bar and Brea and, what most people would appreciate understanding that the land in question is private property and private property rights go with private property. One of the rights of the private property owner is to have his project considered. He urged "Hills for Everyone" to be as fair as possible when putting information out to the public that is inflammatory and designed to get individuals worked up. This is part of a long due process and private property owners are entitled to their process as well. Jack Istik stated that as a City, Diamond Bar voted for local control in 1989. He felt D.B. should be the kind of City that let its citizens know what was going on and not Find out about something in the newspaper or in a handout from a public interest group. He felt the Council owed it to the residents to communicate their plans and thoughts and encourage public input. He is in an area that is being studied for traffic calming devices and he has received several postcards on the matter. It would be nice if the City would so inform the residents about other actions the Council is taking because it would be welcomed. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: CM/DeStefano stated that Diamond Bar acts in a very transparent manner and has for many decades gone well beyond what city codes of other cities require and what the State of California requires in terms of public notice. Diamond Bar has streaming video on its website that allows a Council Member who is thousands of miles away to view within seconds what is happening at tonight's meeting in real time. This facility is available to the general public as well. A couple of nights after this meeting, tapes will be available on the City's website. He said he found it interesting that cities with their own political agendas and interests in retaining their share of sales tax dollars and their unforgiving ability to destroy their own hillsides and communities seem fit to try and find folks to come and tell Diamond Bar how it should be controlling its future land usage. The matter before the City is the Aera Energy Project, which is a private developer's application. The Developer has come to the City and has asked Diamond Bar whether it would be willing to consider the application. And the answer was "yes" in a decision based in an agreement that D.B. approved a few MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL months ago. Diamond Bar has made no decisions regarding the application and is in the process of preparing an Environmental Impact Report for what is a very large project that will have significant impacts upon several communities in this area as well as, the environment in general. The EIR is designed to outline what those impacts are and to suggest mitigation measures where they are feasible as well as to suggest solutions and provide guidance to the City Council in any future decision- making that this Council has regarding this Developer's private application. Diamond Bar is under no obligation to approve the project and may approve or deny the project or modify the project. The Developer is under no obligation to pursue the development proposal within the City of Diamond Bar and the Developer may continue to pursue the development or may seek approvals elsewhere through the County of Los Angeles and/or Orange and surrounding cities. Diamond Bar is considering an application, which is consistent with all other applications that the City considers. The Developer is seeking approval and is asking for permission to construct various elements. However, the Developer has no right to obtain those approvals. All of the surrounding cities view projects in a similar manner. This happens to be one of the largest projects that Diamond Bar and surrounding communities have seen in many years and Diamond Bar will continue to make this a very public project as it always does. When the EIR is ready for public review it will be widely noticed and at some point this project will come before the City's Planning Commission for what he feels certain will include several public meetings that will include the City Council as well. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Public Scoping Meeting DiamondDraft Bar Centere 1600 SgGPand Avenue.16, 2007 — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — May 22, 2007 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21825 Copley Drive. 2007 5.3 Parks and ernm AQMD/Govment Center Hearing Board Room, 2 825 Copley Drive. 5.4 Memorial Day Observance ity,Offices29, 2 closed Monday, May 28, 2007. City Offices reopen on Tuesday, 07. 5.5 City Council Meeting — June 5, 2007 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21825 Copley Drive. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Herrera moved, C/Chang seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. M/Tye requested that Item 6.1(b) and 6.7 be removed for discussion. Motion carried by the following Roll Call: 1 MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 5 AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: 6.1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL Chang, Everett, Herrera, MPT/Tanaka, M/Tye None None (a) STUDY SESSION OF MAY 1, 2007 — approved as submitted. 6.2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of March 22, 2007 — Received & Filed. 6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER CONTAINING CHECKS — dated April 26, 2007 through May 9, 2007 totaling $580,644. 6.4 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE GRAND AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT— PHASE II FROM 470 FEET WEST OF CAHILL PLACE TO ROLLING KNOLL ROAD. 6.5 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-32: AUTHORIZING, APPROPRIATING AND APPROVING THE SALE OF $500,000 OF PROPOSITION A FUNDS (LOCAL RETURN TRANSIT FUNDS) TO THE CITY OF COMMERCE FOR GENERAL FUNDS TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT FUND. 6.6 APPROVED LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ROYAL STREET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC TO DEVELOP A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY AT PANTERA PARK. 6.8 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-33: APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE FOURTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT EXCESS FUNDING FOR SYCAMORE CANYON PARK TRAIL, PHASE III (MIDDLE SECTION). 6.9 APPROVED EXTENSION OF CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH DIVERSIFIED TRANSPORTATION, LLC FOR FY 2007-08 DIAMOND RIDE (DIAL -A -CAB) SERVICE. 6.10 AUTHORIZED PURCHASE OF BLACKOUT WINDOW SHADES FROM DIVERSIFIED WINDOW COVERINGS FOR THE GRANDVIEW BALLROOM AT THE DIAMOND BAR CENTER IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $37,349.25, PLUS A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $650.75 FOR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING INSTALLATION, FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF $38,000. 6.11 APPROVED WASTE MANAGEMENT'S RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR CPI AND DISPOSAL COSTS. MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR: 6.1 City Council Minutes: (b) REGULAR MEETING Ftf atlthat e name of the person whoedhe Pledge oAlegace be changed to Speed Klinzing. 6.7 APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AN AGREEMENT WITH CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR TO EXTEND FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR BUS SHELTERS FOR SEVEN (7) ADDITIONAL YEARS FROM JULY 1, 2007 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2014. M/Tye wanted to know why the Council was being asked to approve an agreement for another seven years with no increase. CSD/Rose explained that the contract the City has had for the past seven years pays a guaranteed amount of $2000 per month for the existing bus stop shelters and the right to advertise. The City receives any amount beyond 19.1 % of the gross advertising revenues from the franchisee. If there is additional revenue earned the City is paid that money separate from the guaranteed $2000 per month. Over time the City has received additional revenues of $1200-$1300 per quarter. M/Tye said it seemed to him that with the escalation of cost to advertise the cost for advertising would increase. CSD/Rose stated that all costs increase. The franchisee is maintaining the bus shelters, benches and trash containers in good order and as well as servicing the trash containers. Obviously, the franchise costs increase as well. In negotiating prices it needs to be a fair agreement for the City as well as the provider of the equipment. M/Tye asked if the cost of replacing damaged equipment comes out of the gross revenue. CSD/Rose reiterated that the damaged equipment is replaced by the franchisee and the cost is not passed along to the City. There is no maintenance cost passed on to the City. M/Tye moved, C/Herrera seconded to approve Item 6.1(b) as amended and Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Clear Channel Outdoor to extend the Franchise Agreement for Bus Shelters for seven (7) additional years from - July 1, 2007 through June 20, 2014. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Everett, Herrera, MPT/Tanaka, M/Tye NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 7.1 (a) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2007-34: ADJUSTING EXISTING ANIMAL LICENSE FEES AND ESTABLISHING FEES FOR CAT LICENSING. SMA/McLean stated that late last year the City Council renewed its contract with the Humane Society for another three years for a total net annual cost of $202,008 with $100,000 of the cost being offset by existing license fees and other revenues generated by the Humane Society. The annual General Fund contribution for the next three years will be approximately $102,008, a 19.2% increase from the previous contract. Increased costs are due to increased cost of fuel, salary adjustments for officers and other general business increases. At its April 17 Study Session the City Council directed staff to bring forward an adjusted animal license fee schedule that included cat licensing. The recommended adjustments are: For unaltered dogs, $35.00 (formerly $25); altered dogs $15 (formerly $10); Seniors would pay $15 for altered dog licenses (formerly $5). If passed, the newfees would generate an additional $24,000 to offset the additional General Fund costs. The proposal includes $10 for unaltered cats and $5 for altered cats. Based on the Humane Society's estimate these additional fees would result in an additional $22,500. In total, the adjustments could result in an additional $46,500 to offset the annual General Fund contribution. (b) ORDINANCE NO. 05 (2007): AMENDING THE DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH CAT LICENSING PROCEDURES AND CLARIFYING THE DOG LICENSE FEE REDUCTION FOR SENIORS. M/Tye opened the Public Hearing. With no one present who wished to speak, M/Tye closed the Public Hearing. Following Council discussion, C/Chang moved, MPT/Tanaka seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 2007-34: Adjusting Existing Animal License Fees and Establishing Fees for Cat Licensing; and approve for first reading by title only, waive full reading of Ordinance No. 05(2007) Establishing Cat Licensing Procedures and Clarifying the Dog License Fee Reduction for Seniors. MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL With the following Roll Call vote, motion carried: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Everett, Herrera, MPT/Tanaka, M/Tye NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: 8.1 CONSIDERATION OF A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE CREATION OF THE FOUR CORNERS ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS OVERLAYING OTHER AREA GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND FOCUSING ENERGY ON RESOLVING TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, HOUSING CONCERNS, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONCERNS AND OTHER ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST TO THE MEMBER CITIES. CM/DeStefano presented a staff regarding the creation of the Four Corners Association of Governments, which would elevate the status of cities, water agencies, county agencies, transportation agencies, school districts and so forth to a closer association with the Southern California Association of Governments. A Joint Powers Agreement document has been created and should Diamond Bar take action tonight, it would be the first city to enter into such an agreement that would cross county boundary lines. This cause was championed by C/Herrera and is strongly supported by the Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments. C/Herrera pointed out that on Page 2 "Purposes should include planning to be focused on but not limited to transportation, water, housing, disaster preparedness and safety". Some of the cities she spoke with suggested including Sheriff's Department and Fire Department represented within the Association of Governments from the various counties. Many times members of organizations make decisions and plans in a vacuum and do not share their information across county lines. This association would present a unique forum for such a discussion. She asked for Council adoption and stated that as soon as this Association is legally formed she would ask SCAG to formally recognize the Four Corners Association of Governments. MPT/Tanaka said he was concerned about establishing another organization when several organizations have been established. There will be overlap of services and additional dues. He would be more amenable to furthering these agenda items within the current organizations that address these issues within their own jurisdictions. C/Herrera stated that this organization is not providing a "service." The entities mentioned are providing services within their own city boundaries. This organization would discuss issues and talk about resolution of issues on a regional basis crossing county lines. Currently, Diamond Bar belongs to 1 MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments whose jurisdiction ends at the Los Angeles County line. When she discussed this with the regional director of SCAG he stated to her that there is a tremendous gap within the Four Comers region with the growth in housing in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and along with growth in housing there needs to be a discussion about the adequate supply of water for example. There is no organization that extends from Los Angeles County into those areas. The regional director believes that the Four Corners sub region would serve that gap and fill a very great need. M/Tye commented that the report indicates that the San Gabriel Valley COG has focused its efforts on transportation projects at the western end of the Valley. Concentration and efforts toward cementing projects has been in other areas and he wondered if there had ever been a news conference about traffic at the SR57/60 interchange. He believed that the Four Corners Council of Governments would help Diamond Bar push efforts in the immediate area and did not see it as a duplication of effort. Diamond Bar is severely impacted by regional traffic that moves east. He believed this was a terrific idea and would like for Council to support the proposal. Dr. Gilbert Yanow, Wagon Trail Rd., felt the Council should be complimented for coming up with this idea because this would provide a forum for tying together cities within the region to the east. Mary Waymeier, Rock River Dr., said that prior to relocating to Southern California, she was a member of the Iowa -Illinois Bi -State Metropolitan Planning Commission and Law Enforcement Agency and felt the Four Corners idea was long overdue. This concept is not "more government," it is "government working smarter' and will prove to be strength in numbers. C/Herrera moved, C/Chang seconded to adopt the Joint Powers Authority Agreement for the Four Corners Association of Governments. C/Chang said he did not want to create another layer of government and spend more taxpayer money and if this were intended to enhance communication, coordination and cooperation across borders he would support the motion. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Everett, Herrera, M/Tye NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MPT/Tanaka ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL 8.2 APPROVE TRAFFIC CALMING CONCEPT PLAN ALONG SUNSET CROSSING ROAD BETWEEN DIAMOND BAR BOULEVARD AND PROSPECTORS ROAD AND ON PROSPECTORS ROAD BETWEEN SUNSET CROSSINGSTAFF O PROCEED WITH N THER INGS DRIVE, AND AUTHORIZE S PREPARATION OF DESIGN PLANS. SE/Yee provided a background on this effort. In March 2007 staff held a neighborhood meeting to present the enhanced concept and obtain feedback from residents. Comments received from residents were used to shape the concept into today's presentation, the same presentation made to the residents and the Traffic and Transportation Commission on Thursday, May 10. He gave a PowerPoint presentation. He said that during the neighborhood meeting, residents commented about commuters and pedestrians on the roads during peak hours, lack of enforcement and keeping trucks out of the community. Key issues included that residents did not want the City to push problems from one street to another, that the City should be cost effective, and manage the problem and not create a new problem. Based on input from the residents, staff has developed a plan for implementation that avoids overly restrictive measures and focuses on maximum benefit and minimum inconvenience. The tools considered for implementation in the plan include landscape medians and striped parking lanes, enforcement, median islands, intersection curb extensions and mid - block bulges. The Traffic and Transportation recommended that in order to address concerns voiced by residents about the proposed mitigation plans that the City provide temporary delineation of the medians and curb extensions on Prospectors Road. PWD/Liu stated staffs recommendation as follows: The City should implement this project in a phased approach. Phase I would include: The City moving forward with improvements on Sunset Crossing Rd. in the form of landscape medians, curb extension and bulges to provide for the desired reduction in traffic speed and volumes. Also as part of Phase I, Prospectors Rd. would proceed with temporary medians and bulges in order to further determine residents' desire and support for these devices. Staff would anticipate completing design for Phase I of the project in August and award the construction contract in October. After the traffic calming devices are installed and operational for six months staff will collect traffic data for comparison with the baseline traffic conditions. C/Herrera asked if the delineators would be attached to the roadway. PWD/Liu responded they would be anchored to the pavement with epoxy and that if they are hit, they would pop back up. C/Herrera said she was more concerned about their effectiveness because she felt it would be good more �oncerned about whebheathey would be lution for drivers to e ccustomed to their existence and she was MAY '15, 2007 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL knocked down and be rendered ineffective than be damaged. PWD/Liu explained that these mitigation measures have been tested in other communities and are effective in providing staff with necessary data. PWD/Liu responded to M/Tye that staff is prepared to move forward with the design in order to construct permanent improvements on Sunset Crossing Rd. Dr. Douglas Barcon, 404 N. Rock River Dr., found that there was a considerable amount of traffic coming from southbound SR57 onto Sunset Crossing. He noticed that it was faster for him to travel via Sunset Crossing Rd. from Prospectors Rd. and turn right on Diamond Bar Blvd. to gain access to the westbound SR60 freeway so it takes longer to sit in traffic on Golden Springs at Grand Ave. than it does to go on the freeway. He was not sure that the concept of not pushing the problem to other streets was valid. The major problem he sees is that the median being proposed down Sunset Crossing at Prospectors leads to the Little League Park and the YMCA. Little League lets out during certain months and it is bad enough having traffic back up on two lanes let alone one lane. The medians contain rock instead of landscaping which would add beauty to the area. He wanted to know what would happen to the property values in the area and would the residents tolerate these improvements or come to the City to ask that they be removed and at what cost. He felt the City would create a problem instead of managing the problem and should look at other solutions. He recommended the City Council hold off on the project and poll the residents. Lou Zing, Antler Dr., asked where traffic would go if this project were implemented. Unless the number of vehicles coming off of the freeway onto the streets could be reduced the problem will not be solved. He supported the mitigation measures. Claire Ashman, Prospectors Rd, said she and her husband attended the meetings in 2005 and requested a speed bump on Prospectors. Someone who was running the meeting said a speed bump was the worst thing that could be done because when speeding vehicles hit the bump they would become airborne. Now the City wants to put a median on Prospectors in front of their house. This will not stop cut through traffic on Beaverhead Dr. The median will not begin to prevent this problem it will become a flying speed bump. Her other concern was that if these measures were temporary the permanent fix would follow and residents would not be able to park on the street. There should be more enforcement on her street and it would be more cost effective. Kathy Chavez, 300 S. Rock River Rd., said she attended the April 23 and May 10 meetings. She has spent a lot of time on her block on Prospectors Rd. as she comes into it on South Rock River Rd. Her primary concern was that the residents have not been told the size of the mitigation measures, MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL how much traffic they would remove and so forth. Prospectors Rd. is a thoroughfare and needs to stay the size that it is to accommodate traffic. These dividers will not shut down the corridor for traffic coming off of the freeway —these measures will only impact the residents. She was opp osed to the proposed project. Mary Waymeier said the traffic consultant had done little to listen to the residents. Beaverhead and Prospectors Roads need to be controlled in the area of Neil Armstrong School. Residents asked for no speed bumps. The residents have never been told the exact size of the proposed medians. She agreed that then Council Member Huff was instrumental in getting the green space and it has made the neighborhood look nicer. The median should not be one traffic lane wide. Residents want the Council to put the brakes on this project and allow the residents to input their concerns and the Sheriff's Department needs to start writing tickets again. M/Tye asked if the consultants were not listening or telling residents something they did not want to hear. Mrs. Waymeier felt the consultants were not listening to the residents because they have their own ideas about what they want to install as mitigation devices. Consultants do not live there, residents do. This is one of the older neighborhoods in Diamond Bar. Rumble strips might work better. The residents have asked for stop signs on Rock River for years and still there are none. She does not want to impede the residents. Larry Belcher, 216 Gunsmoke Drive (east of Prospectors Road), was concerned whether drivers would stop at the stop sign at Rock River and turn right onto his street. His street is a steep street and he would not want any more traffic on his street. Jack Istik thanked staff and especially PWD/Liu and SE/Yee as well as the Engineering Consultant for being so thorough and felt the City should at some point in the future hire the consultant again, if necessary. During the last workshop a Sheriff's representative said that enforcement was not an effective way of mitigating traffic in Diamond Bar. Random enforcement would be more effective and offer a side benefit with respect to safety and crime for the neighborhood. He felt a two -phased approach was good and that the mitigation measures should be installed on Sunset Crossing Rd. and that the City should wait to install mitigation measures on Prospectors Rd. until a tater time to see if the frommovinglto Prospectors Rd. down of Sunset Crossing Rd. would impede the freeway traffic C/Herrera asked staff to again repeat its recommendation. PWD/Liu reiterated staff's recommendation. MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL M/Tye asked PWD/Liu to respond to questions about what size the medians and other mitigation measures will be and how they would affect their neighborhoods. M/Tye felt the City should listen to what people are saying and asking and figure out what is right for Sunset Crossing Rd. and Prospectors Rd. What would happen if there were "no left tum" signs posted between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on that intersection, for example? What would prevent the City from making a "no left turn" from Golden Springs Dr. onto Prospectors Rd. from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.? He felt these measures would diffuse the traffic and keep vehicles on arterials. PWD/Liu said that was one of the suggestions brought forth during one of the neighborhood meetings. At the end of the day, everyone would be impacted including the residents. Based on the input during the meetings, residents did not want to be inconvenienced by turning restrictions. M/Tye said that the proposed mitigation measures would impact the residents 24/7 and the "no left turn" signs would definitely impact the traffic and the folks in the neighborhood only during certain hours. M/Tye felt the items should be reviewed and that staff should listen to the residents. MPT/Tanaka agreed with M/Tye. Residents have lived with this situation for a long time and taking a couple of extra weeks would not place a hardship on anyone. C/Herrera agreed that this matter should receive further consideration. Most of all, she would not want the City to install wide medians and after a couple of months end up removing them as the City did with the traffic circles, a waste of City time and money. C/Herrera moved, C/Chang seconded to table this matter and continue talking with residents about more mutually agreeable solutions. C/Chang was surprised so many residents from one area appeared to speak tonight because when the City holds neighborhood meetings hundreds of notices are sent out and only four or five residents show up for the meeting. The City wants to listen to the residents because it is their City. He asked tonight's speakers to please encourage their neighbors to participate in the neighborhood meetings. M/Tye said he did not want the Public Works Department nor the Traffic and Transportation Commission to be discouraged because this is a process and while he did not believe the traffic circles were a good idea he believed it was a great idea to put them in and get people talking about their feelings and concerns. He agreed with C/Herrera that medians are a greater expense to the City. He would see properly landscaped medians as a definite neighborhood improvement but the City needs to make certain that all goals are met. MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 14 CITY COUNCIL Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MPT/Ta akaver t, Herrera, NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None g. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Everett thanked tonight's meeting participants. He said he appreciated the residents' input and felt badly that this matter had not been dealt with sooner but felt hopeful that design plans would move forward as quickly as possible. He thanked C/Herrera for her leadership in creation of the Four Corners Association of Governments. He thanked staff for their work and commented on items passed on the Consent Calendar this evening such as the Diamond Ride Program and the maintenance contract for bus shelters. He asked residents to provide input and ideas for Council goals and objective. C/Chang said the past two weeks had been very busy for him. The very successful Casino Night was hosted by the Brahma Foundation to help defer school program expenses and the event raised a lot of money. He commended the Foundation members and volunteers. Many residents attended the standing room only services for D.B. resident Rita Myer, a very moving experience. He was honored to officiate at a wedding last week for a young couple that graduated from D.B.H.S. and Claremont College. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Choi a wonderful honeymoon in France and a wonderful life. He commented on how special Mothers are and hoped everyone enjoyed Mother's Day. He asked residents to look on-line or request a hard copy of the Council's Goals and Objective for the upcoming Fiscal Year and tender their recommendations. The financial 4 million tate of the Public CitySafeis strong. This coming year the City will spend about y. C/Herrera thanked her colleagues who voted to approve the Joint Powers Authority Agreement for the Four Corners Association of Governments, an organization that will no doubt be a very important tool for D.B. and will give D.B. a stronger voice in gaining support for its projects. She asked that staff send a copy of the ft document via email to the City of Industry, Walnut, Pomona, Claremont, Rowland Water District and Walnut Valley Water District so that they could put the item on their agendas for approval. Individuals who spoke about development of the golf course and Aera property were upset that they had to hear about these proposals from an outsider who lives in Brea. C/Herrera explained that this process is in ect very initial stages and Council has made no decision regarding any project. Diamond Bar is very conservative and verycarefully The same holds true with these ects of any proposal to make sure that it benefits the residents. issues. Despite the fact that this matter has been on the City Council's list of goals for several years, many people said they were not informed about the possible annexation. For the eleven years she has served on the City Counciloped t ere has been conversation about the Aera property Y g 1 MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 15 CITY COUNCIL Schlotterbeck who lives in Brea sends out flyers scaring residents saying that there will be thousands and thousands of cars; it will be a traffic nightmare, a concrete jungle, etc. No one knows what a possible project will entail because the plan has not yet been presented and the EIR has not been presented. If Diamond Bar annexes this area into its City it does not want a concrete jungle. Diamond Bar is a Tree City. Diamond Bar loves its trees and green hillsides. Diamond Bar will make sure that as much land as possible is preserved while allowing the Developer to develop his land. To take the land away and not do anything is against the law. She wanted to reassure the residents and the public that the City Council and City staff would look into all aspects of the proposal very carefully to make sure that it was ultimately a benefit to the Diamond Bar residents. MPT/Tanaka reiterated that the City Council represents the residents. During the past two weeks he attended the following activities: D.B.H.S. Brahma Foundation Casino Night and thanked the D.B. Leo's for helping with the setup; congratulated Mary Helen Warren who won the Volkswagen convertible. He attended Rita Myer's funeral and again expressed condolences to the family. He attended the Seniors Mother's Day luncheon; PUSD meeting; 381h Annual Peace Officers Memorial in Whittier; D.R.H.S. Career Day; D.B. 4 -Youth third middle school dance; Fire Service Day for the East Region held in Norwalk; D.B./Walnut Sheriff's Booster Club and Walnut Valley Kiwanis Club 19th Annual Golf Classic and Fundraiser. He thanked Key Club members and students from D.B.H.S. for assisting with the event. Today he attended the PUSD Community Services Awards presentation with M/Tye. He thanked the D.B.H.S. who stayed throughout tonight's meeting. M/Tye said he was encouraged by Claire Schlotterbeck's presence this evening and was hopeful that there would be mutual dialogue to correct misconceptions. He asked that the writers of the flyers be a little more straightforward and honest. Reading from their website of May 7, 2007 it read "the Mayor, in a parting shot accused his own residents of being pawns of outsiders specifically naming Hills for Everyone." M/Tye asked what anyone means when they use the term "a parting shot." M/Tye said he would never call anyone a "pawn" and would never think that ,way about anyone. Diamond Bar always runs its meetings openly and fairly and he hoped that Hills for Everyone would attempt to learn from Diamond Bar's example. It is interesting that someone would appear at this podium and state that they do not need to behave at the same level as the City should behave. Diamond Bar will continue to act in the open and completely transparent regardless of what Hills for Everyone does. Private meetings send the wrong message to members of the public who wish to be better informed. M/Tye said it was a pleasure to attend the PUSD Service Awards Recognition Ceremony and acknowledged several award recipients. Diamond Bar residents are blessed to live in such a generous community. He spoke about attending the Chaparral Middle School end -of -season orchestra performance last Friday at D.B.H.S. He hoped that residents would join the City tomorrow night at the Diamond Bar Center for the Scoping meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. to listen and provide as much information as possible. MAY 15, 2007 PAGE 16 CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 9:32 p.m. TOMMYE CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this .5th STEV T AYO day of 2007.