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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/2/2008 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION DECEMBER 2, 2008 STUDY SESSION: M/Tanaka called the Study Session to order at 5:35 p.m. in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA. Present: Council Member Chang, Herrera, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Everett and Mayor Tanaka. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; Michael Jenkins, City Attorney; David Liu, Public Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Ken Desforges, IS Director; Linda Magnuson, Finance Director; Ryan McLean, Assistant to the City Manager; Patrick Gallegos, Management Analyst; Rick Yee, Sr. Civil Engineer; Joyce Lee, Senior Management Analyst; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. I► DISCUSSION OF SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE — Discussion and Action. A. Negotiate with Current Haulers versus Soliciting Proposals B. City Council Solid Waste Subcommittee C. Solid Waste Franchise Negotiation/RFP Process Integrity Rules A. NEGOTIATE WITH CURRENT HAULERS VERSUS SOLICITING PROPOSALS CM/DeStefano summarizing the Study Session of November 18, 2008 stated that at the end of the Study Session it was decided to continue discussion to tonight's study session as to whether the City Council should seek competitive proposals for waste hauling or move forward with exclusive negotiations with the two existing haulers. CM/DeStefano indicated that it was very important for staff to know in which direction the Council wishes to proceed because that decision affects whether the Council continues with the Solid Waste Subcommittee or entertains a different negotiation process. C/Tye said he believed the Council disbanded the subcommittee. M/Tanaka said he decided to table the discussion until the Council determined how to move forward. DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION C/Herrera stated that she had expressed her opinion at the last meeting that the City should first try and negotiate with the City's two current waste companies. C/Chang said he felt strongly that the City should move forward with a very open process allowing all the waste haulers to compete. This method would provide residents with the confidence that the City was doing the right thing. Additionally, the City, not going through a six-month renegotiation process would save time. MPT/Everett believed that the relationship with the current waste haulers was vital to his parameters and that the relationship that the City has with the current waste haulers could be factored in; however, because it is intangible and experience driven it can't be quantified in an RFP process. He agreed with C/Chang that the issue of perception and objectivity to the constituents is critical but felt it was not just perception the Council has to be above board. With eight years invested he felt that to normalize that with any other incoming vendor was going to be very difficult. MPT/Everett further stated that he also agreed with C/Tye regarding the term "free agency" and although some may disagree he felt it works in some arenas. If after a defined period of time if we are unable to negotiate with the haulers, having learned more the Council could then move aggressively forward, save money and be comfortable with the decision. Using that analogy he believed that the Council needed to consider negotiations with the two vendors for a specific period. At the end of that time, the City becomes a "free agent" and goes out to the marketplace with all of that knowledge and experience that the City has put together at that point. C/Chang stated that he is not trying to keep the present haulers out of the running, he is trying to include them in a proposal that will result in what is right for the residents by keeping negotiations open to all vendors. This is a long-term contract. MPT/Everett stated that he doesn't want to give extra credit unnecessarily because of the relationship but he wants to use that relationship to negotiate the best deal. MPT/Herrera stated that eight years ago the City opened up negotiations to all the haulers and that the City had received a number of responses from which was selected the two companies the City felt would do the best job. She believed that in the eight years the City had contracted with the two companies they have done a very good job for the City. To continue and want to renegotiate with them was not, in her opinion, out of line or a DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION bad idea because the residents have become accustomed to the haulers and the haulers have become accustomed to the community and residents. Renegotiating would offer the City and residents some continuity. When you open the process to all you don't know what you will get. She further stated that she was confident in the company the Council had hired to help with the negotiations and believed that the Council was doing its due diligence and making every effort to obtain the best negotiated contract for the City and residents and therefore was still in favor of renegotiating. C/Chang said he likes the current waste haulers but for this process nothing is better than the open bid process. MPT/Everett felt that when you negotiate with a significantly invested resource like a utility or waste hauler, and worked through a win-win relationship knowing we have tested the market and that nobody else can beat it we will be much better off. He felt that you lose a lot when you go to RFP because it is a big investment to all parties and can be costly. He would rather have that investment put into the City's relationship assuming that it comes to a good conclusion. Every day is a new day and we'll make decisions based on what we know today and what we've learned and then look forward. C/Chang felt the cost would not be much different if the City immediately called for an RFP because the City is paying the consultant to renegotiate or to go through an open bid anyway. He felt the intangible cost (trustworthiness of the City's government) might be too great. Council holds the trust and hope of the residents that we are making the best selection possible. With an exclusivity program the City is not true to itself or its residents. M/Tanaka felt that through the City's consultant the Council could put together an RFP that would address costs and type of service the City would expect for its residents. Although residents may feel that they are very happy with the current vendors there may be something the Council has not considered or that the current vendors are not doing the best job that can be done in the industry. So that the Council is not selling the City and its residents short it needs to look at what is in the marketplace today and then make the decision. MPT/Everett said his concern was that D.B. was unique and that it was hard to factor the relationship value and the intangibles. He is still very cautious and that is why he supported the consultant so that the City would not miss an opportunity. DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION C/Chang stated that if the Council Members were saying they were in favor of the current vendors and kept the relationship because of the service they offer with all of the other factors present, once there is an open bid those would come to light. If they are the best they will get the credit and therefore the Council will vote for them. If the RFP process is used and the City reaches the same conclusion none of the residents will complain about an exclusive process. C/Herrera did not believe the residents would accuse the City Council of not practicing good government if the City renegotiated the current contracts because there has not been any dissention about the two waste haulers that currently contract with the City. She believed that the Council could point out that it was attempting to negotiate the best contract for the City and for the residents by using practices that other cities have employed. Actually, D.B. is going a step further by hiring a consultant to help the City negotiate the best contract and that the consultant knows the best practices and best deals in all of the surrounding San Gabriel Valley cities. It is the consultant's business to know and to advise the Council. The consultant will evaluate the renegotiation points and tell the Council whether each point is good or not. C/Tye said that he has an opportunity to think about this issue and to talk with lots of residents. During the past eight years and the two yet to come, the landscape in this business has changed significantly and will continue to change over the next 10 years. He was not concerned about the pressure of a six-month exclusive window because this issue is not time -sensitive since the contract does not expire until August 2010. However, the Council needs to get started and give staff some direction so that the process moves forward. He stated that what troubled him the most is that he believed that the current haulers have benefited from working through the bugs and are looking to do better. By this time the haulers have got to know whether pursuing another 10 -year contract is worth their time, worth making the extra effort and worth looking at local service and landfill issues, etc. Two things that most concern him are that if the City goes to an RFP somebody could buy that business and then what happens as a result. He was also very concerned about a "dog and pony show." If the Council is going to do the RFP just to say it went through the process and ends up with the two current haulers that would trouble him even more. He is not as concerned about someone bringing up "why didn't you put it out to bid and why didn't you go out with an RFP". He is far less concerned about answering that question than about looking a constituent in the face who says "why in the world did you pick those people instead of our current hauler'. This is a tough issue and other cities have put their decision off time and again. He recognizes it is a 1 DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION tough issue but given all of the above, he believes the City does not lose anything by negotiating specifically with the current haulers. At the end of the six month period the City would go elsewhere if it was not satisfied. What really concerns him is what if the City went to an RFP and because the City went through that process, ultimately lost some of the incumbents. What if one of the incumbents decided not to go through the process that would be a far more difficult conversation to have with a business that is satisfied with Valley Vista or a homeowner that is satisfied with their hauler. He is most concerned with the public issues and the Council is here to address those concerns and not to pass them off or act like they don't exist. He felt it was fair to everyone concerned to negotiate exclusively for a six-month period with the current trash haulers. C/Herrera said she seconded C/Tye's motion. C/Chang and M/Tanaka reiterated their positions. C/Herrera said she respected everyone's opinion but had another view because she saw no lack of integrity if the City negotiated with the current haulers. She asked CM/DeStefano if a motion would be appropriate. CM/DeStefano responded affirmatively. C/Herrera moved, C/Tye seconded, to begin the process by negotiating with the current haulers. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Tye, MPT/Everett NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, M/Tanaka ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None B. CITY COUNCIL SOLID WASTE SUBCOMMITTEE CM/DeStefano stated that with respect to the subcommittee, at the last Study Session there was a desire by the subcommittee members to dissolve the committee and utilize the full Council for negotiation. There are a variety of opinions regarding the direction the Council has now decided to take and staff would recommend that the subcommittee be dissolved and that the full City Council be utilized in the process to ensure regular viable communication between staff and Council throughout the six-month renegotiation process with the current carriers as directed by the City Council. Based on Council's direction, staff will immediately commence discussions with the two waste haulers and schedule the first educational process for the Council as quickly as possible. DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION CA/Jenkins explained that the process would be that staff will form a negotiating team to work with the consultant to engage in negotiations and bring reports back to the City Council as necessary. The majority of the negotiations will be conducted by staff. Council concurred to receive a report at every meeting. CM/DeStefano felt that at least one meeting per month on this subject was necessary to get the City Council to the decision-making point within the next six -months. C. SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE NEGOTIATION/RFP PROCESS INTEGRITY RULES. CM/DeStefano said that some concern was raised by the City Council when this item was discussed. The concern centered on the fact that this was a process the City had not engaged in before and some expression that the City did not need to engage in this process for this negotiation. Staff took this concern from information it received as a result of other waste haulers and cities undergoing a negotiation process. Staff thought it was a good idea for D.B. but staff decided that it would be better to consult with the Council Members to determine whether the City's practices over the last two decades was more effective and the direction the City wants to go. C/Herrera believed that the Council had always had integrity. D.B. is not a City that needs guidelines. C/Tye said that integrity does not require rules. You either behave with integrity or you don't. Rules will not make a bit of difference. MPT/Everett agreed. Integrity of this group is very high and his only concern was the perception. He understood C/Chang's concerns and that it was good for the Council to recommit its integrity in honor of the defined points that C/Chang made. C/Chang thanked MPT/Everett for his comments. However, he said the integrity he proposed had to do with the process. If the Council agrees he will sign the paper but he is more concerned about integrity in the contract process because staff has always strongly recommended the open bid process. �1 1 1 DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 7 CC STUDY SESSION M/Tanaka said the first time he reviewed the document he did not question whether the Council had integrity but he believed it applied to letting vendors know and understand how D.B. operates. C/Tye said that integrity and character is expressed by the way one behaves when no one is looking. These rules are offensive to him because 1) he believes they are not necessary and 2) these rules written on this memo on this date are irrelevant to the way that City Council handles itself. First of all, if any Council Member receives a call from a waste hauler he should know that it is not appropriate, say goodbye and hang up. This document serves no such purposes. He reiterated that the people of D.B. elected the City Council Members to make these decisions and answer these questions. They did not elect Council Members that they did not expect to practice the highest integrity in all cases. M/Tanaka restated Council's desire to eliminate Item C from consideration. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Tanaka adjourned the Study Session at 6:30 p.m. TOMMYEt CRIBBINS, City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 16th day of December 2008. R N EVERETT, Mayor MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR DECEMBER 2, 2008 CLOSED SESSION: 5:00 p.m. — Room CC -8 Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None Offered. ► Government Code Section 54956.9(c) Initiation of Litigation — One Case STUDY SESSION: 5:35 p.m., Room CC -8 ► Discussion of Solid Waste Franchise - Discussion and Action. A. Negotiate with Current Haulers versus Soliciting Proposals B. City Council Solid Waste Subcommittee C. Solid Waste Franchise Negotiation/RFP Process Integrity Rules M/Tanaka recessed the Study Session to the Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tanaka called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. in AQMD/The Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA. CM/DeStefano stated that during tonight's Closed Session no reportable action was taken by the City Council. CM/DeStefano reported that tonight's Study Session commenced at 5:35 p.m. Council and staff discussed matters relating to the upcoming Solid Waste Franchise renewal process that will be coming up in August 2010. Council discussed options and took the following actions: Enter into exclusive negotiating period of six months with the two current waste haulers. Should negotiations fail within the designated time period Council will then open it up to a competitive bid process. Council also took action to dissolve its subcommittee and discussed rules of process during the negotiation process. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Tanaka led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Pastor Randy Lanthripe, Church in the Valley, gave the invocation. ROLL CALL: Council Members Chang, Herrera, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Everett and Mayor Tanaka. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; Michael Jenkins, City Attorney; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Linda Magnuson, Finance Director; Ryan McLean, Assistant to the City Manager; Joyce Lee, Senior DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL Management Analyst; Kimberly Molina, Associate Engineer; Lauren Hildago, Public Information Specialist and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 M/Tanaka presented a City Tile to Marisa Somenzi, Senior Administrative Assistant upon her leaving the City of Diamond Bar. 1.2 Marny Shay, Chairman for Diamond Bar Friends of the Library "Read Together Diamond Bar" Event and M/Tanaka presented Certificate Plaques to students who participated. Mrs. Shay announced that South Pointe Middle School had won the Event and presented South Pointe with a plaque and that the school's name would be placed on the perpetual plaque hanging at the Diamond Bar Library. 2. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION: M/Tanaka opened nominations for Mayor. C/Herrera nominated MPT/Everett to serve as Mayor. C/Chang seconded the nomination. With no further nominations offered motion carried by the following Roll call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Herrera, Tye, MPT/Everett, M/Tanaka NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None C/Tanaka passed the gavel to incoming Mayor Everett. M/Everett opened nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. C/Tye nominated C/Herrera to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. C/Herrera seconded the nomination. With no further nominations offered motion carried by the following Roll call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS Chang, Herrera, Tanaka, Tye, M/Everett None None M/Everett thanked outgoing Mayor Tanaka and presented him with a DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL ceremonial gavel commemorating his service. Outgoing Mayor Tanaka thanked staff, public safety officers, his wife Wanda and other supporters. Pat Fabio, representing Congressman Miller's office, presented outgoing Mayor Tanaka with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition. Gary Neely, on behalf of State Senator Huff, presented outgoing Mayor Tanaka with a Certificate of Recognition for his service. Battalion Chief Jim Gandy presented outgoing Mayor Tanaka with a Certificate of Recognition and thanked him for his support Captain Halm and Lt. Maxey presented outgoing Mayor Tanaka with a Recognition Plaque and thanked him for his support. Superintendent Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana presented outgoing Mayor Tanaka with a Certificate and thanked him for his support of the children in the Pomona Unified School District. Sam Olivito, Executive Director with California Contract Cities, presented a plaque and thanked outgoing Mayor Tanaka for his support as Vice Chair of the Bylaws Committee. RECESS: M/Everett recessed the City Council Meeting at 7:14 p.m. RECONVENE: M/Everett reconvened the City Council Meeting at 7:40 p.m. 3. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None Offered. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Allen Wilson thanked former Mayor Tanaka for his service to the community. He asked that Consent Calendar Item 6.5 be pulled. He questioned the General Fund receipts and disbursements from June through August and how much revenue had been lost to the City. It seemed that the City was spending more than it was taking in. Sue Peter, WVUSD Childcare Department, invited everyone to a pre- school Holiday event on Thursday, December 18 from 9:45 a.m., Funshine Preschool, 841 S. Glenwick near Walnut Elementary. Kathy Chen, President, Chinese American Association, invited everyone to attend a fire appreciation luncheon on Thursday, December 18 at the DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL Diamond Bar Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: FD/Magnuson responding to Mr. Wilson's question stated that the City receives revenues on a cyclical basis in large amounts. During the summer months large capital improvements projects are completed and therefore large expenditures are entered during those times. Last fiscal year the City's income far exceeded its outgo and the City anticipates the same for fiscal year 2008/09. In response to C/Tye, CM/DeStefano stated that the City's investments are safe and secure. The primary interest is in security, liquidity and in yield. D.B. operates very conservatively and all of its investments are reviewed by the City Council each month. This year's Budget- for Fiscal Year 2008/09 was presented to the Council in a very conservative fashion. Staff anticipated a downturn in revenue and is reviewing the issue at this moment. No one could have predicted the slump in the economy and D.B. is looking at how that affects the City. Overall, D.B. is operating as predicted. In addition, to safeguarding the City from unexpected downturns, it has chosen to freeze vacant positions that have occurred since July 2008 and the City may continue to freeze filling those positions over the coming months as the economics reveals itself. In reference to the speaker, on average the City was utilizing an average of $1.7 million in funds. Generally speaking, $1.7 million x 12 months is $21 million, roughly the exact budget estimated for this year's needs. The City has good reserves, is in good financial condition and is not experiencing the financial issues some other cities are experiencing at this point in the economy. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — December 9, 2008 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr. 5.2 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — December 11, 2008 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21865 Copley Dr. 5.3 Candy Cane Craft Fair — December 13, 2008 — 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Ave. 5.4 City Council Meeting — December 16, 2008 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr. DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Chang requested that Consent Calendar Item 6.9 be pulled for further discussion. C/Chang moved, C/Herrera seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of item 6.9. Motion carried by the following Roll Call: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Tanaka, Tye, MPT/Herrera, M/Everett NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 6.1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: (a) Study Session of November 18, 2008 — Approved as submitted. (b) Regular Meeting of November 18, 2008 — Approved as submitted. 6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of October 23, 2008. 6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of October 9, 2008. 6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated November 13, 2008 through November 25, 2008 totaling $1,665,110.21. 6.5 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR OCTOBER 2008 AND REVISED TREASURER'S STATEMENTS FOR JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2008. 6.6 AUTHORIZED CITY MANAGER TO EXTEND A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LILLEY PLANNING GROUP, INC. (LPG), TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $125,000 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 TO PROVIDE CONTINUED ONSITE PLANNING SERVICES. 6.7 APPROVED EXONERATION OF SURETY BOND NO. 6341975 POSTED BY TARGET CORPORATION DBA TARGET STORES FOR PARCEL 1 OF PARCEL MAP 14819 (TARGET STORE LOCATION) TO COMPLETE STREET, DRAINAGE EROSION CONTROL, LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION, SEWER, NON - DISTRICT WATER AND GRADING IMPROVEMENTS. 6.8 APPROVED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH L.A. COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO SECURE $2,294,000 IN GRANT FUNDS FOR STATE ROUTE 60/LEMON AVENUE PARTIAL INTERCHANGE DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL PROJECT. --- ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR: 6.9 APPROVE THREE YEAR RENEWAL OF LETTER OF CREDIT FOR CITY OF DIAMOND BAR PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY VARIABLE RATE LEASE REVENUE BONDS, 2002 SERIES A. C/Chang asked if it would be possible to seek a one-month extension on the current rate to determine whether or not the City can find a better rate. CM/DeStefano referred to staff's report that talked about the difference in the bank rate and that it was at .85% which was a .35% increase over last year. Last year's Letter of Credit rate was .50%. In 2002 when this financing mechanism was initiated, the Letter of Credit fee was .85%. It was reduced as a result of negotiations last year to .50%. Also, last year staff brought this matter to the attention of the City Council and that there had been a discussion about the need to review the financing for the Diamond Bar Center and the need to discuss the issue before the end of this calendar year. The current Letter of Credit expires on December 18 and staff has spent the last month attempting to find financial institutions that would be willing to undertake this issue and provide the City with a better rate. Through a lot of work by FD/Magnuson and the newly hired firm of De la Rosa, this was the best financing rate that the City could obtain. It was very difficult to get financial institutions to respond due to the volatility in the marketplace at this time. Staff is recommending that the City Council approve this extension of the Letter of Credit because at the point .85% rate, while it is higher than last year it is no higher than the original issuance in 2002 and staff does not believe a more favorable rate is available. Staff also discussed with Union Bank the possibility of extending this Letter of Credit for an additional time period which the bank was unwilling to do. The Letter of Credit is being proposed for a maximum of three years. The City has an opportunity to extend the Letter of Credit for one year with an option to extend an additional two years so the City can opt out after one year. Since the extension period was an issue not concluded by Friday when the Council packet was produced the letter with additional detail was provided to the City Council upon receipt of the information on Monday. Although this issue could technically be decided at the next Council meeting, staff believes that with the volatility in the marketplace it would not be successful in generating -- a better rate. DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL C/Chang moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve a three year renewal of the Letter of Credit for City of Diamond Bar Public Financing Authority Variable Rate Lease Revenue Bonds, 2002 Series A. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Tanaka, Tye, MPT/Herrera, M/Everett NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 7. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS: None 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None RECESS: M/Everett recessed the City Council Meeting to the Redevelopment Agency at 8:07 p.m. RECONVENE: M/Everett reconvened the City Council meeting at 8:14 p.m. -- 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Tanaka reported that during the past week he attended meetings for Contract Cities, Regional Chamber Board, L.A. County Sanitation District 21 Meeting and San Gabriel Council of Governments. He also thanked everyone who supported him during his tenure as Mayor. C/Tye congratulated the Diamond Ranch High School football team for their success in the CIF playoffs. He invited everyone to join him and his wife this Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. in supporting Diamond Ranch High School in the semi-final game with West Covina at Ganesha High School's - District Field. He thanked outgoing Mayor Tanaka and Wanda Tanaka for their service to the community and congratulated the Mayor and Mrs. Everett. C/Chang congratulated former Mayor Tanaka and Wanda for their participation in the many community events. He also congratulated M/Everett and MPT/Herrera. He received several calls from residents inquiring about the rumor that a neighboring community was suffering from pine beetles. After consulting with CSD/Rose he learned that there was no reported infestation in the area. MPT/Herrera thanked former Mayor Tanaka for the job he has done during the past two years. MPT/Herrera said she looked forward to serving with M/Everett and offered her support in his efforts. She again thanked the public service agencies and especially the Fire Department DECEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL for their efforts in protecting the homes. She was particularly pleased with seeing the many marquees honoring the fire and safety organizations. She hoped everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and said she was looking forward to a great 2009. M/Everett thanked all the Commissioners, Council Members, and volunteers who have served the City so faithfully during the past year. He thanked his colleagues for the opportunity to serve the community as Mayor and thanked the staff and contractors for their dedicated service. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Everett adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 8:28 p.m. in honor of the many facing difficult times and victims, families and friends of the Mumbai terrorist activities. M/Everett extended condolences and deepest sympathies to the family of three-year old Michelle Kwon who lost her life in a tragic accident on Wednesday at Maple Hill Elementary School. TOMMYE CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 16th day of December , 2008. ORN EVERETT, MAYOR