HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/15/2009 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
CLOSED SESSION: 6:00 p.m., Room CC -8
Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None Offered.
► Government Code Section 54957 — Public Employee Performance
Evaluation: (City Manager Evaluation)
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Everett called the Regular City Council
meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. in The Government Center/SCAQMD Auditorium,
21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: MPT/Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Mark Hopper, Pastor, Evangelical Free
Church, led the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Wen Chang, Jack Tanaka,
Steve Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Herrera, and Mayor Ron Everett.
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; Rick Yee, Senior Civil
Engineer; Kimberly Molina, Associate Engineer; Anthony Santos, Management
Analyst; and, Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 C/Chang presented a Certificate Plaque and City Tile to Linda
Magnuson, Finance Director, upon the 20th Anniversary of her
employment with the City.
1.2 M/Everett proclaimed September 28, 2009 as Family Day — "A Day
to Eat Dinner with Your Children".
1.3 C/Tanaka presented a Certificate Plaque to Mr. Sheerajin, Manager
of Thai Harmony Cafe, 1345 S. Diamond Bar Blvd. #J, New
Business of the Month for September 2009.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 Capt. Dave Halm and Lt. Joe Maxey, LA County Sheriffs
Department, Diamond Bar/Walnut Station, gave a presentation on
crime statistics and the results of the safety survey that was done.
They also showed a video that offered safety tips to parents during
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
peak school traffic hours.
MPT/Herrera thanked the officers for sharing the video. She stated
that there is a lot of traffic at local schools. As a former school
board member, she remembers when those schools were built and
that they were meant for children to walk to school; however, it
appears that today parents drive their children to school and
therefore causes traffic congestion. She thanked the Sheriffs
Department's personnel for their commitment to D.B.
Capt. Halm pointed out that the Neighborhood Watch Program has
greatly contributed to the decrease in the crime rate in the City.
C/Chang thanked the officers for their presentation and for sharing
the results of the survey indicating that residents feel safer. He
also thanked the residents for their help through Neighborhood
Watch. C/Chang said he noticed that citations increased
dramatically during June, July and August 2009 versus the same
period last year and wondered why.
Capt. Halm responded by stating that since there had been an
increase in residential and vehicle burglaries the Department
decided to refocus the deputies by stepping up violations in the
hopes that they could catch more criminals as well as show that
this is a very aggressive and pro -active community. During the
past month there have been two situations where residents called
the Department and both turned out to be good arrests. He
encouraged residents to call the Department if they observe any
suspicious activity because officers would rather check and have it
be nothing than get the call after the crime has been committed.
M/Everett added his support for a job well done and thanked the
officers for their report and the Department for a reduction in
residential burglary.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ling -Ling Chang, 3232 Bent Twig Ln., representing the Walnut Valley
Water Board, thanked the community for participating in water
conservation efforts. During the past few months there has been a 13%
decrease in water consumption which exceeded the Board's 10% goal.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 PAGE 3
5.
C
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
CITY COUNCIL
5.1 Diamond Bar Day at the Fair, Thursday, September 17, 2009 —
Check-in at 9:30 a.m., Community Expo 9:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m.; New
FairKids Tour 10:00 a.m.; Lunch 12:00 p.m. (Vineyard Ballroom,
Sheraton Hotel); Horse Race 2:40 p.m.; Reception 4:00 p.m.;
Parade 5:00 p.m.; and "A Salute to Heroes" at 5:30 p.m. (Two for
one tickets available at City Hall, Regional Chamber of Commerce
and on the City's Website under the Recreation tab).
5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — September 22, 2009 — 7:00 p.m.,
AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr.
5.3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 24, 2009
— 7:00 p.m., Diamond Bar Center, 1600 S. Grand Ave.
5.4 City Council Meeting — October 6, 2009 — 6:30 p.m.,
AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr.
CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Tye moved, C/Chang seconded, to approve
the Consent Calendar as presented. 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 - Regular Meeting of September 1, 2009
—Approved as submitted.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:
(a) Workshop of July 28, 2009.
(b) Regular Meeting of July 28, 2009.
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of July 30, 2009.
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated August 27, 2009 through
September 9, 2009 totaling $862,363.76.
6.5 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2009-40: APPROVING THE
APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE
RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM UNDER THE "SAFE,
ACCOUNTABLE, FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION
EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS" (SAFETEA-LU) FOR
THE STEEP CANYON TRAILHEAD CONNECTOR TO THE
CANYON ROUTE TRAIL PROJECT.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 PAGE 4
CITY COUNCIL
6.6 APPROVED CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH FEHR & PEERS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $55,000 FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
RELATED TO THE STATE ROUTE 57/60 FREEWAY
CONGESTION RELIEF STRATEGY.
6.7 AWARDED CONTRACT TO ARCHITERRA DESIGN_ GROUP IN
THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $63,300 FOR THE DESIGN OF
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR THE ADA RETROFIT OF
THREE MINI -PARKS IN LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (LLAD) NO. 39; AMOUNT INCLUDES
$4,000 FOR REIMBURSABLES.
6.8 APPROVED RENEWAL OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH LOS
ANGELES COUNTY FOR MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
SERVICES.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER
COMMENTS:
C/Tye said he hoped everyone would join the Diamond Bar Day at the Fair
on Thursday. Kudos to Captain Halm and Lt. Maxey and the Sheriffs
Department for the outstanding job they do on behalf of the City. Two
weeks ago he attended a National Parks Service San Gabriel Water Shed
and Mountains Special Resource Study at the Diamond Bar Center. A
few years ago D.B. asked to be taken out of that area; however, the
National Parks Service determined that it would be better for the City to be
considered in the study and plan as it moves forward. The City continues
to let Congressman Miller know of the City's position on the matter and we
believe he understand the City's position. Last Saturday he attended the
Draft Parks Master Plan presentation. He would have preferred greater
attendance but those present were very involved and engaged in the
process. He congratulated Linda Magnuson on 20 years with the City. He
asked that the Council recognize Tommye Cribbins on her 20 years of
service with the City as well.
The Council presented a City Tile to Tommye Cribbins honoring her 20
years of service to the City.
C/Chang attended the Draft Parks Master Plan Town Hall meeting and
thanked everyone who participated. He again acknowledged the Sheriff
Department's report this evening and`, provided statistics regarding the
City's Code Enforcement program, a program that contributes to making
the City a better place to live. He also reported that staff removed graffiti
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
from 71 sites (1,129 square ft.) during August at a cost of $5,200. He
reiterated his appreciation for staff. He hoped everyone would take
advantage of the two for one tickets and join with the City to celebrate
Diamond Bar Day at the Fair on September 17.
C/Tanaka congratulated Linda Magnuson and Tommye Cribbins for
reaching a milestone in their careers. He thanked the Sheriff's
Department for keeping D.B. safe. He attended a couple of Neighborhood
Watch meetings recently. He attended the SR57/60 Freeway Confluence
meeting and presentation; the National Parks Resource Study and the
Draft Parks Master Plan presentation. He attended the Independent Cities
Association and Installation dinner in Claremont and congratulated the
new President and Board Members. He and M/Everett attended Eagle
Court of Honor for Troop 730 where D.B.'s newest Eagle Scout, John
Brandt, was recognized for receiving the highest rank in scouting. He said
he would see everyone at the LA County Fair on Thursday, September 17.
MPT/Herrera said that as the City's LAFCO representative, she attended
last week's meeting during which D.B. processed its application to annex
a neighborhood to the south of the Crestline area, Brea Canyon Rd. and
Brea Canyon Cutoff. It was unanimously approved to annex the
neighborhood and as part of the process there will be a protest hearing in
the event any of the residents wished to protest the annexation. If twenty-
five percent file a protest the matter will go to a vote of the residents. This
will be a very good addition to D.B. when the process is complete and she
was very pleased that there was no opposition to the plan. Various
Council Members have talked about attending the scoping meeting for the
SR57/60 freeway improvements. This is a process that began in 1991
when D.B. and the City of Industry went to MTA to let them know of the
many problems on the freeway interchange and sought help to fix those
problems and participate with financing to help come up with solutions.
D.B., City of Industry each contributed $50,000 and Metro contributed
$100,000 to conduct a study for possible solutions. There is hope that-
federal,
hat-federal, state and local funding will be available to fund the recommended
improvements. The City of Industry is willing to put in $35 million for some
of the solutions. This will not be a total fix. However, the improvements
will greatly improve traffic flow on the freeways and particularly as the
SR57 merges going northbound and east on the SR60, a very serious
choke point where accidents regularly occur. The City continues to work
hard on pushing these improvements forward.
M/Everett thanked everyone for participating in tonight's meeting and
thanked the Sheriff's Department for their presentation. People in public
service deserve special recognition. Saturday he had the privilege in a
very difficult situation to attend the memorial service celebrating the lives
of two fallen firefighters. This was one of the most inspirational hours he
has participated in during this year. Many spoke about the passion and
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
love of service. He thanked the many who offered their service to D.B.
and other communities. He spoke about staff's timely response and
vendor/contractor response to a member of the community. He again
thanked Tommye Cribbins and Linda Magnuson for their service to the
City of D.B.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, -M/Everett
adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 7:53 p.m.
TOMMY CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 6th day of October ,
2009.
RON EVERETT, MAYOR