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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/2010 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR FEBRUARY 2, 2010 CLOSED SESSION: 5:30 p.m., Room CC -8 Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None 100Government Code Section 54956.9 (b) Conference with Legal Counsel Anticipated Litigation: Threat of action for Indemnification for Contribution by the County of Los Angeles arising from Baykeeper/NRDC v. County of Los Angeles, United States District Court, Central District of California. Case No. CV 08-1467 AHM Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Address: 21810 Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Agency Negotiator: City Manager Negotiating Party: Behringer Harvard Western (Portfolio) P.O. Box 190700 San Francisco, CA 94119-00700 Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment Closed Session Adjourned at 6:25 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Herrera called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in The Government Center/SCAQMD Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar, CA. CA/Jenkins reported that the Closed Session was called to order at 5:30 p.m. There were no public comments offered on either of the two listed agenda items and no items were added to the Closed Session. The first item was a Matter of Anticipated Litigation — A threat of an action for Indemnification for Contribution by the County of Los Angeles arising from a - lawsuit entitled Baykeeper/NRDC v County of Los Angeles which is a case in Federal District Court in which the NRDC and Baykeeper organization are contending that there have been certain clean water violations at certain sampling stations throughout the San Gabriel Valley that are operated by the County of Los Angeles. The County of Los Angeles is taking the position that the storm water runoff that goes into those sampling stations comes from a large FEBRUARY 2, 2010 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL number of cities and that those cities should be held equally responsible. Therefore the County wants to be able to seek indemnification from those agencies. The purpose of the Tolling Agreement is to toll the time by which the County may file its actions for indemnification against the cities until after the case has been litigated with the NRDC and Baykeeper. Following discussion the City Council unanimously approved entering into the tolling agreement with the County in order to avoid litigation with the County until such time as the underlying litigation has been tried in court. The other item was a matter of real estate negotiations with no reportable action being taken. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Monsignor James Loughnane, St. Denis Catholic Church, gave the invocation. ROLL CALL: Council Members Ling -Ling Chang, Ron Everett, Jack Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye and Mayor Carol Herrera. 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; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Rick Yee, Senior Engineer; Kimberly Molina, Associate Engineer; Anthony Santos, Management Analyst; Lauren Hildago, Public Information Specialist; Grace Lee, Sr. Planner; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 Presentation of a City Tile to Audrey Hamilton in recognition of her service as the City's Representative to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control Board - Continued to a future date. 1.2 CDD/Gubman introduced Sr. Planner Grace Lee, the City's newest employee, who then said a few words about herself and thanked Council and staff for a warm welcome. BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: 1.3 MPT/Tye presented a City Tile to General Manager, Billy Mendez and his staff, representing the Holiday Inn, 21725 E. Gateway Center Dr. as Business of the Month for February 2010. C/Tanaka invited the owners of the Holiday Inn to come down and introduce themselves. FEBRUARY 2, 2010 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 2.1 Mike Holmes, General Manager of Walnut Valley Water District gave a power point presentation on future Water Rates and why they will be going up. Mr. Holmes also introduced Board President Ted Ebenkamp, First Vice President Scarlett Kwong and Board Member Barbara Carrera. MPT/Tye asked what was being done to let the Metropolitan Water District know how dissatisfied the District is. Mr. Holmes responded that MWD is an interesting and small group with declining resources that has attempted to step into the next phase and are caught between no -growth, slow -growth and major - g rowth. Mr. Holmes responding to C/Everett stated that the hearing is scheduled for February 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the AQMD Auditorium. M/Herrera thanked Mr. Holmes for speaking out about the - misperception that since there has been a lot of rain there is no longer a water shortage issue. Mr. Holmes agreed that it is a conundrum for water people to attempt to explain beautiful mountains filled with snow, a lot of rain, and why they are still talking about drought and water supply deficits. WVWD will continue to educate and push back against MWD to maintain a stable rate structure. C/Chang emphasized that board members have pushed back against MWD as well as, Three Valley's Water District. WVWD is truly fighting for the residents. She thanked the speaker and board members for their work on behalf of the residents. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Peggy Ibarra, 3325 Temple Ave., Pomona, representing Post 19, LA County Fire Explorers, talked about the organization and invited everyone to attend the Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 187 on February 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. She further stated that there will be a Car Show on Saturday, March 6 at CalPoly Pomona. Those interested in participating can call her at 951-966-5520 or contact Roland Dykes at Station 187. Mina Ynzunza, P.O. Box 4085, The Windmill, spoke about the publication's new look. The publication is sponsored by the Diamond Bar Community Foundation. FEBRUARY 2, 2010 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — February 9, 2010 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr. 5.2 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — February 11, 2010 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr. 5.3 Presidents' Holiday — February 15, 2010 — City Offices will be closed in observance of the Presidents' Holiday. City Offices will reopen Tuesday, February 16, 2010. 5.4 City Council Meeting — February 16, 2010 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Dr. 5.5 Joint Mayors' (Diamond Bar and Walnut) Prayer Breakfast — February 19, 2010 — 7:15 a.m., Diamond Bar Golf Course, 22751 Golden Springs Dr,. sponsored by the Regional Chamber of Commerce (909) 869-0701. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Chang moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Everett, Tanaka, MPT/Tye M/Herrera NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 6.1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - Regular Meeting of January 19, 2010 — Approved as submitted. 6.2 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER - Dated January 14, 2010 through January 27, 2010 totaling $1,141,949.29. 6.3 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — Month of December 2009. FEBRUARY 2, 2010 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 6.4 APPROVED SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY, WAIVED FULL READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 02(2010): AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS GOVERNING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND DANCING IN BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS AND OTHER PUBLIC ASSEMBLY VENUES IN THE CITY, MAKING CONFORMING CHANGES TO TITLE 5 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE (BUSINESS LICENSING) AND AMENDING THE DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE. 6.5 APPROVED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR AND THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) FY 2009 PROGRAM AWARD ($12,640). 6.6 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2002-20A: AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2002-20 PROHIBITING THE PARKING OF VEHICLES ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS DURING CERTAIN HOURS AND DAYS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESIDENTIAL STREET SWEEPING TO INCLUDE STREETS IN THE RECENTLY ANNEXED CRESTLINE ANNEXATION AREA. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Everett reported on the Lighting and Landscape District Committee meeting during which the committee reviewed the sensitivity of and imminent concern regarding increased water rates. He thanked and congratulated C/Chang on her recent marriage to Andrew Wong. He attended the Friends of the Library's annual recognition and celebration for its volunteers. He asked residents to attend and support the Friends of the Library's 17th Annual Wine Soiree on April 11. C/Everett announced that The Friends of the Library Basically Books used book store had moved to a new location. He attended the semi-annual San Gabriel Valley COG's Strategic Planning Workshop. He extended his sympathy to Kathleen Nolan, Planning Commissioner who recently lost her mother, Elleen Hart. He also spoke about Brandon Riley, a Diamond Bar High School student who also passed away. Brandon was an individual who encouraged and motivated the Diamond Bar High School Wrestling Team, students and community. C/Tanaka spoke about his attendance at the League of California Cities Statewide Public Safety Committee meeting held in Sacramento; attended Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Daniel Radtke; and DB 4 -Youth in Action FEBRUARY 2, 2010 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL meeting. He also attended the first committee meeting for the Diamond Bar Day at the LA County Fair that will be held on Thursday, September - 16, 2010. He too congratulated C/Chang on her marriage. C/Chang said that prior to her wedding she was in Sacramento with M/Herrera and CM/DeStefano attending the new Mayors' and Council Members' training. She also attended the Four Corners Transportation and Economic Summit. She congratulated the Diamond Bar Community Foundation for doing a fabulous job with The Windmill which has taken a significant leap into the 21St Century with its four-color spread. C/Chang stated that it is imperative that residents continue to conserve water and that she is looking forward to working with WVWD to encourage residents to conserve water and achieve lower rates. MPT/Tye welcomed Grace Lee to the D.B. staff. He stated that the City operates in a lean and, mean fashion and the City is pleased to have her on board. He stated that he had participated in the Friends of the Library Volunteer Recognition Banquet held at the Holiday Inn. The book store was closed for 10 days in order to move the stock to the new location at Diamond Bar Blvd. and Golden Springs Dr. Volunteers built shelves and the County helped move the books in a terrific effort to get the job done. He attended the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments monthly meeting during which a very good budget was presented which he principally attributed to M/Herrera's leadership during her tenure as COG's President. M/Herrera said she too attended many events her colleagues spoke about. She thanked both D.B. and Chino Hills' staff for helping put together the Four Corners Coalition Transportation Summit. It was a fabulous event with outstanding speakers. The intent of the Summit was to demonstrate the importance of the Four Corners region where the four counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange come together to promote the economic importance and the importance of transportation improvements in the area. More than 300 individuals attended the event. She and C/Chang went to Sacramento where she had an opportunity to visit with individuals from cities in northern and southern California. She said she thanked God that she lived in D.B. and that D.B. has the staff that it has and that the City is in an outstanding and healthy fiscal condition. Some cities are in bankruptcy and some are so desolate and desperate because they have no means to produce revenue to pay for even bare essentials let alone what they would like to do for their cities. D.B. is very fortunate due to the leadership of staff and the City Council. Lastly, she was very sad to hear about the passing of Planning Commissioner Kathleen Nolan's mother. FEBRUARY 2, 2010 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Herrera adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 7:40 p.m. in memory of Eileen Hart, mother of Planning Commissioner Kathleen Nolan. TOMMYff CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 16th day of _FEahruary , 2010. 6d gt� CAROL HERRERA, MAYOR