HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/2013 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MARCH 5, 2013
CLOSED SESSION: 6:00 p.m., Room CC -8
Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None offered
► Government Code Section 54957 — City Attorney
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Jack Tanaka called the Regular City
Council meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management
District Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.
ACAICotti stated that tonight's meeting commenced with a Closed Session at
6:06 p.m. to discuss the City Attorney appointment and evaluation process. The
Closed Session was recessed at 6:35 p.m. to the Regular Meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Chang led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Pastor Jeanne Favreau-Sorvillo, Diamond Bar
United Church of Christ, gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Chang, Herrera, Tye, Mayor
Pro Tem Everett, Mayor Tanaka.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David Doyle,
Assistant City Manager; John Cotti, Assistant City Attorney; Ken Desforges, IT
Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community
Development Director; Ryan McLean, Assistant to the City Manager; Cecilia
Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Marsha Roa, Public Information
Manager, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 C/Herrera introduced Andrea Travis -Miller, the new Executive
Director of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG)
who spoke on her appointment, work history and COG goals.
Ms Travis -Miller then introduced Marisa Creter who spoke about
the COG's San Gabriel Energy -Wise Partnership with Southern
California Edison funded by the California Public Utilities
Commission.
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
NEW BUSINESS OF THE MONTH:
1.2 Mayor -Tanaka presented a Certificate Plaque to Eric Phan and Eric
Chang, representing BAIT, 2753 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard Suite
B, as New Business of the Month for March 2013.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:.
2.1 CMIDeStefano introduced Mike Holmes, General Manager of the
Walnut Valley Water District, who then introduced Water Board
members Wu, Kwong, Carrera, Ebenkamp, and staff member
Sandy Olson who were in attendance. He then updated the public
on the District's water conservation and preservation policies. He.
thanked the residents for the conservation effort undertaken during
the past four days during the shutdown of the Weymouth Treatment
Plant in order to convert .the plant to a longer lasting and more
efficient disinfectant for the water ozone. The next shutdown will be
a ten day shutdown in the first quarter of 2016. This area is one of
the few that is- one hundred percent dependent on potable water
from across the State. Interestingly, the State does not have
statewide conservation baselines. In Sacramento, for example,
there are no water meters. However, in accordance with a new
law, meters are being installed and expected to be read by the year
2025. Farmers and ranchers who use eighty-three percent of the
usable water supply in California have a low-tech method for
measuring water usage. Agriculture is the number one job and
income creator in the State. The MWD Board supports its
conservation efforts with big dollars through extensive advertising
and conservation reminders. The Department has gone from five
gallon flush toilets to 1.8 and 1.2 gallon and in partnership with
MWD and Three Valleys has given away 8,827 high -efficiency
toilets and will continue the program in 2013 by targeting certain
service areas. This program is projected to save about 71.5 million
gallons of water per year which saves the District approximately
$170,000 per year to purchase potable water to maintain less
efficient toilets. In 2008 the LA County Water Board and MWD
joined forces to spend about $250,000 to improve and upgrade the
DB public areas with smart meters and satellite irrigation
controllers.
CITye asked Mr. Holmes to explain what an acre foot of water is.
Mr. Holmes stated that a football field filled with water about a foot
high is about an acre foot of water which translates to 326,000
gallons of water, enough for about two average sized families in
Southern California to live on.
MARCH 5, 2013 . PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Holmes continued stating that in 2012 MWD distributed about
20,000 efficient'watering nozzles estimated to save about 88 acre
feet (26 million gallons) of water per year. WVWD targets outdoor
water usage as part of the overall water conservation. Millions of
dollars have been invested in recycled water, a portion of which
comes from the LA County Sanitation - Pomona Basin District and
from ground water. The ground water in this basin is not suitable
for drinking but it is perfect recycled water. About ten percent of the
Department's usage is recycled water — about 200 acre feet per
year. He spoke about new projects currently on the drawing board.
Results of the water stewardship include improvement in the
potable water purchases. The WVWD website is updated on a
24/7 basis and Mr. Holmes said he would be happy to speak with
anyone and any groups about what the District is doing to preserve
its water supply.
MPTIEverett asked if Mr. Holmes can be reached by telephone in
addition to the two websites (www.wvwd.com and
www. bewaterwise. com).
Mr. Holmes responded that individuals can call him at 909-595-
1268, Ext. 273 to get answers to customer's questions or to
arrange a public meeting to discuss these efforts.
C/Herrera asked Mr. Holmes to explain why. the City's ground water
is not suitable for drinking.
Mr. Holmes responded that part of the reason is that the water is so
shallow that it never gets a chance to filter down through the natural
aquifers and is high in "total dissolved solids". The water is not
unhealthy but the District does not want to serve its customers
water with little "floaties"; however, it provides an excellent source
of recycled water which is the highest and best use and cost
effective.
C/Chang thanked Mr. Holmes for providing the City with an
excellent presentation and stated that she forwarded the District's
Twitter information on to her Twitter friends.
Mr. Holmes said that individuals can find the District on Facebook
as well.
C/Tye thanked Mr. Holmes and the District for all that they do to
conserve water and help residents be aware of when and what they
need to do. It seems to him that the more the public conserves the
more it pays. Is there a cause and effect that when so much is
saved consumers will pay more?
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Holmes responded that this is one of the dichotomies of
conserving. The District has a baseline price it has to pay for
maintaining the system whether it sells one drop of water or
whether it has a record year of sales. Concurrently with the water
conservation that the District has made over the past five -ten years
along with cost-cutting efficiencies, the annual reduction of cost
amounts to about $1.2 million per year. The price increases have
been directly related to MWD water costs over which the District
has little control.
M/Tanaka thanked Mr. Holmes and Board Members for attending
tonight's meeting.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Raphael Plunkett, Country View Drive, asked for the Council's help for
relief from the unlicensed illegal boarding house in her neighborhood.
This is a zoning issue that has become a burden to the residents' quality
of life, a financial burden, a stress inducer and a threat to the community
as well as a threat to her family's safety which she discussed in detailed.
Allen Wilson said he was opposed to the use of DB funds for a marketing
analysis on the Honda site (Consent Calendar Item 6.7) and asked that
the Council reconsider approval.
Brian Quan, President, DB Breakfast Lions Club and Karen Eubanks,
Chili's Grill and Bar, announced the Club's fundraiser to be held on
Monday, March 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Chili's Grill and Bar in
DB. He asked for Council and Community support of the event which is
intended to raise money for sight and hearing charities, youth activities,
community organizations, special needs charities and lnternationai needs
(Hurricane Sandy).
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CMIDeStefano responding to Mrs. Plunkett stated that the City is aware of
the issues at that property as well as the land use concerns raised by
some of the neighbors since August/September of 2012. Upon
investigation of the matter, the City has found no evidence that supports
the allegations of violations of the City's Zoning Code. Allegations
continue that the property is operating as a boarding house. Again, staff
has not been able to find substantial evidence that supports that activity.
Housing a non -family member in one's home is not a crime and until the
City learns that there are, in fact, rental agreements, rent slips or other
evidence that shows that rooms are being rented, there is no violation of
the City's Zoning Code. Zoning does not control attitudes, behavior,
characteristics of neighbors within homes in any particular neighborhood.
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
Anytime that a resident in this or any other neighborhood faces any form
of hostility or believes there is a threat to their well-being or any family
member's well-being should immediately contact the Sheriff's Department
and let the Sheriff's Department sort out the details and the issues. DB
will continue to look at this property but staff needs hard evidence to be
successful with the City's prosecutor that the property is indeed not in
compliance with the code and operating out of the scope of the zoning
ordinance/zoning regulations.
CMIDeStefano stated that with respect to Consent Calendar Item 67, a
request by City staff to approve a contract with AECOM to conduct a
marketing study, he failed to provide the City Council with a contingency
within the staff report and that staff will be revising the recommended
allocation of resources from $49,000 to $55,000 adding about a twelve
percent contingency to deal with any unforeseen issues that may pop up
as this study moves forward over a four-month period. The purpose of the
study is to take a good hard professional look at the Honda property and
now the former Burger King property to determine what opportunities exist
within this marketplace in the next few years for development of that site.
As everyone knows, the Honda Dealership has been dark since about
2006 with their relocation to the City of Industry. Burger King closed
approximately January 31St of this year and the property remains idle. The
reason the City Council has placed the property within a "moratorium"
state is the result of private party discussions regarding land uses that
would grossly underutilize the property. It is a property of about four and
one-half acres located at Grand Avenue which has some 40,000 traffic
trips per day; it is located adjacent to the SR57160 crossroads which has
350,000 traffic trips per day, the seventh highest roadway segment in the
state of California. DB should be looking at the long-term use of the
property generating a variety of goals, not the least of which is the best
and highest use of that property which staff believes is far more than some
of the land uses that have been contemplated in the past which have
included things like residential, self -storage, etc. Staff believes that the
property location and freeway -oriented service site would be an excellent
site for a hotel project, restaurants and services, and opportunities that
would complement the business traveler and commuters moving through
that freeway segment. The City Council is asking the consultant to take a
look at the property with and without the stadium development. The
stadium decision is dragging on and appears to be rolling into 2014. DB
can no longer wait for that private party decision to take place — DB needs
to move forward with a land use plan for that property. DB is trying to do
so in concert with the property owner who is equally anxious to develop
the property that they purchased in 200512006. Staff is looking at a
project that would incorporate the benefits of being adjacent to an NFL
Stadium or being adjacent to the City of Industry's previously approved
"Industry Business Center" project which has a variety of offices, retail,
entertainment, etc. but no hotels. Staff believes the Honda site is a site of
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
opportunity to augment what is missing from the Industry project and what
may accompany that project as well. Staff is also looking at this property
with and without adjacent acreage. If there is an NFL Stadium, there is a
negotiated agreement with the City of Industry that among other things
would bring the City about two additional acres on top of the 4,5 acres that
exists. If there is an NFL Stadium that project is next door and the site
grows to about 6 to 6.5 acres. If there is no NFL Stadium it would revert
back to the Industry Business Center development proposal with the site
remaining at about 4.25 to 4.5 acre site. _Staff is looking at the
opportunities that the property presents looking at what the freeway and
Grand Avenue provide as well as, the new freeway intersection
improvements that are coming, of which the very first phase is a new
westbound SR60 onramp at the same location where the large former
Honda sign is located. Staff is asking the consultant to look at all of these
possibilities and in concert with the property owner, the overall goal is to
come up with a master plan for the property to basically illustrate what
might be the best land uses for that property for the benefit of DB, narrow
it down to a limited palate of what the City wants, eliminate what it does
not want and then marketing that property in order to get the project the
City desires. This will be a collaborative effort. The private sector has not
been able to move forward in a manner that seems appropriate so staff is
asking Council to step in and consider approval of the proposal so that in
three to four months staff will be able to present the information to the
Council and move forward with the property owner on what land use
planning effort the study results in and what marketing strategies come
from it. This item is on the Consent Calendar and if the Council wishes,
staff will provide further information when the matter comes forward for
consideration.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Special City Council Meeting (Closed Session) — March 6, 2013 —
7:30 a.m., Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Diamond Bar City
Hall, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — March 12, 2013 — 7:00 p.m.,
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — March 14, 2013 —
7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.4 City Council Meeting — March 19, 2013 — 6:30 p.m., SCAQMD
Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
5.5 State of the City Presented by Mayor Jack Tanaka — March 21,
2013 — 6:00 p.m., Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue.
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: CITye moved, MPT/Everett seconded, to
approve the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of Item 6.7
pulled by CITye. Motion carried by the following Roll Cali vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Herrera, Tye, MPTIEverett,
M/Tanaka
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
6.1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
6.1.1 Regular Meeting of February 19, 2013 - Approved as
submitted.
6.1.2 Special Closed Session Meeting of February 27, 2013 —
Approved as submitted.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES --
Regular Meeting of January 22, 2013.
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of January 10, 2013.
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated February 14, 2013 through
February 27, 2013 totaling $527,458.80.
6.5 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — Month of January
2013.
6.6 APPROVED CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 5 WITH LOCAL
AGENCY ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC. (LAE) IN. THE
AMOUNT OF $17,180 FOR AS -NEEDED ENGINEERING
SERVICES.
MATTERS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.7 APPROVAL OF CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. ("AECOM") FOR A TOTAL
COST NOT TO EXCEED $55,000 (INCLUDES A 12 PERCENT
CONTINGENCY) TO PREPARE A MARKET ANALYSIS FOR THE
FORMER HONDA DEALERSHIP PROPERTY.
CITye thanked CMIDeStefano for his response on this item. CITye
felt it was very important to do a study like this because he did not
believe the free market was out looking for such a site and that it
was important for staff and Council to know the possibilities that
would work with a stadium and without a stadium. CITye said that
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
in his opinion, the most important thing the City has to focus upon
what is the "best and highest use" because if the property were to
become a storage facility or an indoor swap meet, the citizens of
DB would be asking "how in the world did that happen, who was
minding the store when that happened and by the way, how much
would either of those uses that have been proposed, provide in
sales tax revenue to the City". He would not recommend that a
"moratorium" be confused with the need to do a due diligence
survey and to engage a consultant and get the best and highest
use for the City of DB. C/Tye said he wondered where the City
would be if it had not marketed different properties in DB — would
there be a Target or a Chili's and one of the best things DB can do
is to be proactive and do the best possible for DB.
C/Chang said she wholeheartedly agreed with CITye.
MPT/Everett said he too agreed with the rationale presented by
staff as well as, comments from his colleagues. He asked for a
specific definition of the fees and/or cost which has changed.
CM/DeStefano stated that the $49,000 proposal includes: Task 1-
$3,500 for a site capacity study and a memorandum deliverable for
that component; Task 2 - $19,000 for the market analysis that
includes a variety of market area survey and analysis looking at
hotel supply, occupancy rates, average room revenues, market
segmentation, retail, office, hotel sales, trends and opportunities,
retail and office supply, leasing trends, rates, etc. today and what is
anticipated in the future; Task 3 - $6,500 for a massing study
based on the market analysis that .looks at the potential for
buildings on the site with respect to height, footprints, parking,
circulation options, etc. and based upon the study, is the site big
enough to accompany some of the land uses the market study
believes may be suitable for the area and if not, could -the City
capture that market on another site that parties have an interest in,
in the area immediate to this site; Task 4 -- $7,000 for a financial
analysis that looks at developer costs and projected revenues (pro -
forma) for each of the scenarios; Task 5 — $10,000 for a municipal
highest and best use strategy. While the City is working in
partnership with the property owner, it is the City Council that
develops the palate for uses that will occur on the property. From
the City's perspective, it is interested in the most productive land
uses that can be obtained on that property for the benefit of all of
the .other services that the community provides, which includes
sales tax, transient occupancy tax, property taxes, property transfer
taxes, etc. A reasonably sized hotel could easily generate hundreds
of thousands of dollars in transient occupancy tax to the City, for
example, which can then be used for other services provided by
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
DB. The additional $6,000 is for contingency to deal with any
unforeseen opportunities that would allow the City Manager to deal
with the contractor. However, if more than $55,000 were needed,
staff would have to come back to the City Council to seek the
additional resource.
ClChang moved, C/Herrera seconded, to approve Consent
Calendar Item 6.7 as presented and amended. 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
7. PUBLIC HEARING: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
CITye reported that it was his privilege to attend the DB Chinese American
Association's Celebration of the Chinese New Year at DBHS. It was a
wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate the New Year but to celebrate
the diversity of DB. He congratulated President Tony Tai and Tony Torng
for his work on behalf of the group. He attended the DB Pony Baseball
Grand Opening of Season 46 last Saturday and stated that there was a
terrific crowd in attendance and wished Good Luck to the league. Today
he attended the IMC (Industry Manufacturing Council) luncheon to hear
from President and Founder, Andrew Cherng of Panda Inn and Panda
Express and what he shared about the area and his vision for the future.
After his speech CITye asked when DB would get a Panda Express and
was told he did not think it would be .anytime soon. He reminded everyone
to attend the Goodwill Collection at Northminster Presbyterian Church this
Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
ClChang reminded everyone to follow her on Facebook, Twitter,
Foursquare and now Pinterest. She attended the Chinese New Year's
event'on Saturday and congratulated Tony Torng for doing such a great
job from the group's inception. Congressman Royce and representatives
from Senator Huff and Assemblyman Hagman offices who also attended.
Everyone had a fun time ringing in the Year of the Snake. She said "Hi" to
her grandmother who is watching tonight's meeting on TV having arrived
from Taiwan to celebrate her 90th birthday on March 7.
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
C/Herrera thanked the Sheriff's Department for their keen observation and
response in capturing a couple of auto burglars which demonstrates
Diamond Bar's message of zero tolerance for criminal activity. She
congratulated the new business BAIT, a very interesting store that offers
shoes and other items for sale. Yesterday she attended the Four Corners
Coalition Meeting; an organization that DB had a primary role in creating.
In her opinion, this is a very important organization that includes cities
from the four corners of Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County and
Los Angeles Counties which gather together on a monthly basis to discuss
mutual issues. The coalition will be sponsoring an Economic Summit on
Thursday, June 13 and hoped that her colleagues would attend. The
Summit will feature dynamic speakers who will talk about economic
development for this area, a very important issue for this City and all cities
to have strong fiscal financial health. Another topic under discussion will
be the Ontario Airport as it declines in services. More and more planes
are being diverted to LAX and if this pattern continues, Ontario Airport will
likely close. We in this area certainly do not want to see that happen. She
hoped for great attendance and an exciting event.
MPT/Everett stated that he attended a ribbon -cutting ceremony marking
the opening of the one-year demonstration of the Metro Express Lanes on
Interstate 10 from downtown (LA) to the EI Monte Station. Hundreds of
millions of dollars have been invested in this project and Mayor
Villaraigosa, who was one of the honorees, was instrumental in finding the
money. The demonstration is about easing traffic congestion and
improving traffic management on freeways. He was originally negative
about the concept but now believes it makes sense. The Interstate has
been enhanced with two express lanes in both directions and creates
more potential for handling traffic volumes on Interstate 10.
MPT/Everett stated that he had joined his colleagues and others for the
DB Chinese American Lunar Celebration and that the current President,
Tony Tai did a fantastic job and as a part of the presentation. Mr. Tai
arrived in a very large and creative costume and sang a very patriotic
American song to open the celebration. He and M/Tanaka attended the
Miss Diamond Bar Fashion Show at the Diamond Bar Golf Course and
was impressed to see Miss Diamond Bar and her court emcee the event.
He commented on how much all the ladies had improved their public
speaking skills after a year of service performing as Ms. Diamond Bar.
Candidates for the upcoming Miss Diamond Bar 2013 participated in the
fashion show. He attended a Neighborhood Watch on Glenarm which
was well attended and included a very helpful discussion of ideas. Deputy
St. Amant does a good job and the residents find the event to be very
helpful.
MPT/Everett said it was a pleasure to attend the San Gabriel Valley
Chamber's Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 28. It
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
was an evolution from what was previously Diamond Bar/Walnut Mayors.
Five local firefighter heroes were honored. MPTIEverett said that he, like
many of his colleagues, is adamant about focusing on jobs, not lawsuits
and had attended a three-hour conference at the Holiday Inn sponsored
by Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, a local entity for promoting and
dealing with abusive lawsuits. One of the primary targets of frivolous
lawsuits is the statewide California Lodging Association Industry of which.
Holiday Inn is a member. The topic of the conference was "How to avoid
or resolve ADA access lawsuits". Assemblyman Curt Hagman sent his
Chief of Staff Mike Spence who said the Assemblyman is focused on
getting the attention of the state legislators to deal with the costly abuse of
lawsuits, especially in the area of ADA Access lawsuits. State expert
David Warren Peters spent two hours on the topic.
M/Tanaka said that during the past couple of weeks it has been very busy.
He helped the Evergreen Senior Club celebrate its Lunar New Year and
Quarterly Birthday Celebration. That Friday he helped Quail Elementary
School celebrate its 251h Anniversary in DB and that it was nice to see all
three of the school's principals return and reminisce with some of the
teachers and students that were there. That evening he attended the
Charter Night for a new Leo Club sponsored by the Pomona Host Lion's
Club. Congratulations to Dr. Cynthia Quan and Lion Frank Alvarez for
getting that club going. There were 10 members from the DBHS Leo's
that attended to show their support as well as the President from the
Chaparral Leo Club. There were members from the Orange and DB
Breakfast Lions as well as, the Pomona Host Club that attended that
function. The Council attended the DB Chinese Association Lunar New
Year's celebration at DBHS where there was plenty of food, games,
information booths, dancing, singing and musical performances all
morning long. The Miss Diamond Bar Pageant held its annual fashion
show and fundraiser. The nine candidates for this year's pageant were
formally introduced and served as models for the fashion show. On
Tuesday, February 26 the Public Safety Committee met with the LA
County Sheriffs Department and the LA County Fire Department and City
staff. The Fire Department talked about improvements that are being
made to the helipad and upcoming fire exercises. The Sheriffs
Department spoke about crime rates and the updating of the emergency
command post . vehicle, the Neighborhood Watch program and its
proposed trailer. On Wednesday, February 27, he attended the Sanitation
District 21 meeting and that evening attended the Neighborhood Watch
meeting on Glenarm. He was also a speaker at the Mayor's Leadership
Prayer Breakfast which was hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Regional
Chamber of Commerce where they saluted five community heroes. Last
Friday was the Foothill Transit Governing Board Meeting where regular
business was conducted and attendees received program updates for five
different areas, one of which was silver to silver program which is the
silver streak buses from Foothill Transit and the Silverline from Metro
MARCH 5, 2013 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
where interchangeable passes from the EI Monte Station to LA are
available. Several sites for the Foothill Transit Park `N Ride structures
were discussed including Azusa, DB, West Covina and the City of
Industry. Attendees received an update on college pass programs started
with the Rio Hondo College in 2007 which has expanded to the University
of Laverne, CalPoly, Azusa Pacific University, Cal State LA, Cal State
University of Fullerton and Cal Tech. They also provided an outreach
report to Claremont Universities, Mt. San Antonio College and Citrus
College. The finance staff also presented a preliminary budget for FY
2014 with a balanced budget and no fare increases even though there
was an operator cost increase of three percent. Attendees also received
an update report from the operations department regarding their fleet
replacement plan and found out that the minimum service for the Foothill
Transit buses is 12 years or 500,000 miles. The meeting ended with
comments from the executive director and governing board. Last Friday
he read to both the sixth grade and second grade classes at Armstrong
Elementary as part of the Read Across America program reading from Dr.
Seuss's books. On Saturday he, MPT/Everett and CITye participated in
the Pony Baseball's opening ceremony and threw out the first pitch.
Saturday was St. Denis Catholic Church's Pastoral Leadership Awards
dinner and he congratulated all of this year's honorees. This past Sunday
was Miss DB's car wash for Miss Diamond Bar Alexandra Miller and all
nine of the contestants who washed cars from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
CITye spoke about this afternoon's Industry Manufacturer's Luncheon. A
very interesting guest speaker,' Mr. Cherng from Panda Restaurants,
talked about the 1600 stores employing over 23,000 in 42 different states
for which he is responsible. He really pushed the point about treating all
of his customers first as being one of his main tenets as well as, staff
development and pushed for individuals on his staff to complete their high
school and college educations. He announced that the Miss Diamond Bar
Pageant will be held on Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the DBHS
Theatre
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tanaka
adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 3:08 p.m,
j
TO E dklN;S CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this �z 9thday of March ,
20
JACK TANAKA, MAYOR