HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2014 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
MAY,6, 2014
STUDY SESSION: M/Herrera called the Study Session to order at
5:25 p.m. in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Present: Council Members Ling -Ling Chang, Nancy
Lyons, Jack Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye, and Mayor Carol Herrera.
Staff Present: Jame's DeStefano, City Manager; David
DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; David Liu, Public
Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Dianna Honeywell,
Finance Director; Amy Haug, Human Resources Manager; Kimberly Young,
Senior Civil Engineer; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano,
Public Information Coordinator; Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Isaac Aziz, Network
Systems Administrator; Anthony Jordan, Parks Maintenance Supervisor;
Raymond Tao, Building Official; Christy Murphy, Recreation Superintendent; and
Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
INTRODUCTION OF FY 2014-15 DRAFT BUDGET — Discussion and
Action.
CM/DeStefano stated that this is the eighth budget he has had the
pleasure of presenting to the City Council and this is probably the first year
that he did not suffer nightmares and sleepless nights. When he inherited
the 2006-07 FY Budget shortly after arriving back at Diamond Bar the
bottom began to fall out of the economy with the recession and economic
conditions in this immediate area. So with the 2007-08 FY Budget, staff
was slashing and trying to find money everywhere in order to prepare for
the evils that took place in the six or seven years thereafter. Contract
cities like Diamond Bar did much better during that period of time than
cities that had the full weight of law enforcement, fire department
personnel, hundreds of staff, PERS responsibilities and all of those legacy
costs. Like those prior seven years, this year�s budget is presented as a
balanced budget, vetted through the City Manager's Office, the Finance
Director's office and with support from department heads and managers
with everyone's best estimate for revenues and proposals for expenditures
in the areas staff believes is important as well as, meeting the Council's
Goals and Objectives and priorities over the many years. This budget
involves a careful use of resources and further strengthens the programs
and policy currently in place and the General Fund Reserves.
During the difficult years the City tried very, very hard not to reduce any
services or programs or significant areas of expenditures such as public
safety. In this budget there is no reduction of services or programs and
actually have a couple of extra dollars this year as a result of increases in
property taxes, transit occupancy taxes and sales taxes, the general areas
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION
The estimated appropriations amount is about $24.5 million, a majority of
which is the expected 4.2 percent "increase over this fiscal year's
expenses related to public safety, which is set to increase about $638,000.
This is due in part to a 2.6 percent contractual increase, proposed staffing
increases aimed at focusing on specific crime issues of concern to
residents, as well as, a payment of 4 percent to the liability trust fund.
Last year staff set up the Law Enforcement Reserve Fund which was
intended to set money aside for future increases to the Public Safety Fund
and it was funded by savings realized in current years, To date, staff
anticipates there will be about $850,000 in that fund by the beginning
of the next Fiscal Year and this budget proposes $200,000 of that money
to help fund the increase to the Public Safety Contract.
C/Lyons asked if the set-aside funds were in interest-bearing accounts.
FD/Honeywell responded "definitely." The City invests its money in a
variety of interest bearing accounts. However, being a public agency, the
City is somewhat limited and for the most part the investments are in CD's
(FDIC insured up to $250,000), Federal Agency Notes (Federal Home
Loan Bank) and LAIF (the lowest interest account).
CM/DeStefano said that when FD/Honeywell arrived at Diamond Bar he
asked her to revisit the City's investment portfolio. Prior to her arrival, the
City was hovering around 75 percent of all of its investments in LAIF
versus about 25 percent now which was easier, safer and more liquid.
Since FD/Honeywell's arrival the circumstances have virtually reversed
and the City is now about 75 percent invested in the other higher yield
products and only 25 percent in the lowest yield products and it is all safe
and secure and within the policy the Council has adopted over the years
and will again be asked to adopt on May 20. While 1.6 percent is not
thought to be a very high yield, it is much, much higher than where the
City was just a few years ago.
FD/Honeywell continued with appropriations. She stated that the
Community Services budgets appear to be lower- however, whereas some
of the major maintenance items that were ii� their divisions in past
budgets, those items have been moved to the CIP Budget in order to
better track costs (better budgeting practice).
CM/DeStefano stated that the City's personnel. budget cost, its largest
expenditure, is $6.5 million or so and Council is being asked to consider a
two percent adjustment for employees as well as, a $50 per month
augmentation to the benefit allotment for full time employees. Staff
attempts to protect and save the General Fund to every extent possible,
so the totality of the cost for the measure proposed is $156,000 of which
MAY 6,20114 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION
CM/DeStefano stated that staff is proposing six new funds and
FD/Honeywell will speak to why she believes that is important for this year
and moving forward, the most significant of which is probably the General
Plan Revision Fund. The General Plan was adopted after the third try in
July of 1995 but many of 'the goals, objectives, policies, foundational
documents and statements date back to 1992 upon the- first attempt to
adopt the General Plan, The City has an adopted plan which is almost 20
years old and by policy development almost 22 or 23 years old. The Land
Use- Element has been periodically updated as the need occurred which
were more like patches to deal with end-use applications or initiatives and
about every five to seven years, the State's mandated Housing Element
Revision cycle, two of which collided during the past couple of years. The
Housing Element is the only component of the General Plan that is
mandated by the State to be updated; however, with the support of the
City Attorney must advise the City Council that a 20 -year old General Plan
needs to be looked at, reviewed from cover to cover and brought up to
current standards and current visions for the next 20 years. This is a
massive undertaking and when this process was begun in the early 90's
Diamond Bar was up against state deadlines for a brand new city to
complete a General Plan, extensions were sought as the City went
through a referendum and ultimately an initiative process. This time the
process can take as long as is necessary but staff believes that it is a two,
three or four year process and should incorporate significant and active
public participation. The first time around, this process involved more than
.100 public meetings. Although not that many meetings will be required for
the revision process, it should incorporate significant public involvement
with dozens of public meetings up and down the City's boundaries in an
attempt to figure out what residents have in their minds for the future
combined with what staff, Council Members, Commissions and other
stakeholders may have in mind. Staff believes that a contemporary
General Plan will cost from $700,000 to $1 million, much of which is based
upon the cost of the Environmental Impact Report. This estimate is based
on projects that are either underway or have recently been completed in
cities with similar issues of those of Diamond Bar. This is the kind of
project that would not completely be handled by City staff. This is the kind
of project where the City would bring in a consultant team that has deep
experience in developing such a policy document, but what they do not
bring forward is the local view, understanding of properties, policies,
philosophies, cultures, etc. which would be augmented by City staff with
an overall management of the entire process. This is a major effort for
which staff believes there should be an overall fund set aside of $500,000
for that specific purpose using the one-time monies received from Site D.
As the process moves forward additional infusions will be required to
eventually get to the total dollar amount required. It cost the City about
$483,000 to process the Site D project for the school district. The school
district fully reimbursed the City from its sale proceeds and staff would like
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 7 CC STUDY SESSION
improvements. The City expects to receive an MTA Grant for
approximately $450,000 and proposes to set up a separate budget item of
that same amount to help with work on the Lemon Avenue Interchange.
PWD/Liu said that when the City began working with Lennar Homes on
the Willow Heights project it came to staff's attention that there are
deficiencies at many different sewer pump stations throughout the City.
There are two pumps identified (Castle Rock and Fountain Springs pump
stations) for this project, both of which are to be mitigated by the City.
However, since this is part of the sewer maintenance district, the County
budgets an appropriate operational and maintenance budget except that
capacity and emergency source capacity issues fall back to the owner, in
this case, the City of Diamond Bar. As a result, when working with the
developer staff made sure that sewer mitigation fees would come to the
City as a result of the project. Going forward from FY 2016 the CIP needs
to include a comprehensive study of all dozen or so sewer pump stations
throughout the City. It is staff's intent that through this study staff will be
able to identify the priorities and begin setting aside appropriate resources
for further mitigation.
PWD/Liu explained that the MTA Grant began with the Lemon Ave ' nue
Interchange project for which the City received $2.3 million toward a
project that will cost about $19 million and for the $2.3 million the City
wants assurance the right-of-way phase will conclude at the end of this
calendar year so that next year at this time, construction will commence.
In order to properly track the source of money, staff believes this should
be set aside in a special fund and not mingled with money used for other
causes when it comes to the Lemon Avenue project.
FD/Honeywell explained that two other funds proposed are the Used Oil
Grant Fund and the Beverage Recycling Grant Fund, both of which are
sources that have been tracked in the Waste Management Fund (AB939)
and it is prudent to separate these monies so that they are not mingled
with the AB939 money.
DCM/McLean explained to C/Lyons that AB939 is an amount that each of
the City's waste haulers pay as a state mandated fee that is a percentage
that goes back into the City's environmental programs which is different
from the franchise fee that result from agreements with the waste haulers.
CM/DeStefano spoke about what he is suggesting is an appropriate
investment of one-time resources coming from the Site D project. As
previously mentioned, the City spent dollars on managing the
Environmental Impact Report and the project processing came back to the
City with the sale of Site D, which is being recommended for investment
into the General Plan project. The balance of the roughly $1.8 million sale
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 9 CC STUDY SESSION
of areas as a result of development. But even if those one-time dollars
are spent on specific projects there needs to be care taken not to do so
out of context because until Diamond Bar can see the landscape, so to
speak, the City needs to be very, very careful about how it uses its money.
Overall,. revenues are still not keeping up with expenditures. The City is
very careful about how it uses its money but it will have to continue to be
very prudent in the future because there are only three choices: 1) to
keep up with expenses with limited or flat revenues one can reduce
services which Diamond.- Bar has been loath to do in recessionary years;
2) the City can increase fees, taxes, etc. which a lot of cities have chosen
to do and Diamond Bar has been loath to do-, or, 3) the City can generate
revenue through development projects, hopefully projects that generate
sales tax and transient occupancy tax, which would appear to be the
direction the City is going with more conversation needed.
M/Herrera said she was glad to hear CIVI/DeStefano talk about taking care
with expenditures because there are a couple of items that are somewhat
runaway on the expense side, one of which is the LLD and she looks
forward to the upcoming meeting and forthcoming recommendations, and
the other is the Dial -A -Ride program for which $500,000 is proposed. She
asked if that was what the City was spending on the Dial -A -Ride program
this year.
FD/Honeywell responded "just about" that amount.
M/Herrera recommended that budget item be cut by $100,000. She
remembers the day it was a total of $300,000 for the entire year for the
program and the fact that the City is using Prop C monies which is
supposed to be for transportation related needs bothers her. Diamond
Bar streets are so heavily traveled by people coming along the SR60 and
the City is compelled to maintain those streets and there is no way those
individuals can be kept off of the City's streets. Diamond Bar will always
have huge amounts of traffic on its streets and the Dial -A -Ride program is
sucking up all of that money which greatly concerns her. It is a great
program but she feels it is time to make further modifications to it and
recommended the Audit Subcommittee be charged with discussing the
issue and recommending changes to the next budget.
CIVI/DeStefano said he appreciated M/Herrera's feedback which is exactly
the type of feedback staff needs on that program as well as every other
area of the budget. The recommendation of cutting the program by
$100,000 needs to have further consideration by staff and bring back a
variety of modifications to Council for its consideration. Diamond Bar is
the most generous in its program and it is being used effectively by the
residents but there are only about 1400 cardholders in that program which
is using 70 percent of the Prop A proceeds. There needs to be
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 11 CC STUDY SESSION
DCM/McLean responded that he has a considerable amount of
information he could present to the Council on that date.
Discussion ensued.
CM/DeStefano said that staff is not asking the Council to make any
decisions tonight and will bring information back to the next study session
for consideration.
FD/Honeywell said that for the LLAD's, this year staff moved some
expenses out of different departments with the exception of staff costs. As
a result of moving those expenditures the General Fund is now
subsidizing nearly $300,000 in FY 2014-15 which is information that can
be discussed by the subcommittee on Thursday.
CM/DeStefano highlighted the CIP program. By. policy, the Council is
adopting only the 2014-15 FY budget. The rest of it is a "wish list" for
which dollars have not yet been set aside.
FD/Honeywell said the highlights of the CIP program are the normal street
repair/rehab. This year Area 2 is anticipated to be finished in the Zone 1
arterial overlay and starting late next fiscal year on Area 3. Everything
under Traffic Management is carried over from projects for this year.
Ongoing is the Lemon Avenue Interchange and other things of note is that
staff is adding more money for the Grand Avenue Enhancement and
proposing to use General Fund Reserves to make necessary parking lot
improvements at Peterson and Reagan Parks as well as, intersection
enhancements at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road near
the Willow Heights Development area. Many park maintenance items
were previously kept in the Community Services Department, which are
being moved to the CIP in order to better track the items. Some of the
projects include clay surface replacement at three -parks, fencing, and
swing sets at Longview Park North with other carry over items from the
previous fiscal year.
MPT/Tye asked why there is no budget item for play surface replacement
at Peterson Park.
CSD/Rose said that it was budgeted for two years from now.
MPT/Tye asked if CSD/Rose had seen the huge chunks missing from the
surface.
CSD/Rose responded that it was patched.
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MAY 6, 2014
CLOSED SESSION: 5:00 p.m., Room CC -8
Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None Offered.
► Conference with Real Property Negotiator
Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8
Property: 1100-1188 Diamond Bar,Boulevard
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Agency Negotiator: James DeStefano, City Manager, and
Dave DeBerry, City Attorney
Negotiating Parties: City of Diamond Bar and.
Retain Opportunity Investment Corp.
► Conference with Legal Counsel
Existing Litigation Pursuant to
Government Code §54956.9
Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, Inc. v
City of Diamond Bar
Los Angeles Superior Court --
Case No. BS148430
STUDY SESSION: 5:24 p.m., Room CC -8
► Introduction of FY 2014-15 Draft Budget —
Discussion and Action
Public Comments: None Offered.
Study Session recessed at 6:20 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Carol Herrera called the Regular City
Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management
District /Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.
CAIDeBerry stated that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
CMIDeStefano reported that during tonight's Study Session staff presented to the
City Council the proposed 2014-15 General Fund Special Revenue Fund,
Internal Service Fund and Capital Improvement Budget. Diamond Bar has
resources of about $25,705,000; appropriations of about $24,4.50,000, which
provides additional reserves in 2015 of approximately $1.255 million. Within the
Budget presented there are a variety of additional maintenance items, park
improvements, street improvements, investment in various funding sources,
potential for the initiation of a General Plan revision project, and a variety of other
measures. Additional discussion regarding the proposed budget is planned for
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
the next City Council meeting with proposed adoption on May 20.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Shaykh Nomaan Baig, Institute of Knowledge,
gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Chang, Lyons, Tanaka,
Mayor Pro Tem Tye and Mayor Herrera.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David
DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; David Liu, Public
Works Director, Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Dianna Honeywell,
Finance Director; Amy Haug, Human Resources Manager; Kimberly Young,
Senior Civil Engineer; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano,
Public Information Coordinator; Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Isaac Aziz, Network
Systems Administrator; Raymond Tao, Building Official; Christy Murphy,
Recreation Superintendent, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 C/Lyons proclaimed May 9, 2014 as Arbor Day and presented the
Proclamation to Recreation Superintendent /Murphy, Community
Services Department.
1.2 C/Chang proclaimed May 2014 as "Water Awareness" Month and
presented the Proclamation to General Manager Mike Holmes and
Board Members Scarlett Wong and Allen Wu.
1.3 M/Herrera and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition
along with Historical Society Members Linda Headlee and Judy
Bueno who presented Certificates of Achievement and Gift
Certificates to the Diamond Bar Historical Society's Art & Essay
Contest -Winners.
Ms. Headlee and Ms. Bueno also thanked co-sponsors Diamond
Bar Community Foundation and The Friends of the Library for their
help.
1.4 MPT/Tye presented Certificates of Recognition to the Diamond
Ranch Girls High School Basketball Team members and Athletic
Director Candace Cayer, in recognition of .being named Champion
of the CIF -Southern Section for team academics.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
1.5 M/Herrera and the City Council presented a Certificate Plaque, City
Pin, Memorabilia Gift Basket and flowers to Tommye Cribbins, City
Clerk in recognition of 25 years of service to the City of Diamond
Bar.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
CMIDeStefano stated that CC/Cribbins is an outstanding professional who
has seen the City grow and mature. He thanked former Mayor John
Forbing and- others who, as former charteL. members of the. City of
Diamond Bar, were responsible for bringing Ms. Cribbins on board.
Tommye is an outstanding resource for staff and the community at large.
Tommye has personally invested in the community in many ways
including that of a City Clerk.. Tommye has grown with staff as staff has
grown with Tommye. While Tommye was uncharacteristically quiet during
her presentation, her laughter and smile can be seen and heard
throughout the building and they are absolutely contagious. He
recommended that no one let her go and recognize her again in 2039!
M/ Herrera seconded that motion and congratulated Tommye, telling her
the City is very lucky to have her.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Miss Diamond Bar Dana Lee and her Court, representing Miss Diamond
Bar Scholarship Pageant, thanked the City for its continuing support of the
Miss Diamond Bar Pageant and presented the City with a Certificate of
Appreciation.
Alvin Andry, 2500 Crooked Creek, said he was concerned about the poor
condition of the block wall along Diamond Bar Boulevard behind his home.
Michael Miniaci, 2520 Crooked Creek Drive, asked what was being done
about the block wall behind his and his neighbor's homes and offered to
assist in a proposal to mitigate the situation.
Pui Ching Ho, Acting Diamond Bar Librarian, announced upcoming library
events: Elaina Mandez, professional dance teacher will present the
culture and dances of Mexico on Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m. for all
ages. Millions of songs and dozens of magazines are available for
downloading and streaming at no charge on the library's website at
www.colapublib.org.. Anyone wishing to learn more about accessing these
resources can .attend a demonstration on May 21 at 1:00 pm. Author and
indoor gardening expert, Julie Davis, will be at the Library on Saturday,
May 24 at 2:00 p.m. to show tips and tricks on caring for indoor plants.
Miss Davis will sign copies of her book for attendees if presented to her
during the event. Tuesday, May 27, professional opera singers from the
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
LA Opera will present Opera tales such as Don Giovanni, the Marriage of
Figaro and the Magic Flute; and on Saturday, May 31 at 2:00 p.m., Victor
Chan from the Mandarin Arts Center will discuss the evolution of Chinese
characters and traditional calligraphy brush techniques.
Allen Wilson congratulated CC/Cribbins on her 25 years with the City. He '
asked for clarification of M/Herrera's statement about being unable to
disclose specific plans that are pending for the Ralph's Shopping Center
and asked whether the City Council works for its residents or for the
developer. •
Diamond Bar High School Seniors Grant Chow, Gloria (no last name
given) and Junior Sasha Rivera spoke on how it would be
environmentally friendly to ban paper flyers and install digital monitors to
display ads.
Resident Atul Kandhari, said he wrote a letter to the City Council about the
block wall behind his home on Crooked Creek and asked the City for help
in finding a solution to the issue.
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/DeStefano stated that with respect to the perimeter wall damage
along Diamond Bar Boulevard, many areas of the wall are showing
damage which became even more evident after the recent earthquake.
The walls, to the best of staff's knowledge, are privately owned walls
which were developed many years ago when those particular major
subdivisions were developed and are not within the public right-of-way,
owned, maintained nor the responsibility of the City of Diamond Bar. That
being said, staff would be happy to work with each property owner to try to
determine more specific information about whether there is any difference
in this opinion and determine whether or not the wall is on public property.
Adding to the confusion, prior to the City's incorporation, the Diamond Bar
Improvement Association was involved and established, through the
appropriate recorded documents, an easement that was designed to exert
some sort of maintenance control over those properties, but that was not a
document that was transferred to the City's ownership and was instead, a
private issue: Staff is aware of these problems and is willing to work with
the speakers and continue working with individuals who previously
reported this matter about their property issues.
CM/DeStefano stated that with respect to the grocery store referenced by
a speaker in the former "Ralphs" anchored shopping center, Ralphs was
the fourth in a series of anchor grocery stores and with the closure of
Ralphs, the City, working with the then property owner, went on an
exhaustive effort to attract a variety of grocery store operators to occupy
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
that space during an economic time when stores were entrenching and
closing stores or developing smaller stores. The few that had interest in
Diamond Bar talked about their efforts being compromised because they
had similar stores elsewhere and were concerned about cannibalization of
stores during a time when the economy was weak. Others were
concerned about new competition as Walmart was creating more grocery
stores within their existing large store footprints and Target was creating
more grocery stores which ultimately led to one being developed in
Diamond Bar inside the existing footprint of Target. Results of those
different efforts did not prove to. be fruitful and the property languished.
About a year and a half ago the property was sold from the family
partnership to a major real estate trust. The real estate trust has been
working closely with one particular operator. CMIDeStefano said he was
personally asked to keep negotiation information confidential because
those negotiations between the property owner and the large owner were
very sensitive. At the time the new property owner took over ownership
and now management of the shopping center produced a news release
and was very excited to report that they were in negotiations with Walmart
for a new format neighborhood grocery store that Walmart has throughout
the country and that has been moving into California. The grocery store
size ranges from about 30,000 square feet to about 40,000 square feet
and 40,000 square feet happens to be the size of the former Ralph"s
space. Walmart has been the leading candidate for that space and
remains in confidential negotiations with the property owner. At this point
in history, the City has no information about whether or not these
negotiations will conclude or whether they will open a store but it is still the
leading candidate at that specific location as was announced by the
property owner in a press release.
That particular shopping center owner is involved in a variety of
improvements on the property and recently purchased another shopping
center in the City which is 100 percent occupied and which has been
repainted and is being re-signed. Staff and Council hope that they
achieve the same goal within the former Ralphs anchored shopping
center. Recently, a regional fitness operator known as "Crunch Fitness"
was approved by the City and may be under construction which will take
the vacant space that once was a bank and before that the Boston
Department Store.
MPT/Tye stated that he believed that the walls closest to Pathfinder seem
to be 'the County's responsibility and asked if staff would be able to
determine that.
CMIDeStefano stated that there were some walls that staff believes lie on
County flood control property and that those walls are the County's
responsibility; however, staff has been asked to look into that as well since
some of those walls were also damaged. There are a variety of walls that
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
have suffered damage and that are deteriorating which residents will need
to begin paying attention too as well.
4. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — May 8, 2014 -
7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.2 Arbor Day Celebration — May 9, 2014 — 9:15 a.m., Pantera
Elementary School, 801 Pantera Drive. _
5.3 Planning Commission Meeting — May 13, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.,
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.4 City Council Meeting — May 20, 2014 — 6:30 p.m.,
SCAQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: ClLyons moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to
approve the Consent Calendar as presented with Item 6.9 withdrawn by
M/Herrera. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Chang, Lyons, Tanaka, MPT/Tye,
M/Herrera
None
None
6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — Regular Meeting of April
15, 2014.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION MINUTES:
6.2.1. Regular Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2014.
6.2.2 Regular Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2014.
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES.-
6.2.1
INUTES:6.2.1 Regular Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2014.
6.2.2 Regular Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2014.
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED APRIL 10, 2014
THROUGH APRIL 30, 2014 TOTALING $1,502,516.42.
6.5 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — for the month of
March 2014.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
6.6 APPROVED A $37,500 APPROPRIATION OF RECREATION
TRAILS GRANT FUNDS FOR DESIGN OF THE STEEP CANYON
TRAIL CONNECTOR PROJECT.
6.7 APPROPRIATED AN ADDITIONAL $400,000 TO THE SALE OF
PROP A BUDGET; AND, ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-15:
AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE SALE OF $800,000 OF
PROPOSITION A FUNDS (LOCAL RETURN TRANSIT FUNDS)
TO THE CITY OF INDUSTRY.
6.8 AWARDED CONTRACT TO ADVANTEC CONSULTING
ENGINEERS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL BATTERY BACKUP
SYSTEM DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
SERVICES AT THIRTY FOUR (34) SIGNALIZED
INTERSECTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,800, PLUS A
CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $5,000 FOR CHANGE ORDERS
TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR A TOTAL
AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $52,800.
ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.9 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH KOA
CORPORATION FOR (a) ON-CALL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
CONSULTING SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,000 AND (b)
DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CASTLE ROCK ROAD/CROOKED
CREEK DRIVE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM (NTMP) IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,400 FOR A TOTAL
AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $15,400.
M/Herrera asked if this item is to approve design services only and
not specific mitigation measures.
PWD/Liu responded that this specific Neighborhood Traffic
Management Program was initiated as a result of residents who
asked staff to look at traffic calming devices to address the cut -
through and speeding issues. To date, there have been three
neighborhood meetings, the last of which was held last week during
which most of the affected property owners were present and
agreed with the proposed/conceptual plans for traffic calming tools.
This item takes the NTMP conceptual plans which have been
agreed to by the residents into the design phase and is merely a
housekeeping matter requiring. City Council approval requesting
KOA to proceed with the design services because of the
contractual limitations of the City Manager's authority.
There was no one present who wished to speak on this matter.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
MlHerrera moved, ClLyons seconded, to approve the Contract
Amendment with KOA Corporation for On -Call Services and the
Design Services for the NTMP for Castle Rock Road/Crooked
Creek Drive. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Lyons, Tanaka,
MPT/Tye, MlHerrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
7. PUBLIC HEARING: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
8.1 FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 05 (2014): AMENDING TITLE
15 OF THE DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT BY
REFERENCE, TITLE 32 FIRE CODE OF THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CODE, AS AMENDED, WHICH CONSTITUTES AN
AMENDED VERSION .OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 2013
EDITION AND SETS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MAY 20, 2014.
Upon introduction by CMIDeStefano, BO/Tao reported that this is a
Building and Safety item which is a construction related item
ordained by the State and required to be adopted. every three years
which would, by calendar, have happened late last year. However,
in this case, the Fire Department adoption was delayed and this
item is being addressed on its own at this time. Typically, the LA
County amendments to the Code for the fire adoption are adopted
by the City. Generally, most of these ordinances are administrative
and editorial due to changes in the layout of the fire code. The only
substantial issue relates to the solar electrical issues relating to
electrical shutoff for emergency situations so that the electrical
wiring is not damaged during a fire and a firefighter is not injured
during the course of performing their duties. If the fire is visible or
far enough from a location where fire fighting personnel are
required to open rooftops, the shutoff would not be necessary.
An important. aspect of building ordinances is that they have a
special requirement which requires first Reading, two notices and a
public hearing. In this particular instance, staff is requesting first
reading by title only of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City
of Diamond Bar amending Title 15 of the Diamond Bar City Code
and adopting by reference, Title 32 Fire Code of the Los Angeles
County Code as amended, which constitutes an amended version
of the California Fire Code, 2013 Edition. Staff's is recommending
that the approve the first reading and set the Second Reading and
Public Hearing for May 20, 2014.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
There was no one present who wished to speak on this matter.
C/Chang moved, MPTITye seconded, to approve for First Reading
by Title Only Ordinance 05(2014), Waive further reading and set a
Second Reading and Public Hearing on May 20, 2014. Motion
carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Lyons, Tanaka,
MPT/Tye, M/Herrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
8.2 CONSIDERATION OF DESIGN OF SITE D PUBLIC PARK AND
RECOMMENDATION TO NAME IT "DIAMOND CANYON PARK."
CMIDeStefano stated that Item 8.2 is consideration of the design
elements of the proposed Site D public park and a recommendation
to name the park "Diamond Canyon". This matter comes to the
City Council as a result of the approvals to allow for construction of
homes on the property commonly known as Site D located at the
intersection of Brea Canyon Road and Diamond Bar Boulevard by
developer Lennar Homes which has named the project "Willow
Heights" and one of the many approvals the City Council attached
to the project approval was for the developer to create a minimum
2.5 acre park on the property.
As part of Lennar Homes' implementation of the conditions, the
project was presented to the City, been reviewed by City staff and
CSD/Rose recently took this project and its proposed elements for
the Site D park to the Parks and Recreation Commission and will
tonight present the details of the proposal and seek Council's
approval for the proposed design elements and naming of the
public park.
CSD/Rose reported that .Lennar Homes of California has received
approval by the City Council to construct a residential neighborhood
at the corner of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road
commonly referred to as Site D. Conditions of Approval dated
December 17, 2013 require that Lennar Homes construct a turnkey
public park of at least 2.5 net acres in size. The park design was
analyzed under Final Environmental Impact Report #2008021014
which was also approved on December 17, 2013. The footprint of
the proposed park was determined in a series of community
meetings that were conducted between September 16, 2010 and
May 9, 2013. The shape of the current concept plan of the park
matches the shape presented and generally accepted by the
participants of the May 9, 2013 community meeting. The Parks and
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
Recreation Commission reviewed the conceptual plan for the park
at its April 24, 2014 meeting. There were approximately 35
residents in attendance, 16 of whom presented comments on the
concept plan. The Commission determined that the concept plan
contains all of the elements required in the conditions of approval
plus recommended some additional elements based on input
received from the community during the April 24 meeting. These
additional elements include tubular steel at the cul-de-sac at Castle
Rock Road leaving the current access point open from Castle Rock
to Brea Canyon Road; the addition of a tubular steel fence between
the tot lot and Brea Canyon Road; the addition of more trees and
shrubs to buffer the south side of the park between the existing
residences; and, the use of decomposed, granite on the path that
connects to the cul-de-sac on Pasado Drive and the installation of
bollards at that cul-de-sac to prevent non -emergency vehicles
access to the park; and, lighting concepts into the park concept
plan for walkways and parking lot. In addition to the concept plans,
several names were discussed for the park at the Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting on April 24 and the name that is
recommended by staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission
is "Diamond Canyon Park". This name captures "diamond" from
Diamond Bar Boulevard and "canyon" from Brea Canyon Road
which is the location of the park.
The size of the proposed park meets the size requirements of net
2.5 acres stated in the conditions of approval, as well as, the park
amenities included in the concept plan presented this evening.
City staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend
the City Council's approval of the concept plan and the name
Diamond Canyon Park.
MPT/Tye asked about the parking lot spaces.
CSD/Rose responded that there are nine unallocated parking
spaces and two ADA accessible parking spaces for a total of 11
spaces.
ClLyons asked if the Decomposed Granite (DG) would be used for
the walking trail.
CSD/Rose responded that it would be used for the walking path, a
portion of which will serve as an emergency vehicle access.
ClLyons asked about the length of the walking path.
CSD/Rose responded that if one begins at Pasado Drive at the
beginning of the path continues down and over the bridge to the
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
developed portion of the park near Brea Canyon Road. In addition,
there are trails that go through the rain garden so the totality of the
trails would be less than a mile and more like a half to three-
quarters of a mile depending on the direction one were to walk and
how many times a pedestrian might circle those trails.
C/Lyons asked about the "lighted" shade structure for the
secondary picnic area.
CSD/Rose explained that it will be part of the security lighting for
the park, not to provide lighted picnic areas at night.
ClLyons asked if other names had been or are being considered.
CSDIRose responded that the following names were offered:
Willow Heights Park (the name of the development), Crooked
Creek Park (because this park will be used as a trailhead to
Crooked Creek Trail and because Crooked Creek street is in the
neighborhood), Brea Canyon Park (it is on Brea Canyon); Gateway
Park (it is an entry to the City), and Peaceful Garden Park (based
on the perceived personality of the park with the rain garden
element being a key feature).
ClLyons asked if there was any consideration given to the 25th
anniversary of the City or an historical aspect to the property.
CSD/Rose said that there was no discussion of those aspects.
MlHerrera asked if the name was selected by the residents who
attended the meeting.
CSD/Rose responded that it was a name presented by the
residents and there was agreement by nodding among the
participants and Commissioners who considered the name and
recommended it to the City Council as a Parks and Recreation
Commission recommendation.
MlHerrera asked CSD/Rose to elaborate on the lighting within the
park area. Adjacent residents on Castle Rock Road are concerned
about large poles with lights shining into their yards and houses.
CSD/Rose said that the only tall poles will be located in the parking
lot and those lights will be shielded and directed downward to
actually light the parking area. There will be lighted bollards (42" to
46" high) that will light the walkway only.
MlHerrera asked if Lennar Homes would like to comment.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
Geoff Smith, Lennar Homes, said that Lennar Homes is very
excited to bring this park to the neighborhood and the City. With
Council's approval, Lennar Homes will immediately go into
construction drawings and as expeditiously as possible, bring this
park to the City.
Kurt Jorgenson, Castle Rock Road, said that during the April 24
meeting there was discussion of possibly removing the parking lot
altogether to avoid safety concerns upon ingress and egress,
loitering, etc: There was also a discussion about the gate at the
cul-de-sac at the end of Castle Rock. Currently, there is an exit
from the cul-de-sac onto Brea Canyon Road and there was
discussion about closing the gate off entirely to the parking lot but
leaving the current access open. He has young children and will
most likely use the park. Originally, he thought closing the gate
except for the one exit area was a good idea and in hindsight
believed it might be better'to keep the gate for the safety of those
kids who walk out onto Brea Canyon Road to get into the park as
well as, any escape plans for anyone inside the park that might
have to be locked in the event of loitering or unrest in the
neighborhood.
Dare! Gunter who lives at the cul-de-sac on Castle Rock asked how
workers will access the area when construction begins.
CSD/Rose responding to the speakers stated that the parking lot
discussion included conversations from residents on Pasado Drive
and Castle Rock about limited access from those locations and not
allow parking on either street. Cars cannot be parked on Brea
Canyon Road or Diamond Bar Boulevard and if there is no parking
lot on the park premises, from staff's point of view, people will park
at the next closest location on either of those two locations being
either the cul-de-sac or the business park, both of which are on the
opposite side of Brea Canyon Road from the park. Staff is
concerned that people would likely jaywalk across Brea Canyon
Road if there is no other location from which to access the park and
staff believes that while it is not the most convenient location for a
parking lot it will at least accommodate the small number of cars
that the park will attract once it is in full operation. When the park
first opens it would not surprise him that a lot of people will want to
visit the park out of curiosity; however, it is a neighborhood park
that does not have a lot of regional attractions to bring people to the
park on a regular basis.
With respect to gates and openings, the concept plan includes a
tubular wrought -iron fence around the cul-de-sac at Castle Rock.
Originally, there was a gate going from the cul-de-sac directly into
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL.
the park and after consideration by the P&R Commission, that gate
was eliminated and the access from Brea Canyon Road was
maintained. If there is a desire to have the gate back at the cul-de-
sac that is closed when the park closes at night it can be done.
MPT/Tye asked how difficult it would be to move the parking lot to
the tree area at Diamond Bar Boulevard south of Lot 57.
CSD/Rose explained that that corner has been identified as the
place for the historical monument as identified on the plans. There
is a considerable slope in the area and suggested that the architect
may be able to speak to that.
Ed Doll, Summer/Murphey & Partners, Inc., landscape architect for
Willow Heights, responded to MPT/Tye that as CSD/Rose stated
the area proposed by MPT/Tye for a parking lot was the proposed
location for a smaller iconic structurelmonument to identify
Diamond Bar. The parking lot holds 11 stalls and looking at the
layout of the area there is a slope to the south of the area which
wraps around the green space which is just enough area for a trail,
picnic area and monument with access to the boulevard through a
locked gate and that he does not believe the parking lot would fit in
that location which would require additional grading.
MPT/Tye asked Mr. Doll to look into moving the parking lot and
provide the Council with feedback as to what it would entail and
whether it was feasible.
Mr. Doll said he would do so and further explained that the intent of
the proposed parking lot at its current location was to provide a
view fence to discourage traffic from the cul-de-sac neighborhood
directly into the park and provide a landscape buffer on either side
of the fence with landscaping and shade trees so that there does
not appear to be immediate access to the parking lot. Mr. Doll said
he will look at the other location for Council's consideration.
ClLyons said it looked to her like the parking lot is located very
close to the playground which is a really good idea because
parents with small children and strollers would find access much
easier, and does not know how the playground would be accessible
from the other location.
Responding to ClLyons, Mr. Doll stated that ClLyons made a very
good point. The parking lot and playground have a very good
relationship to one another as designed. When CSD/Rose
presented the plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission, one
of the recommendations was to create more safety and security
MAY 6, 2014 " PAGE 14 CITY COUNCIL
between the tot lot and boulevard with additional tubular fencing to
be hidden in the landscape and view blockage.
CMIDeStefano felt it would be useful to attempt to enhance the
area described by MPT/Tye as Lot 57 and adjacent trees and
landscaping. It is sometimes difficult to see all of the layers of
information that exists on a drawing such as the one being
presented. This drawing does not adequately describe the
changes in elevation and the grading that occurs. He asked the
architect to describe the differences in elevation between the
houses and the flat area barely seen in the drawing that shows a
picnic bench and seating.. Staff can work with the architect and
Lennar Homes in any way the City Council so directs. In that
particular area, it would require additional thought and design work
in order to determine whether a flat area large enough is available
to incorporate X number of cars. To C/Lyons point regarding the
proximity of potential parking to the Castle Rock area, it is also an
issue to the fact that the rain garden is designed to filter and
contain water during different times -of the year and that the rain
garden area may well be completely closed off during certain times
of the year because it contains a certain amount of water until the
water works its way through the system and, as a safety
precaution, that portion of the park may be completely shut off
thereby making it difficult for a parking area to function properly to
get back to the tot lot, if a parking lot was developed next to Lot 57.
The. parking lot that is recommended by staff and the Parks and
Recreation Commission adjacent to Castle Rock Road could
remain, could be reduced in size, or could be eliminated
completely, all of which are options staff can work through with the
architect and property owner. By example, the Washington Street
Park that opened a couple of years ago has zero parking -- parking
is available only on the public streets (Lincoln and Washington)
which happen to have public parking spots. Because this park is a
neighborhood park, it is not likely one, as indicated by CSD/Rose,
that folks outside of the area would attend and utilize and enjoy on
a regular basis but one that is utilized by the neighborhood with
people walking to the park. Unlike Washington and Lincoln, this
park is at the end of a cul-de-sac and it happens to be a very
narrow street. Castle Rock could easily become the parking for
neighborhood residents which would be a downside to eliminating
the parking lot, but that option could be considered.
M/Herrera asked CMIDeStefano to comment on where construction
vehicles will access the property when the park is constructed.
CMIDeStefano responded that construction workers are not
allowed to use Castle Rock nor are they allowed to use Pasado
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 15 CITY COUNCIL
Road now or in the future and will have to find access in another
fashion. Most likely, access would come from Brea Canyon Road
with some sort of onsite staging area.
M/Herrera said that the City Council has a recommendation from
the Parks and Recreation Commission for a park name and she
asked which body makes the final decision on the name.
CM/DeStefano responded that the decision is made by the City
_Council.. The Parks and._ Recreation Commission like the Traffic
Commission and like some of the Planning Commission actions
that it undertakes on the Council's behalf, serves as an advisory
body to the Council. None of the recommendations of the Parks
and Recreation Commission need to be embraced by the City
Council. The City Council are the stewards, elected officials and
policy makers for the , City and it is the Council's decision to
determine the appropriateness of the park name and any of the
elements proposed within the park.
M/Herrera mentioned this because she believes the park name
should be unique to the area and believed there was a church in
Diamond Bar with that name.
MPT/Tye said he agreed with C/Lyons relative to the parking lot
and asked how difficult it would be to flip the tot lot and the parking
lot and still maintain a sufficient number of parking stalls and room
for the tot lot.
Mr. Doll explained that there will be street improvements and a
deceleration lane which is represented in the plan. As one
approaches to make a right hand turn, there will be additional lanes
to make that turn and the closer access to the driveway is to the
corner will be more difficult to make the turn but the City's Traffic
Engineer would be the one to determine the minimum standard.
The overall park is separated between the rain garden and the park
via the existing concrete channel and the plan attempts to
maximize the usable space for the tot lot and maximize the
opportunity, depending on the number of parking spaces and the
relationship between the tot lot and parking lot. There are many
elements in that space and it was determined that the current
layout maximized the space and provided the best opportunity for
the parking lot and tot lot. If the parking lot and tot lot were flipped
it would separate the tot lot from the open green area which is an
extension of the parking lot. The parking lot serves as an anchor
and the uses flow north from that point.
C/Lyons asked if the rain garden needed to be in that spot.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 16 CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Doll said that without getting into the drainage formulas and
how it functions, the short answer is "yes." For example, this type
of facility was created in a development in Aliso Nigel which is a
combination filtration element for water runoff which serves as an
educational opportunity to educate the community.
M/Herrera asked for direction.
CMIDeStefano said he believes that the parking lot as to whether it
is. appropriate and its location is an issue; the name is an issue, and _
everything else is fundamentally okay. Staff and the developer
should be given direction to. pursue development of all of those
other pieces. As the parking lot locationlconfiguration affects the
tot lot and other things, it will stall that portion of the project and
staff would need direction about the parking lot issue as to whether
Council wishes to explore it further along Brea Canyon Road or
Diamond Bar Boulevard or as it is presented based on the
testimony received. The park name is the easiest issue and while
the developer would like the park name to be settled to help market
the asset the new neighborhood would have, it is a question of
whether the Council wishes staff to develop additional opportunities
for consideration for the park name. This project is in the early
development stages and the developer has requirements to
commence the park construction and have it completed within a
certain time frame and permit issuance time frame.
MPT/Tye said he would like to see everything pushed toward Brea
Canyon — remove the parking lot and move the tot lot, and start at
the picnic area moving the parking lot toward the treed area near
Diamond Bar Boulevard to reduce the impact of a parking lot to the
Castle Rock neighborhood. He agreed with ClLyons that it was not
a good idea to have the tot lot and then the parking lot but if
everything was pushed up Brea Canyon toward Diamond
Boulevard or if the parking lot was put near Lot 57 that would be a
couple of options to consider.
ClLyons said she believed a resident speculated as to whether or
not the gate should be at Castle Rock and asked whether that issue
was resolved.
CSD/Rose said he believed the resident said that there was a gate
in the location in a prior concept plan which was later taken out and
he was suggesting that the gate be put back in but that it can be
locked when the park is closed the gate will be locked.
C/Tanaka felt the current location of the parking lot was the best
option considering the elevation on the alternative site. In addition,
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 17 CITY COUNCIL
he feels that a parking lot would serve as a buffer between the tot
lot and neighboring residences so that any noise emanating from
the tot lot would have to travel a greater distance to reach the
homes. He also feels that a gate should not be placed at the end of
Castle Rock because people would become accustomed to using it
as an entrance rather than utilizing the parking lot.
MlHerrera asked if because of differing thoughts this item should be
continued.
CMIDeStefano said that the maker of a motion could put forward a
conclusion to see whether there is consensus for that conclusion.
An option that comes from staff that the Council may wish to
consider is to give staff and the developer on the project the go
ahead and approval for everything east of the flood control channel
and that the area west (Brea Canyon Road side) of the flood control
channel be referred back to staff and the developer and the
residents for solution options that have been a part of the Council's
discussion and bring that portion back to the City Council.
MPT/Tye moved, C/Lyons seconded, to approve the plan as
designed east of the flood control channel, continue matters for
consideration on the plan design west of the flood control channel
and consideration of the park name to a future date to be
determined. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Lyons, MPT/Tye,
MlHerrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Tanaka
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Tanaka congratulated Tommye Cribbins on her 25 years of service to
Diamond Bar. Last Wednesday he attended the Contract Cities
Association meeting at the Diamond Bar Center. The following day he
attended the Senior Softball Opening Day Ceremony at Peterson Park
where he threw out the first pitch. Diamond Bar has three co-ed teams,
some of which are looking for additional players. Anyone interested
should contact CSC/Vargas. . That evening he attended the Diamond
Bar/Walnut Sheriff Station's Booster Recognition Dinner dedicated in
memory of volunteers who passed away including Dr. Jeffrey Lowe,
Ignacio Covarrubias, Carlos Ramirez and Jerry Altman. Saturday, April 19
he attended the 31St Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Diamond
Bar Breakfast Lyons Club and the City. He thanked CSDITarazon and her
staff for their help in setting up the event, LA County Fire Explorer Post 19
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 18 CITY COUNCIL
for the Pancake Breakfast, Big Lots, Miss Diamond Bar and her Court and
Diamond Bar High School and Chaparral Leo Clubs. On Friday the 25th
he attended the Walnut Military Support Group dinner at the Diamond Bar
Center. On the 218t he attended the Grammy Award Gala with Diamond
Bar High School being named the 2014 National Grammy Signature
School with music by the award winning Music Department headed b
Music Director Steve Acciani. The following Saturday he attended the 6t
Annual Spotlight on the Arts Benefit Concert at Mt. SAC. On the following
Sunday he attended the 21St Annual Wine Soiree hosted by The Friends of
the Library. May 1 he attended the League of California Cities Los
Angeles County Division meeting with a program on LED street light
acquisition and conversion projects. May 5 was Diamond Bar Day at the
Los Angeles Fair community meeting during which the business expo, fair
kids expo, community parade, community heroes program, Big Yellow Bus
program were discussed and learning centers and committee assignments
were made. Today was the Diamond Bar Senior Citizens Mothers' Day
luncheon.
C/Tanaka asked that tonight's meeting be adjourned in memory of long
time Diamond Bar resident David Pena.
C/Chang reminded everyone that they can follow her on Twitter and
Facebook. She attended the Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination
Committee meeting on behalf of the League of California Cities as its
president. The meeting was also chaired by Supervisor Don Knabe where
there was discussion regarding mental health issues and jail overcrowding
in LA County. She attended the Grammy Award Gala, a very beautiful
event. She was asked to speak on a panel at USC a couple of Saturday's
ago for the 2014 Young Women's Political and Civic Leadership program.
She attended the Emergency Preparedness meeting with C/Lyons for a
discussion regarding protocol for preparation and wished everyone a
Happy Mother's Day.
ClLyons attended her first Foothill Transit meeting which was very
interesting as was the Emergency Preparedness meeting. She feels that
Diamond Bar has really stepped up and has things in good order for its
residents. She congratulated the Diamond Ranch High School Girls
Basketball Team on their outstanding academics. She was present at the
Angels game when they were presented with the banner. She saw
Pirates of Penzance at Diamond Bar High School which showcased
student talent. The Wine Soiree sponsored by The Friends of the Library
was, as always, a very good event with a lot of great community, Council
and staff support. She congratulated MPT/Tye for completing his term as
the Contract Cities President and congratulated Tommye Cribbins on her
25th anniversary. Tommye has been very helpful to her and truly
appreciates CC/Cribbins service to the community.
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 19 CITY COUNCIL
MPT/Tye congratulated CCICribbins on being the City's first employee
and wondered how it felt to set up shop on a card table and with a
borrowed chair. Congratulations to CCICribbins on her 25 years of
service with distinction. It was MPTITye's privilege to be- recognized last
month by Contract Cities during a meeting held at the Diamond Bar
Center. The year flew by and it was a privilege to serve as president and
represent Diamond Bar at Contract Cities and in Sacramento. He asked
folks who wished to provide any type of recognition that they provide
children's books to the library and at last count there were 70 or 80 new
books provided by generous participants at Contract Cities for which he is
grateful. The Easter Egg Hunt was an amazing success — again.
C/Tanaka and Wanda Tanaka did a great job along with the Lions and
clearly, the kids had a great time. The 21St Annual Wine Soiree was a big
success. He heard today that it was the best fundraiser The Friends of
the Library have had and it is great to realize that all of the resources that
are raised go back into the library. When people made the decision that it
wanted a new and improved library and Supervisor Knabe was willing to
support that effort with $5 million to help design and retrofit the first floor of
the new City Hall building, one reason is because of the dynamic Friends
of the Library group Diamond Bar enjoys and because the community is
so generous and supportive funds continue to be raised on an annual
basis to provide services. The Diamond Bar High School National
Grammy Award and recognition for the Diamond Ranch High School Girls
scholastic achievements support the fact that Diamond Bar has two great
high schools and it is wonderful to see them do well year after year. The
Walnut/Diamond Bar Station's Booster Recognition was phenomenal. It is
unbelievable to hear what the volunteers do. In excess of 17,000 hours
were worked by those volunteers and in excess of $500,000 in labor
provided by volunteers. He congratulated Volunteer of the Year Gene
Doss who is greatly appreciated for his dedication.
M/Herrera said that she and her colleagues attended many of the
meetings talked about this evening. Congratulations to all of the award
recipients and thank you to CCICribbins for hanging in with the City for 25
years. She heard the first mayor (John Forbing) talk about the fact that
there was no office and no money and Council Members used their
personal credit cards to buy paper and perhaps pay CCICribbins. She
knows it was quite a challenge in the beginning and thanks again for
hanging in there for 25 years — CCICribbins is a treasure and a resource.
The City is very grateful for all of the work and effort the Diamond Bar
Friends of the Library put forth to benefit the residents by improving the
library. The Friends work very hard all year long planning The Wine
Soiree and part of its success is because of local restaurants that provide
free food so that people who come to the Soiree during the day can
participate. She believes it behooves residents to participate and support
these local business- Aljibani Halal Market, Chili's, Roundtable Pizza, It's a
Grind Coffee House, Diamond Bar Golf Course Catering, Whole
MAY 6, 2014 PAGE 20 CITY COUNCIL
Enchilada, Diamond Palace, Mandarin Taste, Pogo's, Julie's Cafe,
Graber Olives (Ontario), Buca di Beppo, Brea, Nini Bakery
(Rowland Heights), Mother's Market Kitchen, Claro's Italian Market
(San Gabriel), Spaggi's (Upland) and Got Taco Party. Thanks to all
for their generosity and helping to make this event a success.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Herrera
adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:42 p.m. in memory of long time
resident, David Pena.
TOMMYE RIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 20th day of ma ,
2014.
CAROL HERRERA, MAYOR