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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/2015 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION JANUARY 20, 2015 STUDY SESSION: MfTye called the Study Session to order at 5:45 p.m. in Room CC -8, South Coast Air Quality Management District, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Present: Council Members Carol Herrera, Jimmy Lin, Jack Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tern Nancy Lyons, and Mayor Steve Tye. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; Ken Desforges, IS Director; Anthony Santos, Management Analyst; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. Also Present — Consultant Jerry Bradshaw with SCI Consulting. 10� LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS 38, 39 AND 41 — Discussion and Action. CM/DeStefano gave a brief introduction regarding the item to be discussed this evening and then turned the presentation over to CSD/Rose who provided staffs report and recommendations. CSD/Rose presented a power point presentation on Lighting and Landscape Assessment Districts 38, 39 and 41. CSD/Rose reported that LLAD No. 38 is a "citywide" District that has 17,883 parcels with an assessment of $15.00 per year. The revenue generated in this District totals $268,245. Based on the maintenance cost, the General Fund subsidizes an additional amount of $140,013. Maintenance for this District is in the medians and public right of ways. At this time, staff is not recommending any changes. CSD/Rose then reported on LLAD No. 39. This District has 1,251 parcels with an assessment of $130.00 per year. The current revenue generated in this District totals $162,630. Based on the maintenance cost, the City's General Fund subsidizes an additional amount of $157,236. Maintenance for this District includes landscaped slopes, 11 city owned parcels, 129 maintained parcels, 117 maintained private property and 1 parcel owned by the Pomona Unified School District. CSD/Rose further stated that when District No. 39 was first formed, the annual assessment was $236.00 per parcel. M/Tye asked why the assessment had been reduced to $130.00 JANUARY 20, 2015 PAGE 2 1 CC STUDY SESSION CSD/Rose stated that at the time the assessment had been reduced there was a surplus of funds in the District and the Council decided to reduce the annual assessment. CSD/Rose stated that it is staffs and the City Attorney's opinion that the City Council return the assessment to the "historical high" of $236.00 without taking a vote of the property owner's as required in Prop. 218. Therefore, staff is recommending that the LLAD No. 39 return the annual assessment to $236.00. CSD/Rose then reported on LLAD No. 41. This District has 554 parcels with an assessment of $220.50 per year, The current revenue generated in this District totals $122,157. Based on the maintenance cost, the City's General Fund subsidizes an additional amount of $124,313 plus $5,000 from the Safe Parks Act for a total of $129,313. Maintenance for this district includes 56 maintained parcels, 47 private properties and 9 HOA owned parcels as well as Brea Canyon cut-off maintained by the City. It is staff's recommendation that the maintenance of HOA/private property parcels in LLAD No. 41 be returned to all the property owners. Following stafrs report, CSD/Rose then stated that it is staffs recommendation to do the following: Maintain LLAD No. 38's assessment at $15.00 per year (citywide); LLAD No. 39 be returned to the 'historical high" of $236.00; and, as for LLAD No. 41, that maintenance for this District be borne by the Homeowner's Associations. He also provided the Council with a schedule of the next steps in the process for both Districts 39 and 41. C/Lin asked for clarification as to who pays for the lighting for the districts. CSD/Rose stated that the term "lighting" comes from the provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972. C/Lin also asked how the City will enforce the HOA's to maintain the landscaping if they choose not to. CSD/Rose stated that there are property maintenance standards in the City's Municipal Code that will allow the City to enforce maintenance. MPT/Lyons asked why the City just doesn't increase the assessment for LLAD No. 41. CSD/Rose stated that due to Prop 218 the City would have to call for an election and get the approval of the parcel owners in order to raise the assessment. Also, because the majority of the land is owned by the HOA's it should be their responsibility to maintain the property. C/Lin asked how we maintain LLAD No. 38. CSD/Rose stated LLAD 38 is a citywide assessment district which benefits the City in its entirety therefore it is prudent for the City to maintain the district. MPT/Lyons asked how the residents of LLAD No. 39 would be notified. CSDIRose stated that letters would be sent to the owners of the properties. MPT/Lyons asked that based on the proposed schedule presented by staff why would it take a year or eighteen months to return the properties to the HOA's in LLAD 41. CSD/Rose stated that discussions with LLAD 41 HOA's would start after work in LLAD 39 is complete. At least two of the HOA's in LLAD 41 do not currently have a Board of Directors. A Board will need to be elected by the residents before discussions can commence. Staff believes it will take a year to eighteen months to complete the work necessary to turn over the maintenance. MPT/Lyons stated that both she and C/Herrera had toured LLAD's 39 and 41 and it is mostly private properties that the City should not be maintaining. She also stated that she knew that C[Tanaka had also taken a tour with both CSD/Rose and PWD/Liu. M/Tye asked why the City doesn't turn LLAD 39 over as well. CSD/Rose stated that it is because the City can return the annual assessment to $236.00 where in LLAD 41 it is not possible without an election. Following further discussion, C/Tanaka stated that he was glad to see the City going forward with this item. C/Herrera moved and MPT11-yons' seconded to maintain LLAD No. 38's annual assessment of $15.00 per parcel; LLAD No. 39's annual assessment be returned to the historical high of $236.00; and that HOA/private property parcels in LLAID No. 41 be returned to the property owners for their maintenance. With unanimous consensus of Council, the motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Herrera adjourned the Study Session at 6:28 p.m. TOMMYE tRIBBINS, City Clerk JANUARY 20, 2015 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION The foregoing minutes are hereby approved thiS3rd day Of February 2015. �-z , Z STEVETYE, Ma�4 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR JANUARY 20, 2015 STUDY SESSION: 5:45 p.m., Room CC -8 No. Lighting and Landscape Assessment Districts 38, 39 and 41 — Discussion and Action. Public Comments: None Offered. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tye 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. M/Tye asked CM/DeStefano to report on the results of the Study Session held earlier in the evening. CM/DeStefano reported that during tonight's study session the City Council looked for ways to raise revenue within the three Lighting and Landscape Assessment Districts to pay for the ongoing maintenance and operation. These districts have been subsidized by the General Fund for about eight years and for the past year the City Council has been looking at different options toward eliminating the subsidy. Council provided direction to staff at the conclusion of the study session to continue to subsidize the costs for the necessary operation and maintenance within District 38 (Citywide District). In District No. 39, (Longview/Summitridge area) staff was directed to begin the several -month process to return the assessment to its historic high; and, within District 41 (Ronald Reagan Park area) work with the private homeowners associations to return several of the parcels to the associations and/or change the per -parcel assessment by eliminating it or lowering it as negotiations progress toward a conclusion that outlines a path for the City Council to consider. Staff will be coming back to the City Council for several additional actions that must be undertaken over the course of the next six months as staff and the City Council work on the upcoming budget and the months beyond. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Boy Scout Troop 730 led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Pastor Tony Wong, Gateway Friends,Church gave the invocation. ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Lin, Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tern Lyons, Mayor Tye. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ken Desforges, IS Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; Anthony Santos, Management Analyst; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and January 20, 2015 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. 1 . SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 M/Tye presented a City Tile to Jen "Fred" Mahlke, former Traffic and Transportation Commissioner. 1.2 M/Tye presented a City Tile to Jimmy Lin, former Planning Commissioner. 1.3 M/Tye and Council Members; Peter Pirritano, President, Diamond Bar Community Foundation co-sponsor; Lauren Pong, representing Congressman Ed Royce; Jody Roberto, on behalf of Senator Bob Huff and Luigi Luciano, from the office of Assembly Member Ling - Ling Chang, presented Certificates of Recognition and cash prizes to the Winners of "Through My Lens" Photo Contest 2014. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Azan Barlas, speaking on behalf of SAPA (South Asian Parents Association), Diamond Bar High School, spoke about their fundraising event, the second annual "Evening of Colors" on March 6, 2015. SAPA is attempting to raise $30,000 for academics, arts, athletics and activities for DBHS. The performers currently attend DBHS or are alumni of the school. He asked if the City would be willing to donate a sponsorship for the event. M/Tye said the Council would take the matter under consideration. C/Herrera explained that when community organizations request donations or money from the City to support their activity it is helpful for the organization to put the request in a letter to the City so that the City has a record of the request. The letter should be submitted to the City Manager. Mr. Barlas said he believed a letter was submitted to the City about the event. Pui-Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library invited children and their families to visit the library for a Musical on Wednesday, January 28 at 4:00 p.m. Literature will come to life and children will have fun as they are entertained by a professionally written musical that tells classic fables in a way that will entertain both children and adults. On Saturday, January 31st January 20, 2015 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL at 2:00 p.m., the Library will present a life planning workshop during which participants will learn to overcome obstacles, alter perceptions and set their desires into motion and keep moving. Participants will also learn how to determine if they have been aiming at the wrong goals and how to recognize the right goals. This workshop is suitable for teens and adults. To learn more about the library and its programs visit the webpage at www.colapublib.org 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — January 22, 2015 - 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — January 27, 2015 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.3 City Council Meeting — February 3, 2015 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive. 5.4 Household Hazardous Waste and E -Waste Roundup — Saturday, February 14, 2015 — 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Gateway Corporate Center, 1300 Block of Bridge Gate Drive. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: MPT/Lyons moved, C/Herrera seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Lin, Tanaka, MPT/Lyons, M/Tye NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6.1.1 Adjourned Regular Meeting of January 5, 2015. 6.1.2 Regular Meeting of January 6, 2015. 6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES: 6.2.1 Regular Meeting of October 9, 2014 6.2.2 Regular Meeting of November 13, 2014 6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated December 31, 2014 through January 14, 2015 totaling $986,081,06. January 20, 2015 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL 6.4 AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS/AGREEMENTS FROM WINDSTREAM FOR 36 MONTHS OF PHONE SERVICE, IN AN AMOUNT NOT -TO -EXCEED $50,000. 6.5 AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS/AGREEMENTS FROM SC FUELS FOR 36 MONTHS, FOR CITY VEHICLE FUEL CARD SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT -TO -EXCEED $100,000. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None. 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTSICOUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Tanaka reported that last Wednesday he attended the Pomona Unified School District's Board Meeting for a presentation of "Clean and Green" Pomona regarding pollution from diesel buses. He witnessed Jeremy Tran, DRHS senior, being administered his Oath of Office as the Student Representative to the Board of Education. Jeremy also serves as the ASB President. He presented a report from the different high schools and academies in the Pomona Unified School District. The Board approved various consent calendar items and ended with a public hearing for a charter school petition, The School for Advanced Learning. Last Thursday he attended the LA County Fair Junior Fair Board Advisory Committee meeting. Applications for high school sophomores for the Junior Fair Board Leadership Scholarship Program will be sent out in the near future. Saturday, January 17th he attended the Winter Snow Fest at Pantera Park. He thanked CSD/Rose, CSC/Tarazon and other staff members for another wonderful family event. He thanked all of the volunteers and especially the Leo Club Members from Lorbeer Middle School, Chaparral Middle School and Diamond Bar High School. C/Herrera congratulated the "Through My Lens" award winners. She thanked Boy Scout Troop 730 for attending tonight's meeting and for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. It [ends a very nice touch to the City Council meeting. She also thanked the Sheriffs Department for the good work in catching crooks and keeping the City safe. On January 5 the Diamond Bar 7 - Eleven was robbed and as a result of the great work by the Diamond Bar detectives the suspects were apprehended in a nearby City. On January January 20, 2015 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 10 there was a home burglary in progress and the detectives were able to catch one of the suspects, whom they arrested on two counts of burglary. The City thanks the detectives for their diligence and constant and hard work in solving crimes in Diamond Bar and for their help in keeping the City safe. C/Lin said he had nothing to report at this time. MPT/Lyons attended the LA County League of Cities meeting on behalf of M/Tye last week. A very interesting speaker spoke about the current and future state of the Port of Long Beach. The port is being expanded by more than 25 percent and when completed will be the largest port in North America. This fact affects the City of Diamond Bar because goods are transported along the City's contiguous freeways to the Midwest and east coast which means that the SR57/60 Confluence Project is even more important and needs to be pushed forward. She said it was great to see Boy Scout Troop 730 members present in their uniforms and thanked them for coming to tonight's City Council meeting and leading the flag salute. The Snow Fest was a wonderful event. There was so much snow, so much fun and so much sunburn! It was a great time for which she thanked staff. M/Tye said the Snow Fest was a blast. It is the first event of the year and was very exciting. To C/Tanaka's point, the longest line he saw during the day was the check-in booth for the volunteers, the Leo's, the Interact kids, and Rotaract kids. It is a great problem to have more volunteers than were needed. What a great opportunity to serve in Diamond Bar. M/Tye asked everyone to take note of the County Sanitation District's E - Waste event where they can recycle toxic trash such as paint, batteries, pool chemicals, etc. Last week, as the City's representative to the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District he became President of the Board of 35 communities. It is always a pleasure to represent residents of Diamond Bar in different organizations. He will do his best to continue his representation. Last week he participated with Contract Cities as immediate past president calling on legislators in Sacramento and learned that two-thirds of the representatives (80 Assembly Members and 40 Senators) have two years or no experience in government. He met with first-time legislators including Assembly Member Ling -Ling Chang. The trip served as an opportunity to introduce Contract Cities and how it operates and advocates for cities. Contract Cities represents many communities with January 20, 2015 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL one voice and everyone is stronger for the effort. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:13 p.m. A TOMM*E CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this -ird day Of February 2015. STEVIfTYE, MAYbR