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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/2015 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF .; APRIL 7, 2015 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Tye led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Pastor Bob Stebe, Northminster Presbyterian Church, gave the invocation. ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Lin, Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Lyons and Mayor Tye. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Anthony Santos, Senior Management Analyst; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 M/Tye proclaimed April 2015 as DMV/Donate Life California Month and the City Council presented the proclamation to Ambassador Becky Culver. 1.2 MPT/Lyons proclaimed April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day and the City Council presented the proclamation to RS/Murphey. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: CM/DeStefano reported that since the last City Council meeting there have been three notable events that should be brought to the attention of the City Council for the purpose of recognizing excellence at the City Staff Team level. The first was the annual Mayor's State of the City Address which was held on March 25tH This year's event presented by M/Tye was supported by many staff members particularly PIM/Roa and her team for an outstanding job of planning and producing the event which was a tremendous success. CM/DeStefano also reported that the State of the City presentation is available for viewing on the City's website. Last Saturday the Easter Egg Hunt was held and once again was held with the support of many City staff members headed by CSC/Tarazon. Her team provided an outstanding event that was enjoyed by the participants. APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL These two events are notable and staff members deserve public recognition for their hard work. There are several other staff members who work very quietly behind the scenes and although they are not on the front line and not directly involved in special events that are held throughout the year they do not always receive the public attention that they too deserve for their contributions and professionalism. The Finance Department is comprised of several of those excellent City staff members. Headed by FD/Honeywell, this is a team of professional staff members who protect the City's assets and ensure financial compliance in all the City does. Among the many tasks of the Finance Department is the preparation of the City's Annual Operating Budget which will be coming to the City Council for consideration at its next meeting as well as, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Both documents can be found online along with documents from prior years. A couple of weeks ago the City was notified that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded the City and its Finance Department with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award is for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report that was prepared for the last fiscal year's closing of June 30, 2014. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and this award was presented to FD/Honeywell and her staff. With respect to FD/Honeywell and the prior finance director, this award was presented to the City just recently for the CAFR concluding June 30, 2014. This is not the first time the City's Finance Department has received this award. In fact, this is the 20th year in a row that the Finance Department has received this award which not only supports the dedicated efforts of the Finance staff but all staff members who support Finance and the excellent stewardship, oversight and management the City Council provides through policy directives to the City Manager for implementation through his team. CM/DeStefano said that it is a pleasure to continue to work with all of his staff who he has acknowledged tonight as well as, the many more excellent staffers within this organization who work up front and behind the scenes. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Cindy Houmes presented a map and petition to the City Council concerning the baseball field in her neighborhood. She stated that since California is in the midst of a serious drought and is seeking to reduce water consumption by 25 percent, the residents of Big Falls Drive have noticed that more water is needed to clean homes and wash cars more frequently due to excess dust from the baseball field road that is behind her subdivision. Residents believe it would be of great benefit to reduce water consumption for the subdivision and parents of the players to simply seal the road with cement or black top creating a safer environment for the kids as well as providing cleaner air, higher visibility for pedestrians and contribute to the professional and upscale appearance of the area. She further stated that while circulating the petition, residents were excited APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL by the prospect of having the area revitalized and that many of the residents who had solar panels mentioned that the dust is detrimental to the performance and purpose of the panels. Ben Wong, Local Public Affairs Regional Manager, Southern California Edison, presented the latest quarterly update on construction of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission project (TRTP). He reported that the. major construction in this area is completed with sight remediation and restoration left to be finished. This project will help SCE meet the State's renewable portfolio standard of 33 percent renewable energy by the year 2020. When this project is completed it will generate up to 4500 megawatts of electricity from the Tehachapi's and Kern County down through LA County and eastward into Ontario and San Bernardino Counties. 4500 megawatts of electricity can power about three million homes at peak output. Mr. Wong announced that current and previous newsletters are available at www.se.com/trtp. Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library, spoke about the upcoming spring break program which will take place on Wednesday April 8 at 4:00 p.m. that will include music, stories, juggling and poetry. On Friday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. there will be a hands-on robotic workshop led by the Diamond Bar High School's first robotics team. "Theater of Hearts/Youth First" will present a five-week hands-on art workshop series. Artist Pola Lopez will demonstrate techniques and provide one-on-one instruction for children ages 8-13. Space is limited and participants are asked to sign up at the Information Desk. The next workshop will be held on April 13 at 6:00 p.m. Grace Lim -Hays, Board President Hampton Court HOA, said that in January she and other board members came to the City Council to express concerns about the lack of potential mitigation for Diamond Bar resulting from the City of Industry's mass grading project and at that time residents were reassured that the project would likely stay on the crest of the hill. She provided photographs depicting the hill prior to the grading project which is now gone and that the grading has gone past the hill to ground zero. She and her neighbors are fearful and concerned about this project and reflect back to the project by Alder Lane where the City was able to negotiate with the City of Industry for a buffer zone berm. Residents are hoping the City will be able to negotiate something similar for this project. The contractor who takes care of the homes has warned residents that there are a lot of squirrels and raccoons flowing from this project that are beginning to chew into the siding of the homes. Christopher Ko, President of The Friends of the Diamond Bar Library, and Ruth Low, Immediate Past President of The Friends of the Diamond Bar Library, invited City Council Members and residents to the 22nd Annual Wine Soiree on Sunday April 26 at the Diamond Bar Center from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in celebration of Italy "Viva Italia." The event will include food vendors from the area as well as an auction and wine from the area. Advance tickets can be purchased for $50 at the library, at Basically Books and at the US Bank at the APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL corner of Grand Avenue and Diamond Bar Boulevard or $65 at the door. Lisa Johnson, Morning Canyon area resident, stated that she is concerned that there is no stop sign on Presado and that someone might get hurt before anything is done. She stated that she has reported this to the Sheriff's Department and nothing has happened. On a different note, she also stated that she sees a need for Meals on Wheels in her area and that she will be joining the Board to see what assistance she can get for people in Diamond Bar. M/Tye responded that he could assure Ms. Johnson that both Charles and Martha House will tell her everything that needs to be done. They need volunteers like you and the City appreciates your involvement. The City of Industry services the Diamond Bar area. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: CM/DeStefano reported that the ball fields at the end of Sunset Crossing is owned by the Diamond Bar Pony League and he had recently spoken to both the current and incoming presidents of the Diamond Bar Pony League. He further stated that both he and CSD/Rose will contact them to see if a plan can be developed to reduce the dust that is emitted from the property. CM/DeStefano stated that as to Ms. Hays comments regarding the Industry Business Center Project that is currently being graded adjacent to the Hampton Court Condominium Association at the end of Washington Street this project is being developed in accordance with plans that had been approved around 2005. He stated that the City will need to confirm that those plans, the grading and the work the residents are observing in the area is indeed being done in accordance with those plans. Diamond Bar has a set of plans and can also confirm with the City of Industry that the grading and work being done is in accordance with the plans. Staff will also look at the issue of rodent control as the City did a couple of months ago when Ms. Hays last visited with the City Council. CM/DeStefano went on to state that an Environmental Impact Report was approved about 2005 setting forth a variety of mitigation measures which the City will re-examine to make sure that Industry is following those mitigation measures for which they are obligated. With respect to a settlement, he believes the reference was to a second project that was approved in 2008/2009 for the stadium based project. That project had a settlement agreement between the City of Industry and the City of Diamond Bar. Within that settlement agreement were about a dozen different provisions dealing with different areas of concern. That settlement agreement does not come into effect unless the stadium begins construction. So without the stadium there is no settlement agreement and the provisions do not apply. To reiterate, there is an Environmental Impact Report that has mitigation measures and conditions of approval that were imposed upon the Industry Business Center project which by reviewing the plans, Diamond Bar staff can be sure they are being implemented by the City of Industry. APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 5. The last speaker spoke about a potential stop sign. CM/DeStefano will ask Public Works staff members present this evening to make contact with the speaker for her telephone number and for more details. The Public Works Department looks at stop sign requests and that department may or may not have taken a look at this particular area in recent history. The Meals on Wheels program is active in this area and there are some significant members of the Board of Directors that are from Diamond Bar. To his knowledge, the program serves Diamond Bar and has received grant money for service in Diamond Bar from time to time although no such grant money has been requested in recent years. Staff will address Ms. Johnson's issue regarding Meals on Wheels as well as concerns about her neighborhood. M/Tye asked that when the City talks with the City of Industry relative to following the plans perhaps staff could gauge their interest in adding to the wall. City of Industry has always been a good neighbor and they may be willing to help in that way. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — April 9, 2015 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.2 City Birthday Celebration — Saturday, April 11, 2015 — 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Rides open until 6:00 p.m.), Pantera Park, 738 Pantera Drive. 5.3 Planning Commission Meeting — April 14, 2015 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.4 Pop -Up City Hall — April 18, 2015 — 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m., Towne Center, 1128 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard. 5.5 City Council Meeting — April 21, 2015 — 6:30 p.m., SCAQMD/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Herrera moved, MPT/Lyons seconded to approve the Consent Calendar, with Item 6.11 pulled from Consent Calendar for separate consideration by MPT/Lyons. 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 — Regular Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2015. APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL 6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES: 6.2.1 Regular Meeting of January 27, 2015. 6.2.2 Regular Meeting of February 24, 2015. 6.2.3 Regular Meeting of March 10, 2015. 6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of February 26, 2015, 6.4 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES: 6.4.1 Regular Meeting of January 8, 2015. 6.4.2 Regular Meeting of February 12, 2015. 6.5 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated March 12, 2015 through April 1, 2015 totaling $1,005,308.73. 6.6 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — Month of February 2015. 6.7 APPROVED CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 WITH TAIT AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE STUDY IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,070. 6.8 APPROVED CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 FOR STORMWATER COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH JOHN L. HUNTER & ASSOCIATES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $67,133 PLUS A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $6,000 FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF $73,133. 6.9 APPROVED FY 2015-16 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. 6.10 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-10: ACCEPTING THE EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC STREET AND SLOPE PURPOSES OVER THE BREA CANYON FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF DIAMOND BAR BOULEVARD AND BREA CANYON ROAD INSTERSECTION. 6.12 (a) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-11: DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE DISTRICT NO. 39 AND DIRECTED THE CITY CLERK TO ADVERTISE THE PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL AT ITS MAY 19, 2015 REGULAR MEETING. APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL (b) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-12: DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE DISTRICT NO. 39 AND DIRECTED THE CITY CLERK TO ADVERTISE THE PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL AT ITS MAY 19, 2015 REGULAR MEETING. (c) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-13: DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE DISTRICT NO. 41 AND DIRECTED THE CITY CLERK TO ADVERTISE THE PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL AT ITS MAY 19, 2015 REGULAR MEETING. ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR: 6.11 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT SERVICES WITH LANCE, SOLL AND LUNGHARD, LLP FOR FISCAL YEARS 2014-15 AND 2016-17 WITH AN OPTION FOR TWO ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS. MPT/Lyons asked CM/DeStefano to comment on the process for this annual independent audit service. FD/Honeywell stated that the City is required to engage the services of an outside independent audit firm in order to audit the City's books and records at the end of each fiscal year and from that audit the City issues its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Staff began the process in February when it issued a Request for Proposal to nine local qualified firms that specialize in governmental accounting. Staff received five responses from responsible bidders which were reviewed by staff. Staff presented the five responses to the audit committee for its final recommendation for selection of the best firm for the City's utilization. After grading each response, it was determined that Lance, Sol] and Lunghard, LLP was the frontrunner and the audit committee recommended that staff recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Lance, Soll and Lunghard, LLP for the Annual Independent Audit Services. MPT/Lyons disclosed that she was part of the audit committee and found the process to be very thorough. She complimented the Finance Committee on the process they undertook to engage this firm. MPT/Lyons moved, C/Lin seconded to Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for annual independent audit services with Lance, Soll and Lunghard, LLP for Fiscal Years 2014-15 and 2016-17 with an option for two one-year extensions. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Lin, Tanaka, MPT/Lyons, M/Tye NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None. 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Tanaka reported that on March 24 he attended the Lorbeer Middle School Leo Club's Charter Night which was held at the Evangelical Free Church. More than 40 students were inducted as Leos and the new club officers were installed. On Wednesday he attended the State of the City event during which the Mayor reviewed the accomplishments of the past year and spoke about projects for the upcoming year. On Thursday he attended the CPR's District 13 Awards and Installation Dinner hosted by Diamond Bar at the Diamond Bar Center. Last Sunday he attended the 51St Miss Diamond Bar Scholarship Pageant at the Diamond Bar High School Theater. Congratulations to Miss Diamond Bar 2015 Alexandra Ornelas and her Court Katherine Hermosillo, Rebecca Wang, Cynthia Preciado and Megan Quon. He thanked 2014 Miss Diamond Bar Taylor Kalinowski and her Court for a wonderful year. Tuesday he attended the DB for Youth in Action meeting. Congratulations to re-elected chairman Garrett Masuda and his new board. On Thursday, April 2 he attended the South Point Middle School's 25th Anniversary Celebration Reception. On Saturday, April 4 he attended the 32nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Pantera Park sponsored by the Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions Club and the City of Diamond Bar which began with a Pancake Breakfast prepared by the LA County Fire Explorers of Post 19. After about 30 seconds all of the 11,000 plus Easter Eggs were gone. He thanked CSD/Rose and CSC/Tarazon and her staff, Fire Explorers of Post 19, 2015 Miss Diamond Bar and her Court and all of the volunteers, the Lions and Leos from Chaparral Middle School, Lorbeer Middle School and Diamond Bar High School. He hoped everyone had a Happy Easter. C/Herrera congratulated staff for 20 years of excellence in financial reporting. Diamond Bar is very fortunate that many of the departments have excellent staff of high achievers and she is grateful for such great employees. Thanks to staff for the good work that they do. The State of the City was great and very well attended and the video was very entertaining. The Easter Egg Hunt was last Saturday and again, staff, along with the Breakfast Lions worked very hard to put on the event for the benefit of the residents. There was a lot of volunteerism that day and as C/Tanaka said, within 30-40 seconds all of the Easter Eggs were gone. She felt everyone had a great time starting with the Pancake Breakfast by the Explorers. She thanked C/Tanaka and all of the Leos who work very hard to put the event on year after year which is a long standing tradition of this City. APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL She attended the Miss Diamond Bar Scholarship Pageant and congratulated new Miss Diamond Bar Queen Alexandra Ornelas and her princesses who she knows will do a very fine job representing the City of Diamond Bar throughout the year, the first of which was their appearance at the Easter Egg Hunt. She asked everyone to remember to attend the City Birthday Party this coming weekend at Pantera Park. C/Lin echoed C/Herrera's comment that the Council appreciates the City's fine financial staff and excellence in keeping the City's finances in order. He was sorry to miss the State of the City; however, he was in Washington D.C. on behalf of the City with PWD/Liu and Mayor Tim Spohn and City Engineer John Balas from the City of Industry to reinforce to the delegates and US Department of Transportation the concerns about the continuous deterioration of the SR57/60 Interchange/confluence area. Three congressional members and two Senator's legislative assistants who have jurisdictions within the City of Diamond Bar and surrounding areas concurred that the problem is getting worse. He was amazed to learn that the Senate Committee on the Environment and the Public Works majority party Deputy understood the problem in depth. The problem is not just local and regional it is of national concern in terms of freight movement. Unfortunately, at this time the Federal government does not have extra funds to help complete the mission but legislators will continue to plead the case until the job is finished. On March 28 he and MPT/Lyons attended a reception of the Taiwanese American Cultural Festival film series kickoff at the Diamond Bar Library. On March 29 he attended the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant which was also a very enlightening experience for him. On April 2 he attended the Fairway Drive Grade Separation Project Underpass groundbreaking ceremony. Construction will last for about three years and if Fairway Drive is closed during certain periods of time truck traffic might spill back to Lemon Avenue and further east to Brea Canyon. He suggested staff speak with ACE to make sure that Diamond Bar's traffic will not be further jeopardized by the construction of the underpass. MPT/Lyons reiterated that she and C/Lin attended the opening reception of the Taiwanese film and so far two films have been shown at the Diamond Bar Library with two more to be shown on this and the following Saturday afternoon. Check the library website for dates and times. The films are very current and modern with English subtitles. She encouraged everyone to take part in the opportunity to view the films which are very good. She attended the Easter Egg Hunt which was a very good collaboration with the Lions, Leos from three schools and with a lot of hard work by the City on the infrastructure, booths, etc. By the time she arrived for breakfast staff had been working for several hours. She too thanked C/Tanaka and the entire group for continuing this very beloved tradition. She congratulated FD/Honeywell and her staff for receiving yet another award which is very impressive. She and C/Tanaka attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration and Open House for South Point Middle School which was very well done. She commended the adults that run the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant program, Linda APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL Headley and her staff, work countless hours to put on a good program to choose good young ladies to represent the City. She is very thankful for what they do. M/Tye hoped that everyone would join the City Council on Saturday for the 26th Birthday Celebration for a good time and interact with Miss Diamond Bar and her Court. Kudos to Public Information, PIM/Roa, PIC/Arellano and MSNbarra for the terrific job who make the State of the City a great event. It was a good time, it was fun and had great information. He does not remember the last time he heard so many people comment on how much information was provided and how much they appreciated knowing what was happening in their City. M/Tye said he was glad FD/Honeywell helped everyone through the item on tonight's agenda because of the weight it must be to carry the pressure of 20 years running that the City has received this honor. It is very exciting for the Government Finance Officers Association to recognize Diamond Bar. What is really interesting is that it is called CAFR, a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which in the municipal business is no small feat. He loves the way it is stated that this recognition is provided for excellence in financial reporting. It is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a "significant" accomplishment by a government and its management. So Diamond Bar is well -represented. The thing he loves about staff is whether it is IT or Parks and Recreation or Public Works or Community Development or Finance or Public Information it starts at the top with CM/DeStefano. If one sees these folks at an event and talk with them and comment about how much one appreciates how much they do they will always respond that well, you know, "my team" or "my colleagues." He does not believe he has ever heard one staff member say "well of course I did that." It is always ,'my team" and he so much appreciates that and appreciates everything staff does. He hoped the residents would take time to say they appreciate staff as well. Last Friday Diamond Bar lost a good friend in Manuel "Manny" Perez who passed away at the age of 80. He was a good friend of Diamond Bar and one of the most gregarious guys he has ever known. He never saw Manny without a smile on his face. At 80 years he succumbed to complications of surgery. Manny was a life-long resident of La Puente and the City of Industry, a graduate of CalPoly, an electrical engineer and is survived by his sons David, Chris, Peter and Vince and six grandchildren. Having lost his mother two years ago, M/Tye's prayer for them and his thoughts for them is that a lifetime of wonderful memories of Manny would see them through this very, very difficult time. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:32 p.m. in memory of Manuel "Manny" Perez. Qd L.C� TOMM&(E CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 21stday of April 2015. STEVE , MAYO