HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/2015 Minutes - Regular Meeting• •
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AUGUST 4, 2015
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tye called the Regular City Council meeting to
order at 6:32 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Thad Lanthripe, Administrative Pastor, Church of the
Valley gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Lin, Tanaka, Mayor Pro
Tem Lyons and Mayor Tye.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; Ryan McLean,
Deputy City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David
Liu, Public Works Director; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Greg Gubman,
Community Development Director; Amy Haug, Human Resources Manager; Marsha
Roa, Public Information Manager, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
M/Tye unveiled a banner to the community honoring Alex Morgan, American
Soccer Player, Olympic Gold Medalist and member of the 2015 US Women's
National Team, World Cup Champions. A citywide celebration and photo
opportunities will be announced and made available in the near future. Check
the City's website for banner locations and remember to use #dbluvsalexmorgan.
CM/DeStefano reported that last Friday's San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported on
the first month of the California Water Reduction Mandate that Governor Brown
put into effect in April or May of this year requesting a 25 percent reduction in
water usage in 2015 through February 2016. Some cities had slightly higher and
some had slightly lower numbers. The target within the Walnut Valley Water
District was 28 percent and Diamond Bar, the City of Walnut and other areas
within the WVWD met that target by achieving a 29 percent water savings in
June 2015. Numbers for Diamond Bar as a standalone community are not yet
available; however, what is available are the numbers based upon the City's use
of water in 2015 compared to 2013. We are pleased to report that the City is at
about a 55 percent water reduction. Staff has spent significant energy to ensure
that the ball fields continue to look good and the areas of greatest concerns, put
up signs reminding residents of the drought, and identifying areas where
reclaimed water is used for which the amount of water usage has been reduced.
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
The medians in the center of Diamond Bar Boulevard have been turned off since
early to mid-June and will be replanted with resources the City was awarded
through the Metropolitan Water District. Staff is looking to remove turf in some of
the City's landscaped areas on the perimeter of the roadways such as Diamond
Bar Boulevard, Great Bend, Sunset Crossing and many other areas in the City
and in the meantime, the watering has been reduced to two days per week. Staff
continues to look at further measures for water reduction while looking to protect
the City's significant investment of trees and shrubs.
M/Tye encouraged everyone to save as much water as possible and to realize
that there would be some irreparable damage as a result of the drought
conditions.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library invited children to visit the Library to explore
the basics of electricity using educational circuit boards on Saturday, August 8 at
2:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Library. On Wednesday,
August 19 at 1:00 p.m. there will be online classrooms for personal and
professional development. All courses are free and taught by accomplished
teachers and industry experts. On Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 p.m. there will be
a digital photo organizing 101 class also sponsored by the Friends of the Library,
to teach individuals how to organize a lifetime of family photos.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Concerts in the Park/National Night Out — August 5, 2015 — 6:30 p.m. to
8:00 p.m., Cold Duck (70's Top 40) - Sycamore Canyon Park, 22930
Golden Springs Drive.
5.2 Movies Under the Stars — August 5, 2015 — Alice in Wonderland —
Immediately following the Concert - Sycamore Canyon Park, 22930
Golden Springs Drive.
5.3 Planning Commission Meeting — August 11, 2015 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. (Canceled)
5.4 Concerts in the Park — (Last Concert of the 2015 Series) August 12, 2015
— 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — Surfin' (Tribute to the Beach Boys) - Sycamore
Canyon Park, 22930 Golden Springs Drive.
5.5 Movies Under the Stars — (Last Movie of the 2015 Series) August 12,
2015 — Finding Nemo — Immediately following the concert - Sycamore
Canyon Park, 22930 Golden Springs Drive.
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
5.6 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — August 13, 2015 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21865 Copley Drive.
5.7 City Council Meeting — August 18, 2015 — 6:30 p.m.,
SCAQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Lin moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to approve the
Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 6.6 pulled by C/Herrera. 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 Study Session of July 21, 2015 —as presented.
6.1.2 Regular Meeting of July 21, 2015 — as presented.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:
6.2.1 Regular Meeting of May 26, 2015,
6.2.2 Regular Meeting of June 23, 2015.
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES — Regular Meeting of June 25, 2015.
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated July 16, 2015 through July 29,
2015 totaling $954,300.44.
6.5 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — Month of June 2015.
6.7 ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 04(2015): ADDING CHAPTER 15.04 TO
TITLE 15 OF THE DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE AN
EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR SMALL
RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS.
6.6 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-31: ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S
COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE INLAND VALLEY HUMANE
SOCIETY'S GETTING 2 ZERO (G2Z) PROGRAM GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES TO ELIMINATE THE EUTHANASIA OF ADOPTABLE
DOGS AND FINDING THIS ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW
UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
C/Herrera said she understands that several cities have already adopted a
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
resolution supporting this and that no extra money would be requested to
fund some of the items shown in the brochure and she wanted to know if
her understanding was correct.
Bill Harford, President, Inland Valley Humane Society, responded to
C/Herrera that this project is being funded by the Humane Society and
there is no additional cost to any of the cities that are partners for animal
care and control. The commitment this year from the Humane Society is
over $1 million and the Society's owners have been extremely supportive
of this project. California Community Foundation just gave the Society a
$50,000 gift. PetSmart Charities gave the Society $134,000 to identify
certain zip codes in South Pomona which means that it frees up some of
the money to use in other communities. For example, this year Diamond
Bar has a CPI adjustment to the contract and no additional dollars are
being sought for this program. There is no fiscal impact on the cities for
this program and what the Society needs for the cities to understand is
that this strategy is for each city. Diamond Bar is one of those cities and
we are all in this together. The Society is asking the Council to endorse
this project and work with staff to get the message out and get people in
the community to understand that as an animal shelter non-profit animal
welfare organization, the IVHS does not want to euthanize healthy
treatable animals any longer and the way to accomplish that is to provide
resources to the community in the form of low cost or free spay and
neutering services, vaccination services, and microchip services. He
invited City Council Members to visit the facility and to participate in the
League of California Cities gathering when he speaks on October 2. This
program was adopted by the State of New Hampshire and has been
adopted by many organizations in Australia. Many people ask if the IVHS
is a "no kill" shelter and the IVHS Board of Directors worked hard to come
up with a strategy that would work and still allow for implementation of
tenets that are needed to become an organization that is not euthanizing
animals without using the word kill. Zero means that the IVHS is going to
create an environment in Diamond Bar where every healthy treatable
animal will be adopted.
M/Herrera stated that it is wonderful to hear. Part of the report also says
that instead of taking loose animals to the shelter IVHS will make efforts to
return them directly to their home and wanted to know how that would be
accomplished if the animal did not have a tag.
Mr. Harford stated that if animals are not tagged and do not have a
microchip it will be a problem but it will encourage people to microchip and
to make sure they put a tag on their animals. Less than 1 percent of the
6,000 dogs that came to the IVHS shelter last year had any identification
and he asked the City Council to take another look at the City's
ordinances to see what can be done by working together to make a
stronger community for responsible pet ownership.
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
M/Herrera said she was glad to hear Mr. Harford's response.
MPT/Lyons said she felt it was a very exciting program and wondered if
these services could be brought into the City of Diamond Bar so that
residents are aware and can get the vaccinations and microchips.
Mr. Harford responded that the contract provides a vaccination clinic and
those services will be expanded. IVHS has also aligned with the Lucy
Foundation, a mobile spay and neuter foundation out of Los Angeles. The
first six months of 2015 IVHS was doing three spay and neuter projects a
month and that has been expanded to six per month. IVHS will work with
staff to bring the unit into. Diamond Bar. Mr. Harford further stated that
IVHS encourages anyone who intends to bring an animal into their home
not to purchase the animal on the internet for $1200 or more but to visit
the shelter where there are some perfectly fantastic animals available for
adoption at a price of only $145 which includes spay and neuter services.
IVHS will continue to do whatever is possible to get the message out,
continue to participate at the City's Birthday Party, and bring the mobile
adoption unit and other outreach programs into the City.
MPT/Lyons asked if IVHS will come into Diamond Bar and vaccinate
animals or do the residents continue to get their animals vaccinated at the
Pomona Center.
Mr. Harford responded that IVHS does 30 low-cost vaccination clinics a
year, most of which are at the facility because it is easier to staff the clinic.
IVHS brings one a year to Diamond Bar and can bring more if requested.
If there is a particular area of Diamond Bar that has not vaccinated their
animals IVHS will bring a clinic in upon request.
M/Tye said he too believed it was a very exciting program and a very
wonderful goal to get to zero. The City's Public Information Department
has done a good job in taking information out to the community with Pop -
Up City Hall which seems to provide a wonderful opportunity to partner
with the IVHS.
Mr. Harford agreed. The animals of Diamond Bar belong to the residents
and IVHS is the City's partner to provide quality animal care and control
services and to do everything possible to reduce the animal
overpopulation.
C/Herrera moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2015-
31: Establishing the City's Commitment to Support the Inland Valley
Humane Society's Getting 2 Zero (G2Z) Program Goals and Objectives to
Eliminate the Euthanasia of Adoptable Dogs and Finding this Action is
Exempt from Review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None
Herrera, Lin, Tanaka,
MPT/Lyons, M/Tye
None
None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Herrera said Diamond Bar is very proud of its very own home-grown Alex
Morgan and the wonderful accomplishments she has achieved. She did not
recall whether Alex played community organizational soccer but she knows a lot
of high school students play community ball which serves as a feeder system for
them when they get to high school and increases their performance. Diamond
Bar, the parents and the kids are very committed to do well and work hard and
achieve great things and it shows with the achievements of students at both high
schools. She is so very proud of the kids in Diamond Bar and in particular, Alex
Morgan.
C/Tanaka reported that on the two past Wednesdays he was privileged to attend
the Concerts in the Park and Movies under the Stars. There are only two weeks
left in the series along with tomorrow night's National Night Out with local fire and
Sheriff's personnel. On Friday he attended the Teen Night Out at Sycamore
Canyon Park. CSC/Meyers, DB4Youth in Action students and the Community
Services Division did an outstanding job with a DJ, climbing rock, games and
snacks. On Tuesday he attended the Regional Chamber of Commerce San
Gabriel Valley Mixer at the Holiday Inn in Diamond Bar. Following the mixer he
attended the Planning Commission to ensure that Peter Pirritano was actually
leaving Diamond Bar for the city over the hill. On Saturday, August 1 he
attended the Diamond Bar Performing Arts 4th Annual Winners Recital. He
congratulated all of the students in their divisions and thanked Directors Joanna
Lowe and Steve Acciani. On Monday, August 3 he attended the final Diamond
Bar Day at the LA Fair community meeting for this year. Diamond Bar Day will
be Thursday, September 24. Community heroes who will be recognized this
year are Garrett Masuda (Young Adult), Rosette and Richard Clippinger (Adults)
and Ray McMullen (Senior). The Big Yellow Bus will transport local students to
the fair at no cost. On Monday, August 3 he attended the Junior Fair Board's
orientation at the Fairplex for the representatives from the 17 local high schools
for their leadership program. He thanked the Diamond Bar High School Leo Club
for volunteering at the library events for the children's programs and will be
helping Miss Julie at the season finale for the summer reading program. Last
Sunday he took a busload of Diamond Bar High School Leos to the LA
Convention Center for the Special Olympics World Games.
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
C/Lin echoed C/Herrera's comments regarding Alex Morgan. It is always nice
and exciting to have a home-grown heroine. On July 28 he attended the San
Gabriel Valley's Public Affairs network luncheon. The forum allows City officials
to get together and listen to the state level public service Officials comment on
legislation, legislative affairs and upcoming items. Assembly Member Hernandez
from the 481h District commented on some of the bills that were passed as well
as, assistance from various offices of the Congressional Delegation and State
Assembly and Senate.
C/Lin said he is sorry to see C/Pirritano go and yesterday was the deadline for
the final applications for the position. The City received several very qualified
applications from very qualified candidates and it will be difficult to make a
decision. Applications are from professional engineers, professional architects,
professional environmental individuals, etc. The new appointment will be
announced at the next City Council meeting.
MPT/Lyons hoped residents were enjoying the Concerts in the Park and Movies
under the Stars and since there are only two left she hopes everyone will
participate in the fun. She commented on the improvements that have been
taking place along Grand Avenue. The area is beginning to look really good and
some residents are concerned about traffic, especially during morning rush hour
with the work going on. Staff is working diligently with the contractor to make
sure that if the project has not been completed by the start of the school year the
hours will be adjusted accordingly. She agreed that everyone should celebrate
Diamond Bar's Alex Morgan by getting the pictures forwarded to her hashtag.
Alex got her start at AYSO here in Diamond Bar.
M/Tye encouraged everyone to shop Diamond Bar and referred everyone to the
Diamond Bar Restaurant Guide which provides addresses, types of foods, price
ranges, etc. Diamond Bar has over 100 places people can dine that include a
variety of restaurants, ice cream parlors, etc. He encouraged everyone who is
heading out to shop or see a move to stop and dine in Diamond Bar. He spoke
about the signs in the medians that speak to the drought and drought savings.
As CM/DeStefano reported, there has been in excess of 50 percent savings
during the measurement period and if folks review their water bills they can see
the use between this year and one year ago. We can save water and money so
please everyone continue to do whatever they can to reduce their use. Where
the water may be off to the grass he has noticed a water truck going up and
down the medians watering the trees which will protect the City's inventory.
Earlier this evening he had an opportunity to represent the City Council at
Assemblywoman Ling -Ling Chang's Open House in Brea and give her best
wishes and talk with her staff to keep Diamond Bar at the front of her mind
although he believes that since she is a Diamond Bar resident that it is not very
far from the front of her mind. The City Council hopes to put something together
for Alex Morgan around her schedule. When one is as busy and as popular as
she is her schedule takes on a life of its own. This is something the City Council
AUGUST 4, 2015 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
has been trying to do for months and years since she was an Olympic Gold
Medalist.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the
City Council Meeting at 7:12 p.m.
J 04A'
TOMMYE CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 18th day of August 2015.
STEVV TYE, MA OR