HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/18/2015 - Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF •
• • ) •.
AUGUST :.0"
Public Comments on Closed Session Agenda — None offered
P. Government Code Section 54956.8 — Conference with Real Property
Negotiators
PROPERTY: APN 8718-005 — Parcels 005,006,007 and 008
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
UNDER NEGOTIATION
Closed Session Adjourned
James DeStefano, City Manager
David DeBerry, City Attorney
City, YMCA and Pony League
Price and Terms of Payments
6:20 p.m.
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.
CM/DeStefano reported that no reportable action was taken during tonight's Closed
Session Agenda item.
FaWA-BTelti• .�
lii-TellVyif•] kiii
ROLL CALL:
Margaret Donnellan Todd led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Shaykh Nomaan Baig, Institute of Knowledge
provided the invocation.
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; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Dianna Honeywell,
Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Amy Haug, Human
Resources Manager; Anthony Santos, Senior Management Analyst; Kimberly Young,
Senior Civil Engineer; John Beshay, Associate Engineer; Cecilia Arellano, Public
Information Coordinator, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
1.1 MPT/Lyons and Council presented a City Tile to County Librarian
Margaret Donnellan Todd in honor of her retirement from the County of
Los Angeles Public Library.
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH:
1.2 C/Herrera and Council presented a City Tile to Branch Manager Andy
Ipson and District Vice President Richard Birkett on behalf of Graybar,
1370 Valley, Vista Drive, Suite 100 as Business of the Month for August
2015.
1.3 M/Tye presented a Special Commendation to Carlos Gonzalez for the City
Council's gratitude for exemplifying model citizen behavior in December
2014 by coming to the aid of a member of the Diamond Bar community
who required emergency medical attention in accordance with the wishes
of the late Mary Lou Cope.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 Grand Avenue Beautification Project Update by SCE/Young.
CM/DeStefano introduced SCE/Young who provided a Power Point
update on the progress of the Grand Avenue Beautification Project.
SCE/Young stated that the project is currently under construction at two
intersections along Grand Avenue — Diamond Bar Boulevard and
Longview Drive. The purpose for completing the streetscape
enhancements at these two intersections is because funding for the
project (over $1 million) can only be used on Grand Avenue and the City
felt it most appropriate to do streetscape enhancements at the Longview
intersection due to the City's entry point from Chino Hills, San Bernardino
County as well as, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Diamond Bar
Boulevard which is essentially the City's center. The project was aimed at
meeting the General Plan Goal to be recognized as a community of a well-
planned and aesthetically pleasing physical environment. As a result, the
project was designed to highlight the Diamond Bar community identity,
create visual points of interest, establish new streetscape standards and
guidelines for implementation at major intersections throughout the City
(other projects currently in process - Willow Heights Development at
Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road, Grand Avenue and
Golden Springs, monument installation at Golden Springs at Calbourne
Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard at Temple Avenue) and, design the
project to distinguish the City's historical and cultural identity in a modern
interpretation that will promote City pride.
AUGUST 18. 2015 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
After a year and a half of design development the project went out for bid
in December 2014, the bid opening was held in January 2015 and the
contract was awarded by Council for construction in February 2015 with a
contract amount of $1.93 million. Construction began on May 20 with 60
working day contract timeline which would have meant a contract
completion date of August 12, 2015. However, due to unforeseen
construction delays the completion date was pushed back to October
2015.
The first delay of one week occurred early on when the USA Underground
Service Alert markings revealed conflicts with traffic signal pole locations
which were resurveyed and relocated. The second delay was due to
pothole operations to verify depth of the underground utilities to ensure
there would not be further conflicts with depth and horizontal alignment.
There were no conflicts found at Longview Drive; however, there were five
of the eight poles at Diamond Bar Boulevard that required traffic signal
pole relocations which resulted in an additional two week delay in the
construction timeline. The third delay added another three weeks to the
construction timeline when it was discovered during foundation installation
for new decorative traffic signal poles at two locations at Grand and
Diamond Bar Boulevard that Edison had ducted only 7 feet deep when the
new signal pole foundation was required to be 12 feet deep. In order to
avoid even more costly further delays with relocating the electrical duct it
was determined that the City would enlist the services of a structural
engineer to design special foundations that can and will be installed over
the electrical duct at 7 feet. The total construction delay time is estimated
to be six weeks at this time; however, this new timeline is based on the
contractor's availability and ability to obtain the materials in a timely
fashion.
In spite of these delays, the following progress/improvements have been
completed at the Grand/Longview Intersection: 1) Monument sign
installed within a newly constructed raised median with parkway columns
on either side with concrete posts and wood rails; 2) the colored sidewalk
and pavers (paving stone) installed on the south side of Grand Avenue; all
eight (8) decorative traffic signal poles installed; 3) concrete posts installed
in parkways with wood rails and concrete posts installed within the
medians; 4) underground irrigation and electrical, and 5) clearing and
grubbing along the slope adjacent to Grand Avenue completed in
preparation of the new landscape installation.
At the Grand/Diamond Bar Intersection: 1) Six (6) decorative traffic
signals installed; 2) colored sidewalk and pavers installed on the west and
east side of Diamond Bar Boulevard south of Grand Avenue; 3) concrete
posts with wood rail installed in parkway on Diamond Bar Boulevard south
of Grand Avenue; 4) concrete posts with wood rails installed in the median
on Diamond Bar Boulevard; and 5) Underground irrigation and electrical
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
installed.
Remaining Items to be completed at Grand Avenue/Longview include: 1)
colored sidewalk and pavers along north side of Grand Avenue; 2) wood
rail and steel panel installation in medians; 3) custom tree grates; 4)
intersection grind and overlay; 5) fence replacement and wall painting
along slope; 6) landscape; and 7) Monument and parkway columns
installed with steel panels and Diamond Bar lettering.
Remaining Items to be completed at Grand Avenue/Diamond Bar
Boulevard: 1) Colored sidewalk and pavers along Diamond Bar Boulevard
north of Grand Avenue; 2) colored sidewalk and pavers along Grand
Avenue; 3) steel panel installation in medians; 4) post and wood rail
installation in parkways north of Grand Avenue; 5) two traffic decorative
signal pole installations on southwest and southeast corners; 6) custom
tree grates; 7) intersection grind and overlay; and, 8) landscape
installation.
SCE/Young further stated that while construction continues there will be
traffic impacts experienced by both the motoring and pedestrian traffic
through the two intersections. At Grand Avenue/Longview intersection
there will be various lane closures through the remainder of the
construction period, there will be impacts during the grinding and overlay
operations; and, road closures and lane closures with turning restrictions
during crosswalk construction which will likely take up to two weeks from
mid to late September. At Grand Avenue at Diamond Bar Boulevard there
will be various lane closures during remaining construction activities, traffic
impacts during grind/overlay operations and lane closures with turning
restrictions during crosswalk construction which could take up to two
weeks from mid to late September.
Work hours remain 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Whenever possible, lane closures will begin after the morning hour rush
hour at 9:00 a.m. Due to impacts of decorative crosswalk construction
with interlocking pavers staff is looking into the potential for weekend work
to minimize impacts to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Since construction has been delayed and is now taking place during the
school term, staff reached out to the Walnut Valley Unified School District
to provide notice of the situation so that they could advise their bus
services and parents and to Mt. SAC so that students and faculty would
be advised in case of potential travel in the area. In addition, staff has
been working closely with the Public Information Department to provide as
much notification as possible to the Diamond Bar community. Overall, the
community is very pleased with the design elements thus far into the
project and staff will keep pushing through the project to make sure the
outcome provides a product that the community will be proud.
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
C/Tanaka asked if with the extended construction and limited hours of
construction, is there a way to make it safer for crossing through the intersection.
SCE/Young stated that staff looked at that issue and because the sidewalk and
pavers have now been installed south of Grand Avenue along Diamond Bar
Boulevard it now provides the required pedestrian access. This is one of the
reasons that there have been no improvements north of Grand Avenue because
staff did not want to impact all four legs of the intersection at one time. Until the
new traffic signal pole foundations are installed at the two corners by US Bank
and California Bank and Trust, those curb ramps will remain open. Staff will
continue to work with the contractor and inspector to ensure that the area is
accessible to pedestrians to every extent possible, especially because of the
school-age children that travel through the intersection as well.
MPT/Lyons said she has heard from many residents how beautiful the
intersections are becoming and how much they appreciate the improvements.
She thanked staff for attempting to manage the traffic to minimize the disruption
to school children and parents.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Allen Wilson said that several months ago the City Council tackled the issue of
the Dial -A -Ride program for which he commends the Council. However, the
revised program has considerable impact for some of the residents in the
community. On August 12 he read an article in the KQED News by author John
Meyers of the Sacramento Bureau entitled Local Governments Spend Big to
Influence Sacramento and local governments do spend quite a bit of money
including the City of Diamond Bar. It shocked him to find out that from January
2013 to June 2015 the City of Diamond Bar had spent $245,690.10. The City of
Fullerton has a population of 130,000 and they spent $150,000. He wanted to
know what the taxpayers were getting for $245,000.
Susie Loor, a 15 -year Diamond Bar resident, thanked the City Council for doing a
great job representing the City. She is aware that the City is looking to have a
celebration/recognition for Alex Morgan and a few weeks ago she and others
started a campaign to have some type of celebration/recognition on the Diamond
Bar Buzz Facebook page. She has received over 100 signatures from Diamond
Bar residents and wanted to know the status and what the City had in mind to
recognize Alex Morgan.
Brandon Chau, read a prepared statement on behalf of his mother concerning
the Diamond Ride program stating that 10 years ago she was diagnosed with
cancer and because of the City's program she was able to receive treatment at
the City of Hope over these years and urged the City Council to allow her to
continue trips to the City of Hope using the Dial -A -Ride program. Brandon said
that during this time he was in school and unable to attend to his mother when
she needed medical attention and the Diamond Ride program helped to get her
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
to the City of Hope. He hoped that this program would continue for the benefit of
his mother's treatment as well as that of other individuals.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/DeStefano said that Diamond Bar does not spend $245,000 on lobbying
efforts in Sacramento. He does not know what the source of the speaker's
information was but the budget clearly calls out that the City uses one lobbyist on
behalf of the City's interest in Sacramento and has for many years. It is a
lobbyist that well over 100 cities out of the 500 in California use and his name is
Anthony Gonsalvez and Son. This is a firm that has public agencies on its client
list and the lobbyist speaks to Diamond Bar's legislators and the governor on
measures that affect local governance and speak principally in the areas of local
control, regulations that are placed on cities by the state that are not funded by
the state (unfunded mandates) and a variety of other areas on behalf of all clients
and those clients that may have individual and very specific needs as some cities
have in the past few years with respect to the dissolution of their redevelopment
agencies. This is a firm of very high caliber that supports local cities' interests.
This firm works heavily with the League of California Cities, Contract Cities and a
variety of public agencies and principally cities. The City pays Mr. Gonsalvez
$3,000 per month and the City has had that contract for many years which
amounts to $36,000 per year for their services for cities that need to get the
attention of the legislators and of the governor to protect local government and
the City of Diamond Bar.
With respect to recognition for Ms. Morgan, as the City Council is aware, there is
recognition underway. Well over 60 banners have been placed throughout the
City at all of the major intersections. Also, the Council has reached out to Ms.
Morgan and her team directly and specifically so there is ongoing communication
and she has been given a variety of ideas the City would like to use for her
recognition. Staff is awaiting her response which will be dictated by her interest,
her time, and her other commitments. As individuals may have read in a recent
Sports Illustrated her Friendship/Freedom games are just now beginning across
the United States, etc. and the professional Portland team of which Ms. Morgan
is a member begins the middle of September and most likely many other
commitments for her time in the near future.
CM/DeStefano responded that there have been changes to the Diamond Ride
program that were necessary and what he would like to do is to turn this matter
over to members of his staff who are most knowledgeable about the program
who can speak directly to Mr. Chau on behalf of his mother and learn more about
their needs and possibly provide more information about whether the City will be
able to offer additional help.
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
■
5.1 Planning Commission Meeting - August 25, 2015 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.2 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — August 27, 2015 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21865 Copley Drive.
5.3 City Council Meeting — September 1, 2015 — 6:30 p.m.,
SCAQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
(Canceled)
5.4 Labor Day Holiday — September 7, 2015 — City Hall Offices closed in
observance of Labor Day. Offices reopen Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at
7:30 a.m.
5.5 Planning Commission Meeting — September 8, 2015 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.6 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — September 10, 2015 —
7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive
5.7 City Council Meeting — September 15, 2015 — 6:30 p.m.,
SCAQMD/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Herrera moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve
the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 6.4 pulled by C/Lin. 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 of August 4,
2015 — as presented.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - Regular
Meeting of July 14, 2015.
6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated July 30, 2015 through August 12,
2015 totaling $2,418,821.26.
6.5 APPROVED ADJOURING THE AUGUST 18, 2015 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2015.
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
6.6 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-32: APPROVING THE
APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE RECREATIONAL
TRAILS PROGRAM MOVING AHEAD FOR PROGRESS IN THE 21sT
CENTURY ACT (MAP 21) FUND FOR THE RIDGE ROUTE TRAIL
CONNECTION TO THE GRAND VIEW TRAIL.
6.7 APPROPRIATED TRAFFIC MITIGATION FUNDS FROM THE SPECIAL
FUNDS BUDGET TO THE PUBLIC WORKS OPERATING BUDGET IN
THE AMOUNT OF $110,165 FOR FY 2015-16 AND APPROVED
CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN
SERVICES FOR THE GRAND AVENUE/GOLDEN SPRINGS DRIVE
BEAUTIFICATION/ENHANCEMENT PROJECT TO DAVID EVANS AND
ASSOCIATES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,165 WITH A
CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $10,000 FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION
AMOUNT OF $110,165.
6.8 AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A USE
AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL
DISTRICT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
BY LENNAR HOMES AND USE OF THE EASEMENT FOR
PEDESTRIAN AND MAINTENANCE ACCESS FOR DIAMOND CANYON
PARK.
MATTERS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.4 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-33: AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION
IN THE NATIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL PURCHASING ALLIANCE
TO PURCHASE JANITORIAL SUPPLIES FOR CITY FACILITIES FROM
WAXIE SANITARY SUPPLY AS DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE NETWORK
SERVICES COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT NOT -TO -EXCEED $65,000
DURING FY 2015-16 AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT TO COMPLETE THE PURCHASE.
C/Lin said he understands that for the past 10 years the City has
purchased products directly from the Waxie Company and wanted to
understand how joining the NIPA would allow the City to purchase the
same supplies from the same company.
CSD/Rose explained that the agenda item concerns Waxie Company, a
provider that the City has used for the Diamond Bar Center since it
opened in 2004 and the City Hall Library facility for the past three years.
Staff came across this purchasing process which is authorized in the
purchasing ordinance as a way to get a discount of about 20 percent
(20%) on the supplies that the City has been purchasing from Waxie over
what the City has been paying. The City first entered into this agreement
last fiscal year and this is seeking authorization to use the same process
to continue obtaining the discounted pricing through the distributor,
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
Network Services Company
M/Tye asked if the City was not part of this intergovernmental purchasing
alliance prior to last fiscal year.
CSD/Rose said the City was able to use this method beginning last year.
C/Lin moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2015-33:
Authorizing Participation in the National Intergovernmental Purchasing
Alliance to Purchase Janitorial Supplies for City Facilities from Waxie
Sanitary Supply as Distributor for the Network Services Company in the
Amount Not -To -Exceed $65,000 During FY 2015-16 And Authorize the
City Manager to execute the Agreement to complete the purchase.
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
7.1 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-34: FINDING THE CITY OF DIAMOND
BAR IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE 2015 LOS ANGELES COUNTY
CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CMP) AND ADOPTING THE
CMP LOCAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65089.
CDD/Gubman offered staffs report on behalf of himself and PWD/Liu. All
counties in the state are required to have a Congestion Management
Program in place. CMP's are mandated under provisions of the Traffic
Congestion Relief and Spending Limitation Act of 1990. Metro is the
agency responsible for preparing the CMP for Los Angeles County. The
two main goals of the CMP are 1) to mitigate traffic impacts in the county
associated with new development and 2) to develop a partnership among
transportation decision makers on devising appropriate transportation
solutions that include all modes of travel.
As Diamond Bar does every year about this time the Community
Development and Public Works staff prepared a CMP Compliance Report
and is asking the City Council to adopt a resolution finding Diamond Bar to
be in compliance with the Los Angeles County Congestion Management
Plan. Staff is doing so because Diamond Bar along with all other local
agencies is required to meet the program requirements in the CMP in
order to be eligible to receive state gas tax funds and to maintain eligibility
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
for other transportation funding. Diamond Bar received $1.71 million in
gas tax revenue for the prior fiscal year and for Fiscal Year 2013-14 the
City received $1.83 million.
The CMP program mandates self -certification at the local level through
adoption of a resolution demonstrating the City's compliance with the CMP
and submittal of the Local Development Report to Metro. A public hearing
is required prior to adopting this resolution. As described in staff's report
and attached resolution as well as the Local Development Report
Diamond Bar remains in compliance with the CMP for Los Angeles County
and staff therefore recommends that the City Council adopt the
Resolution.
M/Tye opened the Public Hearing.
With no one present who wished to speak on this matter, M/Tye closed
the Public Hearing.
C/Herrera moved, MPT/Lyons seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2015-
34: Finding the City of Diamond Bar in Conformance with the 2015 Los
Angeles County Congestion Management Program (CMP) and Adopting
the CMP Local Development Report, in accordance with California
Government Code Section 65089. 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
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
8.1 APPOINTMENT OF PLANNNING COMMISSIONER.
CM/DeStefano reported that the City Council recently recognized Planning
Commissioner Peter Pirritano for his service as he moved on to Chino
Hills which created a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The vacancy
was advertised, applications were received and applicants were
interviewed and the appointment recommendation before the Council this
evening comes from C/Lin.
C/Lin stated that with former Commissioner Peter Pirritano relocating to
Chino Hills had created a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The City
advertised for the position and the deadline for filing applications was
August 3. There were quite a few very qualified applicants - engineers,
school principals, architects, etc. which made the decision rather difficult.
In any event, the choice has been made to recommend Raymond Wolfe
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
who is a 25 -year resident of Diamond Bar. He is a structural engineer for
which he holds a PhD. He spent his career with Caltrans and served as
the Director of District 8 until 2012 supervising over 2000 employees.
After 2012 he took a position with San Bernardino County Association of
Governments as their CEO and Executive Director. C/Lin said he is very
happy that Dr. Wolfe applied for the planning commissioner position and
asked that he be appointed to fill the vacancy.
C/Lin recommended that Dr. Wolfe be appointed Planning Commissioner.
Dr. Wolfe thanked the City Council for their consideration and C/Lin for his
recommendation. He has been working in the civil engineering industry
for many years and after the aerospace industry collapsed in southern
California he was forced to make a change and he and his family have
now lived in Diamond Bar for many years. His children attend local
schools and his family intends to remain in Diamond Bar for many years to
come. He said he appreciated the opportunity to serve this beautiful
community and commented that the Beautification project was sorely
needed and was something that would bolster the community's identity.
C/Lin moved, C/Herrera seconded, to appoint Dr. Wolfe to the Planning
Commission. 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
aniffe "RI
•0- rRIZZIANDERhyd
C/Herrera congratulated County Librarian Margaret Donnellan Todd upon the
occasion of her retirement and thanked her for all of the support during the time
Council was talking with Supervisor Knabe about moving the library. She is very
proud of the process that was done in order to buy City Hall, which began during
her time as Mayor. Also; the many discussions that took place to re -locate the
library site as well as, getting the County interested and County Librarian Todd
interested so that she could get Supervisor Knabe interested which worked to the
benefit of Diamond Bar. It is a beautiful library and everyone is very happy with
the facility.
C/Herrera went on to caution everyone about the number of fires burning
throughout the State. Hillsides are extremely dry and there are fires occurring in
urban areas as well including one in the middle of Montebello where 300 acres
burned. Everyone needs to be very careful to make sure fires are not ignited.
She is very proud of the firefighters in southern California that have traveled
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
north to help fight the fires and wished them Godspeed and for their safe return
home.
C/Tanaka said that during the past couple of weeks he attended the Concerts in
the Park and Movies under the Stars including the August 5 celebration of
Diamond Bar Night Out with representation by the LA County Sheriff's and Fire
Departments. August 12 was the final concert featuring the Beach Boys Tribute
Band. He thanked CSD/Rose, CSC/Tarazon and the Community Services
Department staff and Volunteens for seven weeks of music and movies. On
August 8 he attended the Youth Baseball Awards at Heritage Park. That
afternoon he attended the Sheriff's picnic for the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station.
He congratulated Margaret Donnellan Todd on her retirement from the LA
County Library System. On August 8 he attended a retirement event for
Firefighter Rowland whom he thanked for his guidance and mentorship to Fire
Explorer Post 19. On August 15 he attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for
Diamond Bar's most recent Eagle Scout Aaron Schubel from Troop #777 whom
he congratulated. Parents Mr. and Mrs. Eric Schubel now have three Eagles and
one Dove in their family. On August 16 he and his wife Wanda rode in the 75th
Annual Nisei Week parade in Los Angeles representing Diamond Bar as a
Council Member. This evening he bid goodbye and best wishes on behalf of
M/Tye and the City Council to Melanie Coward, Executive Officer for the
Regional Valley Chamber of Commerce, San Gabriel Valley.
C/Lin commended the Department of Public Works staff and particularly
SCE/Young for being able to manage traffic during construction on Grand
Avenue at Diamond Bar Boulevard. Traffic seems to move very well. He uses
the intersection three or four times a day and so far he has not had any issues
and has not received any complaints from residents. He and M/Tye attended the
League of Cities LA Chapter installation on August 6; and last Saturday he
attended the LA Sheriffs barbecue.
MPT/Lyons said that on Saturday she was able to check out the new community
garden located on Morning Canyon behind the United Church of Christ. There
are 10-15 plots and beautiful tomatoes, amazing sunflowers, etc. This is a great
opportunity for residents to get a small plot of land to grow fresh fruits and
vegetables. For more information one can check out the website. At the same
location there is a labyrinth available as well. She encouraged residents to look
at the Diamond Bar Connection. This City publication is a great source and
contains information on City news, activities including Halloween activities for
kids, veteran's activities and class information. She understands from the City
Manager's office article that Diamond Bar is doing very, very well on water
conservation. In June and July of 2015 the City used 33 percent less water than
it used two years ago during the same two months and the City agency is using
over 50 percent less than it did two years ago. She complimented and
congratulated C/Herrera and her husband Art who recently celebrated their 50th
Wedding Anniversary.
AUGUST 18, 2015 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL
M/Tye said the food was good and the drinks were cold at the Sheriff's picnic
barbecue but the DJ was unbelievable. Another outstanding concert series just
finished and one knows it is a great series when it comes to the last concert and
the last group (Surfin' a Beach Boys Tribute Band) was asked to do encores and
they did two encores. It was like an extra inning game one does not want to end.
Congratulations to Carlos Gonzales. The fact that he would go out of his way
and have such concern for his co-worker that he would go to her home and find
her lying on the floor and take the necessary steps to help her and help in her
recovery which allowed her to spend her last days comfortably. What a City and
Country this would be if everyone was willing to get outside their comfort zone
like Carlos did and to make a difference in this community.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Tye adjourned the
City Council Meeting at 7:43 p.m.
TOMM`(E CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 15th day of September , 2015.
STEVE TYE, MA OR