HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/16 Minutes - RegularMeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
FEBRUARY 16, 2016
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lyons 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: Mayor Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Pastor Troy Wong, Gateway Friends Church provided
the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Low, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem
Lin and Mayor Lyons.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David DeBerry, City
Attorney; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu, Public Works Director; Bob Rose,
Community Services Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Amy Haug, Human
Resources Manager; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Anthony Santos,
Senior Management Analyst; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: CM/DeStefano requested that Consent Calendar Item
6.5 and Item 1 under Special Presentations be continued to March 1, 2016.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 Presentation to "Report for Reward" recipient Charles Fisher. (Continued
to March 1, 2016).
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pui-Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library, announced upcoming library events
including Black History Month Program on Saturday, February 20 at 2:00 p.m.;
Chinese Calligraphy workshop on February 23 at 3:00 p.m.; special performance
of the Bejing Opera performers and students from the Diamond Bar Chinese
School on Saturday, February 27 at 2:00 p.m. (co-sponsored by the Diamond
Bar Chinese American Association). For additional information and programs
check the website at www.colapublib.org
Cynthia Smith, 500 Bellows Court, a 29 -year resident, spoke about development
near their home and the need to upgrade City Codes to conform to the Oak
Woodland Protection Act of 2014. She said she was not referring to single or
any stand or clump of oak trees but California Live Oaks where the designation
begins with two trees close enough to interact and create a special
environmental relationship. Supporting hundreds of wildlife species, oak
woodland is natural landscape that is not confined to parcel boundaries. The
City's native live oak woodland has withstood the stresses of drought for
centuries, thriving and flourishing. They are proven essential carbon sequesters
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
and counter negative impact of global climate changes. Regarding protected
native trees, existing City Municipal Codes have not been changed since 1988 to
2002 to reflect the new Oak Woodland Protection Act. She (referring to "we)
questioned the validity of Section 22.38.030 (5) and said we believe it should be
changed to reflect a precise description of oak woodland instead of a simplistic
"stand of oak trees" that disregards the essential environmental connections of
that habitat. She (again referring to "we") also questioned Section 22.30.60 (8)
and said "we" think it should be explained in detail as to why native trees are
exempt from protection if on one-half acre or less. She showed a photograph of
her personal situation and asked why is a native oak not protected on a half -acre
or less when for example, her property is .63 acres and she has over nine oak
trees on her hillside. She further stated that we question the purpose of number
8 and wonder if it favors development and perhaps fails to conform to the lawful
process of responsibly removing protective native trees. To allow frivolous
destruction of native live oak trees which form oak woodland is an egregious
violation of the goals of state laws and the environment we claim to protect. We
have witnessed upon our own woodland hills illegal destruction of mature live oak
on private property to allow for a panoramic view. She further stated that calls to
the City's code enforcement were unanswered and unfortunately, the red tail
hawk nest in that tree for over 20 years is gone forever (as depicted in picture
#2). We ask rather than interpreting native trees and vegetation as separate
flora disconnected from other valuable environmental sources understand that
the groups of oak trees, as little as two closely placed, interact in our oak
woodland eco regions. Special consideration ought to be given to parcels
overlaying oak woodland and native habitat areas above and below hillsides
such as Bellows Court, Armitos Place, Gold Rush Drive and many other locations
throughout the city. The Oak Woodlands Protection Act is a public resource
code California Environment Act since 2011. Each county was mandated to
develop a conservation plan and Los Angeles County has done so. Diamond
Bar appears to be ignorant of this important state historical act which is a serious
effort to preserve and conserve native oak woodlands for generations to come.
We are asking for the City of Diamond Bar to recognize this act and join the
conservation program.
Michelle Yi, 2865 Woodbridge Court, said she has resided in Diamond Bar for 18
years. She returned this evening to share her thoughts with the City Council in a
peaceful and reasonable manner but with all due respect, she felt that her last
speech at the last meeting was not met with the appropriate response by
CM/DeStefano. He stated that the DBCEA Board should have enlarged the
entrance to the community when it had an opportunity to do so. She does not
know how much it will cost to do such a project at today's prices but according to
a preliminary study done several years ago by the Diamond Bar Country Estates,
enlarging one of the gates would cost several million dollars. In her opinion, Mr.
DeStefano was asking 890 homeowners to contribute several thousand dollars
per home to accommodate Millennium who breached its contract with DBCE.
She asked the City Council and CM/DeStefano if they would spend millions of
dollars to renovate their driveways to accommodate someone who planned to
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
use their driveway to build 48 homes without their consent. She felt that
CM/DeStefano's response to her comments lacked common sense and was
heavily favorable to Millennium. Country Estates Homeowners will continue to
attend City Council meetings and continue efforts to relay their message to their
elected officials and would appreciate it if they were not preached on by Mr.
DeStefano or the Millennium representative Kurt Nelson. As for Mr. DeStefano,
what he shared with the homeowners on September 11, 2014 during a city
sponsored meeting, Millennium has access through Glen Gate via Toner
Canyon. Let them build their own roads and their own gates. The DBCE road
adjusts at a marginal point where the 890 homeowners, their guests and vendors
could use appropriately no more.
Kurt Nelson, Millennium Diamond Road, 54 Rosenblum, Irvine, said that anyone
has a right to oppose any development but he objects to the fact that week after
week after week Michelle and others come up and say things that simply are not
true or they say things that are couched in language that is very, very misleading.
The company is Millennium Diamond Road. The name Millennium,
unfortunately, is a hangover from another company that was a partner in the
development back in 2006 and they went bankrupt. They are out of the picture.
Mr. and Mrs. Chung dug deep and bought that half of the property and
partnership. The people he works for have far more money than the defunct
Millennium entity and more money than JCC Homes had. This company is on
very good financial footing. Please stop saying that there have been multiple
bankruptcies and that these folks cannot pull off the development. As far as the
ongoing claim that they sued everyone in the homeowners association, the
lawsuit is against the corporate entity the homeowners association because
when it became the board that Ms. Yi joined, locked Mr. Chung out of the
development and that resulted in a lawsuit. The Millennium parties made a
settlement offer out of the court-ordered mediation in August which Ms. Yi and
the other board members, after leaving the mediation with the understanding that
that would be taken to the 800 plus members for a vote, elected not to do so. So
those homeowners do not know about that offer. As far as refusing to pay the
annexation fee, he has numerous emails and correspondence that after the worst
recession in any of our lifetimes, the Chungs offered to pay the $3,000 per lot
that would be due under the annexation agreement at the grading permit, even
though the Map had not yet recorded. The next big number that was due had to
do with defraying the costs of an additional gate through Pathfinder which, no
fault of their own, the Diamond Bar Country Estates Board could not make
happen. There was substantial monies offered over a new payment schedule,
there was a new board elected about the time of the lockout, the DBCE counsel
Millennium Diamond Road was dealing with was fired and new legal counsel
came on board and the negotiations went way, way, way, way up. So please
stop saying that the Chungs ignored the payments called for under the
annexation agreement.
Mr. Nelson said he does not laugh at the speakers. He remembers when he built
Ms. Yi's house as well as some of the other homes whose owners are
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
applauding the opposition. At that time he heard the same things from people
who did not want Crystal Ridge. Again, people have every right to oppose the
development and come to speak about whatever they will as long as it is true.
There seems to be a feeling that because it is a developer it is "okay." He
wished that everyone who spoke on this development who wanted to be civil and
polite.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/DeStefano responding to Ms. Smith's comments about her concern with
respect to Oak trees and Oak Woodland Protection Act. He is not familiar with
that Act; however, the City's General Plan has had language protecting various
species of trees including oak trees since 1995. And to implement that policy
statement within the General Plan, in about 1998 the then City Council adopted
components of the Development Code also to protect oak woodland and other
species of interest within the city. He does not recall the details but there was
some concern by private parties regarding oak trees on their lots, small lots and
not subdivisions, but more single family homes that may have enough acreage
for an addition or tear down/build again types of projects. About 1998 it was the
City Council's conclusion that certain sized parcels should be exempted, hence
the exemption in the Code for parcels of'/ acre or less. Staff will take a look at
the issue. It is relevant with respect to a specific application that is currently
before the Planning Commission for consideration as a public hearing matter
which is a case the speaker may have an interest in that concerns an addition on
a home that has at least one oak tree. Depending on the conclusion of that
matter that hearing item may find its way to the City Council and to be safe the
Council should avoid any conversation about that matter at this time.
With respect to The Country Estates, CM/DeStefano stated that the issue that
was raised at a previous meeting and a prior meeting was concerning capacity at
the front gate or perhaps both gates of The Country Estates that the estates and
its board of elected representatives totally controls. Just like a City Council that
board has the ability to set rules, to seek approval from the voters (property
owners) where required, to condition development in some but not all cases
where there has been prior approval, but the board certainly has the ability to
negotiate. Just like the City Council if there is a development that is proven to be
impactful wholly or partially to a street intersection or the gates to The Country
Estates, the association has the ability to negotiate and hopefully extract
appropriate conditions which means that they could do so in either a joint venture
basis or do so entirely at the cost of the developer. The board has to figure that
out and they have the ability within the parameters of their rules, regulations,
bylaws, etc. And that is what he was trying to express, that this is not something
that just happened as a result of the most current project of topical interest. It
may be a growing issue over many years but it is something that is in its whole
on private property and that association, The Country Estates Homeowners
Association, needs to figure out how to best handle the situation.
FEBRUARY 16. 2016 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
C/Tye said that the photo provided to the City Council by Ms. Smith appears to
show Armitos on the way to Pantera and Bellows Court would be off of that. It
sounded like she said development was taking place. He asked CM/DeStefano if
he was aware of any development taking place at the end of Bellows, Topside or
Armitos.
CM/DeStefano said he has not seen the package but that it was his
understanding from CDD/Gubman that there is a single family home project at
the end of Bellows Court that may affect the placement of this tree which is the
matter that is presently before the Planning Commission as a public hearing
matter.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Third Annual Bridal Show — February 21, 2016 — 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. -
Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue.
5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — February 23, 2016 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — February 25, 2016 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.4 City Council Meeting — March 1, 2016 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Herrera moved, C/Low seconded, to approve the
Consent Calendar with Item 6.5 continued to March 1, 2016, MPT Lin removing
Item 6.7 for separate consideration and abstaining from approval of Item 6.2.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin, M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
6.1 WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AND ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
6.2 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — Regular Meeting of February 2,
2016 — as presented.
6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES:
(a) Regular Meeting of October 22, 2015.
(b) Regular Meeting of November 19, 2015.
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
6.4 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated January 28, 2016 through
February 10, 2016 totaling $1,015,874.50.
6.6 APPROPRIATED $134,747 OF PROP A FUNDS TO THE FY 2015-16
CIP BUDGET; ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2016-03: APPROVING
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT
PAYMENT ACCOUNT; AWARDED A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
PROJECT TO ELECNOR BELCO ELECTRIC, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF
$396,957 AND AUTHORIZED A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $40,000
FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY
MANAGER, FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $436,957.
6.8 APPROVED CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$50,000 FOR A NOT -TO -EXCEED TOTAL COST OF $125,000 PER FY
WITH DAVID EVANS AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (DEA) TO PROVIDE
LANDSCAPE PLAN CHECKING SERVICES FOR THREE FY (2015-16
THROUGH 2017-18) WITH AN OPTION FOR TWO ONE-YEAR
EXTENSIONS.
MATTERS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.5 AUTHORIZATION TO EXCEED THE CITY MANAGER'S PURCHASING
AUTHORITY OF $40,000 TO EXTEND VENDOR SERVICES FOR
VERTICAL STREET POLE BANNERS PROVIDED BY EXTERIOR
PRODUCTS IN AN AMOUNT NO -TO -EXCEED $50,000 FOR FY 2015-
16. (Continued to March 1, 2016)
6.7 AWARD A DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION/
INSPECTION SERVICES CONTRACT FOR AREA 4 RESIDENTIAL AND
COLLECTOR STREET REHABILITATION TO ONWARD ENGINEERING
IN THE AMOUNT OF $119,753 AND AUTHORIZE A CONTINGENCY,
AMOUNT OF $12,000 FOR CHANGE ORDERS TO BE APPROVED BY
THE CITY MANAGER, FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF
$131,753.
MPT/Lin stated that during his review of this item he noticed that the
company being awarded the contract has a substantially lower proposal
than all of the other companies that offered bids on this project. He said
he was concerned that there are new laws governing inspectors and what
their benefits should be and the company with the fewest inspections must
be registered with the Department of Industry Relations to acknowledge
they are paying their inspectors a prevailing wage (about $67.48). This
proposal seeks a contract bid that provides for a qualified contractor as
well as a low bid. However, the proposal states that their cost for an
inspector is $90 per hour which, according to his calculations would not
provide a break-even figure of $110 per hour. Some companies hire
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
contract labor which is prohibited by California Law. If a company wants a
task performed on a regular basis it has to be a company employee. He
wants to save money and at the same time make sure that contractors
follow state law.
PWD/Liu stated that he does not have the answer regarding the inspection
fee this evening. However, on the design side of the project, both the
designer and the owner in this case was a former engineer for another city
and he knows the rules and requirements. The design portion of this work
involves an in-house employee. For the inspection, over the years he has
seen Onward utilize outside consultants or sub -consultants for specific
tasks. If the Council directs staff to do so this item can be continued for
two weeks to allow staff to come back with a full report on the review of
the inspection services.
MPT/Lin said his concern does not involve the design portion of the
project, only the inspection services.
MPT/Lin moved, C/Herrera seconded, to continue the item to March 1,
2016 to provide PWD/Liu and the City Attorney time to verify that Onward
Engineering is not using contract labor but a company employee to
perform the work and that the $90 per hour is adequate for the inspection
fee. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin,
M/Lyons
None
None
8.1 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2016-04: AMENDING THE FY 2015-16
MUNICIPAL BUDGET.
CM/DeStefano stated that the City Council adopted its current operating
budget in May 2015 and periodically, staff brings forward changes and
adjustments as the need arises. Tonight staff is bringing forward the mid-
year budget adjustments for which FD/Honeywell will provide the details.
FD/Honeywell stated that the purpose of the report is to update the City
Council on the City's financial condition at the mid -point of the 2015-16
Fiscal Year and to make the appropriate adjustments to the budget. The
City has continued to see moderate increases in most revenue sources
which is a positive indicator of an improving local economy. Property tax
and sales tax revenue represent just over 58 percent of the General Fund
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
Revenue, so meaningful increases in these categories are important
financial indicators for the City. Property tax revenue is tracking on -
budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16 which had been increased over the FY
2014-15 actuals by 2 % percent. Sales tax is being adjusted at mid -year
by nearly $350,000 due primarily to better than expected results in the
business and industry sector, diversification in the sales tax base and final
reconciliation or one-time adjustments related to the triple flip. A notable
increase in General Fund Revenue can be found in both the Building and
Planning Revenue categories. Building Fee Revenue has been adjusted
due to overall increased permit volume related to building activity in the
City and Planning Revenue has been increased by $500,000 which is
directly related to one-time recognition of unclaimed property that was re -
categorized to General Fund Revenue.
Overall there is an increase to the General Fund Revenue in the amount
of $1,432,000 of which $98,000 is a use of General Fund Reserves. The
City has continued to control expenditures in order to best meet the needs
of the organization and its residents. Staff is recommending an increase
of General Fund Appropriations at mid -year of $209,000 over the current
adjusted budget. This increase is due to a variety of things ranging from
an increase in utilities and maintenance services to increase professional
services related to building permit volume. The details of all of these
changes can be found in Exhibit A of staff's report. The adjustment at
mid -year will bring projected General Fund Reserves at June 30, 2016 to
$15.7 million which is about 58 percent of General Fund Appropriations.
Also included in this mid -year report are a variety of adjustments to the
Special Revenue Funds, the most notable of which includes an increase in
cost -reimbursement revenue of $539,000 related to the Metropolitan
Water District Rebate for Turf Replacement in the Medians. Adjustments
to the CIP Fund include additional appropriations for the street clock
project on Diamond Bar Boulevard, the design of two monument signs and
traffic signal infrastructure upgrades. Also included are changes in
funding sources for a couple of street projects.
C/Tye said that with the price of gasoline being cut almost by half it is
interesting to him that the fund has been reduced by only $25,000 due to
"lower revenue projections." C/Tye asked if the Council should expect
another adjustment.
FD/Honeywell responded that the current projections for the Gas Tax
Fund are set forth by the California League of Cities and this is what is
anticipated at this time. These projections came out in early January and
are fairly current. There may be further adjustments as the year
progresses.
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
CM/DeStefano said those numbers will likely change. There are other
categories where sales tax dollars are rising such as through better sales
at many of the City's retail outlets along with anticipation of better numbers
since some of the vacant restaurants are now back on line. These
numbers would not be reflected in the numbers before the Council at this
time but would be by the end of the year when staff provides what it
believes will be the final numbers for 2015-16 and presentation of the
2016-17 budget year.
C/Low stated that looking at that current charges for General Fund
Revenues (Page 2 and 3) there is an increase in volume that increased
the total revenues in the planning, building and engineering department.
However, she noticed that there is a reduction in the recreation fee of
$81,000 which includes fewer adult excursions and cancellation of the
Tiny Tots program at Pantera Park. She asked if the cancellations were
due to a lack of participation or has that been shifted to other activities.
CSD/Rose responded that for the excursions it was due to lack of
sufficient enrollment to conduct the excursion. The Tiny Tots program at
Pantera Park was canceled this year because the City lost the instructor
just prior to commencement of the summer session. Staff anticipates that
at some point Heritage will be closed for renovation so rather than refill the
Tiny Tot instructor position staff canceled the Pantera Tiny Tots for this
year.
M/Lyons felt it was very prudent to set aside additional reserves because
as C/Tye mentioned the City could be short of sales tax revenue due to
the reduction in the price of gasoline.
C/Herrera moved, MPT/Lin seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2016-04:
Amending the FY 2015-16 Municipal Budget. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin,
M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
8.2 CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. TO PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION, PLANNING COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.
M/Lyons asked for each of the Council Members to announce their
appointments to the Planning, Traffic and Transportation and Parks and
Recreation Commission.
C/Herrera said that she had asked each of her appointees if they wished
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
to be reappointed to their Commissioner positions and each of them, all of
whom have done a very good job over the past couple of years, said they
wished to continue: Parks and Recreation Commission — reappointing
Benny Liang; Traffic and Transportation Commission — reappointing Ed
Pechy; Planning Commission — reappointing Jennifer "Fred" Mahlke
MPT/Lin said he appointed Raymond W. Wolfe to the Planning
Commission last September and he has done a fantastic job according to
CDD/Gubman and will continue in that position. Shokoufeh Mirzaei,
appointee to the Traffic and Transportation Commission is very
enthusiastic about continuing her appointment. Kim Hsieh was appointed
by Ling Ling Chang and he understands that she too has done a fantastic
job and has asked her to stay on Parks and Recreation Commission.
C/Low said she is pleased to offer the following appointees: Manisha
Sulakhe, Parks and Recreation Commission who currently serves on the
Traffic and Transportation Commission but has a special interest in Parks
and Recreation. She thanked Ted Owens for his 10 years of faithful
service to the Parks and Recreation Commission. She is pleased to
appoint Dr. Cynthia Quan to the Traffic and Transportation Commission.
Dr. Quan is a 27 year resident of Diamond Bar. Her children grew up here
and participated in school recreation committees. Dr. Quan recently
retired as principal of a school in the Pomona Unified School District. Dr.
Quan is involved in many, many charitable organizations and community
service and C/Low believes she will be a great addition to the Traffic and
Transportation Commission. C/Low said she was pleased to reappoint
Frank Farago to the Planning Commission who has served on the
Commission for more than three years having served as Chair two years
ago. His background is in planning and development and he has a great
eye for detail and is very sensitive about development and looks out for
the beautification and the welfare of the City's neighborhoods.
C/Tye said he was pleased to reappoint Lew Herndon to the Parks and
Recreation Commission, Surendra Mehta to the Traffic and Transportation
Commission and will be appointing Naila Barlas to the Planning
Commission who has spoken to Council many times about the SAPA
program she is involved with at Diamond Bar High School. She is a
Realtor and a mortgage broker and she and her husband Assad recently
remodeled and built an addition to their home and she is familiar with what
a good job City staff does.
M/Lyons said she was reappointing Dave Grundy to the Parks and
Recreation Commission where he has served for many years and offers
continuity to the Commission with new Commissioners coming on board.
For the Traffic and Transportation Commission she is appointing
Mahendra Garg who is a professional engineer and a longtime resident
who has a heart for serving his community; and appointing Ken Mok to the
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
Planning Commission who presently serves on the Traffic and
Transportation Commission for 10 years.
C/Tye moved, C/Low seconded, to approve all of the aforementioned
appointments. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin,
M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Low stated that she has always said that the greatest asset of this community
are its numerous citizens and their volunteerism. It was a lot of fun to attend the
Diamond Bar Women's Club Fundraiser on February 6 during which they hosted
a Casino Night with the proceeds supporting their scholarship projects which
benefits the community. Congratulations to the Women's Club for a successful
fundraiser. The Diamond Bar Chinese Association held its Lunar New Year at
Diamond Bar High School last Saturday morning with Dragon dances, good food,
music and play. She wished everyone a Happy New Year.
C/Tye said it was a privilege on behalf of the City to represent the City Council at
the investiture of Dr. Soraya M. Coley as the 6th President of Cal -Poly Pomona.
She follows Dr. Bob Suzuki who is the first Asian president of Cal -Poly Pomona
and Dr. Michael Ortiz who is the first Hispanic president of Cal -Poly Pomona. Dr.
Coley is the first woman and first African-American to lead the institution. It was
very exciting and she looks forward to having a productive conversation with the
City. Congratulations to the Diamond Bar Chinese-American Association for
another great Lunar New Year Celebration. Gung Hay Fat Choi. When there is
so much talk about everything that could be done or doesn't get done it was nice
to hear Pastor Wong talk this evening about raising his family here and about
how much they love Diamond Bar and how much there is to do here. It is good
to get positive feedback and to be able to thank all of the folks for all of the efforts
they make on behalf of the Diamond Bar Chinese America Association and on
behalf of the community as well. Job well done by all!
C/Herrera reported that Foothill Transit held its strategic planning session about
a week ago and participants discussed several topics for the future of Foothill
Transit, one being that LA Metro is looking to cancel three bus lines and if Metro
finally approves that, Foothill intends to pick up those lines which will mean an
increase of service for residents of the San Gabriel Valley. She also reported
that bus service going to Mt. SAC is growing and is tremendously successful.
Foothill keeps adding more and more buses to enable students to commute by
bus rather than drive. A bus pass is $9 for the semester which is a lot cheaper
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
than driving a car and paying the parking fee at Mt. SAC as well as, reducing
traffic and pollution around the college. Foothill is talking with Mt. SAC
administration about building a transit center which would enable students to
more easily buy bus passes and board buses. There was also a discussion
about the electric bus program.. Currently, Foothill has 15 electric buses running
in the City of Pomona and Foothill has decided to expand the fleet over the next
several years so that by the year 2030 Foothill will be all -electric with improved
technology and will add more charging stations which will allow buses to move
outward to Montclair, Azusa, Puente Hills Mall in a triangular route.
MPT/Lin said there was a major accident yesterday on Diamond Bar Boulevard
just north of Grand Avenue which shut down the entire street for northbound
traffic. The Sheriff's deputies did a very good job of incident management and
detouring traffic, etc. He echoed C/Tye and C/Low's comments regarding the
Chinese American Lunar New Year Celebrations. At one time he served on the
board and understands the effort it takes to put together such a successful event.
M/Lyons said it was nice to have a full Council and to have all five come to
rational decisions. Along with C/Tye and C/Low she attended the Diamond Bar
Women's Club Fundraiser which was a lot of fun with 20's music and apparel.
She attended the Diamond Bar Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at
Chaparral Middle School earlier in the week which included a puppet show.
Also, at Armstrong Elementary School they did the Living Museum for Black
History Month where each fifth and sixth grade student assumed the persona of
a famous Black American and talked with people as they proceeded through the
exhibit. She said it was a lot of fun and believed everyone learned quite a bit. As
CM/DeStefano said, Diamond Bar has several new restaurants and she has
eaten at two of them over the past couple of weeks, both of which were excellent.
She asked residents to try the new restaurants and patronize both the old and
new restaurants in Diamond Bar.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 7:31 p.m.
ant." d,�L_
TOMMYEICRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 1st day of March , 2016.
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N L AY R