HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/16 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR EETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
APRIL 5, 2016
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lyons called the Regular City Council meeting
to order at 6:31 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Miss Diamond Bar, Ashley Chan, led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Ab Kastl, Diamond Canyon Christian Church provided
the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Low, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem
Lin and Mayor Lyons.
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; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer Anthony Santos, Senior
Management Analyst; Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; and Tommye
Cribbins, City Clerk.
1.1 C/Low and City Council Members presented a Certificate of Recognition to
William Wiggins on taking first place in the 2015 Seal Beach 3 -Mile Ocean
Swim Competition for ages 65-69.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
CM/DeStefano stated that in May staff will come before the City Council with a
recommendation to hire a consulting firm to lead the City through a likely three-
year project to update the City's 1995 General Plan which was adopted with over
325 Goals, Objectives, Policies and overall Vision Statement, much of which has
been accomplished. It is time to examine the document for potential changes.
Council has looked at the Housing Element about every five to seven years as
required by state law; however, the rest of the document has undergone
patchwork modifications over the years. This will be a project that will take time
and resources for which the Council has set aside a substantial amount. There
will be active involvement from all segments of the community to discuss what
the future of Diamond Bar may look like.
During a recent City Council meeting CM/DeStefano referenced a couple of
businesses that had opened in the City including Smart & Final Extra. Smart &
Final opened a variety of different stores this past March 15th and16th and there-
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
fore had to cancel the ribbon -cutting planned for Diamond Bar which has been
rescheduled for 12 noon on April 12. The public is invited to participate.
On Golden Springs Drive a condominium project was approved several years
ago for nine dwelling units at the former Diamond Jim's Dairy. As they began
grading, contaminants were found in the soil from the former Chevron gas station
from its operation many decades earlier. Mediation has been taking place over
several years and is still underway. The project has life from its approval in
2007/2008. Mediation must be completed before habitation can be allowed on
the site.
The former Kmart property was referenced during the Mayor's State of the City
address and staff is anticipating a project submittal by the developer at any time.
The project is slated to include a grocery store, soft goods, restaurants, etc. on
what is a very small piece of property. This project will be presented to the
Planning Commission and possibly the City Council depending on what
entitlements are needed for what will be the first phase of a multi -phased effort to
redevelop the property.
Starbucks at Grand and Diamond Bar Boulevard has relocated in front of the
Target Store. Jimmy Johns is well underway as well as T -Mobile behind them
having commenced construction. Both of these stores should be opening within
the next few weeks or so. Starbucks is open at the new drive-thru. Waba Grill
has leased the former Starbucks location and will soon pull permits to commence
operation.
Staff has received inquiries regarding the former Coco's and Bob's Big Boy
restaurants. The Coco's location is under construction and will open as the Blue
Crab Grill in the next few months. The former Bob's Big Boy location has been
leased to a Vietnamese Noodle House and the location will undergo extensive
renovation prior to opening later this year.
The vacant land across the street from South Point Middle School is under
construction for a 99 -home single family residential project that was approved by
the City several years ago that had been stalled during the recession years. A
community benefit of the project will be a new three -acre park on Larkstone in
front of the school.
The very successful Willow Heights project at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea
Canyon Road is coming to a close and within the next few months the final
homes at that project will be available for occupancy and Diamond Canyon Park
will be available for community use about August 2016. Due to the success and
rapid sale of its properties in that project, Lennar purchased the development
across from South Point Middle School and is moving forward with construction
of that project and park.
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
The 2016 Miss Diamond Bar Court comprised of Ashley Chen, Miss Diamond
Bar and Princesses Bree Ward, Lauren Ritchie, Shannon Clewley and Tayla
Beasley, presented the City Council with a Certificate of Appreciation for its
support of the Miss Diamond Bar Scholarship Pageant and stated that they are
looking forward to participating in the City's Birthday Party.
Rick Rogers, Friends of the Library, announced that the 23rd Annual Wine Soiree
and Benefit Auction would be held on Sunday, April 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the
.Diamond Bar Center. He encouraged residents and the City Council to
participate. Tickets are $60 in advance and $65 at the door. Food, beer and
wines will be served, items will be raffled and entertainment will be provided.
Tickets can be purchased at Midas Auto Service Experts in north Diamond Bar,
the Friends Book Store on 23447 Golden Springs Drive across the street from
Lorbeer Middle School, US Bank at the intersection of Grand Avenue and
Diamond Bar Boulevard and at the Diamond Bar Library or at
www.diamondbarlibraryfriends.org Proceeds from this event go to the library and
literacy in Diamond Bar.
Teri Muse, Diamond Bar representative for Waste Management, presented a
"Paint Care" reimbursement check for the quarter ending 3/20/2015 to the City in
the amount of $854. In 2015 Waste Management picked up 1,419 gallons of
latex paint and 244 gallons of oil-based paint. Other items gathered during the
"At Your Door" pickup programs include fluorescent -bulbs and batteries and other
household waste items. The "At Your Door" program will be held at the Earth
Day Event where instruction kits, sign up appointment sheets and free mulch will
be provided. Residents can partake of this program by going to the Waste
Management website. Waste Management will also be at the City's Birthday
party helping kids make recycled art bird feeders.
Daniel Luevanos, One Legacy - Donate Life, cited the number of individuals
awaiting gifts as well as, statistics on surgeries performed. One Legacy has
partnered with the Red Cross and the DMV to encourage others to register on
the State's Donor's Registry list. On April 30 the Donate Life 14th Annual 5K/1 K
Walk/Run will be held at the Cal State University Fullerton Campus and the
Donate Life Transplant Games of America will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on
June 10 through the 15. He asked the City to provide a City Proclamation for the
April DMV Donate Life California Month.
Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library announced upcoming events and said she
hoped to see everyone at the Wine Soiree on April 26. On Saturday, April 9 at
2:00 p.m. the library will hold a Finance 101 Workshop for Teens ages 13-17;
Thursday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. an e -book demonstration on how to download
electronic books from the library using Kindle and iPads will be held and
sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library; and, on Tuesday, April 19
at 4:00 p.m. a Workplace Know -How Workshop for teens ages 13-17 will be held.
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
Please check the Library's website at www.colapublib.org for additional
programs.
Cynthia Smith, Bellows Court, continued her appeal of February 16 regarding
tree conservation improvements and wildland urban interface zones. She
provided copies of her speech to the Council.
3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/DeStefano stated that the last speaker's comments with respect to tree -
related issues is deserving of a conversation with City staff because several
areas she referenced the City complies with the State and County requirements
and City Codes. Diamond Bar does not have an arborist on staff but the City
uses a variety of opportunities through Landscape Architects that are engaged by
the City. Later this evening the City Council will consider approval of a contract
staff is recommending with West Coast Arborists which is a company the City
has used for many resource needs over many years. In addition, the speaker
would likely benefit from learning about what the City has planned for the future
which, as previously stated, includes looking at the City's Open Space
Conservation and Resource Management Elements which are part of the
upcoming General Plan revision.
M/Lyons asked who CM/DeStefano would recommend that the speaker contact.
CM/DeStefano responded that she could contact CSD/Rose and CDD/Gubman.
4. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Planning Commission Meeting — April 12, 2016 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill
Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive (canceled).
5.2 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting, April 14, 2016 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.3 City's 27th Annual Birthday Celebration — Saturday, April 16, 2016 — 11:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Rides open until 6:00 p.m.) Pantera Park, 738 Pantera
Drive.
5.4 City Council Meeting — April 19, 2016 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
3H1 NI 2iV3A 1VOS13 L6 -960Z 3Hi W0 S301/f2i3S 9NRi3lVM
(INV 30NVN31NIVA 33211 301MA110 2103 S1SI2i082MV 1SVOO
1S3AA H11M 10V2i1NO0 3Hl Ol 9 'ON lN3WaN3WV O3AOHddV 6'9
'L6 -960Z A3 2iO3
N03213H1 lN3WSS3SSV ANV (INV 67 'ON lORllSld 1N31NSS3SSV
9NldVOSdNV1 A110 3H1 NI 30VdS N3dO 30 30NVN3iN]VV4
Ol (MV1321 1210d32i. V 3113 (INV 32iHd32id Ol 2J33NIJN3
Allo 3Hl 9N1213MJO :60-960Z 'ON Noun10S32i G31dOGV (o
L6 -960Z A3 HO -1
NOMEH1 1N31NSS3SSV ANV (INV 6£ 'ON 1012i1S1d 1N31NSS3SSV
9NldV0SdNV1 A110 3Hl NI 3OVdS N3dO 30 30NVN31NIVV4
Ol 031V13U 1210d32i V 3113 4NV 3UVd32id Ol 203N19N3
Allo AHI 9NIU342i0 :80-960Z 'ON NOIlfl10S321 43ldOGV iq
16-960Z A3 2103 N032i3H1lN3WSS3SSV
ANV 4NV 8£ 'ON 1012i1S1a 1N3WSS3SSV 9NldV0SGNVI
A110 3Hl NI S1N3lN3AOUdWl onend 30 30NVN31NIVIN
Ol 431V132i IdOd321 V 3113 4NV 321Vd32dd Ol 2i33NIJN3
AM 3H1 9NRi3G80 :LO -960Z 'ON NOumoS3d 031dO(IV (e L'9
63ALL33POO (INV S1VOJ 11ONnoo Allo L4 -960Z A3 43AMiddV 9'9
9602 Aienaga3 to gluoW—1N3W31V1S S,2i32if1MV32i143AO0 JddV 9'9
6£"17b9,9£6U 6uilelol 9602 '0£
goaelN g6noagl 9l:OZ '06 g0IM paled — 2131S1932i NODHO 031311V2i b'9
'960Z '9Z tienaga3 jo 6ulleaW ieln6a21— M3inNIIN
NOISSIWWOO N011V32103H (INV SNI:]Vd 43113 (INV 43AI30321 £'9
-paluasaid sV — 960Z 'ZZ goaeW;o 6ullaaW ieln6a2{ Z -Z'9
•paluesaid sV — 96pZ 'ZZ goaelN to uoisseS 1pnlS 6'Z'9
:S3inNIW 11ONnoo Allo a3AO2lddV Z'9
'2iVGN31VO lN3SN00 3H11dOUV (INV
SNOIlf110S32i (INV S30NVN142iO 11V 30 11f13 NI 9NIGV321 3AIVM 6'9
auoN :S2i38W3W -11ONnoo :iN3S8V
auoN :S2i38VGVA 11ONnoo :S30N
suo/(1/W 'ull/1dIN'aAl 'nnol 'eaaaaaH :Mi38W3W 11ONnoo :S3AV
:alon Ileo I102i 6uimollol agl Aq paujeo uoiloVq -uoileaaplsuoo alejedas
Jol aRj_/o Aq pallnd 06•g pue 8.9 swall to uolldeoxe eql glinn iepueleo luasu00
aql anoidde of 'papuooas uwl/1dW 'paAOW aAl/o :2iVaN31V31N9SNO0 '9
11ONnoo Am 9 39Vd 9602 '91I2idV
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
AMOUNT NOT -TO -EXCEED $233,675.
6.8 AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE ONE (1) DECORATIVE TRAFFIC
SIGNAL POLE FROM SOUTH COAST LIGHTING & DESIGN IN THE
AMOUNT OF $7,764.07, FOR THE DIAMOND BAR BOULEVARD AND
BREA CANYON ROAD INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT.
C/Tye asked if three of eight poles was considered to be Lennar's fair -
share because he was under the impression that Lennar would replace all
of the poles to be consistent.
PWD/Liu responded that the fair -share relates to the decorative traffic
signal poles and Lennar's share is only three of the eight poles. However,
there are other types of improvements for which Lennar is responsible
including crosswalks, frontage improvements along Diamond Bar
Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road. With respect to traffic signals, the City
coordinated these items with the Lennar design team and their contractor
to make sure they would install the three poles at the project site corner
needed to complete the off-site improvements. Concurrently, the City
finished the design for the signal improvements in a coordinated manner
and staff is preparing to order the remaining five poles which are the
responsibility of the City toward the overall improvements.
6.10 APPROVED PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES CONTRACT
FOR DESIGN OF TWO ENTRY MONUMENT SIGNS AT DIAMOND BAR
BOULEVARD/TEMPLE AVENUE AND GOLDEN SPRINGS
DRIVE/CALBOURNE DRIVE TO INTEGRATED CONSULTING GROUP
(ICG) IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,100 AND AUTHORIZE A
CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $5,000 FOR CHANGE ORDERS TO BE
APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER, FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION
AMOUNT OF $51,100.
C/Tye thought the monument sign in place at the entry from Chino Hills
was designed to be duplicated in other areas of the City including these
two sites.
CM/DeStefano responded that this consultant is being asked to design the
entry signs at different locations and the engineers need to investigate
each location and design the features into the monuments to meet the
requirements of different locations, different street sections, different angle
approaches, slightly different sizes, different lighting, different
infrastructure to support the monument, etc. as the palate seen on Grand
Avenue remains the same.
APRIL 5. 2016 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
C/Low asked if the consulting service was the same contractor that
designed the previous monument signs and why the original contractor
was not retained.
PWD/Liu explained that the previous contractor's work was more than
satisfactory. However, as is the protocol of the City, when new or
additional services are requested the City wants to make sure that the
best consultant is employed for the specific job and provide an opportunity
for other firms to participate and provide additional feedback to staff. For
example, throughout the Grand Avenue Beautification Project, staff
learned a great deal and there are lot of details that were learned during
the construction phase. So for this current effort through the RFP
process, staff was able to work with all three firms who ultimately provided
proposals and it was noted that a couple of the firms along with David
Evans did not provide quite the comprehensive and complete scope of
work staff expected for the detail work involved with the monument signs.
This has to go through a Public Works bidding process and staff wants to
make certain that when a contractor is ready to move forward with the
project it is complete, effective and on target with the budget.
C/Low said that while David Evans came in with a bid that was $20,000
under the bid by the group under consideration, does that $20,000 make
the difference in work that would not have been provided.
PWD/Liu said there were a couple of items that were missed in terms of
the comprehensive scope -of -work and design work contemplated by staff.
C/Low asked if this was part of the beautification effort that was done on
Grand Avenue or a separate beautification project.
PWD/Liu said it was very much in line with the recently completed project
as well as, the streetscape guidelines that are in final draft form which will
provide a uniform standard throughout the City in terms of additional and
new improvements such as the new monument sign which will be very
similar to the sign at Longview Drive. Even more important is that this
sign must be project -specific to provide underground utilities to space
limitations.
CM/DeStefano stated that a couple of years ago the concept of a Grand
Avenue Beautification Project was brought to the then City Council and in
order to update the new City Council Members he provided historical
background and stated that once the overall palate was approved the
Council discussed the prospect of moving the design theme to other
intersections and entry points throughout the City. Because the Willow
Heights project was underway the final approvals for Lennar included
these design elements at Brea Canyon Road and Diamond Bar
Boulevard. The anticipation is that these design elements will occur at
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
other major intersections when either the City can afford to install them or
as development comes forward to include the design elements. For
example, as the Kmart redevelopment project comes forward the City
Council is likely to see the developer being responsible for their portion of
similar improvements between Golden Springs Drive and the SR60 with
the City coming forward with its portion of the design project to complete
the entire effort to get the design elements built.
M/Lyons offered that the two intersections that have been completed on
Grand Avenue look very similar/almost identical and there is likely a
difference between the two intersections that might not be visible to the
naked eye and she believed the new monuments would look very similar if
not identical to the eye.
C/Tye moved, C/Low seconded, to approve Items 6.8 and 6.10 as
presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin,
M/Lyons
None
None
7.1 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2016-10: CONFIRMING A COST REPORT
FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT COSTS CONCERNING 1162 CHISHOLM
TRAIL DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA (APN: 8717-018-020) AND
ESTABLISH A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AND LIEN THEREOF.
CDD/Gubman reported that the Municipal Code authorizes him to declare
certain properties to be public nuisances and when a Declaration of a
Public Nuisance is made, the City is able to bypass the administrative
citation and criminal prosecution process, obtain an Abatement Warrant
and eliminate the nuisance. This is not the appropriate course of action
for all property maintenance violations. In the event a property owner
ignores ample opportunities given him to comply, the abatement process
is the tool the City uses when criminal prosecution is deemed too heavy
handed or fiscally imprudent.
Prior to tonight's item, the Council last approved the filing of a Special
Assessment on November 17, 2015 in the amount of $7,310 for an
abatement performed at 783 Bowcreek. The property at 1162 Chisholm
Trail Drive in the Stone Gate neighborhood located off of Grand Avenue at
Cahill is an example where a Public Nuisance Declaration and Abatement
was deemed necessary. City documentation of property maintenance
violations at the subject property began on March 20, 2014. Although the
property owner, through his adult son, was initially responsive to the City's
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
request for compliance, he never adhered to a regular maintenance
schedule and overtime became less responsive. This ultimately led to the
issuance of citations and a prior notice and order to abate the public
nuisance.
On October 13, 2015 a 10 -day Notice and Order to Abate Nuisance
Conditions was sent to the property owner and was posted on the
property. Failure to comply with the notice and order led to the issuance
of an Abatement Warrant on them November 13, 2015. And 48 hours
later a landscape contractor was brought in to perform an extensive
cleanup of the front and rear yards as well as, the rear slope as shown in
a series of slides shown to the City Council. Once a nuisance is abated
the City is authorized to seek fair compensation for the expenses incurred
in performing the abatement. An effective method for cost -recovery is to
impose a special assessment on the property that becomes due when the
property tax bill is owed to the county assessor. The total assessment is
$8,291.92 and the Resolution recommended for adoption provides an
itemized accounting of staff hours that were expended during the
abatement effort.
The purpose of tonight's presentation is to provide the City Council an
accounting of the costs to the City including attorneys' fees, allow the
owners to be heard if they are present, and then for the City Council to
render a decision on whether or not to impose the assessment and, if so,
to set the amount to be assessed.
On March 17, 2016 staff sent the property owner notice of tonight's
hearing via Certified and First Class Mail as well as, through the physical
posting of the notice on the subject property. On March 24, 2016 City staff
also sent the Notice of Public Hearing to the property owner's son, Saikat
Sen, via the email address through which staff had previously been
communicating with him. All attempts to contact persons affiliated with the
property were met without response.
Today the property is again overgrown with weeds and it will be necessary
to perform a follow up abatement this month. Photos of the property
shown to the Council were taken last Friday, April 1.
C/Herrera said the photos show a vehicle parked in the driveway and
asked if the house was occupied.
CDD/Gubman responded that the house is not occupied.
C/Herrera asked if staff knows where the owner went.
CDD/Gubman responded that staff knows that the owner moved back to
India and the explanation given to staff was due to an illness he had
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
elected to move back to his home country to be treated and otherwise
deal with the illness. Staff has been working with the owner's son as the
contact person regarding the property.
C/Herrera asked if staff knows where the son lives.
CDD/Gubman responded that the son also went to India and much of the
communication between the City and the son was via email and through
him delegating tasks to maintain the property after notice had been given
to contacts he provided in this country.
C/Low asked if the property taxes were current and whether there was any
type of foreclosure action pending on the property.
CDD/Gubman said he was not aware of any foreclosure proceedings or
delinquent property .taxes. Staff periodically checks the status with the
assessor's office and learned that the property taxes have been paid.
C/Low asked if there was contact or effort to contact the City by the owner
after the abatement work was performed.
CDD/Gubman reiterated that last September was the actual last response
in an effort to reach out to any individual affiliated with the property.
MPT/Lin asked if the City would continue to perform abatement every
three months if the property owner failed to return and wanted to know
how the City would recoup its money over the long haul.
CDD/Gubman responded that staff would continue to come before the City
Council to request that a lien be placed on the property. If the property tax
becomes delinquent via lack of payment or failure to make payments to
cover the accumulated liens the county could seize of the property and
dispose of it.
M/Lyons asked if it was correct that if the property is sold or refinanced the
City would get its money back.
CDD/Gubman reiterated that in fact, liens are due at the time the property
tax bill is due and payable.
M/Lyons asked if the City was reimbursed the last time the property taxes
were paid because this had happened previously.
CDD/Gubman again stated that staff issued an Order to Abate March
2015 and within the 10 -day period where staff was preparing to obtain a
warrant and proceed with the abatement the property owner, at the
eleventh hour, had someone clean up the property so this was the first
APRIL 5. 2016 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
abatement that the City performed.
M/Lyons opened the Public Hearing.
With no one present who wished to speak on this matter, M/Lyons closed
the Public Hearing.
MPT/Lin asked if the City could force sale of the property to pay its share
of the abatement.
CDD/Gubman responded that in consulting with the City Prosecutor
regarding possible remedies that is not one of the options. Criminal
prosecution might in other circumstances be an option the City could take;
however, extradition for this type of matter is not likely to warrant such an
effort so the City will continue to do the abatements as necessary as the
only feasible option offered to the City. Staff's hope is that since the
property is not being occupied or rented that the owner would simply take
advantage of the equity and sell the property before it becomes
overburdened with tax liens.
C/Low moved, C/Tye seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2016-10:
Confirming a Cost Report for Nuisance Abatement Costs concerning 1162
Chisholm Trail D"rive, Diamond Bar, Ca (APN: 8717-018-020) and
Establish a Special Assessment and Lien Thereof. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None.
Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin,
M/Lyons
None
None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Herrera congratulated William Wiggins on his accomplishment. She is
impressed with his athletic abilities. As a Diamond Bar resident, the City is very
proud of his achievements. She thanked Miss Diamond Bar and her Court for
being present this evening and was very impressed that they remained in the
auditorium for the entire meeting tonight. She looked forward to seeing them at
future events and the City Birthday Party and thanked them for their service.
C/Low thanked staff for their diligence and hard work in bringing new businesses
to Diamond Bar. She is very excited about Smart & Final where she was
delighted to shop last week. Today she visited the Starbucks drive-thru which is
APRIL 5, 2016 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
a great concept. Saturday she attended the Global Federation of Chinese
Businesswomen and two of the six honorees are Diamond Bar residents. One is
Miss Ching Liu, President and CEO of SolarMax Technology, Inc., a company
with headquarters located in Diamond Bar whose efforts is to harness
sustainable energy; and, another recipient is Miss Heidi Kwok, President of Heidi
Kwok, CPA She also encouraged residents to join with the Friends of the
Library for the April 24 Wine Soiree with all proceeds going to a good cause.
C/Tye reported that last Saturday he and MPT/Lin presented Certificates to five
recipients at the southern California chapter of Chinese Institute of Engineers.
Scarlett Kwong and Tony Torng are very involved and it was Dr. Torng who
started the southern California chapter four years ago. He was most excited to
see Jody Liu receive a Certificate for one of her projects.
MPT/Lin said that at last Saturday's event the winning entry was a presentation
about whether or not there is water on Jupiter and according to the presenter the
answer will be known in July because Juno will enter the atmosphere of Jupiter
and report back its findings. He complimented M/Lyons on her State of the City
Address.
M/Lyons said she needed to purchase about 100 coffee cups with lids and in the
past she would have had to drive to Chino Hills to Costco to get a good price on
that volume. But she will no longer have to do that because she can get that
good price at Diamond Bar's own Smart & Final and the sales tax will stay in
Diamond Bar! She thanked staff for their help with the great State of the City
event. Many worked to make this event possible which she truly appreciated.
There was a great turnout, the food was fabulous, the video was a lot of laughs
and it was a lot of fun and a lot of good information came out about traffic,
economic development and other priorities of the City. From the bottom of her
heart she thanked everyone involved.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 7:45 pm.
Tommyb Cribbins, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 19t day of April 2016.
a;
Nancy Lyons•; AYOR