HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/01/16 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
NOVEMBER 1, 2016
CLOSED SESSION: 5:30 p.m., Room CC -8
0. Government Code Section 54957 Public Employee —
City Manager Performance Evaluation
Public Comments:
IR.1'f--',
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lyons called the Regular City Council Meeting
to order at 6:34 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government
Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California.
M/Lyons expressed Council's deepest sympathy for the friends and family of Cheng
"David" Long Wang and Mei (Marian) Chu Chung, victims of a double homicide that
took place on October 20. This horrific incident continues to be an open and active
Sheriff's Department investigation with motives and circumstances still unknown. It is
unsettling and distressing anytime someone's life is taken, particularly in this
community. Here crime is very low and homicide is not a normal occurrence for which
the City is thankful. Because of its rarity, incidents such as this will always make front
page news. However, there is comfort in knowing that the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is
working relentlessly on this case and will not stop until the individuals responsible are in
custody. M/Lyons asked for a moment of silence in memory of the victims.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Boy Scout Troop 777 provided the Opening Flag
Ceremony and led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION: None provided.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Low, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem
Lin and Mayor Lyons.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David DeBerry, City
Attorney;, Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg
Gubman, Community Development Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Ken
Desforges, IS Director; Ehren Magante, Network/Systems Administrator; Anthony
Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Alfa Lopez, Senior Management Analyst;
Dannette Allen, Management Analyst; John Beshay, Associate Engineer; Fabian Aoun,
Associate Engineer; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk Manager; Cecelia Arellano,
Public Information Coordinator, Raymond Tao, Building Official, and Tommye Cribbins,
City Clerk.
M/Lyons reported that during tonight's Closed Session the City Council discussed the
City Manager's Evaluation with no reportable action taken.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: None.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 Introduction of Dannette Allen, Management Analyst, City Manager's
Office and Ehren Magante, Network/Systems Administrator, IS
Department.
IS Director/Desforges, introduced Ehren Magante, Network/Systems
Administrator, information Systems Department,
Asst. to CM/Santos introduced Dannette Allen, Management Analyst, City
Manager's Office.
2.2 CM/DeStefano stated as Council is aware, the City has a great staff/team
that provides a variety of services to the community. One such
department is the Information Services Department. Over the past 10
years Diamond Bar has been honored 10 times with the Municipal
Information Systems Association of California award which is provided to
cities for the 10 -best practices in 10 different areas. IS Director/Desforges
has led his team for about 11 or 12 years. Just today CM/DeStefano
received notice that the City of Diamond Bar has again been awarded with
the MISAC Excellence in Information Technology Practices Award.
2.3 CM/DeStefano asked PWD/Liu to brief the Council on Measure M.
PWD/Liu stated that Measure M is a % cent sales tax ballot measure by
Metro which is titled the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan.
This measure asks county voters to raise the countywide sales tax by '/2
cent beginning July 2017. Metro officials say that the idea is to create and
sustain a funding stream for mobility projects crucial to the region's
mobility, economy and quality of life. Measure M would fund transit and
road projects as well as, a number of programs including transit
operations, freeway bottleneck improvements and freight movement
projects. The plan was crafted in response to feedback from the public
and elected officials, cities and stakeholders. Measure M has a detailed
expenditure plan which lays out how new funds generated by the sales tax
would be spent over the first four decades. This expenditure plan was
approved in June by the Metro Board. It is an important document for
voters showing the timing of projects and programs to be funded by the
plan. If Measure M passes, some of the notable projects and programs
for Diamond Bar voters are 1) SR 71 gap — the freeway widening project
from 4 lanes to 6 lanes along the 71 between 1-10 and SR60 ($249
million); the SR57/60 Interchange Improvements ($205 million). One of
the programs in Measure M is the "Local Return Program" — beginning in
2017 after the first full year Metro will return 17 percent of the funds
collected to cities on a per -capita basis. For 2017 this would equate to
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
about $805,100 annually. These funds can be used for Diamond Bar's local
street transportation improvement projects including street repair work, traffic
signals, bike lanes, etc.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library spoke about upcoming library events. She
invited children ages 9 to 13 to join the library for a free hands-on autumn theme
drawing and painting workshop series on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. These
workshops are sponsored by Supervisor Don Knabe. On Saturday, November 5
at 2:00 p.m. children and teens are invited to be detectives for the afternoon and
find out Whodunit in this interactive game. This program is presented by the
Diamond Bar Library Teen Advisory Board. Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to
the Block party on Wednesday, November 9 at 4:00 p.m. where there will be over
10,000 toy blocks for children to build items. On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:00
p.m. ,join the Robotics Demonstration to meet the Robo Masters (2015 club
champions and robot performance winners). Please check the library website at
http://coiapublib.org/libsidiamondbar/index.php for additional programs and
events.
Nicholas Cavellos asked if Measure M would allow the City to have its own police
department. He asks because there has been a lot more breaking and entering
crime in the southern part of Diamond Bar and there is nothing being done about
it. There is more drone activity as well and he has to educate officers about FAA
regulations and if they are supposed to enforce these FAA regulations and laws.
He wanted to know what would be done about the drone problem and will the
police department be more educated about how to take this down so people
have privacy in their homes.
Shannon King, Boy Scouts of America, Greater Los Angeles Area Counsel,
registered adult leader with Cub Scout Pack 737 and Troop 777 and Diamond
Bar resident. Honda has teamed up with Boy Scouts of America asking the
organization to be boots on the ground to help get safety information out into the
communities. There is an active recall for Honda and Acura vehicles due to the
faulty Takata airbag inflator. There is a 50 percent chance in small rear end
accidents that the airbag inflator will not inflate the airbag, it will explode and
these explosions are causing shrapnel to be expelled into the cabin of the
vehicle. Passengers and drivers are being killed and injured in these accidents.
Any Honda or Acura owner is asked to go to www.hondaoutreach.com and look
up the VIN to see if there are any recalls affecting the vehicle. Repairs will be
made free of charge.
Christine Cavellos, 109 N. Pintado Drive, said she is concerned about protection
in the City. She has been a victim of a crime. Her civil rights were violated. She
has made several complaints to the Sheriff's Department and is waiting for a call
back. Further, LA County Fire Department refused service in response to her
chest pains in May 2015 and she is concerned that her voice is not being heard.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
She has lived in Diamond Bar for more than 20 years and has paid taxes to have
these services. She has several written complaints from senior citizens who are
concerned about their safety in the northern part of Diamond Bar.
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/DeStefano responded to the speaker who referenced drone usage that the
air space is controlled by the FAA. It is not an arena over which local law
enforcement or the City of Diamond Bar have jurisdiction. With respect to
whether or not law enforcement could be supported financially through any
proceeds that come from Measure M, the answer is "no."
With respect to comments made about safety and crime, every city everywhere
has incidents of crime. Diamond Bar is a City, that with its outstanding Sheriff's
Department, has over many years, reflected an extremely low crime rate.
Diamond Bar presently has the lowest crime rate within the station and the
station is usually in the top four stations with the lowest crime rate for all of the
stations in the Los Angeles County jurisdiction. Every city is seeing an increase
in property -based crimes and in particular, in theft which is the direct result of a
variety of individuals that are now out from prisons and jails and out without
support and services they may need who may have personal issues that are
supplemented by the crimes they are committing. If these individuals are caught
and convicted they either do not go back to jail or do not receive support they
need and may be given only a citation. The City of Walnut which is in the same
service district as Diamond Bar has seen a much, much larger increase in crime.
This is cyclical and the Sheriff's Department is on it and deals with these issues
efficiently and respectfully with all residents in all areas of crime including
preventative measures.
Lt. Marquez explained that he oversees the detective bureau and is very familiar
with Mrs. Cavellos and her son with whom he has had contact on a few
occasions. He is' well aware of their concerns and their concerns have been
addressed, their complaints have been taken and they have been contacted
about the final disposition of those complaints. With respect to the complaint
about drones, a complaint form was written and has been investigated along with
other incidents brought to the department's attention. Every one of the
complaints, concerns, as well as her being a victim of a crime have been
documented and have been presented to the District Attorney's office with all
evidence forwarded to them. At this time, it his understanding that the District
Attorney's office has made a final decision about where they will proceed from
that point.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Voter Drop-off — October 11, 2016 through November 7, 2016. Drop off
your Vote by Mail (VBM) ballots at City Hall during normal business hours.
(An official and secure ballot drop box is provided inside of City Hall)
5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — November 8, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.,
AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
5.3 Veterans Celebration — November 9, 2016 — 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Diamond
Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue.
5.4 General Plan Community Workshop No. 1 — November 9, 2016 — 6:30 to
8:30 p.m., Diamond Bar Center Grand View Ballroom, 1600 Grand
Avenue. For more information visit the City's website at
www.cityofdiamondbar.com or visit the General Plan Specific website at
www.DiamondBarGP.com
5.5 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — November 10, 2016 —
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.6 Veterans Holiday — November 11, 2016 — City offices closed Friday,
November 111h in observance of Veterans Day. City offices reopen
Monday, November 14, 2016 at 7:30 a.m.
5.7 America Recycles Day — Saturday, November 12, 1016 — 9:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Parking Lot, 21885 Copley Drive.
5.8 City Council Meeting — November 15, 2016 — 6:30 p.m.,
AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Tye moved, MPT/Lin seconded, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented with MPT/Lin recusing himself from approval of
Item 6.4 check #118266 in the amount of $3,695 and check #118343 in the
amount of $2,625 payable to KOA Corporation, a business for which he serves
as President. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin M/Lyons
None
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 October 18,
2016.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
6.3
M1
6.5
RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:
(a) Regular Meeting of August 23, 2016
(b) Regular Meeting of September 13, 2016
9c) Regular Meeting of September 27, 2016
RATIFICATION OF CHECK REGISTER — Dated October 13, 2016
through October 26, 2016 totaling $680,422.46.
APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — Month of September 2016.
6.6 (a) ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 06(2016): AMENDING THE
FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TITLE 5 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO BUSINESS LICENSING, MASSAGE
ESTABLISHMENTS, AND MASSAGE TECHNICIANS: SECTIONS
5.00.080; 5.04.010; 5.04.020; 5.04.50; 5.04.60; 5.04.070; 5.04.80;
5.04.100; 5.04.110; 5.04.130; 5.04.140; 5.08.010, AND 5.08.070.
(b) ADOPTED ORDINANCE 07(2016): AMENDING SECTIONS
22.10.030, 22.30.040, 22.42.020 AND 22.80.020 OF TITLE 22 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE (DEVELOPMENT CODE) PERTAINING TO THE
PERMISSIBLE LOCATIONS AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND TATTOO PARLORS.
6.7 ADOPTED ORDINANCE 09(2016): AMENDING CHAPTER 8.26 OF THE
DIAMOND BAR MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION
AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES AND
REGULATING THE USE OF MARIJUANA.
6.8 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE DIAMOND BAR
CENTER RESTROOM LIGHTING PROJECT.
6.9 APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH GUARANTEED JANITORIAL SERVICES, INC. FOR
THE LIBRARY, CITY HALL, DIAMOND BAR CENTER, HERITAGE PARK
COMMUNITY CENTER AND PANTERA PARK ACTIVITY ROOM, IN THE
AMOUNT NOT -TO -EXCEED $69,246 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT
AMOUNT OF $109,246.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
6.10 APPROPRIATED PROP A COUNTY SAFE PARKS FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $675,218.87 AND QUIMBY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$13,172 TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2016-17 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET FOR THE PANTERA PARK TRAIL
PROJECT; ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2016-39 APPROVING
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT
PAYMENT ACCOUNT AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEEP CANYON CONNECTOR TRAIL AND
THE PANTERA PARK TRAIL PROJECT TO CEM CONSTRUCTION
CORP. IN THE AMOUNT OF $471,340.75; PLUS A CONTINGENCY
AMOUNT OF $47,135 FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF $518,475.75.
7.1 APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 10 (2016):
AMENDING CALIFORNIA TITLE 15 OF THE DIAMOND BAR CITY
CODE AND ADOPT BY REFERENCE, THE 2016 CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE, VOLUMES 1 AND 2, INCLUDING APPENDICES C, I
AND J THERETO; CHAPTER 1 DIVISION 22 OF THE 2016 CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; THE 2016
CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, AND THE APPENDICES
THERETO; THE 2016 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, AND THE
APPENDICES THERETO; THE 2016 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE,
AND THE APPENDICES THERETO; THE 2016 CALIFORNIA
RESIDENTIAL CODE, INCLUDING APPENDICES H, J, K AND O
THERETO; AND, THE 2016 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING CODE,
WITHOUT THE APPENDICES THERETO, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN
AMENDMENTS, ADDITION*S, DELETIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
CM/DeStefano read the title and stated this is a public hearing regarding
proposed amendments to the Municipal Code to adopt new building
standards for the City.
BO/Tao explained that this Ordinance is a state -mandated requirement.
Every three years the City adopts the Building Code. In this case, many of
the items are formatting items restating old code amendments. The City
Council was provided a highlighted version of the Code indicating the
changes which are mostly formatting items. Every three years the City
adopts the Building Code with local amendments. This is being, done
because of topographical, geographic or geologic conditions of which
Diamond Bar has a number; including fire conditions, underground water
table issues and expansive soils which are included within the ordinance.
The staff report indicates what they were previously in order to clarify the
reinstatement of those amendments.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
The Government Code requires that prior to adopting the Building Code
there must be two public hearings. Once the City Council has adopted the
Building Code Ordinance it will become effective January 2017. At this
time, staff recommends that Council open the Public Hearing, Receive
Testimony, discuss the matter and approve for first reading by title only,
waive full reading and set the second public hearing and adoption of the
Ordinance for November 15.
M/Lyons opened the Public Hearing at 7:16 p.m.
With no one present who wished to speak on this matter, M/Lyons closed
the Public Hearing at 7:17 p.m.
C/Low asked what the document was that was provided to the City
Council.
BO/Tao responded that it is the Building Code Amendments for Diamond
Bar which affects anything that has a local topographic, geologic or
climatic special items within the City. Basically, it is adopting the State
Code with any local amendments because of the special nature of items
within the City.
C/Low asked if the Council was adopting an Ordinance and wanted further
clarification.
BO/Tao said that part of this is to adopt the state code which is mandated
by state law and the other part is to amend the code for local
requirements.
C/Low asked if the document provided to Council was a sum of those
things or just the items that need to be amended that is different than what
is in the State's code that needs to be adopted.
BO/Tao said it is the sum of those things.
C/Low asked if the highlighted items in the document are the actual
changes.
BO/Tao said that they are the changes from the 2013 option.
C/Low said that 36 pages were provided in the staff report and this report
is 20 plus pages. On Page 2 under Administration of staffs report, the
CBC summary under Section 105.5 of the report talks about giving the
Building Inspector some additional authority and asked where that
Amendment could be found.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
BO/Tao referred C/Low to Page 6 starting at the very top and continuing
on to Page 7, basically referring to timeframe for inspections to occur.
Currently, the California Building Code states that if any work is being
done, whether it be hammering one nail into a wood stud that is continuing
work while the City is trying to amend it to indicate that it has to be based
on a successful inspection where the Building Inspector will sign off. That
will prevent some cases where projects linger for a long period of time into
perpetuity without expiration.
C/Low said she understood the purpose of what staff intended which she
believes is a good thing. What she is trying to establish is what in the
language he is changing to effectuate the result he wants. On Page 6
there are four paragraphs but she cannot tell what is new and what is old
and what has been deleted or added unless he is saying that the entire
section is new. Secondly, in the staff report staff references a CBC
Section 105.5 which is a California Building Code and on the document he
has Section 105.5 of the California Administration Code (CAC) and she is
unable to track what is occurring.
BO/Tao said that at the very beginning is adopting the California
Administrative Code. This Chapter is considered the California
Administrative Code by the first part of the adoption under 15.00.110 on
Page 4 which says that California Administrative Code adopted. So with
adoption of Chapter One of the Building Code it calls it as the
Administrative Code for California.
C/Low said it is confusing for her because she cannot tell what has been
changed and what has not been changed and what is new and what is not
new.
BO/Tao responded that the language is very cumbersome and there are a
lot of items in the document. The Council adopted all of these
requirements except the highlighted items from 2013 so it is basically
restating those same amendments from before for clarity so that everyone
knows what the requirements are. The highlighted items are the only
items that have been modified.
C/Low said the only thing she sees highlighted are deletions except for
Page 20 regarding rough grading.
BO/Tao said C/Low was correct. Most of it is highlighted changes to the
Code Sections and some deletions so it is essentially restating what was
previously adopted because it is contained within that entire section.
C/Low asked if BO/Tao was saying that there is only one section in the
entire report that is new.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
BO/Tao said there are not that many new sections and the items that are
changed are the Code Section references. Essentially, the adoption is
exactly the same as 2013, it is just that the numbering scheme was
changed. What the California Building Code does sometimes is change
the number sequencing so the City has to match the number sequencing
in its adoption.
C/Low asked if the appendix was a separate part of the Building Code or
factored into various parts of the code.
BO/Tao responded that it is part of the Building Code left in the appendix
for the Council to decide whether to adopt or not. Council is specifically
adopting it for grading requirements.
C/Low asked if Appendix J was new or not.
BOlTao responded that it is not new to the Building Code and it is not new
to the adoption. Staff is merely restating it and making minor
modifications as well as, Code Section references.
C/Low asked for the item to be continued for further study.
BO/Tao clarified that there will be a second reading and second Public
Hearing which would provide a forum for addressing additional questions
that can be addressed between now and then. If at the Second Reading
the Council decides it is not appropriate the item can be tabled.
M/Lyons asked if the cutoff date for this item was the end of the calendar
year.
BO/Tao said there would need to be two readings and adoption prior to
the end of the year which means that it could be delayed to the November
15 Council meeting. If the second reading was held in December it would
not take effect for 30 days and there would be a time lapse during which
the local amendments would not be effective. Therefore, it would be more
appropriate to have the First Reading tonight and address any issues prior
to the November 15 meeting.
MPT/Lin referred to Page 14, Item 15, it shows that "Building Code
Official' was highlighted and crossed out in Section 106 and 112 of
Appendix which he found in Section 112 but could not find it in Section
106 on the document that was included in the agenda items.
BO/Tao explained that that item was deleted and what was requested was
to have the amendments from the last code adoption highlighted showing
what the deletions are so that line was deleted which is why MPT/Lin will
not find 106.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
a
MPT/Lin said he found Section 112
BO/Tao said that 112 is included but it is for another requirement. 106
and 112 were different requirements in past adoptions which are no longer
in the Building Code which is why they were stricken at this point.
C/Low asked for a complete listing of Appendix J in its entirety for Second
Reading.
BO/Tao said that he could provide a copy of the Building Code and a
photocopy of Appendix J so she can have it for the entirety.
C/Herrera moved, MPT/Lin seconded, to Approve for First Reading
Ordinance No. 10 (2016): Amending California Title 15 Of The Diamond
Bar City Code and Adopt By Reference, the 2016 California Building
Code, Volumes 1 And 2, including Appendices C, I And J Thereto;
Chapter 1 Division 22 of the 2016 California Building Code as the
Administrative Code; The 2016 California Mechanical Code, and the
Appendices Thereto; The 2016 California Plumbing Code, and the
Appendices Thereto; The 2016 California Electrical Code, and the
Appendices Thereto; The 2016 California Residential Code, including
Appendices H, J, K And O Thereto; and, The 2016 California Green
Building Code, without the Appendices Thereto, together with certain
Amendments, Additions, Deletions and Exceptions. 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 welcomed Dannette Allan and Ehren Magante to the Diamond Bar
family. She looks forward to working and getting to know them. She
congratulated the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for an outstanding
General Assembly on October 26, particularly the caliber of speakers including
John Fasano, LA Metro Chair, Phillip Washington, CEO of Metro,
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Hilda Solis, Supervisor,
Habib Balian, CEO Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, Mark Cristoffels,
Alameda Corridor -East Construction Authority, Javier Hernandez, Transportation
Deputy — Office of Supervisor Hilda Solis, Judy Chu, Congresswoman, Chris
Holden, Assembly Member and Senator Bob Huff. It was a great session and a
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
lot of information was dispersed and there was a lot of conversation about
Measure M and the importance of that to LA County and the City of Los Angeles.
Tonight residents have heard the significance of Measure M to Diamond Bar with
respect to local problems and issues, in particular the congestion on the SR57/60
which is the 7th worst congestion point in the nation and 1st worst intersection
congestion in the State of California which also has the highest incidents of air
pollution because vehicles move so slowly through the area.
C/Low congratulated IS Director Desforges and his team for their 10th
consecutive award "Excellence in Information Practices" and for their excellent
support to the Council. C/Low thanked PWD/Liu for solving a traffic congestion
issue that residents experienced on Grand Avenue during a.m. rush hour which
he resolved by adjusting the timing signal. She urged everyone who drives to
please drive courteously and carefully. She has noticed many drivers speed up
to catch the light to make a turn when the light changes and they are stuck in the
middle of the intersection. When traffic backs up into intersections, nobody wins.
C/Tye said that to quote President Gerald Ford, our long national nightmare is
almost over. Please remember to vote next Tuesday which is a privilege that
was hard earned by those who came before. Congratulations to Boy Scout
Troop 777 and thanks to them for being at tonight's meeting and posting the
colors and thanks to them for all that they do for the community. He felt it was
very important to thank the moms and dads as well for all that they do to promote
the scouting experience. He asked if the mailer that was addressed to Local
Postal Customer went to every home in Diamond Bar.
CM/DeStefano responded "yes."
C/Tye said it was an invitation and call to be involved in the town hall. Council
often hears people say they did not know how this or that meeting took place
because they did not know anything about it. This notice is about the General
Plan Community Workshop No. 1 that will be held on Wednesday, November 9 in
the Grand View Ballroom at the Diamond Bar Center. He hoped everyone would
get involved in the process because he did not think there was anything more
important than participating in the update of the City's General Plan.
MPT/Lin echoed C/Herrera's comment about Measure M. Measure M is a
perpetual sales tax and the transportation needs are perpetual. This tax will help
to improve the transportation condition in Los Angeles County and this is the best
chance the City of Diamond Bar will have to fix the SR57160 nightmare. The cost
of the fix is $235 million and without this measure there would not be the funds to
provide the fix. Diamond Bar has been asking Congress every year for money
and very little has been forthcoming. He urged residents to vote for Measure M
which has been endorsed by all of the Diamond Bar Council Members. In lieu of
the unfortunate incident that occurred last week in south Diamond Bar, the
Diamond Bar Chinese-American Association asked him to arrange to pay
Captain Reyes and his troops a visit to express their appreciation for the hard
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL
work so on Sunday morning he visited the station to present an award to them
and express the Association's appreciation for all of their hard work.
M/Lyons said it was fun and a privilege to have the Scouts provide the flag
ceremony this evening. She believed this was the biggest group of scouts ever.
Last Saturday she was at the Eagle Court of Honor for Alex Kuhlman who was
recognized for the project he completed in Diamond Bar and that she had
presented him with a Certificate on behalf of the City Council. The Scouts are
welcome back anytime! She echoed C/Tye's comments about the General Plan
workshop. It is not like sitting in a meeting. It is a workshop where everyone can
participate and believes that people will find it to be very worthwhile. She
complimented the Public Works and Finance Departments because an outside
auditor just performed an audit of the spending and accounting for Prop A, Prop
C and Measure R Funds which are transportation funds and in spite of the
several day audit, there were no findings — nothing to improve upon.
M/Lyons said that tonight's meeting will be adjourned in memory of Phyllis Papen
who was Diamond Bar's first Mayor. The Council recently learned of her
passing. While Ms. Papen no longer lived in Diamond Bar, her contributions to
the community including her service to the City Council are profound and lasting.
For many Diamond Bar residents who lived in the City in the 1980's, the name
Phyllis Papen is synonymous with "incorporation" and rightfully so, because she
was not only a cityhood advocate but one of the leading incorporation proponents
since the idea was first proposed in 1981. Those familiar with Diamond Bar
history know that it took three attempts to incorporate the city. While the effort
failed in 1983 and again in 1986, Phyllis Papen pressed forward and on the third
attempt in 1989 a piece of unincorporated land within Los Angeles County was
turned into the official City of Diamond Bar that exists today. There were many
individuals who joined in the Cityhood cause and worked hard to bring self -
governance to Diamond Bar, but no one will argue that Ms. Papen's leadership,
unflappable and unstoppable determination and commitment played a critical
role. Diamond Bar residents and City Council Members are very appreciative of
Ms. Papen and the role she led in promoting the incorporation of Diamond Bar.
In 2014 when the City celebrated its 25th year of cityhood, City staff contacted
Ms. Papen and she graciously granted an interview during which she spoke
about her time in Diamond Bar and what the City's incorporation meant to her.
Thus, tonight's meeting will end with that video clip and adjournment.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 7:43 pm in memory of the City's first Mayor, Phyllis
Papen.
17 0, 6 d �
TOMMY CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 PAGE 14 CITY COUNCIL
The foregoing minutes re hereby approved thisl5th day of November 2016.
/�
NANCY L S, M R