HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/16 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
NOVEMBER 15, 2016
CLOSED SESSION: 5:30 p.m., Room CC -8
110. Government Code Section 54957 Public Employee —
City Manager Performance Evaluation
Public Comments: None.
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, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Lyons.
INVOCATION: Associate Pastor Dale Chamberlain, Youth &
Administration, Evangelical Free Church.
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; Ken Desforges, IS Director; David Liu,
Public Works Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community
Development Director; Raymond Tao, Building Official; Amy Haug, Human
Resources/Risk Manager; Anthony Santos, Assistant to City Manager; John Beshay,
Associate Engineer; Fabian Aoun, Associate Engineer; Cecelia Arellano, Public
Information Coordinator, 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.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 M/Lyons and Council Members presented Certificates of Recognition to
Evergreen Senior Citizens Club members for 25 years of service to the
community.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 Presentation of the Diamond Bar Boulevard at Brea Canyon Road
Intersection Beautification Project.
AE/Beshay stated that the decorative crosswalk is currently under
construction at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea
Canyon Road. The purpose of the project is to beautify and enhance
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
pedestrian safety and accessibility of the intersection. The project
consists of curb ramp upgrades, decorative traffic signal poles and
interlocking paver crosswalks. Phase I of the crosswalk has been
completed. This coming Friday, November 18th beginning at 7:00 p.m.,
Phase II will complete the crosswalk with demolition and grading for the
crosswalk along Diamond Bar Boulevard. Monday, November 21St
Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road lanes will be reduced to
one through/right-turn, left -turn lanes in all directions. Public outreach
included sending notification letters to residents within a 1000 foot radius
of the intersection and installation of 14 portable message boards. In
addition, there was notification to residents and postings on the City's
website and social websites. Staff also met with the Sheriff's and Fire
Departments and posted a video showing the traffic impacts on DBTV.
2.2 Lemon Avenue at the SR60 Construction Update.
PWD/Liu reported that with the City Council approval of the three-way
betterment agreement with the Alameda Corridor East Construction
Authority (ACE) and City of Industry this has allowed ACE to construct the
Lemon Avenue interchange as a contract change order to the existing
Fairway Drive Grade Separation project that has been underway for
several months. Improvements include the westbound onramp,
eastbound off ramp and the eastbound onramp at Lemon Avenue above
the SR60.
PWD/Liu (power point presentation) during development of the project, it
was determined that the off ramp at the Lemon Avenue interchange would
not make sense since it would create extensive impacts to the right-of-
way. The existing eastbound off/onramp at Brea Canyon Road will be
removed toward the end of the project. Improvements will be done in
three stages. The total duration of the construction is 18 months with the
three stages contemplated to be completed in May/June 2018. Stage one
includes construction of the eastbound off ramp and westbound onramp
as well as, construction along Lemon Avenue and median work along
Golden Springs Drive at the Lemon Avenue intersection. Because of
these improvements and construction activities, lane closures along
Lemon Avenue and Golden Springs Drive are expected to last for the next
12 months beginning Friday, November 18. Southbound Lemon Avenue
will be narrowed to one combined through and left -turn lane as well as, a
dedicated right -turn lane. In both directions along Golden Springs Drive
both left -turn pockets will be eliminated and a dedicated through lane will
be used as a temporary left -turn pocket (turn left to go north or if coming
from the east to go left into the neighborhood) as well as, maintaining a
through and right -turn lane. Because of construction activities along
Lemon Avenue north of Golden Springs Drive, parking on the west side of
Lemon Avenue between Earlgate and the freeway on/off ramp areas will
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
be temporary prohibited
Staff has analyzed a multitude of construction impacts to make sure to
coordinate with the school district so as not to impact the school district
offices and so their driveway will remain open at all times and not be
impacted or affected by the lane closures. The crossing guard at the
northeast corner that services school-age children at the Walnut
Elementary School will also be unaffected. Staff will continue to monitor
the area to make sure that the signal timing at Lemon Avenue and Golden
Springs Drive will be maintained to minimize congestion.
Stage 2 will entail construction of the eastbound onramp followed by
Stage 3 which is closure of the existing SR60 on/off ramp near the
intersection of Golden Springs Drive and Brea Canyon Road.
ACE sent out approximately 180 notices to all affected businesses and
residences and relevant construction information and activities were
posted on the City's website and social media outlets. Walnut Elementary
School and the School Districts have been notified and staff will continue
to maintain communication with those two offices. In addition, changeable
message boards have been posted on the roadways in the area of the
project.
M/Lyons said she was particularly pleased that the City would be working
with the school district to mitigate traffic and school bus issues.
M/Lyons welcomed Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Kaliher
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library spoke about upcoming library events
including a special Thanksgiving story time for elementary school students that
will be presented by students from the Diamond Bar High School Honor Society
at the Library on Friday, November 18 at 3:30 pm. Students ages 5-10 are
invited to come to the library on Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 to learn how to
create their own story and how to make their own character puppets. This
workshop is sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library. Children
ages 2-11 are invited to the library for holiday art activities on Saturday,
December 3 at 6:00 pm to decorate cookies like melting snowmen. Registration
begins on November 19 at the information desk. She thanked the Council and
staff for their continuing support of the Diamond Bar Library and wished everyone
a Happy Thanksgiving. Please check the library website at
http://colapublib.org/libs/diamondbar/index.php for additional programs and
events.
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
Grace Lim -Hays, President, Hampton Court HOA, thanked the City for the
recently completed construction of the cul-de-sac project on Washington Street.
A couple of years ago she presented information to the Council about trucks
damaging their streets and this change is amazing and the community is very
grateful for it. She has had compliments from neighbors who love the stamped
driveway. Residents had questions at the last meeting including the lack of
visibility of the newly created driveway curb. She told them there would be
additional striping and they asked if there were plans for something reflective to
be installed to prevent someone from driving into the curb. In addition, someone
thought the curved area that was intended to be a turnaround for trucks would be
a nice parking space for him and she wanted to know if that would be acceptable
or if it would be painted red because someone parked there for several days and
one neighbor said he came close to hitting the parked vehicle.
Melita Kriske said she had addressed the Council two years ago and spoke on
behalf of the neighborhood concerned with the number of train horn blasts north
of the SR60 between Brea Canyon Road and Lemon Avenue. Two years ago
she provided information from her journal where she had logged times and
frequency of these blasts that average three trains an hour all day and through
the night. She and her neighbors knew about the trains but when she moved
here 27 years ago there were a lot less of them. The agreement to increase
commerce along the Alameda Corridor and the Metrolink has put this little
community in a rough spot. She spoke of the need of a "quiet zone" to silence
the train horn blasts. The sound wall built along the SR60 several years back
serves as a barrier to catch the train horn blasts and does improve the sound. At
that time the grade separation at Brea Canyon had been completed and Pomona
had recently acquired their "quiet zone" along the same corridor. It seemed an
easy fix to simply continue the quiet zone into Diamond Bar by installing quad
gates at the Lemon Avenue railroad crossing. This upgrade brings the safety
standards up to an acceptable "quiet zone" level. She spoke with Charles
Haygood of the Railroad Commission who noted that the grade separation at
Fairway and at Fullerton Road would be cause for even stricter guidelines with
respect to train blasts through a construction zone. She reported back to her
neighbors that the City of Diamond Bar had a lot of work to do first. At that time
she reported that it may happen but it would take years and to please be patient.
The grade separations at Fairway Road and Fullerton Road are about done. The
work done between the City of Industry and Diamond Bar here is very
impressive, bringing this entire area into the 21St Century to thousands of
commuters to help aid the growing congestion. Now work is about to begin at
the SR60 for a westbound onramp at Lemon Avenue. She feels that it is time to
come back to the City Council before the work begins on this project, to ask that
the railroad crossing gates not be left in sub -standard conditions. The railroad
crossing at Lemon Avenue is the only reason a train must blast its horn as it
makes its way from the City of Industry through Diamond Bar into quiet Pomona.
She admires the Diamond Bar City Council and the important work it does to help
the community and businesses thrive and there is no doubt about its intention to
be significant in California and provide a gateway to nearby counties. She is very
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
proud to live here and she asked what she could report to her community about
the "quiet zone" upgrades at the Lemon Avenue railroad crossing.
Allen Wilson said he appreciated the General Plan workshop that was attended
by more than 100 residents. He checked the Treasurer's report and questioned
the Money Market account with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has been in the news
for a couple of months and he urged the City Council to look into switching the
Money Market account to another financial institution because the public has lost
trust with Wells Fargo and how they manage their relationship with their
customers. In addition, the Council is being asked to approve an amendment
contract under Item 6.4 with Public Finance Strategies and the City of Diamond
Bar voted "no" on Proposition 51. Diamond Bar voted in favor of Measure M but
it would not reach the two-thirds necessary for approval. The Diamond Bar
portion of Measure P got 65.7 percent and it was not passed. Measure WV was
not passed with the two-thirds threshold. He does not know why the
recommendation by staff to spend another $140,000 would be considered
because that money should be used in other areas.
Daniel Luevanos, City Ambassador for One Legacy/Donate Life, an organ
procurement organization spoke about his organization and how it assists
individuals to receive organ, tissue and cornea donations. Over 100,000 men,
women and children are waiting for the "gift of life" with 22,000 in California.
Sadly, about 22 patients are lost daily waiting for the "gift of life" and every ten
minutes someone is added to the list of potential recipients. This year's Rose
Parade float will be propelled by a team of 24 organ, eye and tissue transplant
recipients and will include features that highlight donors and recipients. He
received his "gift of life" on December 27, 2003 and as Ambassador for One
Legacy/Donate Life, extended invitations to civic leaders of Diamond Bar to
attend the rose dedication ceremony on December 30, 2016 between 5:00 and
6:00 p.m. at the Rose Bowl and asked for RSVPs by December 9.
Brandon Tang, Chairman, DB4-Youth in Action, spoke about his group's mission.
DB4-Youth was founded in 2005 to assist the City with its planning and creating
of events in the City for its youth to interact and give back to the community. In
this spirit, DB4-Youth has been attempting to stomp out hunger by hosting
annual food drives and working at local food banks. This is the 4th year that the
group will be collecting non-perishable food items for its Annual Holiday Food
Drive. He invited the City Council and community members to participate by
dropping off non-perishable food items in boxes placed throughout the City
including City Hall, Library, two at Heritage Park (one in the Center and one in
the Tiny Tots facility). At the end of the event the items will be delivered to the
Inland Valley Hope Partners that serves surrounding communities. He provided
flyers on the entry table in the event that any residents wish to acquire
information about the food drive.
M/Lyons asked Mr. Tang to provide information about the amount of food
collected following the event.
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CM/DeStefano asked PWD/Liu to speak to the curb parking/curb painting issue
on Washington Street. CM/DeStefano reported that the train horn noise is an
issue that has been before Diamond Bar for many years. At present, trains are
permitted and required to blow the horns at Lemon Avenue, at a private crossing
behind Kohl's off of Valley Boulevard and at Temple. Avenue. Other locations
have installed separations or have a "quiet zone" that was funded by the City of
Industry, for example at Brea Canyon Road at Valley Boulevard. Diamond Bar's
location was scheduled to be constructed into a "quiet zone" as a result of
funding the City was anticipating from a settlement agreement with the City of
Industry that was tied to the stadium project which will not happen in this area.
Cities that still confront this issue including Claremont, Pomona, La Verne, San
Dimas and others, are now getting together to reconsider this issue because they
and Diamond Bar have been advised that to try to secure "quiet zones" through
the railroads and through the federal agencies that oversee the railroads,
individually and independently is pretty much a fruitless act. The idea is that a
group of cities and representatives have now been formed to attack this issue
collectively in order to do a dozen or so in four or five cities at one time. The idea
is that a lot more will get done more quickly by joining together and putting
pressure on the railroads to get it done. A principle issue is not only interest from
the railroads that tend to operate independently, but also the funding which is
very difficult to get from the railroads. While this is not a direct answer to the
specific inquiry at Lemon, it is an answer to the fact that this issue is being
worked on with a broader coalition.
CM/DeStefano responding to Mr. Wilson's comments about the City's investment
at Wells Fargo stated that at any given point this year the City has about $32
million invested for which about $900,000 is in an "overnight" account with Wells
Fargo. It is a sweeps account/checking account/overnight money market
account that earns extremely low interest and is the City's most liquid money.
The City has operated in this manner for 27-28 years in its relationship with Wells
Fargo. This has been a very good relationship over the years. At the same time,
staff periodically tests the market to see who else can provide services that the
City needs and will be doing so as part of the City's regular routine in April 2017.
By the end of Fiscal Year 2017 staff will be forwarding a recommendation to
continue services with Wells Fargo based on the services and rate structure or
moving to a different provider within Diamond Bar.
Regarding Mr. Wilson's referencing staff's recommendation that the contract with
Public Finance Strategies be continued, a company that the City engages to help
with polling work for potential 2016 Parks and Recreation Measure, the speaker
indicated that Diamond Bar may not support taxing measures along that line and
that is exactly what the City learned in 2016 when the City surveyed a variety of
folks with professional assistance to try and figure out whether there was support
for improvements at a variety of public parks — capital improvements at ball
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
fields, hard courts, etc. The idea was that the City would move forward with a
bond measure to support capital improvement growth over the next decade or so
that would be financed by some sort of an assessment/tax on properties. The
result from the survey indicated that there was not enough support for such a
measure to pass. So obviously, the City did not put such a measure on the
ballot. Part of the concern was that there were a lot of measures on the 2016
ballot and with the county's measures, school measures, etc. the Diamond Bar
measure might get lost and there would be further erosion of support for a city -
specific measure so it was tabled. What Item 6.4 asks Council to do is to simply
extend the life of the contract for a year so that the Council can consider whether
to take a look at whether or not it would wish to pursue a Parks Capital
Improvement ballot measure for 2017 or beyond. If the Council chooses to
extend the contract the City has the ability to do so with this particular company.
If the Council chooses not to do it, the contract will die at the end of this calendar
year.
PWD/Liu stated that with respect to Mrs. Lim -Hayes questions and concerns,
while the Washington Street cul-de-sac was completed as a separate standalone
project, it was part of the overall area for slurry seal and the neighborhood and
surrounding streets have received a brand new coat of slurry seal with localized
reconstruction work. There are remaining miscellaneous work items such as
striping and marking and items that require follow up around the newly installed
cul-de-sac area including reflective paint and markings. The area shown in the
photo where the vehicle is parked will be a red curb area with no parking allowed
and there will be further markings, striping, lane markings, etc. to help facilitate
motorists as they access the neighborhood. He anticipated the remaining work
would be completed within the next two weeks.
C/Tye said that if the City Council decided it wanted to do the quad gates, what
would the price tag be and if the City was willing to pay it, could it be done
without the railroad's okay?
CM/DeStefano responded that the City cannot pursue the project without the
railroad's permission, regardless of who pays. It is highly likely that the railroad
is going to push away any responsibility for payment and liability to the entity that
does pay. A few years ago the range was about $1 million for an intersection like
Lemon Avenue at the railroad crossing so arbitrarily he would estimate the cost
to be $1 to 1.5 million to do Lemon.
C/Tye thanked Ms. Lim -Hayes and the Board which has been very diligent over
the years in bringing the City its concerns. He appreciates their diligence and he
is sure that the rest of the Council appreciates her input this evening and thanks
for the work the City has done.
M/Lyons echoed C/Tye's statements and looked forward to everything being
done in the near future.
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
C/Low stated with respect to Item 6.4 if no further work is done and the contract
is extended, the $130,000 plus remaining would go back into the City's budget.
CM/DeStefano responded that C/Low was correct.
5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 17, 2016 — 7:00
p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — November 22, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.,
AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive (canceled).
5.3 Thanksgiving Holiday — City Offices closed November 24 and 25, 2016 in
observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. City offices reopen on Monday,
November 28, 2016 at 7:30 a.m.
5.4 Holiday Diamond Ride — November 25, 2016 through January 1, 2017 —
Free shuttle service to and from Diamond Bar Shopping Centers for Ages
18 and older. To book a ride call 1-800-578-6555.
5.5 Candy Cane Craft Fair — December 3, 2016 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,
Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue
5.6 City Council Meeting — December 6, 2016 — 6:30 p.m.,
AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Low moved, MPT/Lin seconded, to approve
the Consent Calendar as presented with MPT/Lin recusing himself from approval
of Item 6.3 check #118516 in the amount of $852.50 payable to KOA
Corporation, a business for which he serves as President. 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 November
1, 2016.
6.3 RATIFICATION OF CHECK REGISTER — Dated October 27, 2016
through November 3, 2016 totaling $1,546,240.48.
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
6.4 APPROVED AMENDMENT OF CONTRACT WITH PUBLIC FINANCE
STRATEGIES, LLC, DBA TBWB STRATEGIES, FOR POTENTIAL
FUTURE BOND BALLOT MEASURE.
6.5 TRANSMITTED COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR
THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2016.
6.6 AWARDED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
CONTRACT TO ITERIS, INC. FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES PROJECT — PHASE III IN THE
AMOUNT OF $91,985 PLUS A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $10,000
FOR CHANGE ORDERS TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $101,985.
7.1 SECOND 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 ADMINISTRATION 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.
CM/DeStefano stated that this is a suggested adoption of an ordinance
that would approve all of the new development codes by the State of
California for the City of Diamond Bar including Building, Plumbing,
Electrical, Mechanical, Administration, etc. Codes as detailed in the title of
the report.
BOlTao stated that this is the adoption of the Building Code and local
amendments to the Building Code. Last Council meeting staff presented
its report for First Reading which required clarification of certain
modifications. This Item is being presented to adopt the 2016 Building
Codes along with local amendments adopted for local climatic,
topographical and geologic reasons. There are three new changes in the
Grading Ordinance, four items have been deleted which leaves a large
volume of information in the ordinance which consists of multiple and
cumbersome pages which is, for the most part, a carryover of the prior
code to the new code.
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
The three changes and four deletions are indicated in staffs report and
are as follows: Two of the three items of the appendix of the Building
Code are changes relate to grading and definition of "engineers" which
attempts to give more responsibility for the project engineer rather than
just another engineer because there has been some difficulty with other
engineers being hired on and being the civil engineer or soils engineer on
a different project that might not know about the original design. The third
change deals with "rough" grading requirements. This indicates that the
rough grade is part of the engineer's responsibility for up to six months
after the date of his final signature approving the rough grade so that he
cannot relieve his responsibility to make sure that all of his measures are
implemented into the grading provisions.
The four items that are deleted are 1) Building Code Official which no
longer exists in the code; 2) removal of some landscaping requirements
that are part of rough grading requirements which are contained in the
grading requirement and no longer applicable because it gets taken care
of by aversion control measures and is looked at on final inspection for
planning and other purposes. 3 & 4) References to Appendix G which no
longer exists in the past form as a pool requirement. It is now a flood
resistant measure requirement and is referred back to the Building Code.
Staff requests that the City Council open the Public Hearing, Approve
Second Reading by Title Only and Waive Further Reading, and Adopt the
Ordinance.
M/Lyons opened the Public Hearing at 7:39 p.m.
With no one present who wished to speak on this matter, M/Lyons closed
the Public Hearing at 7:40 p.m.
C/Low thanked CDD/Gubman and BO/Tao for consolidating the
information into a very helpful report. She asked that if with these
changes and the existing code, if someone were to build something and
needed a building permit, would they be able come to City Hall and get
information about the intricacies of what they needed to do to accomplish
what they wanted to do on their property.
BO/Tao said that individuals could come to City Hall or contact his
department by phone or email and staff can explain any and all of the
amendments to the Code along with any of the requirements. People
typically do that quite often and there are handouts that spell out the
general requirements.
C/Low thanked BO/Tao for his work and said she understood that while
the City has unique and special geologic requirements and concerns for
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
the City's landscape, people are spending their hard-earned dollars to
build their dream homes and the City should make the procedure as
smooth as possible.
MPT/Lin moved, C/Herrera seconded, to Approve for Second 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
Administration 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: Herrera, Low, Tye, MPT/Lin,
M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None.
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Herrera congratulated the Diamond Bar Evergreen Seniors on celebrating 25 -
years. All of the senior groups are very active in the community and it is always
a delight for her to see all of the seniors doing all of the activities. She wished
everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
C/Low stated that last week's General Plan Workshop was a wonderful and well -
attended event. She understands there are a couple more workshops and she
encouraged everyone to attend if they can. Translations are provided and if
anyone needs translation in Korean or Chinese translators are available during
the workshop. In addition, the City's website is in a foreign language and this is a
very inclusive effort for the entire community. Thank you and congratulations to
the Veterans who were honored at the Veteran's Day Recognition. Their service
and presence is appreciated by this community.
C/Tye said that to him, one of the most moving things this City does is recognize
its Veterans and to present banners to the returning servicemen and women.
During the first General Plan Workshop there was great participation from the 60-
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
70 participants who had an opportunity to say what they would like the
community to look like and where a "downtown" could be fashioned, if desired,
and what can be done about traffic. He understands there will be two or three
more workshops and he would encourage anybody, especially the young people
in the audience, to make sure their voices are heard. It is an opportunity to
participate in crafting the plan for the City moving forward over the next 15-20-25
years so as not to have to come and attempt to fix something after -the -fact.
"Puttin on the Hits" for the 19th year in a row at Mt. SAC will be this Friday at 7:30
and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. It is outstanding entertainment and students with ID
can get in for $10. For anyone who wants the opportunity to see Trustee David
Hall dressed up as Rod Stewart or Rosanne Boehner as Cher, this is the event.
The faculty gets together along with Board Members, Faculty, Students,
Professors, Administrators and staff to raise money they put back into
scholarships for students and over 18 years they have put back over $200,000.
It is a great cause and a lot of fun for $20. If interested, call the box office at 909-
468-4050 or purchase tickets at www.fortix.org Hope to see everyone there and
have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
MPT/Lin also congratulated the Evergreen Seniors Club. He has known
Chairman Shi for more than 14 years and during those years he has helped grow
the membership and provide more services and has not aged a day. He was
very impressed with CM/DeStefano and his staff for the responses to Public
Comments. Even though the comments are random, staff is always well-
prepared to fully respond and answer the questions, which MPT/Lin appreciates.
He and M/Lyons were in two subcommittee meetings last week. One was a
Finance Audit Committee during which they received a report from an outside
auditor and he is pleased to inform the community that the City is in very good
and clean financial condition. The second meeting was the Public Safety
Committee meeting with Captain Reyes and Lt. Marquez during which they
received crime statistics for the past 20 years and contrary to popular belief,
Diamond Bar's crime rate has dropped almost 100 percent since 1995. He was
very surprised by that statistic and knows that Diamond Bar is in the good hands
with the Sheriff's Department and that the City will continue to maintain good
crime statistics in the future.
M/Lyons thanked staff led by CSC/Tarazon for the very meaningful Veteran's
Day Celebration and echoed other Council Members who attended, that it was a
great celebration of the City's Veterans. There was video, music, speeches and
photographs all of which was very well done for the Veterans and their families.
Diamond Bar appreciates and loves its Veterans and she believes that was
shown during the event. She recognized Miranda Tejeda, one of the winners of
the Read Together Diamond Bar Essay Contest. Miranda is a Diamond Bar High
School student who wrote an essay on "How the book Lord of the Rings changed
her life." Her very good essay is at the library for all to read. As MPT/Lin
reported, they met last week with the City's external auditors to go over the
findings of the City's annual audit. The audit came out great and it was an
"unmodified opinion" which is the best result a City can get. The auditors also
NOVEMBER 15, 2016 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL
reported that the City's internal controls were strong and that the financial
statements are correct. Congratulations to FD/Honeywell and her staff! They
also participated in a Public Safety Committee meeting with the Diamond Bar
Station Captain and Lieutenant and learned that the City's stats are very, very
good and continue to get better. Diamond Bar values public safety and should
individuals wish to do something more for their community they can participate in
Neighborhood Watch. She congratulated Diamond Bar's Public Works
Department led by PWD/Liu upon notification that the City of Diamond Bar has
been chosen to receive a 2016 Project of the Year Award from the Southern
California Chapter of American Public Works Association for the Grand Avenue
Beautification Project. Excellent work PWD/Liu and staff. Everyone is very
proud of you. M/Lyons wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 7:51 p.m.
TOMMY(t—CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 6th day of necember 12016.
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