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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/06/16 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION DECEMBER 6, 2016 STUDY SESSION: M/Lyons called the Study Session to order at 6:00 p.m. in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. Present: Council Members Carol Herrera, Ruth Low, Steve Tye, Mayor Pro Tem, Jimmy Lin and Mayor Nancy 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; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk Manager; Cecelia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator, and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. Also Present: LASD Capt. AI Reyes and Lt. Phillip Marquez. ► PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE A $10,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION RE: DEATH OF RESIDENTS CHENG LONG WANG AND MEI CHU CHUNG. CM/DeStefano stated that the 5:30 p.m. start time of the Study Session was incorrectly published on the City's website and in consultation with the City Attorney and staff's beliefs, it was felt that the best thing to do was to move the Study Session to 6:00 p.m. CM/DeStefano explained that the reason Captain Reyes and Lieutenant Marquez have joined tonight's meeting is that the Sheriffs Department has been aggressively going after those responsible for the two mid-October homicides. Those in Homicide have asked for the public's assistance via the City Council considering a Reward for Information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. On a couple of occasions Council has done this before and in short, staff concurs with the Sheriff's Department with asking the Council if it has any interest in offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction. The term of the reward would be for one year and if, for some reason, no conclusion could be generated the Council would always have the option to extend the time - period. If the Council has an interest in doing so, this matter would be formalized by Resolution at the City Council's meeting on the 20th, but between now and the 20th, staff would be able to work with the Sheriff's Department as they gear up with their publicity. C/Low asked how material the information would have to be in order for someone to obtain the reward money. Captain Reyes said his understanding was that it would have to lead to the arrest and conviction. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION C/Low asked who decides that. Captain Reyes said it would be decided by the City CM/DeStefano said the information referenced in his memorandum were open cases and this issue has not come to a conclusion. Like the existing Report for Reward Program, it would be a combination of the Sheriff's Department and City staff making a recommendation to the Council as to the amount of the award; however, since it has not been done before it would be new territory. CA/DeBerry said that the Council would want to have language in the Resolution that said something to the effect "at the discretion of the City Council". So going to the materiality question from C/Low, someone who perhaps gave a smidgeon of evidence that led to evidence and to the arrest, the City Council would have the discretion as advised by staff and the Sheriff as to whether or not it was material enough to specify for the award. C/Low asked if the reward was severable between multiple informants. CA/DeBerry said that echoing what CM/DeStefano said, it would depend on how the resolution was set up. If there is a $10,000 reward and there are several people that are eligible, it would be divided based upon the City Council's discretion as to whose evidence was most material or it could be given to one person. M/Lyons asked if the person has to be convicted, it could take a long time and in that case, is this reward offer really much of incentive? Captain Reyes explained that Homicide is asking so that they can hopefully draw out people to provide information. If there is somebody out there that may be a material witness or can possibly provide the department with information as to who "this person or persons" is who may have committed the crime. The Board of Supervisors is putting forth such a request for a $20,000 reward on this case. MPT/Lin said he thought that because of the process it may take a long time for it to materialize. Captain Reyes said he did not know the timeframe. MPT/Lin said that residents who are interested in this case told him that getting reward money from the County would take a long time. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION M/Lyons said she wondered if a promise of money down the road was sufficient to motivate somebody to tell homicide what would be helpful to solve the case. Captain Reyes said it would be up to the person or persons who might have that kind of information. It is homicide's position that it would be helpful to stimulate information if that information is out there and if anybody has information that would prompt them to proceed with the investigation. M/Lyons said if it doesn't work the City would not have to pay them. Captain Reyes said that M/Lyons was correct. C/Low asked if anyone had spoken with the family of the victims and whether they said anything. Captain Reyes said he is not aware that anybody has spoken to the family of the victims regarding the offer of a reward. C/Low asked if the family lives in Diamond Bar, or whether just the victims lived in Diamond Bar? Captain Reyes said the information he has indicates it is only the victims that resided in Diamond Bar. He is not aware of any other family members living in the City or in the area. C/Low asked how long the victims lived in Diamond Bar. M/Lyons said she believed it was 15-16 years. CM/DeStefano said it could be longer but it was at least a good 15 plus years. MPT/Lin said he was contacted by residents and a newspaper reporter who told them that the Sheriffs Department tried to have the County put in some reward money but they were informed it may take a long time for it to happen. Regardless of what the County does, this occurred in the City of Diamond Bar and the Council should initiate some action here. In terms of the reward, he remembers a couple of years ago when there was a gunfight at Big Bear Lake and a $200,000 reward was offered. Multiple people came out to claim that they were the one who gave the tip and he believes the County of San Bernardino split the reward money to different people. Captain Reyes said that in that case, the suspect was known. It was the Christopher Domer case. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION CM/DeStefano said that it was complicated because he was never arrested or convicted because he died during the gunfight at the end. CM/DeStefano said that the issue before the City Council tonight is one of simply whether or not the Council would like staff to move forward and bring this back to the Council on the 20th for formal decision. In terms of the details (payouts, etc.) that can be worked out over time. Staff wants to know whether the Council has an interest so staff can get the formal answers. C/Tye said it is for arrest and conviction. CM/DeStefano said that is what staff's recommendation is which is typically the way it is set up; however, it is Council's choice. C/Herrera asked if Captain Reyes agreed with arrest and conviction or did he think that conviction might be more difficult and not lead to any tips. Captain Reyes said that homicide recommended arrest and conviction. CA/DeBerry said that if conviction is not included the City is giving money to somebody who has given information that did not result in the suspect being convicted and you do not want to invite "false" information just to get the reward. M/Lyons asked for Council's conclusion and Council unanimously agreed to move forward with the request. ► STATEWIDE ELECTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE — SB 415 & 450. CM/DeStefano stated that this item has to do with mandatory changes to the City's election schedule moving away from odd numbered year elections to even numbered year elections. Staff is introducing this topic to the City Council tonight and there will be decisions the Council will make over the next few months (not this evening) as the November 2017 election approaches. Assistant to the City Manager Santos reported that there are two pieces of legislation this presentation covers: 1) SB 415 and 2) SB 450. The Council has elections that have been held in odd numbered years since incorporation. Statewide elections are held in even number years. There has been discussion at the state level about consolidating elections to even numbered years as a mechanism to increase voter turnout. SB415 requires cities that have a decrease in voter turnout greater than 25 percent relative to their municipal election versus the turnout during DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION statewide elections to institute a change or have a plan by January 1, 2018 that requires those elections to be in even numbered years by November 8, 2022. Average voter registration was about 30,517 in the last four June and November elections; ballots cast were about 15,194 with a voting percentage of 49.79 percent. For the statewide primary election (June) the voter registration was 30,153 and ballots cast were 7,781 for a percentage of 25.8 percent. The statewide total average of the four indicates there were about 30,335 registered voters with an average of 11,487 actual ballots with a voting percentage of about 37.87 percent. For the City there were 30,658 registered voters and ballots cast were 5,101 for an average voting percentage of 16.64 percent. All factors considered, the average is 56.06 percent discrepancy between the voting percentages of the statewide even numbered year elections and the citywide odd numbered year elections, well above the 25 percentage threshold. Because Diamond Bar is above that threshold (difference), the City must change its voting from odd to even -numbered years. Diamond Bar has to have a plan in place by January 1, 2018 to evaluate options on when the City decides to change its election cycle. The second target date is the November 8, 2022 where the City elections must begin the even numbered year cycle elections. The City cannot change the term of office for existing Council Members. Council Members are elected for four-year terms and Council Members must sit for the remainder of their four-year terms. The Government Code allows cities to extend or reduce future terms by 12 months which means the Council can institute a five-year term or a three year -term, not a two and one-half year or five and one-half year term. Understanding the deadline for the plan and the target date for commencing the even year cycles led to the following options: Option 1 — Instituting three year terms beginning in the 2017 year election so that the preceding even year election will occur in 2020. Thereafter, it will be a four-year term. For the 2019 election it would be a three-year term for an even numbered election beginning in 2022 which would then become a four-year term and the next election would be 2026. Option 2 — Instituting a five-year term beginning in 2017 and instituting an even -numbered election in 2022 and again in 2026. The same would apply to the election of 2019, a five-year term for the 2024 election which would again institute a four-year term. Option 3a — No change in 2017 which could then be a four-year term and 2019 would institute a three-year Council term and in 2021 another three- year term to commence the even numbered cycle in 2024 and 2026. Option 3b — Institute five-year terms and do nothing in 2017, institute a five year term in 2019 and subsequently in 2021 which would then trigger the even numbered term beginning in 2018 and 2026. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION These are informational options. Again, there are two deadlines — 1) Having a plan in place by January 1, 2018 and 2) initiation of Option 1 or 2 prior to calling the election in 2017. If the Council wished to wait, Option 3a and 3b would mean no immediate action for this year (change the 2019 and 2021 election). In either case, the City Council would have to institute a plan by January 1, 2018. If the City Council were to choose to go to a five-year extension it could choose whether it wanted to have the elections in June for the statewide even numbered cycle or November because the Council could extend up to 12 months. CM/DeStefano asked if the Council had questions at this point or wished to assign staff homework to research and provide information to the Council at a later date. C/Herrera asked if a three-year term versus a five-year term saves the City money. CM/DeStefano said it looks like Option 3a would be the most expensive because the City would be running back to back elections with each being probably $175,000 to $200,000 by that time. Asst.toCM/Santos said that if the term was shortened it would affect the budget by 50 percent additional for one year depending on the County's cost. It is to the City's advantage to institute a plan sooner rather than later to make sure it can be consolidated with the County because they have limited capacity which in theory, will decrease the pro -rata share. However, it is unknown what the implementation will be like from the County's perspective but consolidation is less expensive than a free- standing election. CM/DeStefano said that while there is uncertainty with respect to what the County will do it is still better than the City having to gear up to hold separate elections. MPT/Lin asked what the absolute deadline would be for Council to make its decision if Council decided to have an election in November 2017. CM/DeStefano responded by May 2017. MPT/Lin said he believed a five-year term was too long for a municipal government. Three years is fine but five years is too long. C/Tye felt that from a public standpoint, he believes it is better for the community to go for the shorter term. It is better for Council Members to go longer because of the aggravation and cost, but it is better for the DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 7 CC STUDY SESSION community to go shorter term and then the community knows the Council is doing -what is best because of this State law. The City has no choice; the numbers speak for themselves. MPT/Low said she did not necessarily believe it was beneficial to the public that shorter is better. Tye said he did not mean it was better. He was talking about public perception. MT/Low said that on the other hand, maybe people are so tired of seeing the signs they say "thank God" we can put that off for another year. M/Lyons suggested the City Council consider this item and have a further discussion about it in January. CM/DeStefano said he expected other cities and colleagues will begin to discuss this more and more because everyone has to make these decisions. MPT/Low asked how the City could get the County to start agreeing to let Diamond Bar put ballot statements online as opposed to printing them which would likely be a savings for anybody who wants to run. C/Tye and M/Lyons agreed it would be a good idea Public Comments: None. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Lyons recessed the Study Session at 6:28 p.m. to% the Regular Meeting. Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 20th day of December 2017. Jim ayor MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR DECEMBER 6, 2016 STUDY SESSION: 6:00 p.m., Room CC -8 ► Proposal to authorize a $10,000 Reward for Information leading to the Arrest and Conviction Re: Death of Residents Cheng Long Wang and Mei Chu Chung — Discussion and Action ► Statewide Election Legislative Update — SB 415 & 450 — Discussion and Action Public Comments: None. Recessed: 6:28 p.m. 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: Luke Pamplin, Director of Young Adult Ministry, Evangelical Free Church, gave the invocation ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Low, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Lin and Mayor Lyons. Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Amy Haug, Human Resources/Risk Manager; Cecelia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Ehren Magante, Systems Administrator; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. Mayor Lyons announced that no reportable action was taken during the Study Session. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL: 1.1 Selection of Mayor C/Low nominated MPT/Lin to serve as Mayor. C/Tye seconded the nomination. C/Herrera moved nominations be closed. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL C/Lin was unanimously elected to serve as Mayor of the City of Diamond Bar by the following Roll Call vote: C/Herrera Yes C/Low Yes C/Tye Yes C/Lin Yes C/Lyons Yes 1.2 Selection of Mayor Pro Tem C/Lyons nominated C/Low to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. C/Tye seconded the nominations. C/Herrera moved nominations be closed. C/Low was unanimously elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Diamond Bar by the following Roll Call vote: C/Herrera Yes C/Low Yes C/Tye Yes C/Lyons Yes M/Lin Yes 1.3 Presentation to Outgoing Mayor Nancy A. Lyons M/Lin and City Council Members presented Outgoing Mayor Lyons with a commemorative gavel. C/Lyons said that it had been a great honor to serve as the City's Mayor and that she has enjoyed working with the terrific staff and Council. C/Tye presented a commemorative Bobble Head to outgoing Mayor Lyons RECESS/RECEPTION: M/Lin recessed the City Council Meeting at 6:42 p.m. RECONVENE: M/Lin reconvened the City Council Meeting at 7:06 p.m. 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: None. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: CM/DeStefano stated that it was his pleasure to join the Engineering/Public Works staff at the American Public Works Association luncheon during which the City received an award from the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association for the Grand Avenue Beautification Project. Diamond Bar was chosen to receive this 2016 Project of the Year because of the details, effort and excellence that was put forth in that project. In addition to improving Grand Avenue and Diamond Bar Boulevard the City has set forth the framework and palate to install the same types of public improvements/streetscape amenities throughout the City with projects and resource availability. To that end, the City recently completed the intersection of Brea Canyon Road at Diamond Bar Boulevard. Diamond Bar was represented by 'statements from the APWA indicating that the City leaders wanted a bold statement to initialize the citywide branding of this public right-of-way and talked about the steel cut panels, timber rails, details in the crosswalks, sidewalks and the landscape design overall as the City's attempt to hearken back to the "ranchland" history of the City. In addition to staff members, individuals from the design firm of David Volz Design who assisted in crafting the streetscape elements for the Grand Avenue project were present. Congratulations to David Volz and to staff who implemented the project and managed its construction. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library spoke about upcoming December library events beginning with the Holiday Music Concert on Saturday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m. All ages are welcome and the program is sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library. Santa will be at the library on Saturday, December 17 at 10:30 a.m. and will read a story and offer children an opportunity to tell him what they want for Christmas. Parents will be able to take pictures of their children with Santa. Those who are searching for the perfect gift for their family and friends are encouraged to stop by the Friends of the Library bookstore, Basically Books, one located inside the library and the other in the shopping center at 23447 Golden Springs Drive (at Diamond Bar Boulevard). People who purchase books from Basically Books are helping to support the library. Please check the library website at http:/Icolapublib.org/libs/diamondbar/index.php for additional programs and events. Grace Lim Hayes, Hampton Court Homeowners Association, expressed her gratitude to the City for the improvements to Washington Street which has dramatically improved residents' sense of security. Another concern is the lack of parking on Washington Street and the HOA would like the City to consider marking parking spaces with small notches to make it a more efficient use of space. Two communities and more than 300 families compete for the space, especially during the holidays. Parents are very concerned for their young adults who struggle to find parking close to their homes at night. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: CM/DeStefano responded to Ms. Hayes that the City has permitted parking on public streets in certain locations. There is an example of the notched parking spaces near Diamond Bar High School where spaces were identified on Pathfinder Road. Staff has heard similar requests for identified parking spaces on Washington Street in the past, specifically about perpendicular parking or diagonal parking. In this case, it is a style staff is familiar with and can specifically look in that direction to possibly move forward with an action plan without too much trouble. In speaking briefly with PWD/Liu it sounds like something the City can do. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Holiday Diamond Ride — November 25, 2016 through January 1, 2017 — Free shuttle service to and from Diamond Bar Shopping Center for ages 18 and older — Rides can be booked by calling 800-578-6555. 5.2 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — December 8, 2016 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive (Canceled) 5.3 Planning Commission Meeting — December 13, 2016 — 7:00 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive (canceled). 5.4 City Council Meeting — December 20, 2016 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Lyons moved, C/Tye seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented with C/Lyons pulling Item 6.10 for separate consideration. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Lyons, Tye, VC/Low, M/Lin 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 15, 2016. 6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of October 27, 2016. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 6.4 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES: 6.4.1 Regular Meeting of July 14, 2016 6.4.2 Regular Meeting of September 8, 2016. 6.5 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of October 11, 2016. 6.6 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated November 10, 2016 through November 30, 2016 totaling $2,597,356.20. 6.7 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — for Month of October 2016. 6.8 APPROVED ADJOURNING THE DECEMBER 20, 2016 CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO JANUARY 17, 2017. 6.9 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2016-40: AMENDING 2016-17 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ELIMINATING THE PARK MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR CLASSIFICATION, AND ESTABLISHING THE FACILITIES AND ASSETS MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN AND MAINTENANCE WORKER JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND SALARY GRADES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 10, 2016; AND, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2016-20. 6.11 APPROVED AUTHORIZATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES OF UP TO $60,000 PAYABLE TO ALLIANT INSURANCE SERVICES FOR THE PURCHASE OF TENANT USER LIABILITY INSURANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INSURANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-17. MATTERS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR: 6.10 APPROPRIATE $8,507 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 8 TO THE CONTRACT WITH BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE SERVICES, INC. FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AT DIAMOND CANYON PARK FOR THE DECEMBER 3, 2016 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2017 PERIOD IN AN AMOUNT OF $20,377, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $428,493 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-17. C/Lyons asked for clarification on this item. She is concerned about this because the park is very complex with five different gardens, park amenities and slopes and wanted to know why staff believes Brightview would be able to provide these services. DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL CM/DeStefano stated that through the Council's budget process adopted in June 2016 all park maintenance has been moved to Engineering and Public Works. PWD/Liu has been examining all aspects of that new responsibility and implementing a variety of great changes. Part of the new responsibility for his shop includes this park for which PWD/Liu will provide more detail as to why Brightview and what will be done over the next few months with this particular project. In addition, Council may recall that the City is going through a process to bid out all of the City's landscape maintenance services and staff will be coming back to the City Council in March/April of 2017 for consideration regarding those maintenance contracts. PWD/Liu said that this contract runs through June 30, 2017. Brightview is a full service company and has all of the specialty professionalism in terms of maintaining the Diamond Bar service levels. As a contract service city, Diamond Bar relies on a team of consultants using staff management oversight. With respect to this park, there have been many closely coordinated meetings between the maintenance contractor and staff. In addition, three or four months ago staff began coordinating meetings with the developer's contractor. Lennar hired a contractor to build the park and staff and Lennar began coordinating those efforts from the beginning. PWD/Liu said he learned yesterday that within the. next couple of weeks the contractor who built the new park will be meeting with Brightview to continue coordinating and maintaining the service level at the highest possible standards. Staff could have gone out to other contractors but in accordance with the plan moving forward, RFP's will be released soon after the new year with the goal of obtaining additional proposals from other competent contractors who can maintain all of the parks and facilities at the highest standard. Currently, there are 12 parks being maintained by Brightview and because of their record working to maintain the parks as expected, it makes sense to keep the maintenance with Brightview. There were two other proposals from current providers, both of which came in higher than Brightview and it did not make sense to staff to pay $600 or $900 more per month for the same level of service established with Brightview. C/Lyons reiterated that her primary concern was about the uniqueness of the new park and Brightview's ability to provide the level of service the City expects. Obviously, staff has looked at this and believes that Brightview has the experience to maintain the different types of gardens and grass, etc. PWD/Liu responded "absolutely". DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL MPT/Low said that in the staff report under financial impact, the last sentence reads "is requesting an additional appropriation of $8,507 from developer paid fees to the City from Lennar Homes" and the summary says this amount is coming from the General Fund Reserves. She asked if these were the same funds. PWD/Liu said that as Council knows, various funding sources that go into the General Fund comes from a variety of different sources including development projects. In this case, the City received "park fees" from the developer and similar to traffic mitigation fees and franchise fees that are collected from this and other developers, etc. go into the General Fund. In this case, the money is coming out of the General Fund and the original funding source was the park fees that were collected from the developer. C/Lyons moved, MPT/Low seconded, to approve Item 6.10. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: 7. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None. Herrera, Lyons, Tye, VC/Low, M/Lin None None RECESS: M/Lin recessed the City Council meeting to the annual Public Financing Authority meeting at 7:23 p.m. RECONVENE: M/Lin reconvened the City Council meeting at 7:33 p.m. 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Lyons reported that along with MPT/Low, she was able to recognize the Diamond Bar Volunteer Patrol last Thursday evening. She enjoyed meeting the volunteers and thanked them for their service to the City. The volunteers provide a very important component of public safety for Diamond Bar. With her colleagues she participated in the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the new Diamond Canyon Park. For those who have not visited the park, there are places to walk and a couple of playgrounds. She congratulated Diamond Ranch High School for being recognized as one of the most beautiful high schools in California. She attended the San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner with SA/Lopez during which they recognized local business South Coast Cabinet as the "Green 2016 Business of the Year". She thanked staff and her colleagues for making her year as Mayor so enjoyable. DECEMBER 6, 2016 . PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL C/Herrera attended the Grand Opening of Diamond Canyon Park which is a very attractive park. Many attended the event which was very nice and she thanked staff for their efforts to make the event enjoyable for everyone. She congratulated new Mayor Jimmy Lin and to new Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Low. She thanked outgoing Mayor Nancy Lyons who worked very hard during her tenure attending many events, visiting every restaurant in the City during Restaurant Week. She did a lot to promote business in the City during the past year. 2017 will be a great year for Diamond Bar. C/Tye thanked outgoing Mayor Lyons for doing a great job for the City during her tenure. He appreciated her initiative in getting Restaurant Week going. Years from now when our kids and grandkids are here during Restaurant Week everyone will be able to say that happened on her watch. Good job! Congratulations to newly elected M/Lin and MPT/Low. While he was unable to attend the Grand Opening, it was wonderful to see the new Diamond Canyon Park being used. Diamond Bar continues to get the most out of what it has available. This 3 -acre park is a good use of the space. It turned out very, very nice and he knows folks in the area will make good use of the new park. MPT/Low commented that the Volunteer Patrol Holiday Appreciation Dinner was a very nice event. Several volunteers are present this evening and all have been so faithful in executing their duties. She thanked them and said she appreciated them for all they do to add to the quality of life in Diamond Bar. She concurred with her colleagues that the new Diamond Canyon Park is wonderful, beautiful, and peaceful, and it gives one a new perspective on being away from the traffic on Diamond Bar Boulevard. The creation of that park was a great job. On Monday she attended the swearing-in ceremonies of District Supervisor Janice Hahn who succeeds Supervisor Don Knabe. She invited Supervisor Hahn to visit Diamond Bar to see all of the good things happening in the City. A note to families, the Holidays are ahead and please be vigilant about your safety. Lock your doors, keep your gifts out of sight and make sure you do not leave packages on the porch and be safe when driving. She thanked outgoing Mayor Lyons for her leadership and service to the community during the past year — you did a fantastic job and MPT/Low appreciates her example and mentorship. She thanked her colleagues for their friendship, confidence, help and encouragement. It has been a pleasure to serve on the City Council. She congratulated M/Lin and said she looked forward to a great year. M/Lin congratulated PWD/Liu for the beautification award. He expressed his gratitude to his four colleagues for trusting him to lead the City during 2017 which is a very big responsibility for anyone to assume. Especially during the past few years Diamond Bar has been fortunate to have a small elite group of mayors including Carol Herrera, Steve Tye and Nancy Lyons, all of whom have done a great job in that capacity. He is committed to carrying forward the City's agenda and will attempt to do, at the very least, as good a job as his predecessors. In DECEMBER 6, 2016 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL the coming year issues that will require continuous attention will include resolution of the SR57/60 traffic improvements. Economic Development will continue to be his and the entire Council's priority and there will be a continued effort to redevelop land within the City limits to the best use possible. Public Safety is always an important concern in Diamond Bar. Potential repercussions from the recent passage of Prop 57 and Prop 64 legalizing Marijuana are yet to be seen and the City is and will be ready to combat negative impacts. Diamond Bar cannot pride itself to be a great City unless it can provide a safe community for its residents. It is also very fortunate that Diamond Bar is blessed to have a solid and cohesive City Council so it can continue to get things done instead of playing politics without accomplishing what it is elected to do — in his case, what he was "appointed" to do. He is certain that as a group the Council will continue to march ahead with the same spirit and empowerment of the people. He thanked everyone for their vote of trust. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lin adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:42 p.m. to January 17, 2017. Tommye bribbins, City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 20th day of nenPmhPr 12017. Jimmy i , Mayor