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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/07/17 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 7, 2017 STUDY SESSION: M/Lin called the Study Session to order at 5:30 p.m. in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. ROLL CALL: Council Members Herrera, Lyons, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Low and Mayor Lin Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Ken Desforges, IS Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Marsha Roa; Public Information Manager; Alfredo Estevez, Desktop Support; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING DESIGN STANDARDS MEMORANDUM — Discussion and Action PIM/Roa continued her discussion regarding development of the City's communicational marketing design standards and more specifically, the establishment of a new City logo that may be used for its brand identity, a unique and unifying image for all communications. Three logo concepts were presented at the January study session for consideration. Staff has incorporated the changes requested by Council and have revised the three logos accordingly for Council's review this evening. The logos contain two elements that are continually associated with the City, the windmill and the hills. These elements are also within the City's sphere and can be seen as part of the recently installed streetscape designs along Grand Avenue and Diamond Bar Boulevard. Tonight, if a design is approved, staff will move forward with development of the guidelines and templates that incorporate the new logo. If not, staff will again review the designs with the graphic designer to modify and incorporate any changes or, to come up with entirely new concepts that are more to Council's liking. She presented boards with proposed updated logos for Council's consideration and explained how each attempted to comply with Council's requests and suggestions. As a reminder, unlike the City Seal that cannot and should not be altered, the logo can be updated every few years to ensure that it remains current and consistent with the City's brand identity. C/Herrera said she appreciated staff's work in preparing the presentation of Council's suggestions and recommendations down to a couple of selections. Foothill Transit went through this same exercise and presented some 10 versions of drawings which was mind-boggling. This presentation simplifies the process greatly. C/Herrera stated that she preferred #1. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION C/Lyons said she liked #1 and #2 and would be happy with either. One had too much green but it seemed to her either would be better than having a City Seal on their shirts. MPT/Low said she liked #3 because it was different, but it might be a little too different. One has to really look at it to see the hills, but once viewed, one sees the hills. She said she would prefer #1. C/Tye said he liked #2. M/Lin felt that #1 best represented the City's physical condition. With #2 one has to use their imagination and the background in #3 is to him, too profound. By majority, Council Members voted to approve Design #1. ► STATEWIDE ELECTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE —SB 415 & SB450 — Discussion and Action. ATCM/Santos provided a Power Point presentation and responded to Councils' previous concerns. As Council is aware, with respect to S13415, the City must approve a plan by January 1, 2018 to change its election cycle to an even numbered year from the odd election cycle. Tonight's presentation piggybacks off of the City Attorney's memo that was sent to Council Members about a week and a half ago to update them on the options under consideration. The voting percentages are greater for statewide primary and general elections versus City elections and as such, the City must move its elections. C/Lyons asked questions about voter -fatigue with respect to the number of items in the ballot for consideration. ATCM/Santos stated that in order to gather statistics to respond, staff looked at the last five City elections, summed up the presidential, congressional and senate elections, state elections, county elections, judicial, local, school, special district, state measures/propositions and county measures. In essence, the original thought was that there are a larger number of items that residents vote on in November and based on the information staff compiled, that statement is true. November elections have a larger number of items because of propositions which is offset on the primary election which tends to have a lot more judicial items. In City elections there are usually three to five items on average and overall, there are more items. June elections (ballots) are generally larger because it is a primary election and there are more candidates residents have to vote on. In the November election, the choice is between the top two (primary vote getters) which means that the conventional wisdom is correct that there are more numbers of items that residents have to vote on in November. However, the County FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION has also stated that the June election ballot tends to be larger with respect to the total number of pages only because of the sheer number of people one has to sift through to make their selections. Based on general election totals, general election averages, primary election total and averages (June) and the City totals and City averages, there were more in the aggregate in November (153 items); in June (102 items), and City including the school district measures (22 items). For the general election, state measures are the highest number of items in the aggregate that residents have to vote on. Second to that are judicial appointments. For June primary elections, judicial is the highest, state the next highest and third, state measures. As a general rule, the ballot is laid out federal/national, state, county and local. Diamond Bar has benefited from the November odd election cycles because Council Members are first and foremost on the ballot. Regardless of whether the Council decides to move to June and then go to November, ultimately, the City Council will likely be toward the end of that ballot, regardless of which cycle is chosen. Options: 1) No Change in 2017 and begin a change in 2019 and the 2021 election cycle — institute a 4 Yz year term to have the election held in June of even years; or, institute a five-year term to hold the election in November of even years. 2) Modify the cycle beginning in 2017 and 2019 — take action immediately by considering an ordinance in the next month, approve the ordinance and transmit a copy to the County with the Board of Supervisors certifying the ordinance, notify residents of the change beginning with the upcoming 2017 election prior to the noticing of the 2017 election. The 2017 election would be either a four and one-half year term or a five-year term to be held in June or November beginning in 2022. For the November 2019 election, it would trigger a four and one-half or five-year term that would start in June or November 2024. 3) The option for extended terms would be to either extend the existing term for the 2019 or 2021 elections by six months. Institute an election immediately to extend the existing terms to June or November of the next even year. ATCM/Santos said that in discussions with the County Registrar/Recorder, only one agency has opted to move to June which is the Pasadena Community College District. Council discussed whether the Walnut Valley Unified School District would be moving to June and based on discussions there was a presentation from Council but there was no action taken on a potential change. At this point, staff knows of only FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION one district that is moving to June. Most of the agencies have been moving in the direction to November. In summary, it is known that local is at the end of the ballot, federal/state is at the beginning. There are a larger number of items in the November election versus the June election. In the aggregate, the June ballot is larger by page numbers only because there are a larger number of candidates from which voters make their selections. Secondly, the cost of the election is unknown. Currently, the cost is $150,000. This amount could change up or down or remain the same as it depends on how many entities consolidate on June versus November and what the pro -rata share would be for Diamond Bar. Lastly, with Option #1, the process is four to six months because the Ordinance would have to be certified by the County and the City would have to notice all registered voters in Diamond Bar of the change in the election cycle (about 30,000 individuals). If the City were to institute a change based on the November 2017 election, the process would need to be completed before the 2017 election was noticed. Staffs recommendation is for the Council to engage in discussion and relay its desire to staff for staff to prepare an Ordinance for consideration based on that direction to meet the January 2018 requirement that the City have a plan in place and make sure that whatever election cycle is selected is complete by November 8, 2022. Council discussion ensued. MPT/Low felt there was a lot going on this year and that to make a change at this time would be too much for staff. CM/DeStefano said that Council's direction is not a burden upon staff. Staff makes adjustments and utilizes resources provided the Council and implements its decisions. C/Herrera asked if it was correct that if Council went to a November election that Council Members would have a five-year term which sounded good to her. C/Tye said that question is whether the Council wants to move the election to June or November. M/Lin said to him it was a no-brainer that to draw the voters a November election would be preferable. C/Tye felt that it was taken for granted that because Diamond Bar has been off the election it has had the information from the Registrar to itself and the decision was always a City Council election or school district election and with a November election, those entities will be "buried" at the end of the FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION ballot and the question is whether the City wants to be buried in June or November. C/Lyons agreed C/Herrera said that in a June primary there are numerous candidates trying to get the top two votes and it is a very crowded and congested ballot which to her, lends itself to voter fatigue. M/Lin said he studies the issues prior to voting so that voting is a formality and in his opinion, voter fatigue is not an issue. C/Lyons said her concern about voter fatigue was how many decisions a voter had to make and a voter has to make significantly more decisions in November than in June from a historical standpoint. The other reason she likes June is because everybody is running in June which allows for a better cross-section of voters versus a November election. C/Herrera asked if C/Lyons was in favor of moving forward now toward the June election and a four and one-half Council term. C/Lyons said she likes that better than a five-year term because she felt the residents might think a five-year term was excessive. C/Tye said he believed that a June primary is saturation. However, a point well -taken is that in November it is reduced to two. He would prefer to leave it alone but it is now state law and there will be those who disagree no matter what the Council decides. C/Herrera asked C/Tye if he preferred a four and one-half or five-year term. C/Tye said he was okay with either. C/Herrera said that staff needs a direction to put together an ordinance. M/Lin said that if the objective is to attract more voters, November would be preferable because the numbers speak for themselves. It is a question of four and one-half or five-year terms. The spirit of the bill is to draw more people to the voting booth which would lean toward a November election. C/Tye said he did not disagree. C/Lyons said she did not disagree. Following Council discussion and input, CM/DeStefano recommended that a motion be put forth to approve Option #3 with the November even -year FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION election which will require staff to move forward with the appropriate Ordinance for a future vote during a regular City Council meeting. C/Herrera moved, C/Tye seconded, to approve Option #3 with the November even -year election moving the November 2017 election to November 2018 and the November 2019 to November 2020 and direct staff to prepare an Ordinance accordingly. Motion carried 4-1 with C/Lyons voting No. CM/DeStefano reiterated that the Council approved Option 3. When staff brings the Ordinance back to the City Council for further consideration, Council Members have time to make changes, direct staff to do something different, or to support the details staff brings forward at that time. Public Comments: None. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City Council, M/Lin recessed the Study Session at 6:08 p.m. to the Regular Meeting. T mmye Cribbins, City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 21st day of February 2017. Jimmy Lin,`Mayor INUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR FEBRUARY 7, 2017 STUDY SESSION: 5:30 p.m., Room CC -8 ► Communication and Marketing Design Standards Memorandum — Discussion and Action. ► Statewide Election Legislative Update —SB 415 & SB450 — Discussion and Action. Public Comments: None Offered. Study Session Adjourned to Regular Meeting at 6:08 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lin called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA. CM/DeStefano stated that during tonight's Study Session, the Council again considered and ultimately approved a City logo design. The Council chose one of three options and directed staff to develop protocol for use of the logo. The second item was a continued discussion of the election terms of the City Council. Since incorporation, the City has held its elections in November of odd -numbered years. As a result of State Law that came into being, SB 415, cities like Diamond Bar that had election cycles in odd numbered years must look at changing their election cycle to an even -numbered year election cycle (June or November). After considering the available options, the Council this evening directed staff to move forward with the details that would change the City's November 2017 election to November of 2018 and change the November 2019 election to November of 2020, thereby creating a new cycle of even - numbered year elections in November, to meet the requirements of the new State law. Council has directed staff to work through the details of an ordinance that would make those changes and bring it back to the City Council in the next few weeks (30 days or so), for final consideration prior to it being forwarded to the County Clerk for implementation. M/Lin reiterated that as much as the City is happy with the current election system, this change is mandated by State law. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: INVOCATION: ROLL CALL: Council Member Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance. Cantor Paul Buch, Temple Beth Israel, gave the invocation. Council Members Herrera, Lyons, Tye, Mayor Pro Tem Low and Mayor Lin. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; David Liu, Public Works Director; Ken Desforges, IS Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the City Manager; Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Marsha Roa; Public Information Manager; Alfredo Estevez, Desktop Support; and Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS: 1.1 M/Lin and Council Members presented a City Tile to former State Senator Bob Huff. 1.2 Due to the unavailability of former Assembly Member Ling Ling Chang Mayor Lin and Council Members were unable to present a City Tile. 2. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: CM/DeStefano reported that the City Council provided direction to City staff to establish a first-time City logo. PIM/Roa is the force behind this recommendation and has brought to the City's attention that while the City has had a wonderful Seal with a lot of great detail that reflects the City's image and historic roots which is the symbol of the community, there is a need for a City logo. To provide information about the difference between the use of a City Seal and City Logo, PIM/Roa will explain the elements of the logo and what they mean. PIM/Roa explained that staff has been working on developing a branding project for the City to create a unique and unifying look for all city communications and the foundation of this branding project is the creation of a new City Logo. During previous study sessions, several concepts were presented to the City Council. She displayed the logo chosen by Council. This logo features many familiar elements of Diamond Bar including the windmill and the hills. These should look very familiar to residents as these elements are also a part of the City Seal and included as part of the City's streetscape. The difference between a logo and a seal is that a seal is an authoritative representation of the City Council, and is and will be used on all formal documents from the City Council. The logo will be used on all city communication tools, featured on the City's website, used on stationery and signage throughout the community. Staff is very excited to embark on this new communications and marketing design standards brand identity project and looks forward to providing more details as the project moves forward. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Celina Laverde, 24490 Deepsprings Drive, said she was speaking for many Latinos who would like to see authentic Mexican food restaurants in Diamond Bar such as Acapulco and EI Torito as well as an array of larger businesses move on Diamond Bar Boulevard so that the City feels more like a bigger city. She is very happy that Ross will be moving into Diamond Bar. She also stated that she would like to see more parks that offer more amenities for smaller kids like the parks in Chino Hills. Allen Wilson announced that he was chosen to be Assemblyman Phillip Chen's Community Ambassador. His role will be to work with the community and be Assemblyman Chen's eyes at public events and to let people know that the Assemblyman is available to answer any questions on state issues. Assemblyman Chen appreciates Council Members Low, Lyons and Tye for visiting his office in Sacramento to talk about issues that affect Diamond Bar. Anyone who has questions regarding state issues may contact Assemblyman Chen in Sacramento Room 4177 or phone 916-319-2055 or visit his district office in Brea at 3 Point Drive, Suite 313, 714-529-5502. Assemblyman Chen is on Facebook and can be followed on Twitter @phillipchenca. Pui Ching Ho, Diamond Bar Library spoke about upcoming Library events. On Wednesday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m. children will learn how to use math in the engineering design process and their imagination to create a machine that launches objects. Supplies will be provided and the event is sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library. The Guzheng Ensemble will perform on Saturday, February 11 at 3:00 p.m. This program is also sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library. Black History Month will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18 at 3:00 p.m. Please check the library website at hftp:Hcolapublib.org/libs/diamondbar/index.php for additional programs and events. Debbie Avila -Mott representing the Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions Club invited the community to a Multi -Cultural Drum Concert on Sunday, February 12 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Diamond Bar High School Theater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children and no charge for children 3 and under. Angie Shaw representing State Senator Josh Newman's Office, introduced herself to the community and said the district office is located across the street from Assemblyman Chen's office in Brea. Anyone who has issues with state agencies or state -related issues are invited to visit the office or call 714-671- 9474. The Senator will be hosting a Community Coffee Meet and Greet at the Diamond Bar Center on February 25 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: CM/DeStefano responded to speakers who referenced the newest State Senator and Assembly Member. With staffs support, members of the City Council had an opportunity to visit with both of these newly elected officials and their key staff members in Sacramento earlier in January. This week staff to staff meetings were finalized with the legislative team housed in Brea for both Assemblyman Chen and State Senator Newman. In addition, the City has reached out to newly elected Supervisor Janice Hahn who has invited the Diamond Bar City Council and other city councils in her district to a meeting next week. In addition, she has invited for a separate meeting the city managers from communities within her new district to meet with her as well. The City is reaching out to its new representatives to welcome them and educate them on issues relevant to the City of Diamond Bar, most notably, the SR57/60 Confluence Project and efforts to gain additional federal funds to complete the funding needed to build out all phases of the project. Regarding restaurants and parks in the community, Diamond Bar has a broad palate of restaurant opportunities in the City with a printed brochure that talks about more than 100 choices in the City. Indeed, since that brochure was created, additional restaurants have joined the community and there are a couple of new restaurants that will be locating in the City within the next year. With respect to parks, Diamond Bar has an equally robust parks program. There are hundreds of acres of open space, miles of pedestrian trail, active bikeways and an abundance of parks of all sizes with a variety of amenities from basketball to tennis to a stream running through it and so on. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the City's restaurants and parks can visit the City's website to gain further information. 5. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: 5.1 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — February 9, 2017 — 7:00 p.m. —Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.2 Planning Commission Meeting — February 14, 2017 — 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive. 5.3 Presidents' Holiday — City Offices will be closed Monday, February 20, 2017 in observance of Presidents' Holiday. City Offices reopen Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. 5.4 City Council Meeting — February 21, 2017 — 6:30 p.m., AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive. 5.5 Household Hazardous Waste and E -Waste Roundup — February 25 — 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., off of Bridge Gate Drive, Gateway Corporate Center. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Herrera moved, MPT/Low seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of Items 6.11 and 6.12 pulled by C/Lyons. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Herrera, Lyons, Tye, MPT/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: 6.2.1 Study Session Minutes of January 17, 2017—as submitted. 6.2.2 Regular Meeting of January 17, 2017 — as submitted. 6.3 RECEIVED AND FILED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 10, 2016. 6.4 RECEIVED AND FILED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2016. 6.5 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED JANUARY 12, 2017 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2017 TOTALING $2,162,999.23. 6.6 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR DECEMBER 2016. 6.7 RECEIVED AND FILED GENERAL PLAN STATUS REPORT FOR 2016. 6.8 APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GO -LIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,500 FOR A TOTAL NOT -TO -EXCEED AMOUNT OF $87,500 FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2016 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2017 AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH GO -LIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC. 6.9 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE — PHASE I PROJECT. 6.10 APPROVED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHINGTON STREET CUL-DE-SAC AT LINCOLN AVENUE PROJECT — PROJECT #26617. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL 6.13 APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR STATE ROUTE 60/LEMON AVENUE PARTIAL INTERCHANGE (ON & OFF RAMPS) CONSTRUCTION. 6.14 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2017-02; CONFIRMING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY AND CONCURRENTLY APPROVED DESIGNATION OF APPLICANT'S AGENT RESOLUTION FOR NON - STATE AGENCIES. ITEMS WITHDRAWN FROM CONSENT CALENDAR: 6.11 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE CITY OF INDUSTRY ESTABLISHING A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTANT COSTS RELATED TO THE PREPARATION OF THE FEDERAL FASTLANE GRANT APPLICATION. C/Lyons commented that this item authorizes the City Manager to enter into an MOU with the City of Industry so that the City can get reimbursed for consulting fees the City of Diamond Bar was required to spend in order to get a federal Fastlane grant application completed. She thanked staff for doing this and getting the contribution from the City of Industry which is money that will go back into the City's General Fund. 6.12 REJECT ALL BIDS FOR THE LONGVIEW SOUTH PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, PROJECT NO. 25116, CDBG NO. 601721- 15. C/Lyons said that the estimate for this project was up to $297,000 for the park; however, the bids were unacceptable for the amount of money and when the City goes back out to bid, will the asking amount be reduced or will the amount be increased? PWD/Liu responded to C/Lyons that as presented in staff's report, when the bids were opened, staff received 10 proposals and upon reviewing those proposals, it became apparent that the two low bidders failed to submit an addendum that would reflect the latest wage trades that are required in order for the City to make the proper payments should the project be awarded to one of those contractors. Because they did not include the addendum it deemed their bids to be "non-responsive." The other eight bidders included the addendum as part of their proposals and upon further examination of the bid schedules it became clear to staff that the proposed bids/fees were higher than the engineer's estimate. Staff wants to use this opportunity to get the message out that when this project is re -advertised that the bidders should sharpen their pencils to ensure a FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL level playing field. Staff will not reduce the scope of work or change anything when it comes to improvements. C/Lyons moved, MPT/Low seconded, to approve Item 6.11 and 6.12 as proposed. Motion carried by the following Roll call vote: AYES NOES: ABSENT: 7. PUBLIC HEARING: COUNCIL MEMBERS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None. 8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None. Herrera, Lyons, M/Lin None None Tye, MPT/Low, 9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: C/Lyons reported that last week she participated in an Investiture Ceremony for eight (8) five year old Diamond Bar girls who became Daisy Girl Scouts. Frequently the Council gets to see other groups but does not have much exposure to Girl Scouts and it is great to know that Diamond Bar girls are taking advantage of scouting. She recently represented the Council at the Grand Reopening of the Diamond Bar Montessori School which is at the north end of town and has been beautifully renovated inside and out. She thanked staff and the Sheriff's Department for their quick reaction to the heavy rains on January 22nd and 23rd. There was way too much rain at Sycamore Canyon Park and a lot of mud and muck everywhere. They carefully closed the park to keep everyone safe. She commented on the memos regarding the General Plan Status Report and Goals and Accomplishments. After she read these memos she was quite overwhelmed with. all that had been accomplished this year including the final phase of Willow Heights Homes, initial construction for South Pointe West Homes, beginning of the redevelopment of the Kmart Center, opening of Smart & Final Extra, improving Stardust and Peterson Parks, Grand Opening of Diamond Canyon Park, major improvement for traffic flow at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon, removing turf out of medians and replacing it with drought tolerant plants, Phase I of the SR57/60 Confluence is underway and the new "Let's Talk Public Safety" program. These items are probably only 10 percent of what was called out in the report. On behalf of the residents she again thanked staff for all of their hard work. C/Herrera attended the Diamond Bar Chinese Association's New Year Celebration last Saturday at Diamond Bar High School which was attended by a great number of people including M/Lin and MPT/Low along with dignitaries throughout the region. It was a great celebration and the food was wonderful. She had a great time. This is the Year of the Rooster. She reiterated her thank - you to Senator Bob Huff for all of his years of service to the community and to the FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL greater southern California region. Often, his emphasis was on transportation and he did a great job in helping different cities including Diamond Bar with transportation issues. We look forward to his next venture. C/Tye said it is nice to have Bob Huff come back to Diamond Bar and reflect on all that he has done. We thank him for being here tonight and for all that he has done for Diamond Bar and the Assembly and Senate he represented. He was nine years on the Diamond Bar City Council, four years in the Assembly and eight years in the State Senate which adds up to 21 years of his life spent in public service. It was a great commitment and sacrifice to service on his part and the community appreciates him for making this small corner of the world a better place. When C/Tye reflects on what the City has been through during the past five, 10, 15 years, he thinks sadly about how differently things could have been that as of tomorrow it has been 10 years since the City lost Bob Zirbes. C/Tye thinks of him often and what a wonderful community Diamond Bar is because of Bob Zirbes and he often thinks of Paint the Town and how much fun it was to go through that weekend with him and what a wonderful individual he was and how much he is missed every day. He felt it would be appropriate to again adjourn in his memory this evening. MPT/Low thanked Senator Bob Huff for his many, many years of service. One of the best things about Bob is that he is always very available and happy to see people and be part of the community. For that and for his spunk and energy, he is very much appreciated. Thanks to Bob and his wife for their service to this community. She congratulated Ambassadors Shaw and Wilson and said she knew Mr. Wilson would love the new job and why are your offices not in Diamond Bar? Something that makes Diamond Bar special is the community service groups and community volunteers and as C/Herrera mentioned, the Diamond Bar Chinese Association had their New Year Celebration which was a great event of sharing their culture and food. Another volunteer service group is the AAUW which last week held a speech debate and the young people expressed their opinions and worked very hard. This evening Ms. Avila -Mott spoke about the Lions, another volunteer group. Another upcoming event is the Woman's Group Casino Night this coming Saturday. Another event people can be involved in is the General Plan Update which is a three-year effort. People can be involved and share their vision for the City by attending GPAC meetings, writing in on the website, or by snail -mail. She wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. M/Lin said that a disadvantage of speaking last is that everyone has spoken about your subjects. He echoed everyone's comments. There has certainly been a lot of rain this year and the good part of that is that the drought problem is somewhat relieved. However, a major negative outcome of such heavy rains is that pavement can be damaged and the City may have to tap into its contingency for mitigation. He has an acquaintance who recently had business dealings with the City of Diamond Bar and while he does not live in the City, he commented that Diamond Bar staff is one of the most professional group of people he has dealt with. FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lin adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:20 p.m. in honor of form Council Member Bob Zirbes. Tommy ribbins, City Clerk The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 21stday of February , 2017. Jimmy Un,,Mayor