HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/2014 Minutes - Regular MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AUGUST 5, 2014
STUDY SESSION: M/Herrera called the Study Session to order at
5:15 p.m. _ in Room CC -8 of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District/Government Center, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California
91765.
Present: Council Members Ling -Ling Chang, Nancy
Lyons, Jack Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye, and Mayor Carol Herrera.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David
DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; Dianna Honeywell,
Finance Director; Ken Desforges, IS Director; Greg Gubman, Community
Development Director; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia
Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer;
Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Anthony Jordan, Parks
Maintenance Superintendent; Anthony Santos, Senior Management Analyst; Alfa
Lopez, Management Analyst; Amy Haug, Human Resources Manager; and
Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
► DIAMOND RIDE PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND MODIFICATION
OPTIONS — Discussion and Action.
CM/DeStefano stated that this matter emanates from City Council
discussions during the budget preparation and adoption earlier this year.
Council requested that staff look at potential modifications to the program
in order to better utilize resources dedicated to this program in other areas
such as roadway improvements and other eligible activities. Staff is
seeking Council discussion and direction to bring back an agenda item for
consideration at its next meeting.
DCM/McLean provided an overview and history of the Diamond Ride
Program along with a power point presentation showing statistics and
ridership patterns that provide the basis for increases over the years, as
well as options for Council consideration of potential modifications to the
program. Diamond Ride was established in April 1995 and was described
as a non -primary mode of transportation that was affordable and local.
Eligibility requirements are for seniors 60 and older, Diamond Bar
residency and/or disabled adults 18 years and older. People visit City Hall
to turn in their application, show proof of residency, age and disability, as
required. Individuals receive a card that entitles them to 30 one-way/15
round trips per month. The service is available seven days a week from
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and trips must be reserved one day in advance.
AUGUST -5, 2014. PAGE 2 CC STUDY SESSION
Some exceptions to the hours are allowed in case of dialysis where
doctors provide orders for earlier treatment.
Service is provided to three service areas including Area 1 (City limits);
Area 2 (non-medical trips) bound by Arrow Highway (North), Central
Avenue (East, Imperial/Carbon Canyon & Hacienda Boulevard (South)
approximately 20 miles in each direction; Area 3 (medical service area)
Foothill Frwy 210 (north), Sierra Avenue (east), San Diego Frwy 405/State
Route 133/Riverside Frwy 91 (south) and, the Long Beach Frwy 710
(west). Service is also provided to Ontario Airport and Fullerton Amtrak
Station. For each of the boundaries there is a nominal fee to the user.
For Area 1: $.50 one-way; Service Area 2: Non-medical Trips $3.00 one-
way; Service Area 3: for medical $1.50 one-way and for Ontario
Airport/Fullerton Amtrak Station $10 one-way.
C/Lyons asked if the fee was the same for one or more occupants.
DCM/McLean responded that it depended on whether a passenger is
riding with the cardholder. Cardholders are entitled to have one person
accompany them. On rare occasions (5-6 percent of the time) there are
shared rides and each occupant pays the same rate.
The program also offers a Cab Conversion for $2.50 which is for service
beyond the boundary.
There are currently about 1300 active cardholders. During Fiscal Year
2013-14 the program provided almost 27,000 trips for more than 31,000
passengers for nearly 271,000 travel miles for an average trip mileage of
10.2 miles per trip.
Since the program was established in 1995 it has cost about $6.9 million.
This year's (2013-14) expenditure of $567,000 plus was the highest in the
program's history. As discussed during the budget process and with the
audit committee :a few months ago, the program is funded exclusively with
Prop C money, money that is restricted to transit -in -waiting projects and
programs. This money is not restricted to shuttle programs and can be
used for infrastructure, street improvement, congestion management
programs, etc. provided they are on the City's major arterial streets.
C/Chang asked why the costs were higher during the past year.
DCM/McLean responded that a lot of the costs are based on distance so it
seems that people are traveling greater distances.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 3 CC STUDY SESSION
DCM McLean also stated that it was important to note about Prop C
funding is that it cannot be sold to other agencies in exchange for general
funds. CIP projects funded with Prop C funds include median
improvements on Grand Avenue and Diamond Bar Boulevard, traffic
signal improvements, signal battery backup system installations (Traffic
Congestion Management Plans) and arterial slurry and overlay projects.
As the costs for Diamond Ride has increased the reserves in Prop C have
been depleted so the City has attempted to continue doing the high-level
projects that are expected by the residents; however, when combined with
the rising costs in Diamond Ride, the reserves have basically been
depleted and the City is not dealing only with the allocation provided each
year from the County. In this year's budget adopted in May 2014, 70.6
percent of the total Prop C allocation goes to Diamond Ride which means
there is very little left over for infrastructure projects.
DCM/McLean went on to state that 1) The program philosophy may have
changed over the years due to the expectation of the user and what was
originally billed as a supplemental mode with the 30 trips a month and the
very generous boundaries, it may no longer be supplemental and may be
exceeding the intended scope of coverage; 2) The top 10 riders average
nearly a trip per day, indicating it was less supplemental and more a
primary mode of transportation for them.
Staff primarily questioned Area 2 service which allows for shopping trips
outside of Diamond Bar and found that it was counter intuitive to the
economic development philosophy and initiatives by allowing non-medical
and shopping trips to areas almost 10 miles outside of the City limits
because it undermines the "Shop Diamond Bar' program and effectively
subsidizes sales tax revenue leakage to surrounding communities
because Diamond Bar is paying for trips for individuals to shop in other
communities.
Important to note is that the usage inequity is growing, meaning that the
significant amount of resources dedicated to the program are going to a
very few number of people. In short, the top 40 cardholders/users out of
1300 were responsible for nearly 28 percent of trips, nearly 29 percent of
all miles traveled and 28.5 percent of the total cost of the program. The
highest user traveled about 4500 miles at a cost of over $11,000. The top
five users cost nearly $50,000 and staff found that all of the users are
operating within the scope of the program.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 4 CC STUDY SESSION
DCM/McLean reiterated that there is a growing impact of long-distance
trips. Most of the trips taken under the program are to and from
destinations outside the City limits (over 60 percent) and a sample of
about 9000 trips were found to be responsible for about 86.5 percent of
the total cost.
Comparing Diamond Bar's program to other similar programs offered in
other cities, by far, Diamond Bar offers the most generous radius and
number of trips allowed. Very few cities have a cab service that allows for
trips to go beyond five miles. There are some exceptions such as the City
of Walnut which has a program that allows in city trips to an established
radius of approximately five miles outside of the city center. Many cities
offer shuttle programs and others offer cab programs for which riders
purchase a $30 voucher for one trip to and from the airport. However,
most of the programs operate within their jurisdictions. In other cases,
some medical trips are allowed to appropriate facilities usually within a
closer radius than the 20-25 miles currently in place in Diamond Bar.
DCM/McLean stated that based on the aforementioned information, staff
is offering recommendations to save money to allow for a greater share of
the Prop C money to be allocated toward transportation, infrastructure and
congestion improvement projects. Staff felt it would be a good use of the
special fund to dedicate it to something that impacts a greater share of the
community. The following are staff's recommendations for consideration
with Option A being staff's preferred recommendation:
Option A:
Staff recommends that the program maintain in -city trips (Area #1);
Establish a new medical service area (Area #2) which is approximately 5
miles outside of the City; eliminate subsidized non-medical and shopping
trips to destinations outside of the City (including Ontario Airport and
Fullerton Amtrak Station trips); and maintain a flat rate of $0.50 per trip for
Diamond. Bar trips and $1.50 to medical service area. Option A savings is
estimated to be $230,000 per year (about 40 percent)
Option B:
Establish a new single -service area within City limits (Area #1); Eliminate
all subsidized trips to destinations outside Diamond Bar; maintain flat rate
of $0.50 per trip within City limits. Option B savings is estimated to be
$414,000 (72 percent).
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 5 CC STUDY SESSION
Option C: (hybrid option)
Maintain in -City trips (Area #1); maintain current medical service area
boundaries (Area #2); limit Area #2 trips to a maximum of 10 per month;
eliminate subsidized non-medical and shopping trips outside Diamond Bar
(including Ontario Airport and Fullerton Amtrak Station); maintain flat rate
of $0.50 per trip within City limits, and maintain medical fare trips of $1.50.
Option C is estimated to save the City approximately $246,000 (about 43
percent).
M/Herrera asked if under Option C the medical radius for Area 2 was still a
5 -mile radius.
DCM/McLean responded that under this scenario, Area 2 is the current
Area 3 that combines Area 2 and Area 3.
M/Herrera asked if people could still get medical service in the new Area 2
for $1.50 a trip under this proposal.
DCM/McLean responded that it was; and, under this proposal could be set
at any amount.
M/Herrera asked if riders would be allocated 30 -trips for medical reasons.
DCM/McLean said that under Option C there would be a maximum of 10
trips (5 round trips) for medical.
C/Lyons asked if staff considered increasing the $0.50 rate.
DCM/McLean said that staff did and it is something that could easily be
changed should the Council choose to do so.
C/Lyons asked if the charge had been at the $0.50 rate since the
program's inception.
M/Herrera responded since 1995.
MPT/Tye asked what the impact would be if it the rate were doubled.
CM/DeStefano responded that it is a 100 percent increase and would not
add a significant amount of revenue; however, it is symbolic of the growing
problem which is that these trips are costing more and more and perhaps
the users ought to be paying a tiny bit more.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 6 CC STUDY SESSION
DCM/McLean said that this year of the total billed, about six percent was
paid by the passenger and even if that figure was doubled it would remain
somewhat insignificant.
MPT/Tye said that he did not believe increasing the cost from $0.50 to
$1.00 would deter anyone from using the system.
M/Herrera said she felt that by increasing the rate from $0.50 to $1.00
would make it simpler for the users and drivers and the same reasoning
would hold true for increasing the $1.50 rate to $2.00 per trip. She asked
what other cities charge riders.
DCM/McLean said other cities charge anywhere from the amount
Diamond Bar charges to up to $4.
M/Herrera asked what Walnut charges.
DCM/McLean said he believed the charge went from $1.50 to $3.00 and
$10 for the airport.
MPT/Tye said he has never been a big proponent of doing what other
cities do and that Diamond Bar should set the standard.
CM/DeStefano said that he was told that Walnut is waiting for Diamond
Bar to make changes so that it will set a new standard and then Walnut
will make their own changes.
C/Lyons asked if certain hospitals were included in the Areas.
DCM/McLean responded that some were included in the radius and others
were not; however, facilities could be specifically identified in the program
area should the Council decide to do so.
CM/DeStefano stated that under staff's recommendation the rider would
pay the normal cab fare rate from a certain intersection to the facility
(Harbor Blvd and Imperial to St. Jude (Harbor and Bastanchury).
M/Herrera asked if it was possible for the City Council to pick Option A
and write in some exceptions such as, for medical reasons the program
will take the rider to certain facilities (St. Jude Heritage, Pomona Valley,
etc) for $3.00 or some other fee.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 7 CC STUDY SESSION
DCM/McLean said that was up to the Council, and that if Council chose to
add exceptions, the most effective way would be to establish those
particular boundary exceptions rather than having staff determine whether
it is okay. Staff receives many calls about the service areas and the
program would be more effective if the exceptions were clearly identified.
M/Herrera asked if Option C would be the better fit for drawing in those
exceptions because it extends Area 2.
CM/DeStefano responded that expanding on the discussion, Option A
would be the better choice adding to that option Pomona Valley Hospital
and the surrounding area and St. Jude and the surrounding area.
DCM/McLean said that if Option C were chosen those two areas would
not have to be specified.
M/Herrera said that Option C would limit medical to 10 trips per month (5
round trips) which is perhaps not enough for someone who has medical
issues.
MPT/Tye said that one of the first things that jumped out at him was "this
program is affordable non -primary mode of transportation" and five trips in
excess of once a week.
C/Lyons said she would like to see Pomona Valley Hospital and St. Jude
Heritage included in Option A.
C/Chang said it appeared to her that under Option C the program would
be saving more money.
DCM/McLean reiterated that the estimates were based on current usage
which could change if the program changes or usage changes.
CM/DeStefano reminded Council that under Option C the number of trips
has been reduced which results in greater savings which is why staff is
promoting Option A which retains the same number of trips the users are
used to but reducing the distance.
DCM/McLean responded to MPT/Tye that he would recommend that the
use be limited to medical and that the use not include daycare facilities.
C/Chang said she liked Option A.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 8 CC STUDY SESSION
C/Tanaka said he liked Option A. He felt that the plan that included
Option C was overly generous for such a small group.
M/Herrera asked if he favored Option A including the two hospitals.
C/Tanaka said it would not matter to him either way because he did not
believe it would be a primary reason for using the transportation.
MPT/Tye said he originally liked Option B for the savings; however, he
now agreed that Option A with a couple of tweaks is better. He did not
see that any changes would change the fact that over 75 percent of the
trips were for medical. He did not see the changes would cause people to
not use the system or now sign up for the system and the savings is a
quarter of a million which needs to go back into programs that benefit the
entire City.
M/Herrera said that when the program was first created in 1995 it was
budgeted for $350,000 and slowly over the years the cost has crept up
and up. There was a period of time that some creative individuals were
using the program to visit gambling casinos.
DCM/McLean said that the cab company has been very helpful in
reporting abuses and there have been very few incidents in recent years
and if discovered, those privileges were revoked.
M/Herrera said she liked Option A.
M/Herrera asked for input on raising the $0.50 to $1.00 and $1.50 to
$2.00.
C/Tanaka said he would leave the fare as it is for now.
MPT/Tye said he too would leave the fares the same because increasing
the fares would create more aggravation than a positive fiscal impact.
C/Lyons said she would be okay either way. It is not that much money.
M/Herrera said she felt it would send a message that the City needs to be
fiscally responsible and live within its means.
DCM/McLean said that even with the increases, Diamond Bar has one of
the most generous programs with a wide radius.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 9 CC STUDY SESSION
MPT/Tye said that every time the City has changed the program someone
comes up with another way to abuse it and changing the program from
$0.50 to $1.00 would not stop that abuse.
M/Herrera asked for clarification of the uses in Area 2.
DCM/McLean said there would no longer be daycare allowed. It would be
medical only to a medical destination (dentist, eye doctors included) and
there would be no shopping unless the user paid the cab conversion fare
beyond the City limit.
C/Lyons asked how the residents would be notified of the program
change.
DCM/McLean said that staff would propose a 90 -day phase in where
information would be provided to the user. A letter could be sent to each
user; notifications could be posted in the City newsletter.
CM/DeStefano said that when changes were made in 2009 or 2011 staff
provided educational notification to the cardholders, created new
information pamphlets that are still available at the front counter, and in
this instance, all available tools would be utilized for notification.
MPT/Tye asked if the cab drivers notify riders when they enter the cab.
DCM/McLean said that staff could ask Yellow Cab to do so. He is not
sure how individual drivers' contracts would encourage them to be diligent
about providing information. Staff may be able to work with Yellow Cab to
help but he believed the City should take the primary roll.
M/Herrera asked when Council would be deciding the matter and when
the 90 -day period would begin.
CM/DeStefano said that matter could be considered at the Council's next
meeting and that the arbitrary date such as December 1 or January 1,
2015 could be selected to begin the program.
M/Herrera said she would recommend December 1 because in December
there may be more opportunity for abuse.
CM/DeStefano said that Council's clear direction to staff is to move
forward with Option A and incorporate the area surrounding and including
the Pomona Valley Hospital and St. Jude and bring this matter back to
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 10 CC STUDY SESSION
Council for further consideration and formal action.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the City
Council, M/Herrera adjourned the Study Session at 5:55 p.m.
a {r
TOMMYE CRIBBINS, City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 19th day of August
2014.
Carol Herrera, Mayor
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
AUGUST 5, 2014
CLOSED SESSION: 5:00 p.m., Room CC -8
► Government Code Section 54957 — Public
Employee
City Manager Performance Evaluation
Public Comments: None
STUDY SESSION: 5:15 p.m., Room CC -8
► Diamond Ride Program Overview and
Modification Options — Discussion and Action
Adjournment: Study Session adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Carol Herrera 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.
M/Herrera announced that the City Council began this evening with a Closed
Session at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of preparing for a City Manager Evaluation.
Following the Closed Session they went into a Study Session.
CM/DeStefano reported that during tonight's Study Session staff provided the
City Council with an overview of the Diamond Ride Program, discussed options
and provided recommendations for changes. Staff was directed to provide an
update for discussion and action at a future City Council meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION: Sr. Pastor Randy Lanthripe, Church in the
Valley gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Chang, Lyons, Tanaka,
Mayor Pro Tem Tye and Mayor Herrera.
Staff Present: James DeStefano, City Manager; David
DeBerry, City Attorney; Ryan McLean, Deputy City Manager; Ken Desforges, IS
Director; Dianna Honeywell, Finance Director; Greg Gubman, Community
Development Director; Amy Haug, Human Resources Manager; Christy
Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Recreation
Superintendent; Anthony Santos, Senior Management Analyst; Alfa Lopez,
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
Management Analyst; Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager; Cecilia Arellano,
Public Information Coordinator; Kimberly Young, Senior Civil Engineer; and,
Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 M/Herrera proclaimed August 6, 2014 as "National Night Out" and
presented the proclamation to Lt. Tachias, Sgt. Mark Sanders,
Deputy Aaron Scheller, Deputy Nick Thorn and Deputy Heidi
Villasenor.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 DCM/McLean introduced new employee Alfa Lopez, who joined
staff as a Management Analyst in the City Manager's office.
2.2 Lt. Tachias introduced new Sheriffs Department Team Member,
Deputy Nick Thorn.
2.3 Mike Holmes, General Manager, Walnut Valley Water District
introduced Board of Directors President Barbara Carrera, Scarlett
Kwong, Edwin Hilden and Dr. Allen Wu.
Mr. Holmes reported that recently emergency regulations were
issued by the State Water Resources Control Board. WVWD is
100 percent dependent on water from the Metropolitan Water
District which comes from the Colorado River and the State Water
Project in Northern California. The Colorado River is projected to
have 100 percent of the amount of water runoff that is anticipated to
be delivered. In the District's service area which includes Diamond
Bar, 100 percent of the potable water through the Weymouth plant
is Colorado River water. Year-to-date water runoff in northern
California is projected to be only 39 percent of normal which
translates to a five percent allocation of the State Water Project and
affects the Central Valley and residents of southern California that
rely on imported water. Last week the US Drought Monitor put
about 60 percent of California in the D-4 zone (severe drought).
The 2013 calendar year was the driest year on record and in
response to that the Governor declared a statewide drought
emergency and asked for a 20 percent cutback and two weeks ago
the State Water Resources Control Board approved emergency
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
regulations to increase water conservation. MWD has left the
district in a good position. For many years it has some of the
highest rates (of conservation) throughout the state and Diamond
Bar, Walnut and the City of Industry would not exist without MWD
bringing in imported water for the past 80 years. MWD has learned
through the drought lessons of 1977 and beginning in 1991
throughout the drought phases has made investments in storage,
dry year transfer supplies, supply diversification, and operational
flexibility. In 2009, during the last drought, WVWD was mandated
by the Metropolitan Water District to approve an ordinance that set
out stages of water supply shortages which coincided with the
Urban Water Management Plan. The ordinance with permanent
water conservation measures has been in
effect since 2009 and was taken to the State two weeks ago.
Presently, the district is at a permanent water use restriction of 10
percent. Stage 3 and 4 levels of water usage have never been
seen in the WVWD or anywhere in southern California and
sufficient rain and good snow packs in the next couple of years will
help this area avoid moving through those stages.
Permanent water conservation measures which have been in effect
since 2009 include limits on watering duration of 15 minutes per
sprinkler station, no excessive water flow or runoff, no washing
down hard or paved surfaces, customers are asked to fix leaks
within seven (7) days, limits on washing vehicles (shutoff on hoses
used to wash vehicles in driveways), direct decorative fountains
must use re -circulated water, and negligent waste of water is
prohibited.
The State Water Control Board is looking at a 20 percent
conservation number from 2013 and WVWD will make every effort
to meet that percentage. A MWD memo states that "the State
Board proposal reflects different local approaches to conservation
management. Metropolitan's water resources are adequate for the
coming months but a continued drought will prompt even greater
restrictions", and MWD and WVWD want to stay ahead of that
curve. WVWD displays water saving devices on its website. In
addition, rebates are available. MWD is offering rebates on high -
efficiency toilets, high -efficiency clothes washers, nozzles, rain
barrels, and turf removal. First, users need to fix their leaks and the
best place for conservation is outdoors for which about 60 percent
of the District's water is used. Users should also look at changing
sprinkler timers and make sure they are working properly. About
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
10 percent of usage in this area is non -imported recycled water.
M/Herrera asked how the loss of thousands of gallons of water via
a water main leak across town affects the supply for Diamond Bar.
Mr. Holmes responded that 20 million gallons translates to one
average day of usage for the entire district which should not impact
any other supply of water.
M/Herrera asked Mr. Holmes how the district enforces non-
compliance.
,Mr. Holmes responded that there are 25 field workers out and
about on a daily basis who have been trained to stop and observe
any waste of water and leave a friendly door hanger pointing out
the problem. WVWD has never found any opposition or
belligerence on the part of its users who are, for the most part,
happy that a concern has been identified for them. The ultimate
enforcement would be to turn off a user's water supply which is a
rare occurrence,
MPT/Tye asked Mr. Holmes to give the public an idea of the
savings that would come from someone turning off the water while
shaving, doing dishes, showering, etc.
Mr. Holmes said that even a small drip, while not dramatically
impacting the direct user can add up to significant cumulative
savings for the district. Users need to wash full loads in their
dishwashers, turn water off while brushing teeth or shaving, take
shorter showers, wash cars less frequently or take them to a car
wash that uses recycled/re-circulated water, limit outdoor watering
to three days a week and shorten the station runs.
C/Lyons asked Mr. Holmes to explain runoff restrictions from
washing vehicles at home.
Mr. Holmes said that the City enforces MPBS restrictions.
Residents are not supposed to have runoff from their property. He
parks his car near the grass to accommodate the runoff. Shutoff
nozzles allow residents to be very efficient during usage.
C/Chang said she has been getting a lot of calls regarding water
rates and the impact of the drought on those rates.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Holmes said that the District's five-year rate ends December
2014 and a rate increase will be noticed in the coming months. The
District intends to have a drought surcharge rate that will provide an
opportunity to pass on MWD penalties. The rate increase
proposals and projections are very modest for the next five years
absent a drought.
M/Herrera asked if the increase would be greater if the drought
continues.
Mr. Holmes explained that WMD is finalizing the water allocation
plan which will be implemented by July 1, 2015. The conundrum of
this business is save water and the rates go up so the Board is
looking at a number of options to do other things and raise rates in
the early stages based on the potential of a drought shortage.
M/Herrera said that if the drought continues in its severity, worse -
case scenario, what Diamond Bar is looking at.
Mr. Holmes explained that typically, the Board would enact its four -
stage mandatory conservation plan. If the district gets to Stage 3 or
4 the district would limit watering to two -days a week, leaks would
have to be repaired within 48 hours and most likely, the district
would do other things to limit outdoor conservation and lawns would
likely turn brown. Indoors there is a certain amount of water that is
needed for health and sanitation.
If there is not adequate rain during the next year it will turn into a
challenging situation because water is the lifeblood of the economy.
2.4 CM/DeStefano reported that the City of Diamond Bar's
conservation efforts have been and continue to be moving forward.
The City has taken many actions over the past few years by
installing irrigation control systems and conducting outreach to the
community. Given the current drought conditions, the City is
working toward meeting the 20 percent water -reduction goal and
has recently re-evaluated the current City operations to determine
the existing water use and propose possible water reduction
recommendations. The big user of water is the folks who maintain
the City's parks, recreation facilities and buildings on City property.
Diamond Bar has 101 water meters of which 95 are potable water
and six are reclaimed water. The City spends a little over $500,000
per year in water. There are many large parks with many ball fields
which require large amounts of water to maintain their systems. In
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
2011 the City installed a centralized irrigation controller system for
which the City paid a considerable sum and received a grant from
MWD as well as, the WVWD which provided for a centralized
system with sensors to detect abnormal water flow with electronic
notification to staff. While the system proved to save the City
water, ultimately, the cost of water increased so as of today
Diamond Bar is not necessarily "saving" any money as the price of
water has increased over time. In order for the City to reach the 20
percent goal the easiest action is to reduce the overall water use by
one day per week. However, that may not be the best solution
since there are parks at different elevations in the City with different
landscape themes, soil conditions, etc. which may require more
water in one part of the City versus another part of the City. Staff is
looking at limiting or turning off water features at the park facilities,
one of which is a stream bed at Diamond Bar Center and the other
the water fountain feature at the library, both of which are on re-
circulating systems. Staff actively undertakes repairs of broken
water lines, sprinkler heads, etc. as identified by staff and residents.
Recently, one such incident was repaired within a couple of hours
from being reported by a resident. Staff will be monitoring the
stress level at the public parks to make sure that the millions of
dollars worth of landscaping is not destroyed while water usage is
refocused from the park turf to the ball field turf. Although there is
not a great deal of water used for washing City vehicles staff is
looking at limiting the number of times per month that activity
occurs. Staff will continue to look at any and all tools and
techniques available for consideration.
The City has an active Code Enforcement operation with
Neighborhood Improvement Officers. Due to the drought, the
Neighborhood Improvement Officers are no longer citing properties
or encouraging watering for golden or browning landscaping and
staff is focusing on properties that may have extra high weeds in
the yard. The City has guidelines for the use of artificial turf to
assist residents. New projects throughout the City have, for many
years, been encouraged to use drought -tolerant landscape
materials and many of the newer City parks include such features.
The Lennar Willow Heights Site D project at Brea Canyon Road
incorporates those features in its park design. The most recently
completed Washington Street Park at Washington and Lincoln
incorporated a variety of plant palates that required insignificant use
of water. With the extreme drought emergency in effect the City
and water district are working together to implement significant
water -saving efforts.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
The City's Public Information Division continues to proactively
provide water conservation information to Diamond Bar residents
and business owners and users through various sources which
include DBTV, the City's website, print publications such as The
City Connection (a September issue article on water conservation)
and the water conservation outreach materials provided at all City
events including Concerts in the Park, Movies Under the Stars,
public service announcements, at City Hall and the Diamond Bar
Library, and on the marquee sign at the old library location on
Grand Avenue.
2.5 CM/DeStefano stated that he was very pleased to report that the
City's efforts toward the SR57160 Confluence Project have paid off
and the project has been listed by the Federal Highway
Administration as a project of national and regional significance.
This achievement is very significant because if a city is not on the
list it is not eligible for future funding that may become available
when Congress approves the next Highway and State Freight
Plan/Bill. On Thursday of last week Congress kicked that ball down
the road for a few months and will not take the matter up again until
around May of 2015. When there is a new highway bill Diamond
Bar will be on the list with a project of national and regional
significance and will be eligible for funding opportunities that come
forward as a result.
The 57/60 Confluence project is a multi -phased improvement effort
to fix the SR57/60, particularly the two-mile stretch that runs
through the City of Diamond Bar. The shape of the valley in that
area forced designers to merge two freeway systems together and
in order to move from one freeway to another or to continue moving
north or south, east or west, one literally must cross over another
freeway by moving over a series of lanes which has resulted in
some 600 accidents per year. Route 60 comes directly to and from
the ports and to the inland ports in San Bernardino County and
elsewhere. Diamond Bar handles about 30,000 trucks per day. By
receiving the resources of about $256 million to improve the
freeway it will eliminate the weaving, accidents, congestion and
other issues, that will allow freight to move through the area faster
and cheaper while reducing the air pollution and accident rates.
Altogether, the project is expected to generate a lot of construction
jobs, reduce congestion and improve goods movement and
vehicular flow. He acknowledged the contribution of time and effort
with partners including the City of Industry,
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
Metropolitan Transit and especially Caltrans District 7 without
whose Support, as well as, the support of the State of California
Department of Transportation, the project would not have been
eligible to be listed in the Federal Highway Administration lists of
relevant projects moving forward. This has been a long slow
process that may take a few more years to come to fruition but the
City is now in a very good position to move forward.
MPT/Tye asked CM/.DeStefano to comment on water conservation
efforts in the City's medians.
CM/DeStefano responded that many but not all of the medians are
under reclaimed water usage which is based on availability of
recycled water typically found at the lower elevations of the City. If
the City were to turn off the water to the medians staff would have
to carefully consider where it could be saving potable water and
since the medians do not have separate meters for trees, ground
cover, shrubs, etc. staff would have to look very carefully at what
impacts might be created. There is a lot of turf on the medians.
Again, the easy answer is to turn off the water but staff needs to
look at the ramifications of.doing so.
MPT/Tye asked who monitors the sprinklers that run at night and
who should residents contact if they witness a problem such as
water running down the street.
PMS/Jordan responded to MPT/Tye that maintenance and
observations of the City's irrigation systems are not monitored at
night because personnel are not available to do so. However, the
City has an irrigation technician from Excel Landscape who does
periodic system checks throughout the City by running the system
for one or two minutes at a time by remote control and follows the
irrigation down the street to observe spray, mainline breaks, etc. so
that he can make the appropriate adjustments. It takes about a
week or two to inspect the entire system and upon locating
discrepancies the technician immediately deals with the problem.
M/Herrera said it was great news that the 57/60 project has made it
on the national list and it validates all of the work and effort
Diamond Bar officials have made traveling to Washington, D.C. as
well as it conveys the message that the 57/60 affects the entire
nation since goods are moving from coast to coast through that
difficult area. She is very pleased and while funding is not yet
available, to get on the list is a major achievement. The City of
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
Diamond Bar staff is to be congratulated for its magnificent effort
over the years.
CM/DeStefano said this is a major artery through southern
California. There is about $375 billion worth of goods that come
through the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports and at least 10 percent
of those goods come through this intersection each year. There
are about 360-370,000 trips per day through this intersection and
that speaks to the significance of -this project because the goods
that come through those ports travel east from the west coast.
Monies flowing to this project and getting the improvements is of
national benefit.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered.
4. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
5.1 National Night Out/Concerts in the Park — August 6, 2014 — 6:30
p.m. to about 8:30 p.m., Cold Duck (70's Top 40) — Sycamore
Canyon Park, 22930 Golden Springs Drive.
5.2 Movies Under the Stars — August 6, 2014 — Immediately following
Concerts in the Park — The Lego Movie — Sycamore Canyon Park,
22930 Golden Springs Drive.
5.3 Planning Commission Meeting — August 12, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.,
Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.4 Concerts in the Park — August 13, 2014 — 6:30 p.m. to about 8:30
p.m., Little Lies Band (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) - Sycamore Canyon
Park, 22930 Golden Springs Drive. (Last Concert of the 2014
summer series).
5.5 Movies Under the Stars — August 13, 2014 — Immediately following
Concerts in the Park — Despicable Me 2 — Sycamore Canyon Park,
22930 Golden Springs Drive. (Last Movie of the 2014 summer
series).
5.6 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting — August 14, 2014
— 7:00 p.m., Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive.
5.7 City Council Meeting — August 19, 2014 — 6:30 p.m.,
SCAQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: C/Lyons moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to
approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Lyons, Tanaka, MPT/Tye,
M/Herrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
6.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
6.1.1 Study Session of July 15, 2014.
6.1.2 Regular Meeting of July 15, 2014.
6.2 RECEIVED AND FILED PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION MINUTES — Regular Meeting of May 22, 2014.
6.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER — Dated July 10, 2014 through July
30, 2014 totaling $1,899,509.52,
6.4 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT — Month of June 2014.
6.5 APPROVED ADJOURNING THE AUGUST 19, 2014 CITY
COUNCIL MEETING TO SEPTEMBER 16, 2014.
6.6 APPROVED CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE TAIT GROUP
(TTG) IN THE NOT -TO -EXCEED AMOUNT OF $37,200 FOR
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING/ADVOCACY SERVICES
RELATED TO THE STATE ROUTE 57/60 FREEWAY
CONGESTION RELIEF STRATEGY AND STATE/FEDERAL
FREIGHT PLANS.
6.7 (a) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-33: GRANTING
CONSENT AND JURISDICTION TO THE COUNTY OF LOS
ANGELES IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY LIGHTING
MAINTENANCE DISTRICT 10006 AND COUNTY LIGHTING
DISTRICT LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ACT -1 (LLA -1),
DIAMOND BAR ZONE, CITY OF DIAMOND BAR, (TRACT 72295
AKA WILLOW HEIGHTS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT).
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
(b) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-34: JOINT
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE GREATER LOS ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL
DISTRICT, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COUNTY
SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 21 OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR, THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE THREE VALLEYS MUNICIPAL
WATER DISTRICT -ORIGINAL AREA, THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE WALNUT VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WALNUT VALLEY WATER
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 3, AND THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE WALNUT VALLEY WATER
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 4 APPROVING AND ACCEPTING
THE NEGOTIATED EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY TAX
REVENUES RESULTING FROM ANNEXATION OF TRACT 72295
AT THE CORNER OF DIAMOND BAR BOULEVARD AND BREA
CANYON ROAD TO COUNTY LIGHTING MAINTENANCE
DISTRICT 10006.
6.8 APPROVED CONTRACT WITH ARCHITERRA DESIGN GROUP
FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE DESIGN OF CONSTRUCTION
DOCUMENTS FOR THE ADA RETROFIT OF LONGVIEW PARK
SOUTH AND STARDUST PARK IN AN AMOUNT NOT -TO -
EXCEED $10,000.
6.9 AWARDED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
CONTRACT TO TAIT AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR A
COMPREHENSIVE GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE STUDY AT
COLD SPRINGS DRIVE, AMBUSHERS STREET, CLEGHORN
DRIVE, FLAPJACK DRIVE, BREA
CANYON ROAD, MOONLAKE STREET, CALPET DRIVE,
RANCHERIA ROAD AND COPLEY DRIVE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$60,475; PLUS A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $10,000 FOR A
TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF. $70,475.
7. PUBLIC HEARING:
7.1 RESOLUTION NO. 2014-35: FINDING THE CITY OF DIAMOND
BAR IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE 2014 LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CMP) AND
ADOPTING THE CMP LOCAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT SECTION
65089.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
CM/DeStefano stated that this is the annual public hearing
necessitated by the County of Los Angeles for the City to identify its
compliance with the Congestion Management Program (CMP).
CDD/Gubman reported that all counties in the state are required to
have a Congestion Management Program in place. CMP's are
mandated under the provisions of the Traffic Congestion Relief and
Spending Limitation Act of 1990. Metro is the agency responsible
for preparing the CMP for Los Angeles County. As the City does
every year at this time, Community Development and Public Works
staff has prepared a CMP Compliance Report and is asking the
City Council to adopt a resolution finding Diamond Bar to be in
compliance with the Los Angeles County Congestion Management
Plan. Diamond Bar, along with all other local agencies, is required
to meet the program requirements in the CMP in order to receive
state gas tax funds and to maintain eligibility for other transportation
funding. Diamond Bar has thus far received over $1.7 million in
gas tax for the prior (2013-14) fiscal year. The CMP mandates self -
certification at the local level through the adoption of a resolution
demonstrating the City's compliance with the 2013 CMP and
submittal of a local development report to Metro. A public hearing
is required prior to adopting this resolution.
As described in staff's report, resolution and Local Development
Report,. Diamond Bar remains in compliance with the CMP for Los
Angeles County. Staff therefore recommends that the City Council
adopt the resolution upon the close of the public hearing. He
thanked the City Council for the opportunity to present this report
on behalf of himself and PWD/Liu.
M/Herrera opened the Public Hearing at 7:31 p.m.
With no one present who wished to speak on this matter, M/Herrera
closed the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m.
MPT/Tye moved, C/Chang seconded, to adopt Resolution No.
2014-35: Finding the City of Diamond Bar in conformance with the
2014 Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program
(CMP) and adopting the CMP Local Development Report, in
accordance with California Government Section 65089. Motion
carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Lyons, Tanaka,
MPT/Tye, M/Herrera
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
8. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: None
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Tanaka said that during the past three weeks he has attended Concerts
in the Park and enjoyed Movies Under the Stars following the concerts. A
few weeks ago he attended the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriffs Station's
Family Picnic. Monday was the Los Angeles County Fair Diamond Bar
Day Committee meeting and the Diamond Bar Hero's for this year were
announced: Youth Hero, Andy Shin; Adult Hero Serena Avila -Mott and
Senior Citizen Hero, Eileen Ansari. Diamond Bar Day at the Fair will be
held on Thursday, September 11. There are five dollar ($5.00) coupons
available for the day that can be downloaded from the website as well as
purchased at local businesses. Last Saturday he attended the Diamond
Bar Performing Arts Challenge Third Annual Winners during which grade
school through high school students performed and the winners were
presented with Certificates of Recognition from the City. Forty-two
students performed.
C/Chang said that as usual, residents can follow her on Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram. She welcomed Alfa Lopez, new Management Analyst
and welcomed Deputy Nick Thorn to the Diamond Bar family. Today she
met with various business owners on Palomino who have been having
security issues. She was told that within a two week period there have
been a lot of burglaries/robberies and asked if the Sheriff's Department
could concentrate their efforts in that area. In fact, Xavier Florists is
looking for a new location because of the increase in crime in the area.
She is very excited about the 57/60 project being listed as a project of
national significance. Since she was first elected to Council everyone has
been working very hard to make this happen and getting on that list is
very, very difficult, especially because of its location. It is a huge
accomplishment. She thanked staff, the cities involved and congressional
representatives who made this happen.
C/Lyons said she too felt that it was wonderful that the 57/60 project was
moving forward by being placed on the very important list of nationally
significant projects. It is excellent news for the City and everyone who
travels through it. A couple of weeks ago she participated in the Summer
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 14 CITY COUNCIL
Water Workshop hosted by the Three Valleys Municipal Water District. It
was very interesting to learn about how water is cleaned and filtered,
where it comes from and the cost of water and the legislation that might be
on the ballot. She encouraged everyone to participate in Diamond Bar
Day at the Fair and use the $5 ticket because that money goes to the Big
Yellow Bus Program which transports school children to the fair. It's a
win, win program. There are flyers at City Hall and there will most likely
be a link on the City's website that allows people to obtain their tickets and
support the Big Yellow Bus Program. She wished a Happy Birthday to
longtime resident Dot Horcher who is turning 90 on Sunday.
MPT/Tye said it is a major accomplishment for the 57/60 Confluence
Project to be listed. The leadership M/Herrera has shown over the past 20
years, staying after this project and getting it done when people said it
couldn't be done and oh, that won't happen and it takes too long. This
accomplishment is proof that one has to start somewhere. A lot of years,
a lot of trips, and a lot of effort went toward this project. He thanked
former Congressman Gary Miller and current Congressman Ed Royce for
seeing it through and not letting anything happen in the transition from one
congressman to another because of redistricting. Finally, the proof is in
the pudding. Getting this project listed is outstanding. He welcomed Alfa
Lopez, the winner of a very, very competitive process. It is encouraging to
see that more than 200 people want to work in Diamond Bar and everyone
is happy she is part of the team. She will learn that it is a great team to be
a part of. He asked everyone to take note of the The Diamond Bar
Connection, a terrific tool the City puts out on a regular basis. There is
pertinent information included and programs that people can be involved
in. The Diamond Bar Day at the Fair is noted; the West Nile Virus
reminder is included, a real problem in this area. If anyone has concerns,
please call the Vector Control District at 562-944-9656. Equally important
is the disclosure of the paint recycling program that residents can take
advantage of. Waste Management does not want any part of paint left at
the curb. The facility for the paint recycling program is located in the City
of Industry.
M/Herrera welcomed Alfa Lopez and Deputy Nick Thorn. It is important to
conserve water. Diamond Bar will be okay for the next few months but if
the severe drought continues things will change and it is in everyone's
best interest to be as conservative as possible and make every effort to
avoid further restrictions.
AUGUST 5, 2014 PAGE 15 CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Herrera
adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:40 p.m. in memory of Marcia
Mings, a 48 year resident.
TOMMYE CRIBBINS, CITY CLERK
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 19th day of August
2014.
CAROL HERRERA, MAYOR