By Raymond Mendoza

Council members Jack Tanaka (L), Carol Herrera (R), Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Lyons and Mayor Steve Tye welcome Jimmy Lin as the City’s newest council member. (Photo Courtesy: Raymond Mendoza)

Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council kicked off its first meeting of the new year by not only shielding the City from prostitution dens from masquerading as massage parlors, but also by welcoming its newest councilmember, Jimmy Lin.

After having several weeks off because of Christmas and New Years Day, the Council met on Jan. 6 with its first major action being the announcement that Lin, a former Diamond Bar Planning Commissioner, would take over for Ling Ling Chang.

Chang was elected to the California State Assembly during the November General Election and left the vacancy open for new candidates. To circumvent a costly election – estimated at $150,000 by Mayor Steve Tye – the Council decided to fill the vacant seat by interviewing candidates.

Tye said Lin was chosen out of 11 other candidates for having an exceptional background in public involvement, entrepreneurial skills and professional aptitude.  Lin said he felt very privileged to be selected as Chang’s replacement and to be able to serve the City and its residents.

“I’ve living in a lot of places in the world, over 60 different countries around the world,” Lin said. “But when I ended up (in Diamond Bar), I knew this was the place I would retire in. It’s such a livable city and I have devoted about eight years of my time serving as a volunteer for committees.  I pledge to give my best to not only sustain, but to enhance the quality of life in this city.”

After the appointment of Lin, Tye said the Diamond Bar City Council was back to “full strength.”

Following the announcement of Lin’s appointment, the schedule of future events was listed to include a Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting on Jan. 8, a Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 13, Winter SnowFest on Jan. 17 and the next City Council meeting on Jan. 20.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including the minutes for the Dec. 16 Council meeting, the ratification of a check in the amount of $1,726,352.29, the treasurer’s November 2014 statement, the second reading and adopting of an ordinance amending the parking of motor vehicles in city parks, the exoneration of surety bond number CMS-244886 to complete grading improvements at 20405 Walnut Drive, the reduction of 55.6 percent of surety bond number 929590937 to complete in-tract street improvements for Willow Heights, the award of a professional consulting services contract for a pavement management system to Nichols Consulting Engineers in the amount of

$43,000 and the adoption of a resolution approving the final tract map for subdivision of Air Space for a 19-unit office condominium at 660 North Diamond Bar Blvd.

The Council then approved the only public hearing item, pertaining to the interim ordinance which temporarily prohibits the establishment, expansion or relocation of massage establishments in the City.

The ordinance, which will take effect for 45 days, is seen by the City as a way to limit possible prostitution dens, since massage parlors in Southern California have come under scrutiny for being hotbeds for illicit activities.

The Council then adjourned at 7:20 p.m. with plans to meet in the Diamond Bar City Council Chambers at 21810 Copley Drive on Jan. 20.