By Natalie Kim

Diamond Bar – Mayor Steven Tye began the Aug. 18 City Council meeting with several special presentations.

First, county librarian, Margaret Donnellan Todd, was presented with a City tile upon her retirement, ending a 37-year career and following 22 years of commendable service to Diamond Bar. Although the Council was saddened at the thought of her leaving, they praised her for her hard work and dedication.

Next, a City tile was presented to Graybar Electric of Diamond Bar, a Fortune 500 company, as the Business of the Month for August 2015.

Finally, Carlos Gonzalez was recognized as an exemplary citizen for his actions in December 2014, when he assisted a fellow Diamond Bar resident in need of emergency medical attention. Although the resident passed away, Gonzalez’s actions allowed her to live out the last few months of her life comfortably, and it was in her last wishes for Gonzalez to be recognized by the City.

There was an update on the Grand Avenue Beautification Project, which began on May 20, and when completed will improve the intersections of Grand Avenue running through Diamond Bar Boulevard and Longview Drive. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen delays, the project will be delayed for an estimated six weeks, pushing the end date of the project from Aug. 12 to October 2015. Construction will continue Mondays through Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Following the public comments, the Council then read the schedule of future events, which included a Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.; a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.; a tentative City Council meeting on Sept. 1 at  6:30 p.m.; Labor Day Holiday on Sept. 7, during which City Hall offices will be closed; a Planning Commission meeting, on Sept 8 at 7 p.m.; a Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.; and another City Council meeting on Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

The Council then approved all items on the Consent Calendar, including the Council minutes from Aug. 4; Planning Commission minutes from July 14; ratification of a check register dated July 30 through Aug 12, 2015 totaling $2.418,821.26; a resolution to join a national intergovernmental alliance to purchase janitorial supplies from Waxie Sanitary Supply; the next City Council meeting on Sept. 15; and an application for grant funds from the Recreational Trails Program Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act Fund for the Ridge Route Trail connecting to the Grand View Trail. The Council also agreed to appropriate $110,165 from traffic mitigation funds from the special funds budget to the Public Works Operating Budget; to approve a contract amendment between David Evans and Associates, Inc. for the Grand Avenue Beautification Project; and authorize the City Manager to execute a Use Agreement with Los Angeles County Flood Control to build a pedestrian bridge.

After a public hearing on Diamond Bar’s state of compliance with the 2015 Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program, the Council adopted a resolution that stated Diamond Bar’s conformance to the program.

Finally, Council appointed Raymond Wolf as the next Planning Commissioner, to fill a vacancy filled by Peter Pirritano, who relocated from Diamond Bar to Chino Hills. After the Council reports and comments, the Council adjourned with plans to meet on Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m., at the AQMD/Government Center Auditorium at 21865 Copley Drive.