By Raymond Mendoza

Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar’s City Council met for its final regular meeting of December, which brought an end to drawn-out talks about Willow Heights and the flood control channel covering.

Council members started with various presentations starting with Jeffrey Scroggin, captain for the Walnut/Diamond Bar sheriff’s station, reporting on the state of police affairs in the city.

“Historically Diamond Bar has been one of the safest communities in all of Southern California,” Scroggins said. “For 2013 Diamond Bar has seen a 5.37 percent decrease in part one crimes as compared to 2012.”

Part one crimes, according to the FBI.gov website, includes criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Combating crime has also been aided with the recently approved “Report for Reward” program, which rewards Diamond Bar residents for providing information that eventually leads to arrests concerning burglaries.

Citizen Barbara DeCarbo was thanked for her services to the city and was recognized as the first recipient of the “Report for Reward” program.

Krystal Spindler, editor, and Kristen Khoury, layout and graphic design, were also recognized by the council for their outstanding work at Windmill Magazine; a publication that has been in existence for 52 years.

Mr. G’s Pizzeria and Pasta, located at 27267 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, was awarded a City Tile and named the Business of the Month and recognized for their long-standing presence in the community.

Council members then unanimously approved all items on the consent calendar which included the approval of minutes for Dec. 3 City Council meeting, the Oct. 24 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Planning Commission meetings for Oct. 22 and Nov. 12, a check register dated Nov. 28 through Dec. 11 totaling $455,518.75, approval the adjourning of City Council meetings from Jan 7, 2014 through Jan 21, 2014, adopting ordinance no. 14 (2013) concerning a Diamond Bar municipal code relating to urban storm water mitigation plan, and a reprogramming of $20,000 in contingency funds from the Diamond Bar Center remodel project to the Diamond Bar Center maintenance and operation budget.

With consideration from David Doyle, assistant City Manager, the City Council then approved the community development block grant program, which includes the total amount of $231,291 in funds.

The major topic for the night was item 8 for council consideration, concerning the Willow Heights development.

Community Development Director Greg Gubman then outlined the possible resolution options for the Willow Heights development concerns, dealing with the coverage of a flood control channel.

Applicant Lennar Homes, the company in charge of the construction of the Willow Heights houses, with cooperation with the City of Diamond Bar and city manager, came to an agreement that Lennar Homes would not cover the flood control channel and would contribute $700,000 to the City’s Parks and Facility Development Fund.

“Staff recommends approval of this proposed contribution in lieu of covering the channel in order to avoid the uncertainty related to seeking a channel covering permit through the LA county public works department flood control district,” Gubman said.

The City Council then approved the vesting tentative tract and development review and tree permit for Willow Heights, with the addendum of accepting the $700,000 toward the Parks and Facility Development Fund.

The final item for council consideration was confirming appointments of specific representatives to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, which was approved unanimously.

After City Council member comments, the Diamond Bar City Council meeting was officially adjourned at 8:30 p.m.