Photo By Raymond Mendoza
Tina Javid, Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company, at the DB City Council meeting.
By Raymond Mendoza Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council meeting for Sept. 17 introduced residents to a newly appointed planning commissioner, safety tips from the Southern California Gas Company and the approval of five items on the agenda for the final council meeting of the month. Southern California Gas Company Public Affairs Manager Tina Javid started off the City Council meeting with a brief slideshow to inform Diamond Bar residents of the potential hazards of dealing with gas leaks, as well as free services offered by the gas company in preparation for winter. Javid stated that SoCalGas is attempting to inform citizens about what to do in case of a damaged pipeline. Information concerning the location of gas transmission and high pressure distribution pipelines in each city and neighborhood can be found at socalgas.com. Since Diamond Bar has a high volume of residential homes, the federal government takes special consideration since a gas pipeline problem could have major consequences in concern to the safety of citizens. “(In the nation) Every 3 minutes there’s a gas line that’s damaged,” said Javid. “And it’s typically by third party contractors that are doing work for cities, businesses to get that work done.” After Javid’s presentation, public comments were started off by resident Nancy Lyons discussing the problem of vacant storefronts in Diamond Bar, specifically the former Ralphs supermarket. Library Manager Pui Ching Ho used her public comment time to invite residents to take part in a wide variety of activities at the Diamond Bar library. In response to Lyons’ concerns of the loss of jobs and sales tax revenue along with the vacant lots being a public eyesore; City Manager James DeStefano noted that while Diamond Bar fared well during the recession, it was not completely immune to the loss of businesses. “The good news is that a national grocery store operator is going to be moving into that space in 2014,” said DeStefano. “They’re not quite ready to announce who they are just yet.” City Council members then quickly motioned to approve all five items on the agenda in one motion. City Council members unanimously approved all items on the agenda, which included the City Council minutes for Sept. 3, 2013 and Ordinance No.07 (approved amendments to the development code and official zoning map for the affordable housing land use and zoning designation project) also approved, was the payment of two median modification construction contracts; the first at Grand Avenue and Summitridge Drive for $35,518.20 and the second at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Silver Hawk Drive for $41,659.55. Both construction contracts were awarded to L.M.T. Enterprises dba Tyner Paving Company. Once the council approved all the agenda items, Mayor Pro Tem Ron Everett stated his recommendation for the appointment of the new planning commissioner following the resignation of Steve Nelson and the process of deciding between nine applicants. “After careful review of the candidates, it is my privilege and pleasure to recommend the City Council confirm the appointment of Ashok ‘Ash’ Dhingra to fill the unexpired term of former Planning Commissioner Steve Nelson,” Everett said. The City Council members then unanimously approved Dhingra for the job of planning commissioner and followed the approval of his new position with a short speech, promising his best work to the residents of Diamond Bar. The final item on the agenda saw a brief comment section for each City Council members, in which members spoke about various aspects of Diamond Bar life, including Diamond Bar community day at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, services offered by Foothill Transit and the inaugural football game at Diamond Ranch High School.
