By Ariel Carmona, Jr.
Diamond Bar City Hall (Photo Courtesy: City of Diamond Bar)
Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council held its regular meeting on July 1, approving a light consent calendar which included ratification of a check totaling over $1 million for two weeks worth of expenses for various items, the consideration of an ordinance relating to the amendment of speed limits on city streets, and heard from a resident concerned with what she called a rash of untamed dogs in the neighborhood during the public hearing portion of the meeting.
Cathy Patterson, a Diamond Bar resident since 1980 and a teacher at Walnut Valley Unified for the past 29 years, said she and her dog were attacked by a neighbor’s dogs from across the street when they were out walking on Fri., June 27.
“The larger of the two dogs knocked us both down and then proceeded to bite me severely on the leg, requiring many stitches,” said Patterson, adding that the dog’s owner called off his dogs after he heard her screams.
Patterson said it has come to her attention that over the years the problem of dog owners not being attentive to their dogs has grown and has become an issue that the City needs to address.
“There are several dog owners in the area who do not properly care for their dogs, some by walking them off leash, and some dogs are allowed to roam freely out of sight from their owners during their walk. I’ve even been confronted by at least three different dogs right as I opened my own front door. Some do not have properly fenced yards so the dogs get out on a regular basis, and there are at least four that I know off who are unable to control their animals,” Patterson told the council.
Patterson said following her attack and after receiving medical attention she wanted to report the incident to the Walnut Sheriff’s Station and the Inland Valley Humane Society. According to Patterson, she felt both agencies chided her for not taking more responsibility, for calling 911, and suggesting she might have provoked the attack herself.
Diamond Bar City Manager, James DeStefano, said he was very interested in Patterson’s presentation and said he was going to work with her and City staff to learn more details about the interaction with the Sheriff’s Department and the Inland Valley Humane Society.
In other council actions, a consent calendar was unanimously approved 5-0, and included an item to ratify a check register dated June 12 through June 25 for a total of more than $1 million, as requested by the City’s finance department.
According to information made public by the City and Finance Director, Dianna Honeywell, the City allowed payments for the 13-day period to cover expenses including more than $215,000 for computer equipment hardware and I.T. services, more than $7,000 in environmental impact consulting services, and more than $82,000 in Metrolink pass subsidies.
According to the report presented to the council by the finance department, “All payments have been made in compliance with the City’s purchasing policies and procedures.” The expenditure totals more than $1 million in City funds.
The council also approved an ordinance that will go into effect on Aug. 1 which allows City staff to update speed limits throughout the City as required by the California Vehicle Code (CVC) – which updates its speed zone study every seven to 10 years. The last study conducted by City staff occurred in 2004.
Upcoming Diamond Bar events include the Concerts in the Park Series performance of The Skinny Little Twits rock band at Sycamore Canyon Park on July 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and a showing of the movie, Frozen, immediately following the concert.
The City Council will next meet on July 15 at 6:30 p.m., at the AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
