Industry NFL stadium overshadowed by Inglewood, Carson

Artist's rendering of proposed "Los Angeles Stadium."  Developer, Edward P. Roski, Jr.,

Artist’s rendering of proposed “Los Angeles Stadium.” Developer, Edward P. Roski, Jr.,

By Jason Henry, Staff Writer

Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye said Wednesday if he ranked the proposed Los Angeles’ stadiums by their chance of getting build that he would put the one he wants the most at the bottom of the list.

A NFL stadium in Industry, proposed by billionaire Ed Roski Jr.’s Majestic Realty Co., seems more and more unlikely as team owners jockey for properties in Carson and Inglewood, he said. Roski, who wanted a share of the team if one came to the city, never found the support from owners that the newer projects have.

“There was a time when you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing about it,” Tye said of Roski’s proposal. “Then all of a sudden, nothing.”

With the Raiders, the Rams and the Chargers linked closely to Carson and Inglewood, Tye said he isn’t sure if that leaves a team for Industry.

Walnut Councilmen Tony Cartagena and Bob Pachecho also said Wednesday they have heard nothing about Roski’s plan recently and neither believe it is likely.

Walnut and Diamond Bar settled with Majestic Realty in 2009 over concerns that the stadium would negatively impact their communities. However, the NFL has not written Roski’s proposal off.

“It remains one of the sites we continue to monitor,” stated Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s spokesperson, in an email.

Roski announced his plans to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles with a state-of-the-art, $800 million stadium in Industry in 2008. The website for the Los Angeles Stadium at Grand Crossing still exists, but the site has not been updated in years.

Read more in Jason Henry’s story STADIUM.

Apply to Diamond Bar planning commission by Jan. 30

The City of Diamond Bar’s City Clerk’s Office will be accepting applications until Friday, January 30,  from individuals interested in filling a vacancy on the City’s Planning Commission. The term of office for this appointment will expire in 2017.

To be eligible to serve as a City Commissioner, applicants must be Diamond Bar residents, at least 18 years of age, and registered to vote.

For more information or to obtain a commission application packet, contact the City Clerk’s office at 909.839.7010 or email cityclerk@diamondbarca.gov

Planning Commission Information

Diamond Bar OKs moratorium on massage parlors

Diamond Bar City Council wasted no time in approving a 45-day moratorium on new massage parlors in the city. The interim ordinance will prohibit the establishment, expansion and relocation of massage parlors for 45 days.

In September, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1147, which restores local land use authority over massage businesses. Effective Jan. 1, the new law removes the former law’s broad preemption of local massage ordinances.

AB 1147 gives local government the authority to enact regulations to manage massage parlors. The moratorium would maintain the status quo until the city has had time to complete the necessary studies and adopt new regulations.

“A friend at the Rotary Club came up to me and said the last thing we need is for another massage parlor to pop up,” said Mayor Steve Tye. “This is the kind of thing where we have to stay on top of the situation.”

“I’m concerned with the growing number of massage parlors in Diamond Bar,” agreed Councilman Jack Tanaka, who joined his fellow councilmembers in unanimously approving the moratorium.

Tanaka pointed out the number of massage parlors has grown from four to more than 15. Under the old law, the city had to permit seven new massage businesses simply because the owner or the masseuse were certified by the California Massage Therapy Council.

Cities have also seen an increase of illicit massage parlors which engage in prostitution and human trafficking.

“I haven’t heard of any prostitution in our massage establishments, but it has been a problem elsewhere,” Tye noted.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lt. Anthony Tachias said “There haven’t been any reports of prostitution or human trafficking at massage parlors in Diamond Bar. It’s been pretty quiet.”

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story MASSAGE.

Jimmy Lin joins Diamond Bar City Council

Diamond Bar’s new councilman Jimmy Lin attended his first council meeting Tuesday night. After interviewing 11 candidates, the City Council chose Lin to fill the vacancy left by Ling-Ling Chang, who was elected to the state assembly.

Lin was selected over other candidates, including past 0107_NWS_SGT-L-DBVACANCYcouncilman and mayor Ron Everett and Andrew Wong, president of Pomona Unified School Board. Other candidates were Robert Nishimura, Tulsi Savani, Joyce Young, Shawn Dhand, Peter Pirritano, Ali Jakvani, Kim Hsieh and David Liu.

“I was really impressed with the quality of the candidates … many of you who are very qualified,” said Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Lyons.

“It seems like it should be an easy decision, and it’s not, you (the candidates) made it difficult, that’s a good thing,” Mayor Steve Tye said.

Still, council reached its decision quickly after interviewing the candidates. Lin will serve through November 2017.

“I’m evaluating by what the city needs, the city has some specific needs in the very near future. Things that we are working on, and a couple of candidates fill that need more than other candidates do,” explained Councilwoman Carol Herrera.

“Considering that traffic is one of the greatest problems and challenges that the city faces, I would like to nominate Jimmy Lin,” Herrera said. Lyons seconded the nomination. Lin was approved by a 3 to 1 margin, with Councilman Jack Tanaka voting no.

“I’m not against Jimmy, I just thought there should have been an open discussion. It was unfair to the other candidates to not discuss the reasons for our selection,” Tanaka said later.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story LIN

Diamond Bar Council bans carpool parking in parks

The Diamond Bar City Council wants to restrict parking in city parks. In November, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended restricting parking to park patrons only.

The issue surfaced when residents complained about carpoolers leaving their vehicles all day in the lower lot at Summit Ridge Park on Grand Avenue. In October, there was an altercation between a Diamond Bar resident and a man picking up other workers, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Community Relations Officer Aaron Scheller.

“This is a use issue, those 25 spots are dedicated to the park, not to park and ride,” said Mayor Steve Tye.

In an earlier report, Scheller said he had visited the lot several times and saw people parking their cars and getting into another vehicle without spending any time in the park. Scheller checked the license plates and discovered all the vehicles belonged to non-residents.

Deputies also saw contractors working in Country Estates across the road pick up workmen parked in the Summit Ridge lot.

“I don’t think the contractors should be using a city park to provide parking for their workers,” Tye said.

Summit Ridge Park is only two miles from the 57/60 freeways. On Nov. 26, deputies say 21 of the spots were filled, even though they found nobody in the park.

“The park is a popular place for residents to walk their dogs. The parking problem has been getting worse over the years,” explained Bob Rose, Diamond Bar’s Community Services Director. “But I was surprised when the sheriff’s department estimated that 85 percent of the cars belonged to nonresidents.”

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story PARKING.

Diamond Bar City Council applications due by Friday

Diamond Bar City Clerk’s Office is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on city council left by Ling-Ling Chang, who was elected to California Assembly.

To qualify, candidates must be a United States citizen, a Diamond Bar resident and a registered voter 18 years of age or older.

Council will interview selected candidates the week of Jan. 5, 2015, The appointment must be made by Jan. 30.

Applications are available on the city website at www.DiamondBarCa.gov/councilvacancy and in City Hall at 21810 Copley Drive.

For information or to request an application by mail, call 909-839-7010. The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

Steve Tye named mayor of Diamond Bar, candidates sought

Steve Tye has been selected as the new mayor by the City Council, which also has decided to appoint someone to fill Ling-Ling Chang’s seat since she has been sworn into the California Assembly.

Councilman Tye was nominated by Nancy Lyons and unanimously approved by his fellow council members. Lyons was named mayor pro tem.

Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye

Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye

The council thanked outgoing mayor Carol Herrera, who has served as mayor five times. “You exhibit great leadership and we’re grateful for it,” said Mayor Tye.

“You were a wonderful leader for us this year and we really appreciate it,” agreed Lyons.

“You did a great job this past year in leading our city,” Councilman Jack Tanaka said.

The council had 60 days to take action to fill the remaining three years in Chang’s term, which expires in November 2017. It discussed the matter at Tuesday’s council meeting.

“We could appoint someone to fill her seat or call for a special election,” said Mayor Tye.

The city has faced similar situations five previous occasions. It decided to appoint a replacement four times, while calling for a special election in 2005.

Since Los Angeles County will not be holding an election in June, Diamond Bar can’t consolidate the special election with the county as it does with the regular municipal elections in November. The city would have to pay for all the costs, including election materials and equipment, ballots, precinct workers and vote tabulations.

“Should the City Council choose to call an election to fill the seat vacated by former council member Chang, it is estimated the city would incur election-related costs of approximately $150,000,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McLean in a report.

Diamond Bar seeks applicants for city council seat

The Diamond Bar City Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Diamond Bar City Council.

This vacancy resulted from the recent resignation of Ling-Ling Chang, who last month was elected to represent the California Assembly District 55.

During its regular meeting of December 2, 2014, the City Council voted to start to the process to fill the vacancy by appointment by soliciting applications from qualifying candidates. To qualify, candidates must be a United States citizen, a Diamond Bar resident and a registered voter 18 years of age or older.

City Council interviews with selected candidates followed by Council deliberation and discussion is tentatively planned for the week of January 5, 2015, followed by a vote on the appointment any time before January 30, 2015.

Applications are available on the City website www.DiamondBarCa.gov/councilvacancy and at City Hall (21810 Copley Drive). For more information or to request an application by mail, call the City Clerk’s Office at 909.839.7010. The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Diamond Bar has to fill Chang’s vacant council seat

Bye-bye Ling-Ling. Diamond Bar City Council has to decide how to fill Ling-Ling Chang’s seat now that she has been sworn into the California Assembly.

Council has 60 days to take action to fill the remaining three years in Chang’s term, which expires in November of 2017. They plan to discuss the matter in tonight’s council meeting.

“We can appoint someone to fill her seat or call for a special election,” explained Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye.

The city has faced similar situations on five previous occasions. It decided to appoint a replacement four times, while calling for a special election in 2005.

Since Los Angeles County will not be holding an election in June, Diamond Bar can’t consolidate the special election with the county as it does with the regular municipal elections in November. The city would have to pay for all the costs, including election materials and equipment, ballots, precinct workers and vote tabulations.

“Should the city council choose to call an election to fill the seat vacated by former council member Chang, it is estimated the city would incur election-related costs of approximately $150,000,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McLean in a report.

These costs would be in addition to the costs for the regular election in November.

“I’m leaning toward appointing someone to fill the position because of the high costs for a special election,” Tye said. “People elect us to make difficult decisions, so I think we should interview candidates and appoint someone ourselves.”

City council isn’t legally obligated to even advertise the vacancy, seek applicants or interview them before appointing someone to fill the council seat. Council may choose any process it feels is appropriate.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story VACANCY.

Diamond Bar residents protest cut in Diamond Ride

Diamond Bar residents are protesting cutbacks in the city’s popular Diamond Ride program. Seniors say the money-saving measures will hurt their health care.

Beginning Dec. 1, Diamond Ride will establish a new medical service area within a 5-mile radius of the city. The only exceptions will be trips to Pomona Valley Hospital and St. Jude Medical Centers in Fullerton. Leaving residents who need to go to the Kaiser Medical Center in Baldwin Park without a ride.

“My oncologist works in the Baldwin Park medical center,” explained 74-year-old Nancy Blum. “How am I supposed to get there?”

A resident of Diamond Bar for the past 43 years, Blum needs dialysis treatment three times a week just to stay alive. She has been going to the San Dimas Dialysis Center, but was told that was also outside the new Diamond Ride radius.

“It’s the only thing keeping me alive,” she noted. “Now I pay $50 to $60 a month for the Diamond Ride service. I figured it would cost me $300 to $400 a month beginning in December. I can’t afford that.”

The dialysis patient said she has been looking for another dialysis center, but all of them have waiting lists. Fortunately, Blum’s case worker may have found her a spot at a dialysis center Brea and is processing the paper work.

“Even then, I couldn’t get the same hours. I’d have to go in later and wouldn’t get home until 7 or 8 p.m.,” the angry senior said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. The city is cutting us off at the knees.”

Other residents have been just as passionate over the pending cuts. Several have addressed city council about the pending problems.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story RIDE.