BY RAYMOND MENDOZA

Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar City Council members met for the final time in November for a regular meeting, but were unable to extend the City’s ordinance to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries because of a lack of voting members. Council members Ling-Ling Chang and Jack Tanaka were absent from the meeting.

To start, Mayor Carol Herrera presented Ted Robinson, owner of Robinson Properties, with the Business of the Month Award for November 2014. Herrera cited Robinson’s years of service to the community and local economy as the reason for his recognition.

Following Robinson’s recognition and public comments, the Council listed the City’s future events for the Walnut Valley Water District Public Meeting on Nov. 19, the Historic Windmill dedication on Nov. 20, the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Nov. 20, the Grand View Trail opening on Nov. 22, the Planning Commission meeting on Nov. 25, the City closures during Thanksgiving on Nov. 27 and 28, the Holiday Diamond Ride – which gives free shuttle rides to and from Diamond Bar shopping centers from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1 – and the City Council meeting on Dec. 2

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar including the minutes for the Nov. 4 study session and Nov. 4 regular meeting, the Oct. 14 Planning Commission meeting, a ratification for a check register totaling $783,157.58, transmittal of a comprehensive annual financial report for the year ending June 30, approval of a contract amendment with Fehr and Peers for an intersection improvement strategies study at Grand Avenue/Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road/Pathfinder Road in the amount of $14,670 plus a contingency amount for $2,000, and the approval of a contract amendment with RKA Consulting Group for preparation of an application package in association with the 2015 Metro Call for projects in the amount of $19,800.

The Council’s only public hearing item was an ordinance extending urgency Ordinance No. (03)2014 suspending Chapter 8.26 of the Diamond Bar Municipal Code and prohibiting the operation and establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries.

According to City Manager, James DeStefano, the Council could not approve the item, since the passage required a 4/5 vote. Since Council Members Chang and Tanaka were not present, DeStefano recommended that the item be carried over to the Dec. 2 City Council meeting. The Council then approved the motion to move the item to its next meeting.

Following the Council’s reports and comments, they adjourned at 7:20 p.m. with plans to meet on Dec. 2 in the Diamond Bar City Council Chambers at 21810 Copley Drive.