1 Kristina Santana
From: Hassan Sassi <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2024 9:09 AM
To: Kristina Santana
Subject: Public Comments October 15 City Council Meeting Attachments: Dear Mayor Diamond Bar.docx
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Dear Ms. Santana,
I’m planning to attend the City Council Meeting to address the Council members on Mt SAC $750 million proposed bond measure appearing on November 5 Ballot.
Please include and distribute the attached file to members of the council.
Thank you,
Dr. Sassi of Walnut
[email protected]
2136638927
Dear Mayor, City Council Members, Staff and Diamond Bar Residence:
City Hall, Diamond Bar
October 15, 2024
Why do I say No to the Bond Measure requested by Mt SAC and appearing to voters on November 5, 2024.
This Fall 27 school districts in LA County seeking $15 Billion while 10 school districts are seeking $2 Billion in Orange County. LAUSD bond measure is $9 Billion and LACC is asking for $5.3 Billion.
The State is also seeking $10 Billion bond money (Prop 2) and $10 billion (Prop 4), the last State bond was passed in 2016 and failed in 2020.
Mt Sac Bond in the amount of $750 million may cost the taxpayers as much as $1.5 Billion over the life of the bond, that was based on the analysis provided by LA County Council on page 29 of the County Official Sample Pamphlet. Mt Sac wants us to pay for short term costs with long term financing. These upgrades will be obsolete long before the bond is paid off. Today's college students living in the district will pay for this bond long after their own children have graduated from college. That's fiscally wrong and unacceptable
Mt SAC board of trustees and past and current administration have shown to be in violation of the intent of Prop 39. Unfortunately the way prop 39 is written allows for college employees assigned to oversee the construction to be paid by the bond money, it seems to me as a neighbor to the college, the college didn’t set their budget priorities appropriately. They have known for years that the college needs more than repairs and maintenance. Their failure to prioritize these costs is unforgivable and should have been taken care by previous bond that amounted to over $1.5 Billion excluding financial fees.
Mt SAC didn’t learn from the law suits which they lost to UWT and the City of Walnut and cost the tax payers about $5 million in attorneys’ fee.
Board measures in particular set the tone to borrow money and increase your property taxes to pay for their irresponsible fiscal management. Your education dollars will be going to institutional investors and other wealthy people to be used as a tax shelter.
Homeowners will pay more taxes. Renters and small businesses will pay higher rent. Customers will pay higher prices. That's not fiscally sound.
Vote NO on Measure V.
Thank you for your attention,
Dr. Hassan Sassi, Retired, Professor of Engineering & Engineering Consultant to Governmental Agencies.
[email protected]
1 Kristina Santana
From: Cathy & Dave Jameson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 5:24 PM
To: Kristina Santana
Subject: FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
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I will not be able to attend the meeting in person, but I wanted to make my observations known. I've lived in DB for 40 years and have seen the deterioration of the neighborhoods especially after the drought restrictions enforced and also after the "Covid effect" we all suffered. I'm mostly commenting on my surrounding neighborhood but I have noticed these issues throughout the City.
1. Code indicates that all vehicles incapable of operating are not to be stored in public view. They must be stored in garage or out of site.
There are many vehicles just in my neighborhood that are not operational and are sitting in the drive ways of homes, unregistered for years making the area seem like a junk yard.
2. Code indicates all trash cans, rubbish and discarded objects must be kept of our public view at all times.
Most of the homes in my general area leave their trash cans out in front of the home. I've complained about this several times and had little response.
3. Code indicates that owners must "Maintain homes with a fresh coat of paint".
This is not happening.
4. Code indicates that "All yard areas and slopes must be landscaped and maintained. Overgrown vegetation, dead, decayed or diseased trees, and unsightly weeds or lawns that detract from the appearance of the home and the neighborhood are not permitted".
Definitely not happening. There is no pride of ownership anymore. People do not landscape their property or if they did, let everything die during the drought restrictions. There's just dirt in many areas and no one seems to think they must maintain the parkways of their homes as well. Corner properties are especially an issue. This is my main complaint.
There is a lack of code enforcement officials to cover a City of our size and diversity. I'm sure there are many homeowners new to the area that have not received a copy of or known of the code restrictions in the City. I think at my last count there were 3 officers and 2 were on disability or sick. Instead of spending funds on hiring more people to enforce the City rules, new street signs were installed. This was totally unnecessary spending as far as I'm concerned. They were already replaced once before and they were not damaged or rusted. I'm not sure of the logic there.
Perhaps, in order to make homeowners aware of the City Codes, there should be an article in the DB News to all households letting people know that the codes of the City will be enforced. I hope you all find this article informative and I would be glad to take pictures and provide more evidence of the neglect in the City. I'm sure many people feel this way but don't make their feelings known.
You can contact me: Catherine Jameson
415 S. Del Sol Lane
Diamond Bar
909-348-4552