City Of Monrovia: City Manager's Update | July 16, 2021

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

07/16/2021 10:30 AM

Hello Monrovians,

Can you believe we’re already halfway to August? Summer seems to be passing by so quickly and I hope you are finding new and exciting ways to spend your summer. In this update, you’ll learn about the new mask mandate effective at 11:59 p.m., on Saturday night, as well as a few new programs like Biking for Bucks, COVID-19 Rent Relief and others. In addition, our Police Department is inviting you to join them at Starbucks on Wednesday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for a cup of coffee.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Sincerely,
Dylan

Email: dfeik@ci.monrovia.ca.us 
Phone: (626) 932-5585

Highlights in this Issue  

• NEW Mask Mandate Effective Saturday, July 17
• CA COVID-19 Rent Relief 
• GoMonrovia and Biking for Bucks
• Coffee with a Cop 
• Monrovia Parks, Wilderness & Recreation Foundation Virtual Auction

NEW Mask Mandate Effective Saturday, July 17

The LA County Department of Public Health will be implementing an order requiring individuals to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status. This order will go into effect, at 11:59 p.m., on Saturday, July 17. Wearing a mask when indoors with others reduces the risk of both getting and transmitting the virus. Masking indoors must again become a normal practice by all, regardless of vaccination status, so that we can stop the trends and level of transmission we are currently seeing. Some exceptions will apply, and these will be similar to masking requirements that were in place prior to June 15.

Currently, LA County's daily test positivity rate is 3.75%, an increase from a rate of 1.2% on June 15 when physical distancing restrictions and capacity limits were lifted across all sectors. According to the CDC, the LA County's daily increase in cases to the high level where we are now puts us in the category of "Substantial transmission". Over the last seven days, LA County has reported over 1000 new cases a day. This daily average case rate is at a substantial community transmission level without the 7-day lag.

This new mandate is expected to stay in place until improvements are seen in community transmission of COVID-19. The LA County Department of Public Health will be updating the Health Officer Order to reflect these new changes.

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program for Income-Eligible Renters and Landlords

On June 28, 2021, Governor Newsom signed legislation that extended critical eviction protections to September 30, 2021, to keep families in their home and a rent relief program for low-income tenants. The California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program now covers 100% of unpaid and future rent and utilities for income-eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by the pandemic. Assistance is available for unpaid rent and utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, and for future payments as well. As a note, assistance from this program does not count as earned income for renters and will not affect eligibility for any other CA state benefit assistance program, such as CalFresh and CalWORKS. Income-eligible applicants may quality regardless of immigration status and will not be required to show proof of citizenship. All applicant information is kept private and will not be shared.

Both renters and landlords are encouraged to apply. To check eligibility and apply, visit www.HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122.

GoMonrovia, Wherever You Go

We've launched a new website with all your transit needs! The new website will serve as the one-stop shop for all public and micro-transit related information. This website will feature information on:   

• Subsidized rides with Lyft 
• Dial-a-Ride through Empire 
• EV Charging Stations
• Biking for Bucks; and 
• Additional City resources related to transportation

The newest program, Biking for Bucks, is an enhancement to the suite of options in Monrovia. This bike program reduces barriers to bike ownership by providing reimbursements for bicycles and offers incentives in the form of weekly raffles to encourage people to ride their bikes and share their activity. People who live and work in Monrovia are eligible for reimbursements and participation.

Coffee with a Cop

The Monrovia Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop at the Starbucks located at the corner of Huntington Drive and Magnolia Avenue on Wednesday, July 21, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  No agenda, no distractions, and no barriers… just coffee and conversation about the issues that matter most to you!

Teen Scene at Monrovia Library Park 

The Teen Scene program is back and will be held, every Friday, July 9 - August 20, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., in Library Park. There will be FREE food and activities including music, games, arts and crafts!

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness & Recreation Foundation Virtual Auction

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness & Recreation Foundation (MPWR) needs your help to raise funds for projects that rebuild amenities and exhibits in Canyon Park, bring shade to our playgrounds, and provide scholarships for youth to participate in recreational programs, and more to support our community! The MPWR will be holding an online auction, July 18 - 23, but you can get a sneak peek now by visiting the auction site. Click here to see what prizes you can win! From a VIP Las Vegas trip for 4 nights to an original oil painting of Canyon Park to a virtual culinary Italian lesson, there’s something for everyone!

Formerly the Monrovia Wilderness Preserve Foundation, MPWR is a 501(c)(3) independent foundation whose mission is to support recreation and community programs, parks, facilities, and open spaces in Monrovia.

Conservation is a Way of Life 

Water Conservation is a primary focus for Californians due to the extreme heat and dry conditions.  Historically, summer creates the potential for higher water use. 

To conserve water during these hot summer months, here are a few tips:  

• Turn Off Water When Brushing Teeth Or Shaving - Saves 10 gallons per person per day.
• Wash Full Loads of Clothes and Dishes - Washer will save 15–45 gallons per load, and dishwasher saves 5–15 gallons per load.
• Fix Leaks - Fixing leaks can save 110 gallons of water each month.

We hope all Monrovians keep in mind these tools and tips to use water wisely. For rebate information on high- efficiency items and eligibility, please visit: www.bewaterwise.com. 

Report Bulky Items around Town and Be Entered to Win a Gift Card

Have you seen bulky items around town? If you report them into Public Works, you will be entered into a raffle and could win a $50 gift card to a Monrovia Business! If you are out and about around town and see furniture, boxes, or other items in the Right of Way (not on Private Property), please report them to Public Works. In turn, Athens Services will pick these items up within about 48 hours.

How to Report Bulky Items:

• Call Public Works at (626) 932-5575; or
• Email bulkyitem@ci.monrovia.ca.us
• Be sure to provide our name and address to be entered into the raffle.

Raffle tickets will be pulled each Thursday and the winners will be notified by Public Works Staff.

COVID-19 At a Glance 

Latest Facts & Figures 

Residential / Non-Residential Settings in Monrovia 

Residential / Non-Residential Settings in Monrovia 

Facilities that have no reported positive COVID-19 cases for 14 days are considered to no longer have an outbreak and removed from the list. Confirmed cases of employees from residential/non-residential settings get counted under their home city.

Additional details on cases and deaths were not provided by the County of Los Angeles. View the Public Health Statement Regarding COVID-19 and Patient Privacy.

Stay Informed  Resources

Monrovia Strong  

Monrovia Strong  

The Monrovia Strong webpage was created to share with the community different resources to help you and your family get through these challenging times. 

Visit Monrovia Strongto explore the many activities and resources. We're in this together, Monrovia! 

Development Spotlight

Several significant projects are working their way through the review process and stages of construction here at the City. Among these are the Adaptive Reuse of the Monrovia Market Building (approved on Oct. 1), the Overton Moore Pacific Self Storage Project in the former Verizon Building in Old Town (approved on Nov. 19), 127 Pomona Multi-Family Development with 310 units at Station Square (approved on Jan. 21), the Alexan Multi-Family Development with 436 units at Station Square (approved on Feb. 4), and the Arroyo at Monrovia Station Multi-Family Development with 302 units (Planning Commission approved on Feb. 12). For more details, visit the Development Spotlight webpage.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events

• Monrovia City Council Meeting | July 20 | 7:30 p.m. 
• Monrovia Area Partnership Block Party | July 31 | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. 
• MAFA Summer Art Walk | July 31, August 28 
• Call for Artist: Neighborhood Treasure | application deadline July 19
• Summer Concerts in the Park | weekends in July & August 
• Summer Movies in the Park | August 21 & August 28
• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center  
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. 
• E-Waste Drop-off | Daily | Monrovia Public Works Yard   
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

• Maintenance Worker

The City of Monrovia offers interested individuals a chance to keep themselves notified on our job openings through the job interest card. This card will help interested individuals receive notifications about positions that open within the city without having to continuously log on to view our employment opportunities page.

Neighborhood Watch Report 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 376 service events, resulting in 79 investigations. View the Neighborhood Watch Report. 

This press release was produced by the City of Monrovia. The views expressed here are the author’s own.