City Of Monrovia: City Manager's Update | October 22, 2021

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

10/22/2021 9:56 AM

“A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition” 
- William Arthur Ward

Hello Monrovians, 

This morning when I set out for a bike ride, the sky was dark and there was a thick layer of fog. I reached the top of Lower Clamshell Trail and couldn’t even see Monrovia! It was wonderful but watching the sun rise and brighten up our community was amazing. What a wonderful way to begin the day!

Over the coming days and weeks, there are some wonderful activities going on in our beautiful community. If you haven’t signed up yet, please join the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley and hundreds of volunteers tomorrow for Make a Difference Day in Monrovia. But there is so much more too! Please join the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts for an artist reception, or Centre Stage for their “Be Our Guest” fundraiser, or so much more. You’ll also find details regarding our Safe Routes to School Project, updates to outdoor dining in Old Town Monrovia, a job opportunity with the City and much more.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Dylan

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

Highlights in this Update  

• 2021 Make a Difference Day 
• Safe Routes to School
• Updates to the Enhanced Outdoor Dining in Old Town Monrovia 
• Job Opportunity: Firefighter 
• Monrovia Unified School District State of the Schools 
• September Community Events by Community Media of the Foothills
• Thank you to City of Bradbury Council and Staff!

2021 Make A Difference Day 

The Volunteer Center of the San Gabriel Valley is excited to present Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 23. You can join hundreds of volunteers to help make a difference in the Monrovia community. Come out and help lend a hand to make a positive change in the community and in someone's life. 

Individuals and Groups can sign up and adopt a project! Contact Macy Gracia at (626) 774-1105 for information on large group registration. 

As part of Make a Difference Day, there will also be locations for residents to drop off bulky items. These locations will be available on Saturday, October 23, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. For additional information, please call 626-774-1105. 

Safe Routes to School 

On October 4, the City’s contractor, Vido Samarzich, began working on the Safe Routes to School Project that includes improvements to the intersection of Lemon Avenue and Park Rose Avenue at the front of Bradoaks Elementary School. Earlier this week, Vido Samarzich has completed a substantial part of the improvements including the raised crosswalk and thermoplastic traffic markings that aim to improve pedestrian safety and reduce speed in a high traffic area. The contractor is still working on installing additional enhancements to the intersection including solar speed feedback signs and additional concrete improvements. We anticipate the project to be fully complete by the end of November or early December.

Updates to the Enhanced Outdoor Dining in Old Town Monrovia

Based on feedback and comments from the merchants in the 400 block of Myrtle Avenue,  the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board recommended ending Saturday night street closures on November 6. This only affects the 400 block of Myrtle and the last night for the program will be Saturday, October 30. 

The Outdoor Dining Program will continue on Friday nights at part of the weekly Street Fair event.

Job Opportunity: Firefighter 

The City of Monrovia is now recruiting for the following positions:

• Firefighter

Our mission is "We exist to serve the people of Monrovia to create a community that offers a premiere quality of life." If you are interested in joining the Monrovia team, submit your application today!

Save the Date: Monrovia Unified School District presents State of the Schools

The Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education cordially invites you to attend the 2021-22 State of the Schools Address! Join the Board of Education in celebrating Monrovia Unified's scholars, teachers, and community on Wednesday, November 17, at 6 p.m. This event will be held at the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center.

September Community Events by Community Media of the Foothills

Monrovia is known for having premier events and programs for the entire community. Take a look at a recap put together by Community Media of the Foothills, featuring Monrovia Fire & Rescue's 9/11 Memorial, the Old Town Monrovia Soap Box Derby, and much more! 

Thank you to City of Bradbury Council and Staff!

The City of Monrovia would like to thank The City of Bradbury’s City Council and Staff for their generous donation of two drinking fountains to our Canyon Park! Make sure you stop by and take a sip on your next hike!

Measure K, the Keep Monrovia Revenues Local Sales Tax Measure 

During the months of October and November, city staff will visit different community groups to share an update on Measure K, the Keep Monrovia Revenues Local Sales Tax Measure. As you may recall, Measure K ensures that new sales tax revenues stay in Monrovia and are reinvested into our community. On April 1, 2021, the new sales tax measure went into effect, and based on projections, the estimated revenue generated by Measure K is $10.8 million for Fiscal Years 2021-23. Measure K funds are put towards projects that align with the Monrovia City Council’s goals of Financial Management, Infrastructure, Customer Service and Relationships. So far, the Monrovia City Council has only approved $3,574,916 towards: one-time infrastructure improvement projects, increasing financial reserves, battling cages at Barney Glenn Baseball Field, and the American Disability Act Transition Plan. 

Residents, along with in-town business owners, are encouraged to fill out a form on the City's website with spending suggestions for the new sales tax revenue received from Measure K.

Scheduled Power Outages in the Northeastern Section of Monrovia   

Southern California Edison (SCE) has planned power outages to take place in  certain sections of Monrovia. SCE will continue to upgrade aging infrastructure, make needed improvements, and complete other repairs. SCE and their contractors will perform work in the following locations:

• Saturday, October 23 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
  • Shamrock Avenue alleyway between Valley View and Ocean View Ave.

Customers that will be impacted by this outage have received notifications from SCE. During a power outage, SCE customers can view current information regarding the outage and the estimated restoration time by visiting SCE Online. 

Should you have any questions, please call SCE outage phone number at 888-759-6056.

Free Compost and Mulch Drive-Up Event

Reserve your spot for free compost and mulch at the Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain Avenue) on Saturday, October 23, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Residents must wear face masks, and bring gloves, a shovel and a container no larger than 32 gallons.

Reservations are required for this event. For more information and to make a reservation, please contact Public Works at (626) 932-5575 or pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us. 

Biking for Bucks 

We’re encouraging all those who work or live in Monrovia to ride their bike and track their mileage for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local Monrovia business! Our Biking for Bucks program is to help encourage a healthier mode of transportation for our residents while also taking care of our planet.  You can register your bike and track your weekly trips by visiting our GoMonrovia website, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact our team at: GoMonrovia@ci.monrovia.ca.us. 

New Monrovia Reads Van Launch Party

Join us in Monrovia Library Park on Wednesday, October 27, at 4 p.m., for the launch of our brand new, electric Monrovia Reads Van! Speakers from the City and Monrovia Reads will help us celebrate this new vehicle that will be bringing library services to local schools and community events throughout the year. This customized vehicle was funded by a grant from the California State Library.

Celebrate OAKtober with Free Oak Saplings 

In celebration of “OAKtober” and the benefits that our oak trees provide, Grow Monrovia will give six varieties of oak saplings (Scrub, live, cork, Englemann, black, valley) to residents of Monrovia who would like to grow oak trees in their own yards. When planted young, oak trees develop healthier root systems and grow at a faster rate.

On October 16, 21 and 28, presentations will be given by different oak experts/advocates, discussing everything from oak tree planting to oak tree care to the ecological and environmental benefits of planting oak trees. There will be representatives from the LA Arboretum, The Huntington Library and Metabolic Studio to name a few. The events will last about an hour with an opportunity for the community to ask questions at the end.

California Native Plant Sale 

The California Native Plan Society, San Gabriel Mountain Chapter, will host a Native Plant Sale on Saturday, November 6, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Monrovia Historical Museum. 

A good variety of reasonably priced California native plants and wildflower seeds appropriate for gardens in the Los Angeles basin will be available, including plants for attracting birds and butterflies to your home garden. Knowledgeable chapter members will also be on hand to answer questions.

Grid Tree Trimming 

West Coast Arborists (WCA), the City’s contracted tree trimming company, will continue tree trimming in Grid 3 this week as they work between Walnut Ave and Huntington from Mayflower through Fifth. 

Grid 3 is the area between south of Foothill Blvd to the southern City limit, between Mayflower Avenue and 5th Avenue.

All City trees are pruned on a regular basis using best practices from the international society of arboriculture. Trees are trimmed in a manner that will encourage good development while preserving their health, structure, and natural appearance. During the trimming, traffic control will be in place and minor traffic delays may occur. Please be mindful of all posted signage.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575.

Water Conservation Kits Now Available

On October 19, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide drought emergency and asked all Californians to do more to conserve water.  He added eight counties, including Los Angeles, to a list of counties in serious drought conditions and is asking everyone for a voluntary 15% reduction of water usage. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has responded by asking all communities, including Monrovia, to help conserve limited water resources.

To help us reach that goal, the City of Monrovia is doing its part by offering residents FREE water conservation kits! Together we can help the effort to conserve more water.

Please submit the following form to request a kit for pick up at the Public Works Yard located at 600 S. Mountain Avenue. Please note, limit one kit per household.

Water Conservation is a Way of Life 

As we continue to remain in this California Drought, it’s important we continue to preserve water but also keep our trees healthy. Trees offer many benefits such giving us oxygen to breathe, reducing the amount of storm water runoff, and providing shade! Our trees also help our wildlife by providing habitats for many of our birds and small critters. 

It’s crucial we continue to take care of our trees and preserve them for future generations to enjoy! 

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.

Since June 2020, we have received 5,833 reports for abandoned bulky items!

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.

This weeks winner is…Ann Hodgon! Since June 2020, we have received 5,920 reports for abandoned bulky items!

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.

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

• Make a Reservation for the Compost & Mulch Giveaway | October 23 | 8 a.m. 
• Make a Difference Day | October 23 | 8 a.m.   
• MAFA Presents Gallery Artist Reception | October 24 | 2 p.m.
• Centre Stage's Be Our Guest Annual Fundraiser | October 24 | 5 p.m. 
• Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Drive-Thru | October 30 | 9 a.m.  
• Trick-or-Treat & Halloween Bash | October 31 | 3 p.m.  
• City Council Meeting | November 2 | 7:30 p.m.  
• In-N-Out Reading Program | now through November 13
• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center 
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop Off at Monrovia Public Works Yard | Daily
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Request a Bulky Item Pick-Up
• Request your Water Conservation Kit

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

• Firefighter 
• Principal Accountant 

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 370 service events, resulting in 72 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.