City Of Monrovia: City Manager's Update | September 10, 2021

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

09/10/2021 10:03 AM

Hello Monrovians,

Tomorrow will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11. In honor of the date, Monrovia Fire & Rescue will be hosting a community remembrance on Saturday, September 11, at 8 a.m., at Fire Station 101. The department has a touching ceremony planned and I encourage all Monrovians to stop by and take a moment to remember the lost and honor the heroes.

Also important, please remember to sign up for emergency alerts if you have not already. Last night, Monrovians were surprised by a sudden thunderstorm with heavy rain and lightning. Soon to follow were flash flood warnings and emergency alerts that most of us were not expecting. The storm has passed but we should prepare for the winter season which is likely to include some flooding and debris flow. For your reference, the LA County Department of Public Works has developed a Homeowner’s Guide for Flood, Debris and Erosion Preparation. 

Sincerely, 
Dylan

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

Highlights in this Issue  

• National Preparedness Month | Week 2 
• 2021 Fall Monrovia Today 
• Community Meeting Regarding Possible Dog Park
• September 11 Community Remembrance 
• Monrovia Car Show & Old Town Derby 
• Monrovia ChangeMakers, a Virtual Monrovia Youth Baseball League Reunion
• MOHPG Presents Authors Alan and Claudia Heller 
• Monrovia Community Garden Fall Workshops

National Preparedness Month | Week 2 

Having a kit is a key step to having a ready and resilient household. You can build them yourself or by them pre-made. There are two types of Kits: Go Bags and Stay boxes. 

A Go Bag is for when you need to evacuate quickly. It should contain a change of clothes, important documents, medications, photos and your phone charger. Make sure to take your mobile phone with you also. If you also have a Go Bag in your car and at work, you will always have what you need even when you cannot return home.

A Stay Box is for when you need to remain in your home. It should have enough supplies for three to seven days. This includes food that will not spoil, water, medication, a flashlight and trash bags.

Don’t forget your pets! Make sure to have emergency supplies set aside for your pet including a crate, food and water, medications, vaccination records, a spare leash & collar, cat carriers with litter boxes, etc. It is helpful to have a photo of you and your pet.

Check your kits annually and replace any items that have expired.

2021 Fall Monrovia Today 

Fitness classes, dance lessons, academic support programs and much more will be offered to residents and community members to participate in during the fall months! This season, the Monrovia Today will be a digital version so residents can have quick access to the virtual programs.

For a physical copy or to be added to our mailing list, please contact the Monrovia Community Center at (626) 256-8246. In the upcoming week, a postcard will arrive in homes with a QR code to scan, leading to the digital Monrovia Today. 

Community Meeting Regarding Possible Dog Park

The City of Monrovia is considering adding a dog park to Recreation Park and invites you to share your thoughts. Save the date for October 2, 10 a.m., at Recreation Park for a community meeting. Join us to learn more and provide feedback related to this proposed projects!  

September 11 Community Remembrance

On September 11, 2001, the nation stood still as it witnessed the most horrific terrorist attack in history. Twenty years later, with the images of that day still etched in our minds, our country has grown stronger to prove beyond a doubt, that terrorism does not have a grip on our unfaltering patriotism.

This Patriot Day, Monrovia Fire & Rescue encourages you to take a moment to remember the innocent lives lost and to honor the selfless service and valiant acts of the first responders. Please join us at the community remembrance, on September 11, at 8 a.m., at Fire Station 101.

Monrovia Car Show & Old Town Derby

Street Rods Forever and the Old Town Soap Box Derby will return on Saturday, September 11! The event will begin at 9 a.m. in Old Town Monrovia. 

Monrovia ChangeMakers, Monrovia Youth Baseball League Virtual Reunion of the Monrovia Youth Baseball League

Monrovia ChangeMakers is hosting a virtual event — Part II of a Virtual Reunion of the Monrovia Youth Baseball League (MYLB) on  Wednesday, September 15, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom. In Part I, former members shared photos and recalled fond memories of what it was like to be part of MYLB teams.  If you know a Monrovia Youth Baseball league player from the 1960s or 1970s, or are interested to learn more about MYBL as one of the few multi-racial experiences for young boys at that time, please join us!

• Zoom Meeting ID 961 786 2208
• Passcode 096718

For more information, please call Lois Gaston at 626 827-6832.

MOHPG Presents Authors Alan and Claudia Heller

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group invites all Monrovians to attend a free presentation in the Community Room of the Monrovia Library on Friday, September 17, 2021, at 6 pm. The presenters are Alan and Claudia Heller who live next door in Duarte. They have authored several books, among them Life on Route 66 and Duarte Chronicles. This talk will center on another book, Curiosities of the California Desert. The couple has spent time over the past 50 years exploring and photographing many areas in California – Salvation Mountain, Cerro canyon, the Integratron and Giant Rock, Willie Boys Grave and Devils Hole, and many more.

There is no need to RSVP. Just show up for an informative talk. Refreshments will be provided.

Monrovia Community Garden Fall Workshop 

Kids' Pollinator Activities (Limited space – Registration Required)
September 18, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Enjoy kids' activities learning about our local plants and the insects around us through nature crafts, bug viewings, and a special ladybug release. To register for the kids’ workshop, please email: info@monroviacommunitygarden.org.

Pollinator Habitat Workshop
September 18, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Come learn about local pollinator plants and what to grow at your home to have a successful and welcoming habitat.

Workshops are held at the Monrovia Community Garden at 303 W. Colorado Blvd., and are free and open to all!

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Survey

In an ongoing effort to serve all members of the public, the City of Monrovia is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan and self-evaluation. As a part of this process, your input is needed by completing a survey addressing accessibility of facilities, programs, services, activities, and events offered to the public.

Your feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs. Take the survey. 

Lucinda Garcia Park Renovation Project Update

Join us at Lucinda Garcia Park on Saturday, September 18, at 11 a.m., to learn more about the planned improvements coming to Lucinda Garcia Park! Designs are currently being finalized with Construction to set begin in early 2022. To learn more, please call 626-256-8246.

Grid Tree Trimming

This fall, the City’s contracted tree trimming company, West Coast Arborists (WCA), will be trimming trees in Grid 3. Grid 3 is the area between south of Foothill Boulevard to the southern City limit, between Mayflower Avenue and 5th Avenue. WCA will begin trimming City Trees at the north end of Grid 3 and work their way down. Trimming will begin the week of September 13, 2021.

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.

GoMonrovia by Electric Vehicle 

The first EV charging stations in Old Town Monrovia are now open at 124 E Lemon Avenue. To celebrate the inauguration of these new services, the City is offering free charging through October 1, 2021!

Charging your car battery is easy with the Powerflex charging app. Here’s how it works: 

1. Download the Powerflex app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store 
2. Follow these steps to set up your account 
3. When you arrive at our charging station, launch the Powerflex app and scan the QR code on the station.

Once drivers have completed charging, please move it to a non-charging space so others may utilize the charging stations. Happy Charging!

For more information about the EV Charging Pilot project, please contact Chris Castruita at (626) 256-8224 or ccastruita@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Water Conservation Kits Available

With water conservation being a primary focus for Californians due to the extreme heat and dry conditions, we are pleased to offer Monrovia residents conservation kits. These kits are available at no charge to help make conserving water that much easier! 

Please submit a 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.

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.

Since June 2020, we have received 5,502 reports for abandoned bulky items. Thank you for reporting these 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.

Stay Informed  Resources

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 | September 21 | 7:30 p.m. 
• Old Town Monrovia Wine Walk | October 9 | 6 p.m. 
• 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

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

• Police Services Representative 

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 337 service events, resulting in 62 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.