Community Corner

Monrovia City Manager's Update - August 7, 2020

This update has been prepared to share with you everything that is taking place.

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Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

August 07, 2020

Hello Monrovians,

Find out what's happening in Monroviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

This update has been prepared to share with you everything that is taking place. At a glance, you’ll find information on exciting news, programs and events! If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe, Monrovia!

Find out what's happening in Monroviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Sincerely,
Dylan

Highlights in this Issue

  • Athens Services Transitioning Back to Normal Operations
  • Athens Services Rate Adjustment Approved for Solid Waste Services
  • COVID-19 Childcare Funding
  • LA County Announces Reopening Protocols for Youth Sports
  • National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation
  • CA Department of Fish & Wildlife - Living with Bears Presentation

Athens Services Transitioning Back to Normal Operations

As the public is aware, service delivery methods were impacted due to COVID-19 in most sectors imaginable and solid waste was no different. In response to COVID-19, Athens Services implemented changes to how their customers waste was collected and sorted. Beginning in April, Athens was utilizing a single pass collection system where all customer bins were collected in a single truck. At the materials recovery facilities (MRFs) the sorting was transitioned away from hand sorting and was only done mechanically. These measures were implemented to maximize the safety of their staff and the public.

As of August 1, Athens has returned to the separate collection of all customer bins and the MRFs are back to nearly 85% of capacity in terms of hand sorting. Barring any changes to CDC recommendations or other regulatory orders in light of COVID-19, Athens will continue forward in resuming normal operations.

Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to call the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575. Learn more about the City's Solid Waste Programs and view informative videos about how it works.

Rate Adjustments Approved for Solid Waste Services

On August 4, the City Council reviewed and considered a proposed rate adjustment from Athens Services to all solid waste accounts across the City. The approved rate adjustment includes consideration for impacts related to AB 1594, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and wage considerations. As outlined below, the adjustment of 5.66% includes:

AB 1594 Impacts: 3.64%

Annual CPI Adjustment: 1.70%

Annual Minimum Wage Adjustment: 0.32%

Total Requested Adjustment: 5.66%

When applying the adjusted rates, the typical customers will see monthly increases of:

Residential (3 X 90 Gallon Carts): $ 1.88 / month

Multi-Family (1 - 3yd bin x 1/week): $10.72 / month

Commercial (1 - 3yd bin x 1/week): $10.91 / month

The updated rates will be reflected on the next billing cycle and will include retroactive billing to the period beginning July 1. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100 or the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575.

COVID-19 Childcare Funding

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors allocated $15 million in CARES Act funding for childcare vouchers to serve essential workers and low-income families in the County. The Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education is contracting with the Child Care Alliance, a network of LA County Resource and Referral /Alternative Payment agencies, to distribute vouchers.

Families seeking early care and education services may call 888-92-CHILD (888-922-4453). Eligibility for these vouchers is set by the state.

At this time, Child Care Alliance are still in the process of implementing the program in partnership with LA County. Interested families are encouraged to call Child Care Alliance and provide contact information and zip code. The zip code will help them search their database for a Resource and Referral agency, which is where they will forward the family’s information. Once the program is implemented, a local Resource and Referral agency will reach out to the families to provide further details.

LA County Announces Reopening Protocols for Youth Sports

LA County's Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a Reopening Protocol for Youth Sports Leagues in LA County. The recently issued protocol applies to:

  • recreational youth sports leagues
  • club sports
  • travel sports
  • and sports sponsored by private & public schools serving students in TK-12 schools

This protocol is not intended for adult sports leagues (including collegiate sports, or amateur adult sports), which must remain closed per the State Health Officer Order. Until further notice, all youth sports activities must also take place outdoors.

August is “National Water Quality Month” and we are Participating National Mayor’s Challenge for Conservation

The EPA has designated August as National Water Quality Month! As the City of Monrovia is responsible for providing water to the community, water quality is a key priority for our organization! Every July, the City releases the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report, for the preceding calendar year (2019). The report provides information related to the source of your water, what is in it, how we treat it and how it measures in comparison to all State and Federal drinking water standards. We are happy to report that, again, for 2019, the City of Monrovia has met all water quality standards. View this report (and the previous 10 years) and learn more about the City’s water quality online.

In addition to water quality, another key priority related to our water operations is conservation. As everyone is likely aware, the State of California and the San Gabriel Valley, in particular, have been in a fluctuating state of drought for the last several years. In order to sustain sufficient water resources for all of our needs, we need to work on making conservation a way of life. As we have in previous years, the City is again participating in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. To support the City’s participation in this and our commitment to water conservation, please visit www.mywaterpledge.com and commit to conserving water! The Challenge will recognize and award Cities with the highest level of pledges so please join us in doing your part.

If you have any additional questions about water quality or conservation, please visit the City website or contact the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575 or pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Living with Bears

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife presented a Living with Bears webinar for the Monrovia community. During this meeting, California Department of Fish & Wildlife shared safety tips on how to coexist with bears, how they respond to calls, and much more.

Bulky Item Pick- Up Program

Due to COVID-19, Athens Services discontinued bulky item pick-ups in some cities, but have continued in Monrovia. During the pandemic, Monrovia's regular daily average went from 30 items per day to 90 items per day.

Athens Services provides two (2) scheduled bulky item collections, at no cost, for residential customers. To arrange for a bulky item collection, please contact Athens Services at (855) 557-1007. Bulky items include any nonhazardous, household items (furniture, appliances, and large boxes, mixed waste) that will not fit into your cart of bin.

Please schedule these collections at least two-days prior to your normal collection day. Once schedule, please place these items out with your normal trash for collection.

To schedule a bulky item pick-up, please call Athens Services at (855) 557-1007. For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Public Works at (626) 932-5575

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:

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

Since June 4, we have received 1209 reports for abandoned bulky items! Thank you for reporting these items! The winner for this week’s drawing is…. Dick Singer!

COVID-19 At a Glance

Latest Facts & Figures

Jurisdiction

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

Monrovia Renewal Construction Updates

Work is underway in the Northeast Section of the Monrovia Renewal project. This represents the final section of work for Monrovia Renewal, which is the largest public works project in City history! The Northeast project section includes the area of the City that is bound by the City limit to the east, Myrtle Avenue to the west, Greystone Avenue and Hillcrest Boulevard to the north, Colorado Boulevard and Royal Oaks to the south.

  • Phase 1: May & June
  • Phase 2: July & August
  • Phase 3: September & October
  • Phase 4: November & December

We appreciate your patience and support while we work to execute these improvements throughout our community! Should you have any questions, please call the Public Works at (626) 932-5575 or email monroviarenewal@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

For the week of August 10, work will include:

  • Concrete pouring, restoration, and asphalt slot patching on the following streets:
    • Encinitas Avenue, Palm Avenue, Lime Avenue, Canyon Boulevard, Jasmine Avenue, Heliotrope Avenue, Wildrose Avenue, Shamrock Avenue, and Oakdale Avenue
  • Sewer Repairs on the following streets:
    • Lime Avenue east of Jasmine Avenue
    • Intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Encinitas Avenue
    • Alley west of Canyon Boulevard between Palm Avenue and Lime Avenue
  • Concrete replacement of the following alleys:
    • Lime Avenue (between Shamrock and Mountain)
    • Palm Avenue (between Shamrock and Mountain)

Excel Paving, the contractor for this project, will be circulating notices to impacted residents prior to initiating work and posting necessary park restrictions in the work area. Please keep a look out for any notifications and abide by any parking restrictions. Regular street sweeping will not take place in the work area during construction so please focus on the posted construction parking signage.

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 or Building Monrovia webpages.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events

Neighborhood Watch Report

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 408 service events, resulting in 75 investigations. View the Neighborhood Watch Report.

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

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