Community Corner

Monrovia City Manager's Update | July 31, 2020

Athens Services has requested a 5.66% rate increase, which will be considered by the City Council on Tuesday, August 4.

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Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

July 31, 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 Rate Increase Request
  • Living with Bears Webinar Presented by CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Heat Watch in the San Gabriel Valley
  • Tune in With a Naturalist | Episode 2

Athens Services Rate Increase Request

Athens Services has requested a 5.66% rate increase, which will be considered by the City Council on Tuesday, August 4. An explanation of the 5.66% is explained below.

As a part of the Exclusive Franchise Agreement between the City and Athens, the Closed Loop Organics Recycling Program created a phased in program for compliance with organic waste recycling. The phased in approach began early with the largest generators of green and organic waste in 2017 and expanded to different customer segments every year. As of January 1, 2020, AB 1594 requires all green and organic waste that is generated in Monrovia to be separated from the traditional waste stream and recycled. Prior to January, green and organic waste was sent to a number of facilities throughout Southern California but now, all green and organic waste will be transferred to American Organics in Victorville, CA, for processing.

In order to transfer all green and organic waste to American Organics, Athens has been developing changes to their operations. While the use of American Organics will ensure that the City maintains compliance with several state regulatory requirements, there will be some operational changes necessary to complete these efforts. While Monrovians will not see these changes in the way that their waste is collected, Athens must ensure that all – and more - material is properly sorted and delivered to the facility that is further away. In addition, as the facility is newer and advanced in the way it handles materials, the tipping fees are slightly higher than the other locations that have been utilized. As such, Athens is proposing a rate increase for compliance with AB 1594 of 3.64% to cover the costs associated with additional transportation and increased tipping fees associated with recycling these materials.

In addition to the proposed adjustment related to AB 1594, the EFA allows for Athens to seek additional adjustments, on an annual basis, related to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Minimum Wage. The CPI for April 2020 was 0.70%, which is allowed a 1% markup per the EFA, creating a CPI total request of 1.7%. The requested adjustment related to minimum wage is 0.32%. A summary of the requested adjustment is as follow:

AB 1594 Impacts
3.64%

Annual CPI Adjustment
1.70%

Annual Minimum Wage Adjustment
0.32%

Total Request Adjustment
5.66%

Living with Bears Webinar

The foothills above Monrovia are occupied by wildlife: bears, coyotes, deer, mountain lions, and bobcats. Sometimes these wild animals venture out of the foothills and into residential neighborhoods. Most of the time, the wildlife comes and goes without notice.

Over the last couple of weeks, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife have received a few reports concerning bears. These reports range from bear bites to reports of residents allegedly feeding the bears.

On Thursday, August 6, at 11 a.m., the California Department of Fish & Wildlife will be presenting a Living with Bears webinar for the Monrovia community. During this meeting, Fish & Wildlife will share safety tips on how to coexist with bears, how they respond to calls, and much more. To join in on the webinar, please register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.

If you are unable to attend, but have questions that you would like to ask, please send those questions to pio@ci.monrovia.ca.us. A recording of the webinar will be available for viewing.

Heat Watch in the San Gabriel Valley

The National Weather Service has issued a heat watch in the San Gabriel Valley from Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m., to Saturday, August 1, 9 p.m.

With elevated temperatures comes elevated fire danger and heat-related illnesses – both of which can occur suddenly. During the heat, please take the following precautions:

  • Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated throughout the day.
  • If you must go out, plan your day to avoid going out during the hottest hours, and wear sunscreen.
  • Cars get very hot. Never leave children or pets in cars and call 911 if you see a child or pet in a car alone.
  • Beware of heat-related illness, like heat stroke and call 911 if you see these symptoms: high body temperature, vomiting, and pale and clammy skin.
  • Check on those at risk, like those who are sick, older adults, pregnant women, and children.
  • Avoid strenuous work outs wearing face coverings or masks not intended for athletic purposes; this means avoiding contact with others while you work out.

Fan Loan Program

The Monrovia Community Center has fans available for residents to borrow. Those interested in a fan or would like additional information are encouraged to call (626) 256-8246.

Cooling Centers

The Los Angeles County has designated cooling centers that will be open beginning Friday to provide the public relief from the heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers. To find a location near you, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat or call 211.

Tune in With a Naturalist

In this new episode of Tune in with a Naturalist, learn how the indigenous people, Tongva, survived and thrived throughout the Los Angeles area many years ago.

While you're there, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications, so you never miss another video!

ChalkDemic presented by the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

It's Free! It's Fun! It's Contagious!

Who Can Participate: All Monrovia Residents (including families) and Professional Artists anywhere.

Cost: It's freeeeeeeee...!! Zip... nada... zilch.

Prizes: $50 gift certificates to Old Town Monrovia merchants for the top three Monrovia Resident entries and top three Professional Artist entries.

Theme: The theme is open, but we suggest you celebrate the joys of living in Monrovia

Chalk Art Process and Entry Submittal:

  • Use non-toxic chalk and make your creation on your sidewalk, driveway or driveway apron in front of your home.
  • Make your creation between July 29 and August 2, 2020.
  • Submit two photos of your entry: 1) one of you or your group with your work and 2) one just of your work. To be considered for judging and publicity, both photos must include a print out of the MAFA logo that we will send you when you register on our website at monroviafinearts.org (Click the ChalkDemic graphic on the home page.) Or you can email christine@monroviafinearts.org to register.

Deadline for Entries: Midnight on Sunday, August 2. Email them to christine@monroviafinearts.org and be sure to include your name(s), contact email address and phone number.

Sharing and Hashtag: Share your creations on our Facebook pages and your social media with the hashtag #ChalkingTheTimeAway.

Got questions? Email Frank Zgonc, Event Chair, at frazgo@msn.com.

Big Special Thanks to Air-Tro Heating and Air Conditioning for sponsoring this event!

Most Importantly of All: HAVE FUN!!!! Celebrate what is good in Monrovia.

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 1101 reports for abandoned bulky items! Thank you for reporting these items! The winner for this week’s drawing is…. Sandra Rauhe!

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 3, work will include:

Sawcutting, concrete removals, root pruning, and grading 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:

  • May Avenue; north of Greystone Boulevard
  • Lime Avenue between Canyon Boulevard and Heliotrope Avenue

Demolition and Grading in the following alley:

  • Shamrock Avenue and Mountain Avenue

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 339 service events, resulting in 64 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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