Community Corner

Monrovia City Manager's Update - September 4, 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:

September 04, 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!

Sincerely,
Dylan

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

Highlights in this Issue

Monrovia Canyon Park & HWP Closed due to Excessive Heat

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning in the San Gabriel Valley from Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7. Over the weekend, the region can expect dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures between 100 and 115 degrees. There will only be modest relief overnight as temperatures will remain in the 70s to 80s.

Monrovia Canyon Park & HWP Closure

Due to the excessive heat, Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed September 4 through September 7. The closure may be extended if weather conditions do not improve. If there are any changes, the community will be notified at that time.

Additionally, through this period, you may see an increased presence of the fire department in the foothill neighborhoods as patrol is increased.

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.

LA County Cooling Centers

The Los Angeles County has designated cooling centers 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.

The health and safety of staff and visitors at cooling centers is priority. When visiting a cooling center, the following are recommended:

  • Staff and visitors are instructed to stay home if they do not feel well. Any person reporting or exhibiting signs of illness is advised to seek appropriate medical care.
  • Staff and visitors are required to wear a face covering at all times.
  • Staff and visitors are advised to practice social distancing by standing at least six feet away from other persons, except for family members. Tables, chairs and other physical layouts are arranged to ensure appropriate distancing. Occupancy is reduced by more than half to prevent crowding.
  • Signage is posted throughout cooling centers reminding staff and visitors of key protective actions, including the proper way to wear face coverings, washing hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and to avoid touching their faces.
  • Cooling centers follow cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Frequently contacted surfaces like door handles, handrails, counters, seating, bathrooms, and floors are cleaned more often. Trash is collected and disposed of regularly.

Elevated temperatures may cause heat-related illnesses, 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.

Ad Hoc Committee on Equity and Inclusion

The Monrovia Ad Hoc Committee on Equity and Inclusion is a five-member committee established by the City Council. The Committee’s sole function is to review with the community to determine whether any policies, practices, and procedures of the City of Monrovia are unjust or unfair; create structural barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion in City governance, employment or enforcement; or perpetuate systemic racism in City government and provide a report back to the City Council with any recommendations for change the Committee deems advisable for consideration.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, September 10, at 6 p.m., through Zoom.

Traffic Calming Devices Installed in front of Starbucks on Foothill Boulevard

As you might have noticed, some traffic calming and control devices were installed in front of the Starbucks on Foothill Boulevard on Friday, August 28. Since Starbucks opened in 2016, there have been issues related to illegal left turns into and out of that location. You may recall when the location first opened a different style of traffic device known as “turtle shells” were installed at this location. Those devices were ultimately removed as they did not perform as desired and resulted in a lot of popped tires.

Through the review process associated with Starbuck’s conditional use permit (CUP), staff from Community Development, Police, and Public Works coordinated the design of these improvements to prevent illegal left turns and promote traffic safety. The final plans for what were installed were ultimately reviewed and approved by the Traffic Safety Committee for installation. This past Friday, a contractor hired by Starbucks installed these improvements according to the plans approved by the City. The location will continue to be monitored by Public Works and Police to ensure that these improvements are not resulting in any unforeseen traffic safety issues.

Art in Public Places Logo Contest

Residents and business owners are encouraged to participate in the Art in Public Places logo contest.

Interested artists must submit designs by Sept. 18, at 6 p.m. The contest winner will receive $500. This logo should reflect the culture, values and characteristics of Monrovia. For a complete list of the contest guidelines and design specifics, visit cityofmonrovia.org/logo.

Established in 2004, Art in Public Places supports the creation of public art through a variety of programs and projects. The program extends the reach of public art into the community by sponsoring the artists to paint utility boxes, murals, Samson the Bear statues and more.

Download an applications for the contest. If you have any questions regarding the Art in Public Places Logo Contest, contact Kerri Zessau by calling (626) 932-5564 or emailing kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Join Us For Our Fall 2020 Class Session!

Registration is now open for fall classes! Fall classes are set to start on Monday, September 21 and will be offered virtually as well as some in person options. Join us as we explore new virtual classes that range from fitness classes to dance classes to academic support programs for all ages. For further questions please contact the Community Services Department at (626) 256-8246.

One West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Sample in Monrovia

West Nile virus is endemic to Los Angeles County. This means it is found naturally in our city environments. During warmer weather, the virus activity increases, which increases the chance for traps set by the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District to catch mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus and any other viruses that can be a public health threat.

Through a random collection of 10-50 mosquitoes from a trap, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District detected one new case of West Nile virus in Monrovia.

Tip, Toss, Protect to stop mosquitoes!
Tip out stagnant water weekly. Toss unused containers, even bottle caps! Protect yourself with mosquito repellent.

National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. National Suicide Prevention Month coincides with one of the most complex and challenging periods in our Nation's recent history - combatting the coronavirus pandemic. Not only has the virus caused immense physical suffering and loss for many people, it has also resulted in mental and emotional hardships.

For people suffering from mental health illnesses, there are services and resources available 24/7. You are not alone.

September is Disaster Preparedness Month

Throughout the month of September, Monrovia Fire & Rescue will bring you tips to make you and your family more resilient.

This week our focus is Making a Plan.

If you already have a plan in place, you are on your way to being a resilient Monrovian! During this time, we encourage you to review your plan and see if any updates need to be made, especially when considering safety protocols for COVID-19.

If you don't have a plan in place, here are a few items that we encourage you to keep in mind:

  • Think about who you want to connect with during an emergency. These may be family, neighbors, friends or caregivers.
  • Write down their names and contact information on any clean sheet of paper. Include home, work, school and other numbers.
  • Share copies with everyone on your list.
  • It doesn’t need to be complex; it just needs to include ways to keep in touch and how to reconnect if you are separated when the disaster happens.

Remember to talk about your emergency plans with loved ones and encourage them to do the same! A great new resource for starting your plan is the Disaster Preparedness Guide.

Tune in next week for Go Bag and Stay Box ideas!

LA County Sanitation District Recognition of Good Corporate Citizens

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (Sanitation Districts) recognized 432 companies with certificates for being “good corporate citizens” for the year 2019. In Monrovia, the following companies were recognized:

  • Burnett & Son Meat Co. Inc.
  • Decco U. S. Post-Harvest, Inc.
  • Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc.
  • Tanner Research Laboratories

These companies have met their limits for wastewater discharge for at least a year, maintained their environmental equipment, and fulfilled all permit requirements.

The idea for the Certificates of Recognition originated with the Sanitation Districts’ Industry Advisory Council, an advisory group currently consisting of 13 representatives from different industrial sectors. The Council and the Sanitation Districts believe that it is important to recognize industries with good compliance records. The recognition program is now in its twenty-fourth year.

The Sanitation Districts are a regional public agency consisting of 24 independent special districts serving over 5.6 million people in 78 cities and unincorporated territory within Los Angeles County. The agency protects public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management and, in doing so, convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials.

Respond to the 2020 Census

Once every 10 years, the census counts EVERYONE living in the U.S. – regardless of age, race/ethnicity or citizenship status. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

Information collected during the 2020 Census can’t be shared or used against you in any way. Your information is only used to generate statistics, it can’t be shared with immigration or law enforcement agencies, and it can’t be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits. Your privacy and security are taken seriously.

There are customer service representatives in more than 13 different languages to help you complete your 2020 Census! Call (844) 330-2020 and complete your census.

Library Park Fountain

If you have been by Library Park lately, you might have noticed that the fountain is not operating. Unfortunately, one of the fountain pumps failed and needs to be repaired. Staff is working to with our maintenance contractor to source the needed parts but we are anticipating that the fountain will be down for about the next 4 weeks. If you have any questions or comments, please call the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575.

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 1567 reports for abandoned bulky items! Thank you for reporting these items! The winner for this week’s drawing is….Rosemarie Garcia!

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 September 7, work will include:

  • Concrete removal and replacement on the following streets:
    • Streets South of Greystone: Poinsettia Avenue, Grand Avenue, Aspen Drive, Pearl Avenue, Sierra Vista Avenue, Heliotrope Avenue, Poppy Avenue, Shamrock Avenue, Mountain View Avenue, Poppy Avenue, Valley View Avenue, Ocean View Avenue, and Madeline Drive
  • Paving of new asphalt on the following streets:
    • Tuesday, September 8:
      • Bradbury Road, Winding Oak Lane, Circle Oak Drive, and Park Rose Avenue
    • Wednesday, September 9:
      • Orange Avenue, Park Rose Avenue south of Lemon Avenue, Bradoaks Avenue, Maurice Street east of Shamrock Avenue, Lime Avenue, Oakdale Avenue, Palm Avenue, and Wildrose Avenue
    • Thursday, September 10:
      • Lime Avenue, Oakdale Avenue, Palm Avenue, Wildrose Avenue, and Heliotrope Avenue
    • Friday, September 11:
      • Lime Avenue, Jasmine Avenue, Palm Avenue, and Encinitas Avenue

As a part of the street improvements, the existing speed bumps on Terrado Drive and Bradbury Road will be reconstructed by the contractor. That work is tentatively scheduled to take place within about 3 weeks of the work being completed. In the meantime, we ask folks to please drive cautiously and adhere to the posted speed limits.

  • During this time, isolated sewer repairs will take place in the following locations:
    • Alley between Foothill Boulevard and Wildrose Avenue
    • Lemon between Canyon Boulevard and Shamrock Avenue
    • Lime Avenue and Poppy Avenue
    • Foothill Boulevard between Ivy Avenue and Shamrock Avenue
    • Ivy south of Greystone Boulevard

While paving is taking place, residents should expect delays and anticipate intermittent street closures. The construction crews will do their best to facilitate roadway access during the days while work is taking place. Each street will be accessible by the end of each working day. Please adhere to all posted parking restrictions, detour signs, and other construction notifications. Excel Paving, the contractor for this project, will be circulating notices to impacted residents and posting necessary park restrictions in the work area prior to initiating work.

Regular street sweeping will not take place in the work area during construction so please adhere to restrictions on the posted construction 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 358 service events, resulting in 59 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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