City Of Monrovia: City Manager's Update | July 2, 2021

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

07/02/2021 8:55 AM

Hello Monrovians,

This update has been prepared to share with you everything that is taking place in Monrovia. Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Sincerely,
Dylan

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

Highlights in this Issue  

• Celebrate Independence Day Weekend in Monrovia
• City Facilities Closed for Independence Day
• RESIDENT HIGHLIGHT: Amedea Tassinari
• Southern California Edison Aerial Inspections   
• 2021-2029 Housing Development HCD Draft 

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend in Monrovia

Monrovia is the place to be for Independence Day weekend! Here is your guide to family-friendly activities, exciting entertainment and the most spectacular fireworks show.

Monrovia Street Fair & Market Returns

The FULL Monrovia Street Fair & Market will return on Friday, July 2, including the kids’ play area, entertainment, and food services!

During the summer, the Monrovia Street Fair & Market is open, on Fridays, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Spend your Friday evenings on Myrtle Avenue browsing purveyors selling unique foods, custom artisan crafts, and fresh from the farm produce.

We look forward to seeing you at the Monrovia Street Fair & Market!

Hillside Wilderness Preserve Modified Hours

In an effort to keep residents and visitors safe, the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will have modified hours for the 4th of July holiday.

• Saturday, July 3 – 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Sunday, July 4 – 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
• Monday, July 5 – 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Gates will be locked at 2 p.m. This schedule is subject to changes should the heat and fire risk be elevated.

4th of July Concert & Fireworks Show    

The City of Monrovia is excited to announce the return of the 4th of July Concert & Fireworks Show! All are invited to celebrate the Nation’s birthday with live music, entertainment, dancing and a fireworks show. Spectators may reserve park space no earlier than the morning of July 4. The concert, featuring Night Owl, will begin at 7 p.m., and the fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. For more information on the 4th of July Concert & Fireworks Show, please view the FAQ. 

Fireworks are Prohibited in Monrovia  

The City of Monrovia, including both the fire and police departments, would like to remind all residents and visitors that fireworks are not allowed in the City of Monrovia. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, illegal fireworks are the primary cause of thousands of injuries throughout the U.S. each 4th of July. By complying with local laws prohibiting the use of fireworks, these injuries are preventable.

City Facilities Closed for Independence Day

In observance of Independence Day, Monrovia City Hall, Public Works Yard, Community Services, and Library will be closed on Monday, July 5. Regular operating hours will resume on Tuesday, July 6.

RESIDENT HIGHLIGHT: Amedea Tassinari

Amedea Tassinari, a Monrovia native, designed the crest for the new Angel City Football Club! Amedea was inspired by the landscape of L.A., the famous sunrises and sunsets, and the hawk, which represents power, movement and fierceness. To learn more about the crest, take a look at the Los Angeles Times article. Now residing on the West Side, Amedea will always call Monrovia home. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Church and Bishop Amat High School.

We're so proud of you, Amedea!

Southern California Edison Aerial Inspections

Southern California Edison (SCE) crews will be doing inspections, infrastructure improvement work, and vegetation management around the surrounding area. In addition to this work, SCE will be conducting aerial inspections of its electrical equipment, which began on June 28, and will end on July 3. The aerial inspections of SCE's transmission and distribution facilities will involve helicopters and drones. These inspections will only take place during daylight hours. This work is part of their ongoing commitment to safety and supporting California's fight against wildfires.

For additional information on how SCE is addressing the threat of wildfires, please visit the following SCE websites:

• Wildfire Mitigation Plan
• Helicopter Inspections
• Drone Inspections

2021-2029 Housing Development HCD Draft 

The Housing Element is about the current and future housing needs of Monrovians. The goal of the Housing Element is to plan for safe, affordable housing for all economic segments of our community in a way that is sensitive to our existing neighborhoods. Because housing is an important issue throughout the State of California, the Housing Element is updated regularly - every 5 to 8 years! Our current Housing Element was adopted in 2014 and provides guidance through year 2021. 

The Housing Element is currently being updated as part of the 2021 Focused General Plan Update.  This will create a housing plan for Monrovia through 2029. 

On June 15, 2021, a joint Study Session of the City Council and Planning Commission was held to review the first draft of the Housing Element.  This plan integrates the City’s housing goals with policies and programs to guide housing decisions for the next 8 years.  Based on the feedback received, the Draft Housing Element was submitted to the state Department of Community Development (HCD) on June 22 for review and comment.  Additionally, the City Council directed staff to initiate a study on an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. 

It is important to note that although the Draft Housing Element was submitted to the state for review, this is only the first step in the approval process.  This review by HCD will focus on compliance with state Housing Element law.  Comments received from HCD will be incorporated into the Final Draft Housing Element for the consideration of the Planning Commission and City Council in September and October.  Public comments on the Draft Element are encouraged and can be sent to planning@ci.comrovia.ca.us.

Conservation is a Way of Life 

Water Conservation is a primary focus for Californians due to the extreme heat and dry conditions.  Historically, summer creates the potential for higher water use. 

Pools and In-Ground Spas

• Install a pool cover to reduce water evaporation by as much as 90%.
• Shut off waterfalls, fountains, and other water features to reduce water loss and evaporation.
• If your pool is heated, reduce the water temperature to reduce evaporation.
• Check for and repair any leaks.
• Minimize splashing or lower the pool's water level to reduce "splashout."
• Plug the overflow line when the pool is in use.
• Replace sand and DE filters with cartridge filters that do not require backwashing.
• Keep your pool clean to reduce frequency of backwashing.

We hope all Monrovians keep in mind these tools and tips to use water wisely. For rebate information on high- efficiency items and eligibility, please visit: www.bewaterwise.com. 

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.

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

The winner for this week’s drawing is… Sue Lamb! Since June 2020, we have received 4,675 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.

Monrovia Strong  

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 webpage.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events

• Monrovia City Council Meeting | July 6 | 7:30 p.m. 
• Monrovia Area Partnership Block Party | July 31 | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. 
• MAFA Summer Art Walk | July 31, August 28 
• Call for Artist: Neighborhood Treasure | application deadline July 19
• Summer Concerts in the Park | weekends in July & August 
• Summer Movies in the Park | August 21 & August 28
• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center  
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. 
• E-Waste Drop-off | Daily | Monrovia Public Works Yard   
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Submit a Tree Planting Interest Form 
• Request a Bulky Item Pick-Up 
• Request the 2021 Coloring Book Calendar 
• Reserve Library Items for Curbside Pick-up | Monday - Saturday  

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

• Administrative Assistant
• Maintenance Worker

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 356 service events, resulting in 66 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.