Monrovia City Manager's Update | June 4, 2021

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

06/04/2021 9:56 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

• Summer 2021 Monrovia Today
• Monrovia City Council Proclaims June as Pride Month
• Monrovia Community Center Passport Office
• Volunteer Donation to Veterans Resource Center
• Call for Artist: Almera Romney Neighborhood Treasure
• Farmers Club Fountain
• Foothill Unity Center, Executive Director Betty McWilliams To Retire

Summer 2021 Monrovia Today

This season, the Monrovia Today will be a digital version so residents can have quick access to the programs scheduled this summer. Residents can contact the Monrovia Community Center at (626) 256-8246 for a physical copy. In the upcoming week, a postcard should arrive in homes with a QR code to scan, leading to the digital Monrovia Today.

Monrovia City Council Proclaims June as Pride Month

The Monrovia City Council is proud to proclaim June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. Nationwide, this month-long celebration demonstrates how LGBTQ+ individuals have strengthened our community, by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill. The first Pride March in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

Monrovia Community Center Passport Office Expanding Appointment Dates

The Monrovia Community Center Passport Office located at 119 W. Palm Avenue is adding Fridays for appointment availability. Passport services are now available by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., beginning Friday, June 4, 2021. To schedule an appointment today, please call (626) 932-5598. Agents will be able to assist you with your new passport applications as well as answer questions about passport renewals and other passport related questions. We look forward to assisting you with your passport needs!

Volunteer Donation to Veterans Resource Center at Monrovia Public Library

City of Monrovia volunteer, Joseph Callahan, has generously donated all proceeds of his book, 1972: My War Story to the Veterans Resource Center at the Monrovia Public Library. The book, released in March 2021, highlights his service in the US Navy as a First Class Navy Diver during the Vietnam era. Joe has served as a volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor and Veterans Resource Benefit Coach at the library since 2016. Joe and his wife, Sheryl, reside in Monrovia and have four children and nine grandchildren. Joe is currently working on his second book.

Call for Artist: Almera Romney Neighborhood Treasure

Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for the Almera Romney Neighborhood Treasure program by July 1, 2021.

The Neighborhood Treasure program celebrates Monrovia’s unsung heroes for their contributions to the community through public art. These art pieces are unique to the specific person being honored and will enrich the lives of those who view it and improve neighborhoods just by its presence.

Almera Romney was a woman who believed that all children, regardless of their ethnicity, should be treated equally. Over her 17 years at Huntington School, she fought local officials to give students equal rights. Ms. Romney singlehandedly transformed Huntington Elementary; a segregated school from a under-resourced and physically unsafe school to a place where students received an excellent education and thrived socially.

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.

If you have any questions regarding the Almera Romney Neighborhood Treasure Call for Artist, contact Kerri Zessau by calling (626) 932-5564 or emailing at kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Foothill Unity Center, Executive Director Betty McWilliams To Retire

After 22 years of service, Foothill Unity Center Executive Director, Betty McWilliams is retiring. Betty faithfully led Foothill Unity Center through many exciting and challenging growth periods including the expansion of the Food and Health Services Departments and the creation of the Workforce Development Department. She also guided the organization during its historic purchase of and relocation to its 28,000-square-foot Monrovia Center.

Betty, who plans to remain actively involved at the center, looks forward to spending time traveling and having quality time with her family during her retirement.

Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for all that you have done for the Monrovia community and beyond, Betty!

Farmers Club Fountain

Sitting in the southeast corner of Library Park, the Farmers Club Fountain has become a highly recognizable symbol of Old Town Monrovia. The structure was built and donated to the City by the Farmers Club in 1909. In 2013, it was struck by an automobile, which caused significant damage. Due to the substantial efforts of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group (MOHPG) and the City of Monrovia, the Farmers Club Fountain was meticulously restored.

Based on a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission, the City Council authorized City staff to prepare an application to designate this structure as a local historic landmark under the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. City staff is preparing the application and it is anticipated that it begin the public hearing process in late summer.

Firescaping the Foothills Townhall Meeting

Are you interested in learning about how to protect your house and property in the event of a wildfire? If so, this townhall meeting may be right for you. The City of Monrovia has partnered with the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District to present a townhall meeting on Firescaping the Foothills which helps residents understand tools to develop a landscape design that offers the best defensible, survivable space that also enhances your property.

Conservation is a Way of Life

After two exceptionally dry winters, California is facing a familiar reality of drought conditions, and we know the importance of acting early to mitigate severe impacts of drought conditions. In an effort to do our part, we are encouraging residents to reduce water use and conserve as often as possible.

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… Thomas Edwards! Since June 2020, we have received 4,189 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 | June 15 | 7:30 p.m.
• Treasures Sale for Anderson House | June 11 - members only | June 12 - public
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop-off | Daily | Monrovia Public Works Yard
• Take the Caltrans Active Transportation Plan Survey
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Gravel (Sand) Bags Available for Residents | Self-Serve
• 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

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 347 service events, resulting in 70 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.