Monrovia City Manager's Update | May 21, 2021

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

05/21/2021 10:00 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

• Masking Requirements Remain in L.A. County
• MAP-edu Community Meeting
• Monrovia Public Library Open for Business
• Submit Your Poem for the Sidewalk Poetry Contest

Masking Requirements Remain in L.A. County

While the LA County's metrics continue to remain low and stable, there continues to be COVID-19 transmission in California, particularly among those who are not fully vaccinated. For that reason, the State will be keeping its current masking guidance until June 15, and L.A. County will do the same and remain in alignment with the LA County Health Officer Order.

Masks are still required for everyone at:

• Large events, public transportation, retail, and business establishments.
• Workplaces (under Cal/OSHA masking and distancing requirements)

Masks are still required for all unvaccinated people:

• Outdoors anytime distancing cannot be maintained

Masks are still not required for fully vaccinated people:

• Outdoors unless attending crowded events
• Indoor and outdoor visits with other fully vaccinated people and with unvaccinated people from one household without high risk people

MAP-Edu Community Meetings

MAP will be hosting a MAP-edu Community Meeting on Saturday, May 22, at 11 a.m. Topics will include:

• Discussing the future of MAP
• New Summer Events
• Collaboration on New and Existing MAP ideas
• ADU presentation

MAP Educational workshops are offered to keep the community educated on current community events and to highlight opportunities for involvement. The public is welcome to attend these workshops to become better informed and to spend time with community partners and neighbors.

Monrovia Public Library Open for Business

The Monrovia Public Library is open for business! Please stop by Monday - Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or Thursday - Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. We are using a limited schedule as we “reopen” to the public and will use this schedule through the end of the month. By June 1, we will announce additional hours of operation. We’ve had a few requests to accommodate “browsing” and we have made a few adjustments to accommodate. In addition, residents may continue to use our curbside services, virtual programs and public Wi-Fi, which now includes Wi-Fi access in Library Park. We are excited to reopen our doors and serve you, in person and with a mask.

Sidewalk Poetry Contest

Monrovia residents are encouraged to submit original poems for the Art in Public Places’ annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest.

The contest is open to all Monrovia residents and applications are due on June 4. Poems must be original compositions, family-friendly and under 250 characters including spaces and punctuation.

The program called Footnotes, consists of poems that are stamped into newly poured concrete throughout the City. Footnotes was designed with the goal of utilizing “word” art as a vehicle to encourage walkability. Poems are placed randomly to create an element of surprise for pedestrians.

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 Sidewalk Poetry Contest, contact Kerri Zessau by calling (626) 932-5564 or emailing at kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Tribute to Veterans and Military Families

The Tribute to Veterans and Military Families is a longstanding Fifth District tradition and provides Supervisor Kathryn Barger the opportunity to thank our service members and their loved ones for their commitment to a lifetime of service. Through this event, veterans, service members, and their families are equipped with access to programs, services, and benefits.

To accommodate COVID-19 safety protocols, the event will take place virtually on Saturday, May 29, at 9 a.m.

Treasures Sale for Anderson House

The Anderson House is one of the first ten homes built in Monrovia and it's in need of some repairs. It is maintained by the Monrovia Historical Society as a museum, giving visitors a walk back in time. It's filled to the brim with every imaginable item a family had in the 1800s. It was built in 1886 by John Anderson for his family after he built the very first commercial building in Monrovia -- the Monrovia Hotel. His son George lived in it until 1975 when it sparked the formation of the Historical Society, whose sole mission was to preserve and share it.

You can help protect this unique treasure! The Monrovia Historical Society is hosting a Treasures Sale to raise funds. This sale will begin on Friday, June 11, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., for Monrovia Historical Society members and on Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., for the public, at 215 E. Lime Avenue.

Foothill Family Presents Parents Invested In Relationship Success (PAIRS) Program

Foothill Family is excited to announce a new service opportunity for couples! Parents Invested In Relationship Success (PAIRS) is federally funded through the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Family, Relationships, and Marriage Education Works- Adults (FRAMEWorks) initiative.

PAIRS is a program that provides educational workshops and case management services aimed to strengthen a couple’s relationship that results in healthy, committed, and economically stable families. The program will deliver workshops (English/Spanish) to couples using evidence-based curricula focusing on communication skill, conflict resolution and management, stress and anger management, and parenting skills. PAIRS will also provide relationship coaching, case management and linkage service, financial literacy, and job and career advancement support.

PAIRS Program Eligibility:

• Couples who are 18+ and over
• And who are parents or caregivers of children ages 18 and younger
• Reside in the Valleys of San Gabriel and Pomona (SPA 3)

Couples who would like additional information or would like to get started may contact the Intake Department at (626) 993-3000 Ext: 5050.

GoMonrovia Research Survey for USC

USC Sol Price School of Public Policy is conducting a research study to better understand whether GoMonrovia helps improve Metro rail transit ridership for those living beyond walking distance from the Gold Line (L Line) Station.

The survey asks questions regarding:

• Your overall experience with GoMonrovia, both before the COVID-19 pandemic and today;
• Your travel habits in general, both before the COVID-19 pandemic and today;
• Your personal background.

Your responses will be kept confidential. Take the survey!

Public Comment Period Now Open Regarding Monrovia Switching to LA County Workforce Development Board

At the request of the City of Monrovia, an application was filed to add Monrovia to the Local Workforce Development Area administered by the County of Los Angeles. The filed application serves as a “Notice of Intent” to switch from the Foothill Workforce Development Board to the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board, in accordance with the State of California Employment Development Department’s (EDD) Workforce Services Directive WSD20-04 Local Area Modification Process. The County currently provides services to residents of unincorporated Monrovia and other surrounding areas. On August 4, 2020, the Monrovia City Council convened and agreed in favor of the boundary modification request. On April 9, 2021, the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board was advised of Monrovia's request.

Pursuant to WSD20-04 Local Area Modification Process and the Sunshine Provision [WIOA Section 107(e)], the public must receive notice of the request and allow at least 30 days for public comment. The Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board will open the 30-day public comment period from April 27, 2021, to May 28, 2021. Public comments may be sent via email to PIO@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Corrections: Modifying the public commentary dates from the original April 9 to May 9, 2021, to reflect inclusion of the Local Workforce Development Area Modification Application into the notice body.

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… Rob Zellem! Since June 2020, we have received 3,992 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.

Stay Informed Resources

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 | May 18 | 7:30 p.m.
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop-off | Daily | Monrovia Public Works Yard
• 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

• Facilities Maintenance Worker
• Water Production Operator

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 340 service events, resulting in 64 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.