Community Corner

Monrovia City Manager's Update | April 16, 2021

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

Press Release Desk's profile picture
Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

April 16, 2021

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 in Monrovia. Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Sincerely,
Dylan

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

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

Highlights in this Issue

  • Welcome Wagon Receives Community Champions Award
  • Local Parking Restrictions on Ridgeside Near Hillside Wilderness Preserve
  • General Plan Environmental Justice Element
  • Public Comment Period Now Open Regarding Monrovia Switching to LA County Workforce Development Board
  • VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Fire Cadet
  • FREE Compost and Mulch Drive-Up Event
  • 10K Virtual Family Fun Walk/Run

Welcome Wagon Receives Community Champions Award

Congratulations to John Watson and Hal Leavens for winning the Community Champions Award from the California Parks and Recreation Society!

For 18 years, John and Hal have spent one Saturday a month going door to door to welcome new residents to Monrovia with their big smiles and even bigger personalities! These two dedicated volunteers have visited well over 10,000 families and shared many more stories. They are the unofficial ambassadors of our community, setting the stage for new residents to become active and enthusiastically engaged in all things Monrovia!

During each visit the gentlemen spend about 30 minutes reviewing a packet of information highlighting all the programs, events, services, and clubs in town. What is miraculous is that the welcome wagon was sparked by their love of all things Monrovia and fueled for their ongoing dedication to this great community. Just two guys who love to talk and want to share their joy for Monrovia.

They share stories about Monrovia’s rich history, boast about the great work being done by so many local nonprofits in town, tell the story of Samson the Hot Tub Bear, and brag about our beautiful Canyon Park. They encourage the new residents to visit our Old Town or sign up to get their Monrovia Public Library Card. They answer questions and get to know our new neighbors. They build a bond that is never forgotten. On multiple occasions residents have shared their Welcome Wagon experience and how that one day changed how they interacted with their new community.

The Welcome Wagon is a perfect example of the small town charm that entices folks to move to Monrovia. The welcome greeting and passion for all things Monrovia is nothing just anyone can replicate. It is these two special men who make this program so successful. Their volunteerism, commitment to serve the people of Monrovia, and joy for sharing stories is truly a blessing making them our Community Champions!

Local Parking Restrictions on Ridgeside Near Hillside Wilderness Preserve

Please remember local parking restrictions on Ridgeside near the Hillside Wilderness Preserve.

Parking near the entrance of Lower Clamshell Trail is open to residents of the Ridgeside/Oakglade neighborhood only. Since Canyon Park has been closed, many people are parking up on Ridgeside/Oakglade to access Lower Clamshell Trail and should not, rather they should park down on Canyon Blvd just below Ridgeside.

Beginning next week, City staff are placing additional signage in the area including 9 new “no parking – residents only” signs. Please help us preserve the peace and quiet of the neighborhoods while also recreating in our beautiful Wilderness Preserve.

General Plan Environmental Justice Element

The City of Monrovia has launched efforts to update two General Plan elements, Housing and Safety, and prepare a new element, Environmental Justice.

Monrovia is committed to equity, community outreach and public engagement. Throughout the General Plan update process, there will be engagement opportunities that may include stakeholder/focus group check-ins, online surveys and community workshops all tailored to meet current COVID-19 guidelines.

To be involved and provide comments and feedback on the Environmental Justice Element, the community is encouraged to participate in the following:

Environmental Justice Workshop (online)
Thursday, April 29, 2021
6:00 pm
Register (English): https://bit.ly/MonroviaEJWorkshopEng
Register (Spanish): https://bit.ly/MonroviaEJWorkshopEsp
Two workshop participants will be randomly selected for a Monrovia Swag Bag

Environmental Justice Online Survey
April 15, 2021 – May 6, 2021
Link (English): https://bit.ly/MonroviaEJSurvey
Link (Spanish): https://bit.ly/MonroviaEJSurveyEsp
Two survey participants will be randomly selected Thursdays for a Monrovia Swag Bag

A general plan is a long-range visionary document establishing a framework for how a city will grow and change over the next two decades. It establishes goals, policies, and actions guiding growth, conservation and enhancement. In California, general plans serve as a “constitution” or blueprint for all future development. General plans are required to have chapters or “elements” that discuss land use, circulation/mobility, open space, conservation, noise, environmental justice, air quality, safety, and housing.

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. Accordingly, the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board is opening a 30-day public comment period from April 9, 2021, to May 9, 2021. Public comments may be sent via email to wdb@wdacs.lacounty.gov with "MONROVIA" in the subject heading.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Fire Cadet

The City of Monrovia is looking for a unique individual to serve as a Fire Cadet for Monrovia Fire and Rescue. The department is ready for an individual who is energetic, motivated, and outside-the-box thinker ready to tackle challenges as they arise. Monrovia is an “all-risk” organization where we respond to the needs of the community regardless of the nature of the incident. Monrovia Fire Cadets will have the opportunity to capitalize on first-hand experience in working with an innovative, committed, and progressive department. Are you ready to be part of this amazing team?

Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, abilities, and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the qualifications would be:

  • High School graduation and completion of State Certified Fire Marshall basic fire academy
  • Experience working with diverse groups and the ability to exercise cultural sensitivity and awareness is highly desirable.

10K Virtual Family Fun Walk/Run

Are you missing our annual Fountain to the falls Walk/Run? Join us this year, in our fun 10K Virtual Family Fun Walk/Run event to help you prepare for its big return in 2022! You can run or walk this virtual race anytime during the week of Monday, May 3 - Sunday, May 9 from any location you choose and is great for all ages! You can walk, run, jog or stroll through your favorite places in Monrovia!

All registered participants will receive a race bag, t-shirt, race bib, medal and a completion certificate. All participants are encouraged to submit photos while competing to be featured on the City of Monrovia's website! Top 3 male and female finishers will be awarded with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medal and highlight on our city website!

Free Compost and Mulch Drive-up Event

Reserve your spot for free compost and mulch at the Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain Avenue) on Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. Residents must wear face masks and bring gloves, a shovel, and a container no larger than 32 gallons.

Reservations are required for this event. For more information and to make a reservation, please contact Jamie Bumia, at (626) 932-5579 or jbumia@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

The 2021 MOHPG Historic Homes Tour: A Virtual Experience

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will be hosting a virtual home tour this year in lieu of the in-person experience tour goers have enjoyed since 1983. Seven homes will be featured, each with its own video 5-10 minutes long plus an introductory video. The videos can be viewed anytime from May 1-9, 2021.

In order to watch the videos, you must register ahead of time. MOHPG is requesting a donation of $20 but that is optional.

Register on the MOHPG website and view a trailer video (3 minutes long) to give you a taste of what is to come. We hope you will join us for this special event - an opportunity to view seven of Monrovia’s vintage homes in the comfort of your own home.

City Tree Planting Program

The City of Monrovia has a few trees remaining to be planted as part of our Tree Planting Program. Staff has been working closely with residents to inquire about their desired planting locations in parkways and public spaces. The remaining trees available are small and medium-sized native trees such as Red Bud, Crape Myrtles, and Strawberry Marina. Here's your opportunity to request your tree before tree planting season is over!

Monrovia Community Garden Spring Veggie Workshop & Wise Watering

Join us as we learn about spring vegetable gardening on Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The Community Garden Team will discuss best practices, what grows well in the spring and summer in Monrovia, and tips on best watering practices. Beginners to experts welcome!

Workshops are free and presented virtually on Zoom. To register, please send an email to info@monroviacommunitygarden.org with your interest in attending.

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.

The winner for this week’s drawing is… David Tsai! Since June 2020, we have received 3,619 reports for abandoned bulky items! Thank you for reporting these items!

COVID-19 At a Glance

Latest Facts & Figures

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 Renewal Construction Updates

Work is nearing completion in the Northeast Section of Monrovia! In the coming weeks, Excel Paving Company will complete the final sections of concrete improvements and begin preparing for road reconstruction activities.

For the week of April 19, housekeeping and various punch list items will be completed.

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.

We appreciate your patience and support while we work to execute these improvements throughout the community! If you have any questions regarding Monrovia Renewal, please feel free to contact Public Works at (626) 932-5575 or monroviarenewal@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

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

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

  • Fire Cadet (Volunteer)
  • Director of Public Works

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 354 service events, resulting in 69 investigations. View the Neighborhood Watch Report.

This press release was produced by the City of Monrovia. The views expressed are the author's own.

More from Monrovia