Gold Line Reaches Agreement with Property Owner for Maintenance Yard

Yesterday, the Construction Authority and Excalibur Property Holdings, LLC agreed to terms for purchase of the remaining privately-held property needed for the maintenance facility. The Metro funding agreement requires control of half of the required real estate before the remaining $527 million can be committed. Yesterday’s agreement brings the Authority’s total to approximately half of the land needed.  Meeting this milestone allows the project to stay on budget and on schedule.

 As you know, Excalibur – which owns 20% of the total land needed for the facility - has initiated several lawsuits against the Construction Authority over the last year. At the same time, the Authority has initiated eminent domain to acquire its land. All of these actions have been progressing on separate schedules and each has been affecting the other, together creating significant legal and financial risk to the project.

Over the last two weeks, the Authority, Metro and Excalibur representatives have agreed to terms through the guidance of Superior Court Settlement Judge Helen Bendix. As the result of this effort, all lawsuits are settled for $24 million, protecting taxpayer funds by avoiding continuation of costly litigation and associated significant project delays (which we estimate could increase the project cost by well over $100 million). The agreement amount is within the approved budget for the maintenance facility, keeping the project on budget and on schedule.

Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Alitalia Pizza

Lunch yesterday at Alitalia Pizza (at Madison and Foothill). Small place with just four two-person tables. Mostly for take-out I'd guess. Got a medium Canadian bacon and sausage pizza. Very nice.
- BradHaugaard

Opinion: Parking and the Hillside Reserve

In his weekly report Interim City Manager Mark Alvarado summarizes the City Council's vote (see his summary here: http://goo.gl/NxDH8 ) on what to do with the hillside area the city bought years ago, but there is one phrase I'd like to highlight.

In her motion to adopt the recommended plan, City Councilwoman Becky Shevlin added additional requirements, the one that concerns me here directs "the City Engineer to work with the Traffic Safety Committee and the property owners on issues relating to traffic and parking."

Great, but this should be understood as addressing the question, "How much parking do we add and where do we put it?" not, "Let's reduce parking near the trails."

I know more traffic and parking would be hard on the homeowners near the Cloverleaf trailhead, but they were in the forefront of asking all Monrovians to pay for this reserve-recreation area, and they got that! That was the trade-off. They avoided residential development right above their heads by agreeing to a bond issue that would make it a reserve-recreation area that people could use, and for a few dozen of them to now try and make it more difficult to access an area that all Monrovians own is just not right. So I hope the city engineer can work out a plan that will give people easier access to the area and minimize the impact on the neighbors as much as possible.

- Brad Haugaard

Hit-and-Run Victim Better | Chu to Speak

~ The 12-year-old girl who was badly injured by a hit-and-run driver is in better shape. http://goo.gl/EpSzB Opinion: Hooray!

~ Representative Judy Chu will be at the Peach Cafe (141 E. Colorado) Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. to discuss "the new districts and the vast changes to the landscape" and "the new open primary rules." Free. Sponsored by Foothill Community Democrats.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Signs Deal with Florida Union

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (the Florida-based union that protested against Trader Joe's here in Monrovia several months ago) and Trader Joe's have signed a "that formalizes the ways in which Trader Joe's will work with the CIW and Florida tomato growers." http://goo.gl/ZE3zl

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia and Mt. Sierra College Develop 'Emergency Operations for Dummies'

The City of Monrovia's Information Services (IS) Division - its computer techies - have been part of Mt Sierra College's Advisory Board, helping ensure that students are studying stuff that relates to the real world, and also helping two groups of students with their final projects.

 

One project is to customize industry best practices for small organizations and the other is to consolidate information from multiple city departments into a single "Emergency Operations for Dummies" document, including a plan to move city hall functions to a new location should the current building no longer be available. http://goo.gl/NxDH8

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: New Police Website, Burglary, Swiped Car Recovered

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for  February 6-8. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 419 service events, resulting in 77 investigations.

 

New Monrovia Police Department Website Goes Live

First it was Crime Mapping - Then it was Twitter - Now, the Monrovia Police Department is continuing to work toward its goal of providing the public with easier access to police information by launching a new website, www.monroviapd.org.  On February 9, 2012, Monrovia Police Department went live with its new, user friendly, police website.  The new website is easy to navigate and provides the community with quick access to police information.  Citizens can stay informed on police activity with the Neighborhood Watch Report; receive real time, up-to-date, crime statistics through crime mapping; access information on animal control issues and licensing; and find answers to many other general questions they might be seeking.  Whether it be finding out how to obtain a dog license, paying a parking citation online, or simply learning how to become a volunteer, this website is full of informative information.  The department will continue to refine and improve the website.

 

Please visit the new website and Stay informed with what is going on in your community.   

 

Vehicle Burglaries

On February 7 at 7:01 p.m., officers responded to two vehicle burglaries which occurred in a business parking lot in the 700 Block East Huntington.  The suspect(s) punched the locks on the driver side door of each vehicle.  Wallets and a cell phone were stolen.  The suspect vehicle is a smaller, light-colored SUV, and the vehicle was last seen driving toward Shamrock.  Investigation continuing.

 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery - Suspect Arrested 

On February 8 at 7:59 p.m., an officer on routine patrol was driving through a parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill and came across a confirmed stolen vehicle.  Assisting officers arrived and four subjects were detained.  The male subject who was in the driver's seat said he borrowed the car from his sister; he was arrested for grand theft auto and taken into custody.  He was also found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for grand theft auto.  

 

Possession of Narcotics / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspects Arrested

On February 9 at 4:54 a.m., an officer saw two suspicious subjects walking in the area of Ivy and Olive, which has recently experienced an increase in vehicle burglaries.  The suspects were contacted by officers.  A subsequent investigation revealed that the suspects were in possession of stolen property and narcotics.  Both suspects were arrested.  Officers located the victim/owner of the stolen property.  The case is being reviewed by the District Attorney's office.

Drums and 'Rejoice' in Monrovia

~ The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present  “Rejoice!” at First Presbyterian Church on March 10. Details: http://goo.gl/g3HG4

 

~ First Annual SC-PA Drumline competition on Saturday, Feb. 11.  Food, beverages and goodies for purchase. Hosted by the Monrovia High School Band Program at MHS. There will be 35 schools competing. Admission is $8.00.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Antonovich: Appeal Prop 8 Ruling to Supreme Court

County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who represents Monrovia, writes of the recent Prop 8 decision:

Once again, activist judges with a political correctness agenda have disenfranchised the people who voted overwhelmingly to oppose same-sex marriage in California — over 4.5 million Californians in 2000, and over 7 million in 2008.  This ruling needs to be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Source: http://goo.gl/T4uXQ

- Brad Haugaard

Huff: Assembly Speaker like Arsonist who Joins Fire Department

Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia,  issued this statement today in response to legislation proposed by Assembly Speaker John Perez to cut college tuition and fees for students from middle class families:

Someone should remind the Speaker that it was Democrats that enacted a partisan majority-vote budget that cut $1.5 billion from UC and CSU – without a single Republican vote. It seems to me that this is similar to an arsonist that sets fires and then joins the volunteer fire department. Republicans have long argued that the low income students are heavily subsidized and that the UC and CSU are relative bargains for the more affluent students. It’s always the middle class that gets squeezed as legislative Democrats continue to prioritize welfare programs and public employee salaries and pensions. Senate Republicans continue to believe that working together in a bi-partisan fashion to solve problems is the best approach. Let’s first enact the Governor’s pension reforms and balance the state budget then we can better assess the need for changes in tax policy and higher education.

 

From Huff press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

Mt. Sierra College and Snake Swallowing | Gold Line

~ Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College participated in a 48-hour competition to create a board or video game using the image of a snake swallowing its tail. http://goo.gl/Lao7d

~ California lawmakers have introduced legislation to allow the Gold Line to extend out of LA County into San Bernardino County. http://goo.gl/SDrZS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Adopts 'Minimalist' Approach to Hillside Management

The Monrovia City Council voted Tuesday night to adopt a "minimalist" approach to managing the hillside area above Monrovia, which means adding "new gates, signage, bear-proof trash receptacles, and mutt mitts" at each access point. The motion also required city staff to work with neighbors on an easement question as well as traffic and parking.

Three city council members, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, Tom Adams and Joe Garcia, had conflicts of interest - they live too close to the wilderness area being considered - but that only left two voting members, which wouldn't be a quorum, so the city attorney had the three draw straws. Garcia drew the short straw and lost, so he had to stay on and vote. All three voted in favor of the motion.

- Brad Haugaard

Still More Mulch in Monrovia

If you weren't able to load up on mulch, there's plenty more. Even though the city has given away (if I heard right) 80 tons of the stuff, there's plenty left, so Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams said the city has extended the give-away period for the next two weekends, so you can get as much as you like the next two weekends at Recreation Park.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia, California Sister City to Monrovia, Liberia?

Should Monrovia, California, become a sister city to Monrovia, Liberia? A Pasadena lawyer and a representative from the city of Monrovia, Liberia, suggested such an arrangement. Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said Monrovia (California) does not have a sister city and would need to "look into" the possibility 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Temporary Support for Building Gold Line Bridge Superstructure

What the Gold Line bridge project will look like with the falsework in place.

Next construction step for the Gold Line freeway bridge is the superstructure. Gold Line spokesman Habib F. Balian explains:

Before that work can begin, Skanska must erect the temporary support structure, known as falsework, which will create a secure work space over the lanes of the freeway for the entire span of the future superstructure. Because the 584-linear-foot bridge is crossing the freeway at a skewed angle, the falsework structure will be significant and result in creating a temporary tunnel through this area.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Department Finalist for James Q. Wilson Award

Monrovia City press release on police department being a finalist for the James Q. Wilson Award:

The James Q. Wilson Award for Excellence in Community Policing is presented by the Regional Community Policing Institute - California, and sponsored by the American Military University and the Office of the Attorney General - State of California. The purpose of this award is to recognize California law enforcement agencies that have successfully institutionalized the Community Policing philosophy. One agency each year is chosen as the recipient of the award and two others receive recognition as finalists.  Judging is based on the topics of problem solving, partnership with the community, partnership with public and private organizations/agencies, institutionalization of the community policing philosophy, and results. 
The Monrovia Police Department is proud to have been chosen as a 2012 James Q. Wilson Award finalist in recognition of our Community Policing Program.  In 1991, the Monrovia Police Department embraced a new concept for providing police service to our community. The implementation of Community Activist Policing (CAP) became not only a strategy for providing police service, but a philosophical shift in the police department’s approach to defining service. Police officers became community "activists" to affect change and solve long-term problems, utilizing any resource available in the community.  
Over the past 20 years, the Monrovia Police Department has continued to improve Community Activist Policing in the community by introducing innovative programs such as Chaplains for At-Risk Youth (CARY), Monrovia Anti-Gang Intervention Committee (MAGIC), Duarte and Monrovia Anti-Gang Enforcement (DAMAGE), and the Formative Years Program.  These innovative and collaborative programs and our involvement with the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) have been extremely effective in changing the lives of many Monrovian’s, and are a true example of the Monrovia Police Department’s dedication to Community Activist Policing.  
Even as staffing levels have been cut throughout the department during the current recession, the value of Community Activist Policing and the department’s commitment to the program has not changed.  The men and women of the Monrovia Police Department and the Community Policing Bureau continue today to work with citizens, city staff, the school district, businesses, faith-based and non-profit organizations, as well as property owners, to maintain the high standards set nearly 20 years ago. 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Rapid Growth at New Monrovia Church

Pastor Albert Tate and family.

The new Fellowship Monrovia church - which began meeting Jan. 15 at the Monrovia Community Center (119 West Palm Avenue) - has grown so rapidly that it is adding a second service. One organizer reports that the church has been averaging between 400 and 500 people each Sunday, and Pastor Albert Tate tweeted that, "we were prepared for 350, this was a great church planting problem to have!" To accommodate the crowd, the church is adding a second service beginning this Sunday, so there will be services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. http://goo.gl/fNsfu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Finalist for Award | Van de Kamp Endorses Holden

~ Monrovia Police reports it is a finalist in the 2012 James Q. Wilson Award for Excellence in Community Policing. http://goo.gl/7HRhu

 

~ Former state Attorney General John Van de Kamp has endorsed Chris Holden for the state Assembly district that includes Monrovia. http://goo.gl/IehWs

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Boston Terrier Burglary, Potted Plant Burglary, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 2-5. – Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Grand Theft Auto – Utility Trailer

On February 3 at 7:06 a.m., a utility trailer was reported stolen from an unsecured parking lot in the 200 block of West Foothill. The trailer did not have license plates on it. It was taken sometime between 4:00 p.m. on February 2 and 500 a.m. on February 3. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

On February 3 at 6:24 p.m., a female resident in the 400 block of East Olive reported her home had been burglarized sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 5:25 p.m. that day. A laptop computer was taken, as well as the resident’s black and white Boston Terrier. The dog has a microchip. Investigation continuing.

Petty Theft / Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested

On February 3 at 12:01 a.m., a sergeant on patrol witnessed a male subject come out of a bar in the 300 block of West Foothill, walk across Magnolia, and pickup up the corner resident’s potted plant. The male subject began walking away with the plant. The sergeant stopped him. The owner of the property was located, an elderly female, and she desired prosecution. The plant was returned to the owner and the suspect was arrested, not only for the theft, but for being drunk in public.

Mail Tampering / Weapons Offense – Suspects Arrested

On February 4 at 4:56 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of North Alta Vista regarding a male and female subject in a black car that were taking mail out of mailboxes. Officers located the vehicle and stopped it. The investigation revealed a large quantity of stolen mail, burglary tools, and a loaded revolver in the vehicle. The revolver was found by the battery in the engine compartment of the car. Both the male and female subject were arrested and charged with conspiracy, receiving stolen property, mail tampering, and weapons charges.

Battery

On February 5 at 10:06 p.m., police responded to the report of a battery that occurred in the 200 block of Madeline. The adult male victim was standing in front of his residence when he was approached by the suspect, his girlfriend’s former boyfriend. The suspect approached the victim in a friendly manner and asked if he would be willing to speak with him. The victim agreed. Without warning, the suspect punched the victim in the face several times. The suspect then left the location. The victim sustained a swollen left eye as a result of the battery. The investigation is continuing.

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

Assault With a Deadly Weapon Warrant – Suspect Arrested

On February 3, the Special Enforcement Team was on patrol and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. A computer check revealed the driver was wanted by Monrovia Police Department for assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

- Brad Haugaard

Freeway Closures | Whitenack Retirement Date

~ The Gold Line folks say there will be up to seven days of freeway closures on the eastbound 210 between Feb. 5-18. The closures are for construction on the bridge near Santa Anita Avenue. Closures will start no earlier than 10 p.m. and end no later than 1 p.m. the following day.

 

~ Joan Whitenack, executive director of Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center, had previously announced she would be retiring. She has now set her retirement date for June 30 of this year.

 

- Brad Haugaard