Preview of New Monrovia Jack in the Box

Here's what the new Jack in the Box restaurant at the corner of Huntington and Magnolia will look like.
http://goo.gl/AoO5l

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Optimistic Solution Can Be Found to $106 Million Lawsuit Against City

In her weekly report, City Manager Laurie Lile says she is optimistic a solution can be found to the $106 million lawsuit filed against the city. She writes:

"Samuelson & Fetter, a local developer who has built several office parks along Huntington Drive, is suing the City of Monrovia and the former Redevelopment Agency for $106 million. Although a judgment of that amount against the City would be devastating, I am optimistic that we will settle the dispute by finding a solution that will provide a development opportunity for Samuelson & Fetter, while providing the parking structure and the Maintenance and Operations Facility required for the Gold Line. We are committed to continuing our dialog with both the developer and with Gold Line to work this out."

- Brad Haugaard

Big Car Show on Myrtle | Freeway Closed Late Tonight

~ More than 300 cars at Sept. 8 show on Myrtle in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/4HzA8

~ Reminder: Eastbound 210 will be totally closed tonight (August 30) from midnight to 5 a.m. for Gold Line bridge construction. Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: 103 Years to Life; Dolly Stolen; Parolees Arrested, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 27-29. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 459 service events, resulting in 68 investigations.

 

Commercial Burglary / Petty Theft with Priors - Suspect Arrested

August 28 at 11:52 a.m., a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called police to report a subject they had in custody for commercial burglary.  A male subject, recently released from parole in May, was caught attempting to steal wire he had secreted between bags of garden material from the business.  He admitted to the officer that he intended to steal the items.  His criminal history revealed he had numerous convictions with time served for theft.  He was arrested and charged with commercial burglary and petty theft with priors.

 

Residential Burglary

August 28 at 1:04 p.m., police were dispatched to the 600 block of Terrado regarding a residential burglary.  An elderly female called police to report her home had been burglarized.  She had left the home at 11:00 a.m. and returned at 1:00 p.m.  When she returned home, she found someone had taken the glass louvers off of a window. Suspect(s) had entered the home and had taken items of jewelry.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Burglary

August 28 at 9:52 p.m., police responded to the report of a burglary that occurred in the 400 block of East Olive, between 7:20 a.m. and 9:50 p.m.  Unknown suspect(s) entered the garage through an unlocked door.  The garage is adjacent to an alley.  A green dolly was stolen.  Investigation continuing.

 

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

August 29 at 12:28 a.m., a car was reported abandoned in the intersection of Canyon and Walnut.  A subject was seen, possibly a male, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, running west from the car.  Officers arrived and, after investigation, found the car had just been stolen from in front of a residence in the 800 block of South Canyon.  The suspect broke a window to gain entry and punched the ignition.  It appeared that although the suspect got the engine started, he was unable to unlock the steering wheel to turn the vehicle and he abandoned it at the intersection.  The suspect left some tools and a backpack in the vehicle.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Possession of Burglary Tools / Drug Paraphernalia / Stolen Property / Parole Violation - Suspect Arrested

August 29 at 9:24 a.m., a citizen called to report seeing a male subject looking into cars in the 1500 block of South Myrtle. Officers responded and located the subject, a known drug user with a history of theft.  The subject was holding a multi-socket tool that looked fairly new. When questioned he admitted to taking the tool from a vehicle near Cypress and Myrtle. A further search of the subject revealed a shaved screw driver and aluminum foil pipe with residue on it. The subject was arrested and booked for the above listed charges. Additionally, the subject violated his parole and a parole hold was issued.

 

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up

 

Armed Robbery - Primary Suspect Sentenced to 103 Years to Life

In 2008, several armed robberies were committed within the San Gabriel Valley, one of which occurred in the City of Monrovia.  The robbery in Monrovia involved two armed suspects and a third get away driver.  The two armed suspects entered a business in the 300 block of West Huntington, just prior to closing, while the get away driver stood by at the rear of the business.  The armed suspects confronted several employees inside the business, bound their wrists, and held them at gunpoint in an office.  They took cash from the business and fled in a waiting vehicle driven by the third suspect.  Evidence and Investigation suggested these same suspects committed additional robberies in Pasadena, Altadena and other San Gabriel Valley cities.  Monrovia detectives worked diligently on this investigation and eventually identified all three suspects. 

 

All three of these suspects were successfully prosecuted and convicted of multiple felony charges.  The sentencing for the primary suspect has been in the courts for the past 2 years, and he was finally sentenced on August 23, 2012, at the Pasadena Superior Court.  He received a sentence of 103 years to life!  This was great work by Monrovia investigators to bring this case to a conclusion. 

Mayor Pro Tem: Huge Lawsuit Against Monrovia Could 'Destroy the Community'

A local developer who has built several office parks along Huntington Drive is suing the City of Monrovia and the former Redevelopment Agency for $106 million – a sum nearly three and a half times the City’s general fund budget.

“Samuelson & Fetter has levied upon us a lawsuit that would destroy the community that they helped create,” Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia said. “We are shocked and saddened that they felt it was necessary to take this action.”

“$106 million? That would cause extreme financial hardship for the City,” Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said. “We are at a loss to explain why they believe they have suffered this level of injury, or any injury at all, for an alleged breach of an agreement under which Samuelson & Fetter was never able to perform. We have always been partners, and thought that we shared the same goal – to bring a quality, transit oriented development to an area of Monrovia that is in need of amenities, including open space.”
  

The complaint, filed on behalf of Samuelson & Fetter on Aug. 24, alleges Monrovia did not live up to its agreements with the developer regarding the Station Square Transit Village, an 80-acre transit oriented development located just south of the I-210 Freeway.

Specifically, according to the complaint, Samuelson & Fetter alleges that it lost nearly $100 million in profit when the former Redevelopment Agency diverted some of the property planned for residential and commercial development to the Gold Line for use of a public rail project.

“Samuelson & Fetter was made aware of these circumstances and has been at the table the whole time,” City Manager Laurie Lile said. “We have been working with them diligently to settle our disagreements and lay out a land plan that acknowledges the requirements of the Gold Line, while providing a lot that would be suitable for development. We were surprised that they filed suit at this time, when our discussions seemed to be progressing in a positive direction. This lawsuit, however, threatens to unravel the fabric of the community in search of an unrealistic profit on the backs of our residents.”

The development agreement, signed in 2006, was between Samuelson & Fetter and the former Redevelopment Agency. Once the Redevelopment Agency was dissolved in 2011 as a result of state legislation, the Successor Agency took over the functions of the former Redevelopment Agency. At the heart of the issue is that Samuelson & Fetter blames the former Redevelopment Agency for impairing their development and cutting into their projected profit margin.

But Monrovia believes it was doing what it set out to do since the beginning of the project: provide what residents and commuters need through the extension of the Gold Line and creation of a station in Monrovia. Since 2006, when the agreement was signed, the City has worked to preserve a transit-oriented development in Monrovia. However, changing circumstances have affected the constructability of the project:

- Years of adverse economic conditions have softened the real estate market and have made construction financing difficult to obtain;

- In 2011, the State barred Redevelopment Agencies from making any amendments to outstanding development agreements;

- The Monrovia Redevelopment Agency was dissolved in 2011, along with all other Redevelopment Agencies in the state, by an act of the California Legislature;

- Site selection of a Maintenance and Operations facility to serve the Gold Line shifted to the location in Monrovia when other locations became unavailable; and,

- Property south of the railroad tracks could not be acquired to provide a location for construction of a public parking structure to service the Monrovia Gold Line commuters, shifting the obligation to provide parking on Agency-owned land.

The Monrovia-based developer, who since 1980 has developed 750,000 square feet of office and research development space on Huntington and Royal Oaks Drives, is seeking $3 million in attorneys’ fees, an alleged $33.2 million in “lost entitlement values” and $70.4 million in alleged “lost profits caused by the City,” according to the lawsuit.

In contrast, Monrovia’s general fund budget is nearly $30 million, with $12 million going to fund the police department and $8 million to the fire department. The remaining $10 million funds public works, administration, parks, the library, and recreation-related activities.

Most of the 80 acres comprised of the Station Square Transit Village development is privately owned. The former Redevelopment Agency owns about seven acres. Samuelson & Fetter owns less than 10,000 square feet.

Though Samuelson & Fetter claims that Monrovia is out of compliance with its agreement, it is actually the developer who has not been able to comply with the terms of the agreement. After numerous failed attempts to urge Samuelson & Fetter to perform under the agreement, in February 2012, Samuelson & Fetter was sent a Notice of Default by the former Agency because, among other reasons, the company failed to close escrow on and purchase the Agency’s land by 2011, as set forth in the agreement.

Despite this lawsuit, City officials are still optimistic they can reach a resolution and continue on the path to delivering the Gold Line Station, improved amenities, and new housing and office units to Monrovia.

“In the end, I am optimistic that we all want what is best for Monrovia,” Mayor Lutz said. “Monrovia is committed to an amicable resolution, and we hope that we will be able to resolve our differences.” Mayor Pro Tem Garcia concurs, “I too am hopeful that we find a solution that meets the needs of both the community and the developer.”

Source: This is a City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard 

Huff Measures Approved by Governor

Two measures authored by Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) have been approved by the Governor.

SB 1364 seeks to ensure that ratepayers served by private water companies are not asked to pay more for the same service than a ratepayer served by a public agency without a clear understanding of the associated costs.

SB 1137 requires that heritage schools must register with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Heritage schools are privately financed, culture-based educational entities.

Source: http://goo.gl/S1EHE

- Brad Haugaard

Were Monrovia High Cheerleaders Removed for Prank?

Parents say Monrovia High cheerleaders removed from squad for prank at camp. http://goo.gl/9L2yB

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Long-Gun Bill Goes to Governor

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's legislation banning the open carry of unloaded rifles and shotguns in cities has been approved by the Legislature and now heads to the Governor for signature. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.

The bill makes it a crime to openly carry unloaded rifles and shotguns in any public place or public street in incorporated cities in California. The bill does not affect rural areas or unloaded long guns inside a vehicle.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Antonovich Visiting North Korea

County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who represents Monrovia, is on a private trip visiting communist North Korea to learn more about its culture, government and economy. http://goo.gl/YXgsW

Selena Gomez in Monrovia | Portantino Disaster Bill Clears Senate

~ Selena Gomez in Monrovia working on project, "While I'm Dead.. Feed the Dog." http://goo.gl/dSfSU

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's disaster prep bill, which requires public utilities to hold disaster preparedness meetings every two years with the cities and counties. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/GhjwU

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Olympian to Speak at GOP Convention

Monrovia Olympian Kim Rhode will speak at the Republican convention Thursday. http://goo.gl/zl1Us

- Brad Haugaard

Inspiration for New Juvo Offices in Monrovia

Juvo Capital, an investment firm, is about six weeks away from occupying the old Dogwood's produce market, according to a Facebook posting by one of the partners, Talmadge O'Neill. He posted a set of pictures at one of the company's websites, LoveIt.com, showing "some inspirational pictures that helped us think about our new office space." Here they are with O'Neill's comments: http://goo.gl/s0ro3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Creates Robotic Fish

Not satisfied with merely conquering the skies, the engineers at Monrovia's AeroVironment have now created a proof-of-concept solar-powered robotic fish, the "mola," which imitates the ocean sunfish. Cool video at the link: http://goo.gl/Vmiru

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino De-Tattooing Bill Goes to Governor

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to provide tattoo removal funding for prostitutes who have been branded by pimps, has been approved 76 to 0 in the state Legislature and now goes to the Governor for his signature. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. Source: Portantino press release.

- Brad Haugaard

Hot Day in Monrovia on Tuesday

It could be a flaming hot day tomorrow, Tuesday. Triple digit weather tomorrow in the area, according to the National Weather Service. Also, "heat index values will approach critical levels on Tuesday as humidity will increase somewhat...but heat index values are expected to remain below dangerous thresholds at this time." http://goo.gl/G9bB5

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Sponsors Firearms Bill to Help Film Industry

Today the state Assembly passed Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's AB 1559 (69 to 0) that will allow California filmmakers to use certain weapons in their productions and reduce fees for multiple gun purchases. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.

Under AB 1559, the Department of Justice will charge only one fee for all firearms purchased at the same time - eliminating double, or even triple fees for purchases on same day and at same time. With advanced technology, the need for duplicative fees is no longer necessary. The bill will also allow the entertainment industry to use certain weapons in TV and movie productions.

"This measure is needed by the entertainment industry to ensure that they do not run into trouble with laws that regulate gun ownership and gun possession in California," explained Portantino. "The bill will allow film and television production companies the ability to legally import firearms for use in their productions. We have been working with the Department of Justice and will continue to do so to make sure that safe and responsible gun laws are enacted in California.

AB 1559 now goes to Governor Brown for signature. If signed into law, the measure would go into effect January 1, 2014.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Project Boundaries Extended to Montclair

Gold Line Construction Authority spokesman Habib Balian writes:

"Earlier today Governor Brown signed AB1600 into law, amending the Construction Authority's enabling legislation to extend the Foothill Extension project boundaries to Montclair in San Bernardino County. The changes also make Montclair an "Extension city" and the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) a non-voting member of the Authority board of directors. This is good news - and very timely - following last week's publication of the Draft EIR for the Azusa to Montclair segment for public review and comment."

Source: press release

Comment: If I understand this correctly, this is a necessary legal change, but the problem of not having any money to build past Azusa remains.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Coffee at Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley

The women's club, Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley, is having a free Meet-and-Greet Coffee on Wednesday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, in Arcadia.

The club is for women who are new to the area, or have had changes in their lives, or are looking for fun and interesting daytime activities and making new friends. For more information, please visit www.sgvnewcomers.com.

This Newcomers chapter has existed since 1965 and has one hundred members.

- Coffees are held the first Wednesday of each month, September through June, at 10 a.m. at various members' homes. Members and guests socialize and attend a general meeting.

- Luncheons are held the second Wednesday of each month, September through July, at various local restaurants throughout the San Gabriel Valley, usually followed by an informative or entertaining program.

- Tours are often held the fourth Wednesday of each month. Groups visit local, interesting, and fun places throughout the San Gabriel Valley and the greater Los Angeles areas.

Activity groups provide members an opportunity to meet people who share a common interest in a small group setting. Current activity groups include: Book Club, Bridge, Bunco, Golf, Hiking, Day Trips, Lunch Bunch, Mahjong, Movie Goers, Pinochle, Scrabble, Travel, Wine Club.

Newcomers & Friends of SGV has an annual tea in May - hats are encouraged - and a holiday luncheon in December.

Members receive a monthly newsletter ten months of the year, a membership directory, access to all membership activities, the opportunity to serve in leadership positions, and affiliation with a supportive group of women.

For more information, please contact Chris Kucma, 626/755-6676, ckucma@gmail.com, President.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

August 29, 30 - Full Nighttime Closure of 210

Full closure of 210 Freeway tomorrow, Tuesday August 28 and Wednesday, August 29, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. both days. Except the August 28 closure may not include the westbound lanes. But then again, maybe it will.

Also, August 30, there will be a full closure of the eastbound 210 from midnight to 5 a.m.

SoCal Edison crews will be relocating power lines.

Source: Gold Line press release.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Arrest for Desertion from Marine Corps, Leave Front Door Unlocked and Get Burglarized, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 23-26. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.  

  

Residential Burglary

August 23 at 12:24 p.m., police were dispatched to a residential burglary that occurred in the 200 block of North Mountain.  The victim left his residence at about 8:00 a.m. that morning and was sure he had locked everything at the home.  When he returned just after 12:00 noon, he noted several slats from the vertical blinds covering the front slider were pushed to the side.  When he went in and walked around the house, he discovered a jewelry box, a coin bank and some electronic games were missing.  There were no signs of forced entry.  Investigation continuing.

 

Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

August 24 at 3:45 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at the intersection of California and Huntington.  Police responded and determined the motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol.  The driver was arrested and taken into custody.  The other driver involved complained of pain to her hand.

 

Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested

August 24 at 11:40 p.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported at a parking lot in the 700 block of West Huntington.  A male suspect approached a taxi cab driver and asked for a ride.  He told the taxi cab driver he had just been in a collision.  The suspect left and the taxi cab driver called police.  Officers arrived and detained the suspect, who was uncooperative with the officers.  The suspect's vehicle had major collision damage and the front bumper was missing. 

 

Officers searched the area and discovered the suspect had struck a large plastic sand bucket on the 210 Freeway at Myrtle.  His front bumper, with the license plate attached, was still on the freeway.  Through investigation, officers determined the driver was under the influence.  He was arrested for driving under the influence, hit and run and obstructing an officer.

 

Residential Burglary

August 25 at 8:42 a.m., police responded to a residential burglary in the 200 block of Poppy.  The resident left her home at 6:00 a.m., leaving her front door unlocked and no one at home.  She returned home at 8:30 a.m. and discovered her bedroom had been ransacked.  Her purse and been taken, containing cash, a set of keys and a book of personal checks.  She immediately called police.  Investigation continuing.

 

Bear Problem

August 26 at 11:26 a.m., a female resident who lives on Hidden Valley called to report that she heard noises coming from her kitchen and when she went to investigate, she saw a small bear in her refrigerator.  The bear ran out and to the back of the property.  An animal control officer responded to the call and the bear was encouraged back up into the hills.  

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

August 22, Special Enforcement Team Officers saw a known gang member that had an outstanding warrant, loitering in the 200 block of East Maple.  He was detained and arrested for the warrant.

 

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On August 22, Special Enforcement Team Officers ran a license plate to a suspicious vehicle near Mayflower and Walnut.  The registered owner of the vehicle had a federal warrant for desertion from the Marine Corps.  The vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested for the warrant.  Personnel from the United States Marine Corps responded and took custody of the subject.