Monrovia Senator Proposes Extension of Education Funding

State Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has proposed a bill to extend specialized state funding for schools for five years, from the 2015-16 fiscal year through the 2019-20 fiscal year. http://goo.gl/wSWDW

- Brad Haugaard

Big Lawsuit Against Monrovia Settled | Class: Make Money on Your Computer

~ Big lawsuit against city by developer of property around Gold Line settled. http://goo.gl/VE8Y9

~ Saturday, Feb. 16, 1-4 p.m. in the Library. Seminar. Learn how to make money with your computer. 120 businesses you can run from your computer. Free. http://goo.gl/M3NQu

- Brad Haugaard

Filing for Monrovia Write-In Candidates Begins

If you want to run for the Monrovia City Council as a write-in candidate, filing period started today. http://goo.gl/wACJs

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Sleeping in the Playground with Stolen Items, Burglary, Threats, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 7-10. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Residential Burglary

February 7 at 4:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2600 block of Rochelle regarding a burglary.  The residents left their home and locked all the doors and windows when they left.  When they returned the next day on February 7 at about 4 p.m., they discovered the rear sliding glass door had been pried open and the house had been ransacked.  The property loss was unknown.  The suspect left a metal pry tool inside the home, which was most likely used to pry open the sliding door.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Trespassing / Possession of Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

February 8 at 7:46 a.m., police responded to an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon regarding a transient subject possibly sleeping in a covered playground slide.  Officers responded, but the subject had already left the area.  Officers located the subject nearby, but he ran when he saw them.  He was quickly apprehended and found to be in possession of recently stolen property.  A short time later, school staff reported additional discarded property they had found on the school grounds.  The property was recovered and found to be stolen.  Based on the time and proximity to the known original location of the suspect, the additional property will be investigated as associated to the arrested suspect. 

 

Outside Assist - State Parole / Wanted Fugitive Parolee - Suspect Arrested

February 8 at 1:27 p.m., a state parole agent called to report he had located a subject wanted for failure to register for many years as a sex registrant.  The suspect had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for $160,000 bail.  The suspect was detained by the parole agent and then arrested by an assisting Monrovia officer.  He was booked for the warrant and transferred to the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department.

 

Criminal Threats - Suspect Arrested

February 9 at 11:31 a.m., police received a call reporting a family disturbance in the 300 block of Genoa Street.  The incident involved a male adult subject who was threatening his uncle.  Officers responded and detained the suspect.  He admitted he was mad at his uncle because of something his uncle did when he was younger.  He stated to his uncle that he was going to kill him.  The suspect was verbally abusive toward the officers, but did not physically resist them.  He was taken into custody without further incident.    

 

Criminal Threats / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

February 9 at 5:02 p.m., a resident called police to report a subject trespassing on an abandoned property in the 700 block of South Shamrock Avenue.  When the resident confronted the subject and asked him to leave the property, the subject began to threaten him.  The resident told the subject he was going to call the police, and the subject threatened to come back and kill him.  Police arrived and detained the suspect.  He was found to be in possession of narcotic paraphernalia.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia Y Fundraiser Tonight

Fundraiser today for Santa Anita Family YMCA (the Monrovia Y) at Jake's Roadhouse, 622 S. Myrtle, from 4-9 p.m. Dine in or take out. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Y.

- Brad Haugaard

This Car Wash

A recent post ( http://goo.gl/2Awmp ) mentioned that a Del Taco restaurant may go in next to a planned new car wash on Huntington. A couple readers asked, "What car wash?" Fair question. Thanks to Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez for enlightening us:

"Last September, the Planning Commission approved a CUP [Conditional Use Permit] to build a new automated car wash, which will be located on the western portion of the vacant lot in the 900 block of East Huntington Drive. Here's a link to the staff report: http://goo.gl/14aAt

"Since the signal/intersection (into the Target center) is shared with the City of Duarte, the coordination related to the intersection improvements have taken a little longer than anticipated. However, they should begin construction in this spring."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator Liu Introduces a Variety of Mostly-Education Bills

I have been remiss in following the bills introduced by Monrovia's Senator, Carol Liu. Here they are:

~ SB 116. "The Personal Income Tax Law allows taxpayers, until January 1, 2014, to designate on their tax returns that a specified amount in excess of their tax liability be contributed to the Emergency Food Assistance Program. This bill would extend the operation of these provisions until January 1, 2019." http://goo.gl/yj38j

~ SB 174 specifies the types of adult education that can receive State education funds. http://goo.gl/mJFlG

~ SB 177 would require that children in foster care who are shifted around by law be immediately deemed to have met residency requirements for school extracurricular activities. http://goo.gl/k4pfL

~ As best I can figure out, SB 188 would allow counties to set up "conservation camps" for prisoners, like those operated by the state. http://goo.gl/dbjTl

~ SB 192 would "require child care resource and referral programs" to "provide information about certain child care services" to families that qualify. http://goo.gl/WQbPl

~ SB 195 would require the Governor's Office of Planning and Research to set goals for state colleges and universities. http://goo.gl/CQdeg

~ SB 201 would tax school textbook publishers and manufacturers for the cost of the the State Board of Education adopting a basic curriculum for "language arts and English language development" for K-8 California schools. http://goo.gl/OgyzO

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Whistler | Medical Records

~ An old Huell Howser video has popped up on YouTube. It's of champion whistler, Carole Anne Kaufman, of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/36rOk

~ A new bill by Monrovia's assemblyman, Chris Holden, would allow a representative of a patient to have the same access to the patient's medical records as the actual patient ( http://goo.gl/hXZfJ ).

- Brad Haugaard

Frosty Night

Frost warning for the whole county tonight, which means bring in or protect any sensitive plants, and of course, let the dog and cat in. http://goo.gl/SuZ4w

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Employees May Get Pay Restored

At its next meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/i5t4B ), the Monrovia School Board will consider approving an employee contract for the 2013-14 fiscal year. All three of its bargaining units - teachers, support, and administrative - would get ...

- A 3% salary increase, which is a reinstatement of an earlier pay cut.

- A 2.78% increase in benefits.

- Five more instructional days per year, from 175 back up to 180.

Total cost will be $1,118,621.

The cost increase for the 2013-14 year will come out of reserves (though the district will not drop below its 3% legal reserve minimum) and for subsequent years it will be paid for from "Existing reserves and future cost reductions as necessary."

Comment: Hmmm. I'm happy for everybody's pay to be restored, but dipping into reserves for a continuing expense seems a bit dicey in the long term. But maybe I'm missing something.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at King Hao Chinese Restaurant

Had lunch at King Hao Chinese Restaurant, formerly Shanghai Dumpling, in the Certified Market center, at Foothill and May. Got the Sizzling Plate Beef for $8.95 and a cup of tea. It came with egg flower soup and ... kimchi? It was good.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Goals Meeting | Marshmallow Shooters | Valentine Stories

~ City of Monrovia goal-setting workshop for Plan Monrovia, which will influence the city's strategic plan and 2013-2015 budget. Feb. 9, 8:30 a.m. for refreshments, 9 a.m. start time, at the Police Department at Lime and Ivy.

~ Marshmallow Shooters, Saturday Feb. 9, 7-9 p.m. at the Library. Use physics to catapult marshmallows into the sky. For 6th-12th graders only. http://goo.gl/rcEtG

~ Valentine stories, Saturday Feb. 9, 2-3 p.m. at the Library. Favorite Valentine stories, songs, crafts and film. Snacks. Ages 4 years through 5th grade. http://goo.gl/na2Nz

- Brad Haugaard

Details of Proposed Settlement Between Monrovia and Developer

At a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. (agenda: http://goo.gl/su0F7 ) the Monrovia City Council will consider a proposal to end some lawsuits against the city related to development around the Gold Line.

The proposed agreement is a bit of a monster, but here it is if you want to look ( http://goo.gl/g1kmY ), however, the main points seem to be that Samuelson & Fetter, LLC, will ...

- Get to buy a chunk of land near the new rail station for $2,780,000.

- Get $510,000 from the city, of which $110,000 will go to pay city development fees.

- Be reimbursed by the city for its environmental insurance costs on the land.

- Get street improvements from the city on the streets around the property.

- Brad Haugaard

Mexican Restaurant at Monrovia's Aztec Hotel Open in a Month? | Holden's Innovation Bill

~ When will the new Mexican restaurant at the Aztec Hotel open? On Facebook, the Aztec folks say: "So how does St. Patricks day sound??? I cannot think of a better day to crack a few." That's tentative, though.

~ Monrovia's Assemblyman, Chris Holden, has introduced a bill (AB 250) to create a "California Innovation Hub Program." The program - which is authorized to use underused state properties - will create "iHubs" to assist innovative start-up businesses. http://goo.gl/PoV9x

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspects Arrested in $2,000 of Graffiti Damage

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 4-6. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 434 service events, resulting in 84 investigations.

Vandalism - Suspects Arrested

February 4 at 10:08 a.m., staff from Monrovia High School reported that they had two students detained for vandalism. The high school has had an increase in graffiti on campus recently, so the staff and security had been on alert. One of the security officers noticed a student with graffiti on his pants and escorted him to the office. In the office, security located over 30 markers in the student's backpack.

Officers arrived and during the interview, the student admitted to tagging numerous places throughout the City of Monrovia with another student. Officers researched the monikers in previous graffiti vandalism incidents that have occurred in the City. They discovered nearly $2,000 in graffiti damage had been reported with the monikers the students use. The students were arrested and later released to parents on citations to appear in court.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Looking for this Woman

Suspect: Female Hispanic, approximately 5'5", 180 lbs., stocky build, medium complexion, long brown shiny hair past the shoulders, wearing unknown color dress pants, thin white blouse and a thin grey sweater, and spoke with a Spanish accent.

Suspect Vehicle: Early 2000, dark grey, BMW, possibly 323I model, 2DR, tint on all windows, black and white paper rear plate that read "Discount" NFD. The vehicle is described as not taken care of.

On January 31, 2013, at approximately 2:24 p.m., the victims interrupted a residential burglary at a residence in the 100 block of Norumbega Avenue in the City of Monrovia. The victims' residence backs up to an alley. The suspect vehicle was seen parked in the alley behind the victims' detached garage. The female suspect was standing next to the suspect vehicle holding the victims' back gate open. One of the victims confronted the female suspect. The female suspect got nervous and got into the driver's seat of the suspect vehicle and fled through the alley. The victims found their safe on a dolly next to the gate, where the female suspect was standing. The victims then discovered their home had been burglarized.

The suspect may have had accomplices. The victims said they saw the same suspect vehicle with a male driver, NFD, driving through the neighborhood. The safe was located on the second floor of the residence; it would be difficult for one person to bring it down and load it onto a dolly.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Package Deal | Cold Snap | Hong Kong Market

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment is offering a new package deal: buy an electric or hybrid car and get an AeroVironment car charger as part of the package. http://goo.gl/N6e1e

~ The weather people guesstimate temperatures will be below 70 degrees until next Wednesday ( http://goo.gl/lddtV ). Cold front arriving from Alaska ( http://goo.gl/vr8xA ).

~ Progress on completing Hong Kong Supermarket, on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/w3YIm

- Brad Haugaard

Healthy Smoothie Store in Monrovia

New Liberty Nutrition, a healthy smoothie store, has opened on Lemon Ave. http://goo.gl/dRoqO

- Brad Haugaard

Antonovich Helps Secure $250,000 Park Grant for Monrovia

Monrovia press release on $250k county grant to fix up Julian Fisher Park:

A 1.8 acre park that had its aging and vandalized playground equipment removed more than two years ago will finally get some of the funding it needs.

On Tuesday, Councilwoman Becky Shevlin announced that Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich awarded a $250,000 grant to the City of Monrovia for the refurbishment of Julian Fisher Park, at Almond and California Avenues. The money is coming from Safe Neighborhoods Parks Propositions of 1992 and 1996, commonly referred to as Proposition A/Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District. It is expected to be received by the City in three months.

It has not yet been determined what exactly the money will be used for in refurbishing the park, "but we are extremely excited and thankful to have the funds and look forward to putting it to good use in the near future," Councilwoman Shevlin said.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said she is grateful to both Supervisor Antonovich and Councilwoman Shevlin for working together to secure these funds for a park that has been on the forefront of many community members' minds.

"We have heard from residents for several years now that they want to see improvements at Julian Fisher Park," Mayor Lutz said. "It is refreshing to be able to say to the community that not only have we been listening, but we finally have some funding to make a change."

The Julian Fisher improvements and equipment upgrades have been on the City Council's approved Parks Capital Projects list for many years, but as an unfunded project. The playground equipment alone has a $350,000 price tag. Adding restrooms and upgrading the basketball courts, water fountains, gazebos and picnic benches are also on the improvement list but are still unfunded.

Family members of Mr. Fisher said they are elated that the park will be restored, and that it is a reminder to continue fundraising efforts to make up for the remaining funding gap.

"On behalf of the Fisher family, we are ecstatic to hear that we have received this funding," said Betty Thomas, a longtime Monrovia resident and granddaughter of Mr. Fisher.

The park is named after Julian Fisher, one of Monrovia's first African American police officers. Mr. Fisher was educated in the Monrovia schools and was the first African American male to graduate from the high school. He also played as a semi-professional baseball player for the Monrovia Merchants. Mr. Fisher was a respected member of the community and the police department, where he served for 30 years. He passed away in 1979 at the age of 82.

Mrs. Thomas said she will be announcing the receipt of the grant and the continued fundraising efforts at a Black History Month event hosted by the Monrovia-Duarte Black Alumni Association on Saturday, February 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Julian Fisher Park.

"Receiving this funding will hopefully light a fire under the community as work to continue to raise funds for this park," Thomas said. "Our main concern has been the full utilization of the park, and hopefully this funding and future fundraising will allow us to do that."

Julian Fisher is one of seven parks in the City.

"In working with our cities and town councils, developing parks and open space recreational areas is a vital part of the County's effort to improve the quality of life for our residents," Supervisor Antonovich said. "We are pleased to announce $250,000 to the City of Monrovia to refurbish Julian Fisher Park."

- Brad Haugaard

Microbrewery Coming to Monrovia | Rain Friday? | Football Players Pick Schools

~ Pacific Plate Brewing Company, Monrovia's first microbrewery, to open soon. http://goo.gl/1EF1d

~ A good chance of rain on Friday. http://goo.gl/z4y0H

~ Three Monrovia Wildcat football players make their college picks. http://goo.gl/Cfcn1

- Brad Haugaard