Monrovia's Five Year Plan - The Top Priorities

Here are Monrovia's six priorities for the next five years, selected by the City Council after suggestions from the community.

LONG-TERM FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Continue to demonstrate long-term fiscal responsibility by balancing the budget through revenue generation, wise use of available funds, building adequate resources and leveraging volunteer support; ensuring expenses are carefully considered and kept in line with revenues.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Strengthen Monrovia's economy and tax base through economic development efforts that include proactively retaining and attracting businsses, streamlining permit and plan check processes, and enhancing customer service and a business-friendly reputation.

INFRASTRUCTURE & FACILITY MAINTENANCE Catch up to the extent feasible on the deferred maintenance of City facilities and infrastructure, and develop a program for long-term, ongoing maintenance that includes a system for establishing priorities among projects and maintenance services.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION Maintain our commitment to historical stewardship by preserving historic homes, structures, sites, and districts with sensitivity to neighborhood context.

PUBLIC SAFETY Provide a high level of public safety services through adequate staffing, high-quality personnel, up-to-date technology, and planning in both fire and police departments to assure resources are strategically invested in the highest priority areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Maintain our commitment to environmental stewardship by improving our energy efficiency, water and air quality, parks and open space, and our urban-wildland interface.

Source: Monrovia City Newsletter, This Week in Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

New Art Display | Legislators Legislate | Hong Kong Market

Arrangement with Walnuts and Oranges

~ Paintings by Amanda Fish at Segil Fine Arts, March 2-30, 110 West Lime Ave.

~ Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill that defines "fair market value" in sales of unneeded homes by state agencies to mean, "as is." http://goo.gl/nlU0C

~ Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill that looks as if it is designed to prevent people from performing architectural services if they are not architects. http://goo.gl/boFCu

~ Pictures of the grand opening of Hong Kong Supermarket, on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/Dqqqg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hazardous Waste Roundup March 2

There will be a Household Hazardous Waste and e-waste roundup at the Park and Ride Lot, Myrtle at Pomona Avenues, on Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Window Route Doesn't Work Second Time

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 18-20. - Brad Haugaard]

Note: I excluded the explosion on Chestnut as it duplicates a previous post.

Attempted Burglary

February 19 at 3:48 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon Avenue. They found an open window in the administration building. The same window was the point of entry for a burglary that occurred the previous night at the school. The suspect did not gain entry this time. The investigation is continuing.

Underground Explosion in Monrovia Closes West Chestnut Ave.

An underground explosion of a utility main prompted the evacuation of businesses and a street closure on West Chestnut Avenue between Fifth Avenue to Monterrey Avenue this morning.

The Monrovia Fire Department received a call at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday morning of steam coming out of a four-foot opening on the street. World Vision, at 800 W. Chestnut Avenue, was temporarily evacuated, and the street.

No residential units were evacuated, and the freeway remained open.

Southern California Edison arrived on scene at 8:45 a.m. and determined that electrical wiring in the vault exploded. Edison isolated the circuit at 9 a.m., and allowed occupants back to their businesses.

The street closure on West Chestnut between Fifth Avenue to Monterey Avenue will remain in effect until further notice. Commuters and residents are asked to take alternative routes to avoid back-up.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Beer Making in Monrovia

Microbreweries interested in starting up in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/v1iYr

- Brad Haugaard

Frost Again | Microsoft Gives to World Vision

~ Frost warning tonight for Monrovia and foothills area. http://goo.gl/kYZNL

~ Microsoft employees gave $105 million to charities in 2012, including to Monrovia-based World Vision. (World Vision also has an office in Washington.) http://goo.gl/i3lYE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Candidate Websites

Websites for the three candidates for the Monrovia City Council. http://goo.gl/Jxg83

- Brad Haugaard

Liu: Electronic Library Lending

Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill to have the state library delivery system be an electronic "intranet" instead, and open it to schools. Comment: I approve of computerizing things, but how do you deliver a paper book by intranet? http://goo.gl/Omn6J

- Brad Haugaard

Miss LA, Monet Bagneris of Monrovia, Completes Her Term

2012 Miss Los Angeles County, Monet Bagneris of Monrovia, completes her service. http://goo.gl/1IJdZ

- Brad Haugaard

Grading for Monrovia Gold Line Yard Done

Mass grading is now complete for the 24-acre, $160 million Gold Line Operations Campus in Monrovia. FTC crews are now focused on utility relocation and foundation work on the main building. Utility relocation on streets surrounding the campus is also on-going.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Drone Firefighter

Monrovia's AeroVironment is now selling one of it's little drones as a firefighting tool. http://goo.gl/YjuNL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stealing Valentine Gifts, Grand Theft Auto, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Feb. 14-17. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

February 14 at 11:20 a.m., police responded to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a burglary. Three subjects, two male and one female, entered the store and went to the makeup isle. The female handed items to one of the males and he stuffed the merchandise into his pockets, while the other male acted as a lookout. The three fled the store without paying and were stopped outside by loss prevention. The suspects refused to return the items and fled in a grey vehicle. They were quickly located and stopped by officers and were still in possession of the merchandise.

The male suspect who had hid merchandise in his pockets was also in possession of a demagnetizing tool for removing store security tags. Additional makeup items stolen from another store were found in the vehicle, along with a list of makeup Valentine's Day gifts to take for friends. The suspects had some cash on them, but not enough to pay for the items they had taken.

Grand Theft Auto

February 14 at 6:21 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of Sunset Street. The vehicle is a black, 4-door, 2007 Acura TL. The vehicle was taken sometime between 10:00 p.m. on February 13 and 5:05 a.m. on February 14. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

February 16 at 2:13 a.m., a vehicle was involved in a hit and run traffic collision on Foothill and Poinsettia. The victims of the hit and run were able to stop the suspect in the 200 block of Norumbega. A fight ensued and residents called police. Officers arrived and the suspect driver was identified and determined to be intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody. During the booking process, he was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was charged with the above listed offenses.

Armed Robbery

February 17 at 8:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to an armed robbery that occurred at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. A male suspect entered the fast food business with a handgun concealed in a plastic bag. The suspect pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk gave the suspect a small amount of cash and the suspect fled the location.

The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies, and officers from Arcadia and Sierra Madre Police Departments assisted in the search for the suspect, but he was not located. The gun was not seen by the clerk, but a witness confirmed the suspect was in possession of a black handgun. The suspect is described as a male White, early 20's, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt draped over his head, and a black mask covering his face. Investigation continuing.

Burglary

February 18 at 1:01 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon Avenue. When they arrived, they found an electrical panel cover partially removed and an open bathroom window, leading into the administration office. Officers gained access into the building and discovered footprints on the bathroom counter top, consistent with someone entering through the open bathroom window. Officers searched inside the office, but did not locate any suspects. The alarm company could not locate a responsible person to respond to the location. Nothing appeared to be disturbed inside of the office. The officer will follow up with school personnel to determine if anything was stolen. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

February 18 at 3:05 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of Oaks Avenue. The vehicle owner was at home asleep when he heard the sound of screeching tires in front of his residence. He looked outside and saw his vehicle being driven away westbound on Oaks and out of view. The victim said his vehicle was left parked and secured in his driveway, but he had a hidden spare ignition key attached to the vehicle. The vehicle is a gold, 2005, Toyota Tacoma pickup. The investigation is continuing.

Liu Introduces Bond Bill for School Facilities

~ Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bond bill that would provide an unspecified amount of money for schools, kindergarten through university level, "to construct and modernize education facilities." It would have to be approved by voters. http://goo.gl/By1Yu

- Brad Haugaard

Blackburn City Council Campaign Kickoff Tonight

Campaign kickoff tonight for Alex Blackburn, running for Monrovia City Council. http://goo.gl/X9yAR

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Bears | Robbery | Rain | Presidents' Day

~ KTLA video of bears and a mountain lion in Monrovia ( http://goo.gl/cf0N4 ). Comment: KTLA says we are "on edge" about that. Maybe, but my impression is that we're getting a bit too casual about bears in our backyards. I'm afraid a bear is going to be surprised and feel trapped and hurt someone while trying to escape.

~ Robbery at Monrovia Wienerschnitzel. http://goo.gl/QqGK1

~ Ten percent chance of rain today, 70 percent tomorrow, and 30 percent Wednesday. http://goo.gl/hsEbh

~ Monrovia city offices are closed today. Presidents' Day.

- Brad Haugaard

Hong Kong Supermarket Open

Monrovia's Hong Kong Supermarket, on Duarte Road, is now open. http://goo.gl/69Vlc

- Brad Haugaard

Parry to Run for Monrovia Council | Star Gaze | Older American Award | $79 Million House? | Rain?

~ Robert Parry announces a write-in campaign for Monrovia City Council. Now it's a horse race! http://goo.gl/hgiK6

~ Take a glance through a telescope. Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be hanging out (usually at southeast corner of Library Park) this Saturday evening.

~ Nominate a sixty-plus year old Monrovian for Monrovia's Older American Award. Send to rromero@ci.monrovia.ca.us by April 1 (no joke).

~ A reader mentions that next door in Bradbury there is a home selling for $78.8 million. Is that all? Better get two of them to stock up. Anybody know anything about this house? Lots of cool pictures here: http://goo.gl/yJZq6

~ Chance of rain by Tuesday. http://goo.gl/M6V3c

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Appointment and Bills

~ Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has been appointed to the governing board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Source: Holden press release

~ Also, Holden has introduced three new bills, including:

- One to define "environmental lead contamination" in lead poisoning law. http://goo.gl/0WLgK

- One to do away with the required independent audit to determine how much money the state can require rental car companies to collect from customers to help pay for various airport construction projects. http://goo.gl/42f3A

- One to redefine "minority business enterprise" to mean companies that are majority-owned by minorities OR are controlled on a daily basis by minorities, rather than companies that are majority-owned by minorities AND are controlled on a daily basis by minorities. http://goo.gl/qoCuL

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Monrovia Pizza Company

Had lunch at Monrovia Pizza Co., at Mayflower and Duarte. Got the $5 combo (tax included), with a pepperoni pizza, drink and salad. Great price and very nice pizza.

- Brad Haugaard