What to Do at Myrtle and Huntington? The City Council Considers

Rendering of the proposed Mt. Sierra project.

At its Sept. 3 meeting, the Monrovia City Council, wearing its "Successor Agency" hat (which replaced the now-banned Redevelopment Agency) will consider what to do with the property at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Huntington. There are five proposals:

- An already-rejected multi-residential project.

- A campus for Mt. Sierra College with a cool design, but the city would like some retail there as well.

- A four-star, 120-room hotel proposed by the company, Singpoli. Potentially the highest revenue generating project.

-  A 24-Hour Fitness with two restaurant/retail sites, proposed by Evergreen Development. The 24-Hour Fitness at Huntington and Shamrock would move there.

- Two restaurant/retail uses, proposed by Festival Companies. Possible restaurants for the site: Longhorn Steakhouse, Lucille's Bar-B-Que, Domenico's Italian Restaurant & Lounge, Corner Bakery, 85 Degree Café International, Blaze Pizza, and Five Guys.

More detail than you probably want, here: http://goo.gl/D3Eefk

- Brad Haugaard

Friends of the Monrovia Library - Cheap Books!

In September adult books and media with a pink dot on the spine are half-price at the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookstore (in the Library). Most regular prices range from 25¢ to $2.

Then, on Oct. 11-13, the Friends will hold its Fall Book Sale, with more than 5,000 books. Hours:

Friday - noon-5 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The $2-a-Bag Sale will be on Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. Collectibles are priced from $5 to $40. While book sellers are welcome, scanners are not permitted.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's May Cut Healthcare Contributions in Face of Obamacare | Students Slip on Exit Exam

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's may cut back on its employee healthcare contributions in the face of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but "the company's contribution would remain generous by industry standards." http://goo.gl/2ijx1o

~ Percentage of Monrovia students who pass California High School Exit Exam slips. http://goo.gl/W7eUhq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drug Bust, Stuff Stolen from Vehicle

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 26-28. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 540 service events, resulting in 83 investigations.

 

Petty Theft with Priors / Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested

On August 27 at 4:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding burglary that just occurred.  Both suspects were being detained by loss prevention officers.  A record check revealed both suspects had been arrested for prior thefts.  A search was conducted, which revealed one suspect to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On August 27 at 11:02 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of North Canyon regarding a vehicle burglary  The victim parked and locked his 1996 Acura in front of his residence.  A short while later, the victim returned to his vehicle and saw it had been burglarized.  The items stolen from his vehicle were bank checks and a GPS system.   The investigation is continuing.

More on Lile Retirement | Monrovia Battery Tech | Brewery | Sidewalk Astronomy

~ Reaction to the retirement of Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile. http://goo.gl/KUMZjQ

~ I didn't know Monrovia had a battery-technology development company - CODA Energy. http://goo.gl/j5H5wf

~ Two videos about Pacific Plate Brewing of Monrovia, opening Aug. 30 and premiering six new craft ales. http://www.tout.com/m/qry8tv and http://www.tout.com/m/v8wxhy (I can't get them to work but maybe they'll treat you better.)

~ A story about the sidewalk astronomers who set up in Monrovia's Library Park. http://goo.gl/rQ0UPB

- Brad Haugaard

Painting Exhibit, Mini Monrovia Power Outage

"Goose," oil painting by Jean Osher

~ "Eye Candy," an exhibition of paintings by Lynn Gertenbach, Jean Osher and Esther Engelman, Sept 7-28, at Monrovia's Segil Fine Art Gallery, 110 West Lime.

~ Southern California Edison reports a mini power outage affecting eight of its Monrovia customers. http://goo.gl/mlRvki

- Brad Haugaard

Women Invited to Newcomers Group Meeting in Monrovia

Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley, a local women's group, will have a Meet-and-Greet Coffee on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10 am to noon, at a member's home in Monrovia. Contact sgvnewcomers@yahoo.com for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Resigning

Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile is resigning, moving to Nevada with her husband. http://goo.gl/6xsU5C

- Brad Haugaard

West Nile Virus Next Door in Arcadia

West Nile virus discovered next door in Arcadia. Watch out for mosquitoes! http://goo.gl/5GC9Rp

- Brad Haugaard

Army Buys AeroVironment Switchblades | Casino Night | Bills to Governor

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $15.8 million in orders from the Army for its Switchblade Tactical Missile Systems. http://goo.gl/2fJz8P

~ Rotary Club's 2013 Old West BBQ & Casino Night Fundraiser is coming up Sept. 7, 6-10 p.m. $70 for dinner, four drink tickets and 250 playing chips. At Monrovia Community Center, 119 W Palm Ave. For tickets call 893-3580.

~ Three bills by Monrovia's state senator, Carol Liu, have been approved by the legislature and have been sent to the governor for his signature. They would "assist food banks, enhance interagency collaboration at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and help promote arts in schools." http://goo.gl/oZF90K

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Officer of the Year | The Y Grows

Among other things, the latest Monrovia Today magazine reports that ...

~ Agent John Donchig has been named Monrovia PD's Officer of the Year. Donchig, the article says, is "a model of hard work, initiative and leadership."

~ Since 2005 the Monrovia Y's membership has jumped from 1,600 to 3000; class participation from 2,000 to 5,000; and its budget has risen from $1.1 million to $2.3 million.

- Brad Haugaard

Tiles in the Monrovia Train Station

Samples of Cha-Rie Tang's reproduction Batchelder tiles. (Photo: MHPG)

According to the newsletter of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the city's Gold Line station will feature reproductions of Ernest Batchelder tiles. Batchelder lived in Pasadena early in the 20th century and his tiles were part of the Craftsman movement. Artist Cha-Rie Tang is making the reproduction tiles herself, and some of them use designs copied from Batchelder tiles in Monrovia homes.

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's vs. Pirate Joe's | Metro Train Design

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is suing Vancouver's Pirate Joe's, which says it would be happy to close up shop if only Trader Joe's would come to town. http://goo.gl/kJ5hJJ

~ New design for the Metro railcars that will be pulling into Monrovia sometime soon. Yellow and white. http://goo.gl/3q7WSh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Scoby Looks at Schools | AeroVironment Revenue Down

~ Monrovia running back Kurt Scoby is starting to look at colleges. Arizona this weekend. http://goo.gl/JCX7px

~ Monrovia-based AeroVironment reported "revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $44.1 million, compared with first quarter fiscal 2013 revenue of $58.7 million. The decline in revenue resulted from decreased sales in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) segment of $13.6 million and in the Efficient Energy Systems (EES) segment of $1.0 million." http://goo.gl/PEYG6i

- Brad Haugaard

Tax-Break-for-Military Bill Goes to Governor

Assemblymember Chris Holden's legislation to give service members a tax break when they are transferred to California has been approved by the state Legislature and now goes to Governor Brown for signature. Holden represents Monrovia.

AB 143, the Military Use Tax Exemption, would eliminate "use tax - a type of sales tax - on personal property purchased by an active duty military member who has been transferred into the state.


- Brad Haugaard

Governor Signs Into Law Domestic Violence Bill by Monrovia Representative

Governor Brown today signed into law a domestic violence measure authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia.

AB 139 stipulates that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee - not a fine - after they are granted probation. "This clarification is important because it would clear up confusion over the $500 payment and ensure funding for local domestic violence programs."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Bill Would Require State Agency to Post Relevant Info on Its Website

Legislation authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has been approved by the legislature and now goes to the governor for his signature.

Assembly Bill 201 requires the State Office of Small Business Advocate to include on its website information on the Small Business Loan Guarantee program's loan guarantees, direct lending, surety bond guarantees, and disaster loans.

Comment: Well, good, but REALLY? It requires an act of the State Assembly and of the State Senate and the signature of the governor just to get a state agency to post relevant consumer information on its website??! This does not inspire confidence.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suicide; Meth; Car Burglary and Theft

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 22-25. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.  

 

Vehicle Burglary

August 22 at 2:22 p.m., a female subject came to the Police Department lobby to report a vehicle burglary that had occurred several days prior.  Her vehicle was parked on the street in front of her house in the 200 block of Acacia.  The suspect ransacked her vehicle and took several gift cards.  She reported the theft late as she had to leave town for a couple days and had just returned.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Grand Theft Auto

August 22 at 7:06 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Stedman regarding the report of a stolen vehicle.  The victim last saw his vehicle parked in the carport of his complex at about 1:00 p.m.  All keys are accounted for and there were no signs of forced entry.  The vehicle is a gray, 2004 Toyota Corolla.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Missing Person / Suicide

August 22 at 7:02 p.m., police received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in the 200 block of West Foothill.  Officers arrived and discovered an adult male subject lying across the bench seat of the vehicle.  The victim appears to have succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  A check of the vehicle license plate revealed the subject had been reported missing on August 16 and was suicidal.  The Los Angeles County Coroner's office was notified.        

Grand Theft Auto

August 24 at 7:22 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of North May Avenue.  The vehicle is gray, 2013 Honda Odyssey and was taken sometime between August 23 to the 24.  The investigation is continuing.

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Under the influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

On August 23, Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a vehicle for traffic violations in the 200 block of Norumbega.  The vehicle was occupied by a male subject and his girlfriend.  The officers observed that both subjects were showing signs and symptoms of being under the influence of methamphetamine and they recovered a syringe in the female subject's property.  Both subjects were arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and the female subject was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Weapons Offense / Unsafe Speed / False Information to a Peace Officer / Unlicensed Driver / Felony Warrant

On August 24, Special Enforcement Team officers assisted a patrol officer when he stopped a vehicle for vehicle code violations at Myrtle and Longden and the male passenger became verbally abusive and tried to force his way out of the vehicle.  He had methamphetamine in his wallet and a switchblade knife was within his reach.  He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and the illegal knife.

 

The female driver had no identification and the officers could not verify she had a valid license, so she was arrested and the vehicle was stored.  She was later identified and found to have given officers a false name.  She was found to have an outstanding no-bail probation warrant and was charged with unsafe speed, false information to an officer, being an unlicensed driver and the felony warrant.

Flash Flood Watch Today | Monrovia Drones Over Alaska

~ Flash flood watch for this afternoon, especially below burned-off areas ( http://goo.gl/SX902x ). Thirty percent chance of rain, with possible thunder storms: http://goo.gl/5eyPzf

~ Drones from Monrovia-based AeroVironment may be monitoring oil fields in Alaska. http://goo.gl/qerl5r

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia KGEM Host Part of MLK Retrospective

KGEM host Ralph Walker is part of the Star-News' Martin Luther King retrospective, today. http://goo.gl/JZBLeB

- Brad Haugaard