Letter From City Manager Chi Regarding LA PartyWorks

In his weekly update, City Manager Oliver Chi said an email he sent to staff regarding the recommendation that the city terminate its contract with LA Partyworks was leaked, so he decide to release the email generally. Here it is:

From: Oliver Chi
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2015 4:25 PM
To: All Employees; Police All
Subject: Friday Night Family Street Fair Issue

Good afternoon everyone, 

I hope that this email finds you doing great!

It was recently brought to my attention that there has been quite a bit of discussion occurring in our community regarding an item the City Council will be considering next Tuesday, August 4, 2015, regarding the potential termination of LA PartyWorks, Inc. (LA PartyWorks) as the operator of the Friday Night Family Street Fair Event.

Given the amount of dialogue that is happening regarding the issue, I thought it would be a good idea to share with our team here at the City some of the background details related to the issues at hand, and to articulate some of the reasons why I am recommending that the City Council move forward in a different direction with regard to the management of the overall Friday Night Family Street Fair (Street Fair).

After nearly 23 years of operating the Street Fair, the City Council on April 28, 2015, formally decided to end its relationship with Family Festival Productions, Inc. (FFPI), and instead, approved an Exclusive Franchise Agreement with LA PartyWorks to operate the Street Fair.

During the 3+ months that we have partnered with LA PartyWorks, I believe that the City has done everything we can to set the new company up for success.  However, during that time, LA PartyWorks has engaged in activities and behaviors that have illustrated an inability to be an effective partner for the City in coordinating the Street Fair. 

Outside of the operational and procedural issues regarding the production of the Street Fair, the more concerning development for staff has been the fact that there are ongoing reliability issues with LA PartyWorks which point to a fundamental values misalignment between how the City operates and how LA PartyWorks operates. 

More specifically, since the contract was approved with LA PartyWorks, the City has had to intervene and mediate multiple conflicts each week that have arisen between LA PartyWorks and our Old Town Merchants / Street Fair vendors.  These continual conflicts between the operator and the Street Fair stakeholders is indicative of the first values misalignment that the City has identified with LA PartyWorks.  While we expect to work collaboratively with our partners in an effort to find solutions, LA PartyWorks employs a different approach that can be characterized as unilateral and one-sided.

In addition, during the assessment process prior to awarding LA PartyWorks with the contract to manage the Street Fair, representatives from LA PartyWorks shared that their business plan for making money to operate the event involved the following three primary revenue streams:

1.       Fees paid by the Street Fair vendors

2.      Tickets sold for the Kids Play Area

3.    Outside sponsorships (LA PartyWorks specifically mentioned Vans, Miller Brewing Company, and Coca-Cola as event sponsors)

However, almost immediately after the contract was awarded to LA PartyWorks, representatives from the company informed staff on several separate occasions that the actual business model that they were employing to make money off of running the Street Fair involved the following four separate revenue streams:

 1.     Fees paid by the Street Fair vendors

2.     Tickets sold for the Kids Play Area

3.     Becoming the exclusive vendor to sell kettle corn at the Street Fair

4.    Becoming the exclusive vendor selling water / soda at the Street Fair

This particular issue highlights several additional values misalignments between the City and LA PartyWorks.  First of all, and perhaps most importantly, the City strives to be as transparent as possible in our intentions and actions.  LA PartyWorks has shown that a willingness to provide inaccurate and conflicting representations regarding their intentions and actions. 

In addition, the fact that LA PartyWorks would willingly engage in direct competition with our Old Town Merchants by trying to make themselves the exclusive vendor of kettle corn and drinks at the Street Fair – in direct violation of their contract with the City – demonstrates a complete and total disregard for the not only the rules and regulations that we all agreed to operate under, but also for the City. 

Finally, with the City prohibiting LA PartyWorks from selling kettle corn and drinks at the Street Fair, we have legitimate concerns regarding the ongoing financial viability for LA PartyWorks to continue producing the event.  Given the way that the company has operated to this point in time, it would be logical for the City to think that LA PartyWorks has developed some other mechanism through which to make the venture financially viable that they have yet to share with us.

One additional reliability issue that we have experienced with LA PartyWorks relates to the private discussions and interactions that City staff has had with company representatives.  On multiple occasions, LA PartyWorks has told the City that unless we allow them to engage in activities that are in violation of their contract, they would be unwilling to continue as the operator of the Street Fair.  While the firm has not carried through on their statements to not coordinate the Street Fair event, these types of interactions have elicited a genuine concern about the commitment that LA PartyWorks has to the Street Fair.  

Given these overall issues that the City has identified with LA PartyWorks as a partner, we are recommending that if the City Council does terminate the contract with LA PartyWorks, that we enter into an interim agreement with a company known as Green Leaf Events, Inc. (GLEI), to produce the Street Fair.  GLEI is a company that was recently formed by an individual named Jerry Diaz. 

Mr. Diaz has significant experience managing street festivals, special events, and car shows, and in fact, was the event manager for Monrovia’s Street Fair for a number of years when the event was managed by FFPI.  Currently, GLEI has been engaged to produce the Rosemead Farmer’s Market and will also be coordinating the Monrovia Kiwanis’ Taste of Monrovia event this year.  Additional information regarding GLEI can be found on the internet at www.greenleafevents.net. 

It is also important to note that Mr. Diaz did work for the former operator of the Street Fair (Dave Gaymen, owner of FFPI), and furthermore, the City has confirmed that GLEI has no ongoing connections to FFPI. 

I have included as an attachment to this email a copy of the staff report and attachments that was prepared for the City Council’s consideration about this particular matter.  The issue will be addressed next Tuesday, August 4, 2015, and if you should have any questions, please feel free to let me know!

I hope you have a terrific rest of the weekend, and do look forward to seeing everyone next week!

Best regards,

Oliver

Free Health Screening at Monrovia ChapCare Office

On August 8, From 10am - 2pm, ChapCare medical professionals will provide free health screenings at ChapCare's new Monrovia facility (513 E. Lime Ave., Suite 101). Screenings include body mass index, blood sugar, blood pressure, dental, vision, and health insurance. ChapCare provides low- or no-cost health services (Medi-Cal, Medicare, and My Health LA) and accepts many Covered California and private insurance plans. For more information, call 398-6300 or visit www.chapcare.org.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Orchard Supply Hardware Coming to Monrovia? | Laundromat | Newspaper

At its August 5 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/nUxgRn ) Monrovia's Development Review Committee is going to consider ...

~ An Orchard Supply Hardware store with at 3,000 square foot outdoor nursery is planned for the shopping area at the corner of Monterey and Huntington (the shopping center with the PetSmart). The Development Review Committee will consider this.

~ A laundromat at the Monrovia Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of Huntington and Magnolia.

~ Allowing the San Gabriel Valley News Group (including San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Pasadena Star-News) to put up a sign for its new office at 605 E. Huntington.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drunk Driving; Car Crash in Driveway; Truck Full of Wood Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 30 – August 2. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
July 31 at 1:50 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival, the officer discovered the suspect also had an outstanding warrant out of El Monte for her arrest. The officer arrested the suspect and took her into custody. She was later released on a citation to appear in court on the shoplifting charges. El Monte Police Department officers responded and took custody of the suspect per the authority of their warrant.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 31 at 9:27 p.m., officers observed a vehicle heading southbound on Ivy, approaching Huntington. The male driver drove through the posted stop sign without coming to a complete stop. The officer pulled the vehicle over for the violation in the area of Myrtle and Maple. Through investigation, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle had been drinking, and after field testing, he was arrested for driving under the influence.

During the investigation, the driver’s girlfriend drove up in a second vehicle. Officers observed that she was also displaying signs of intoxication. Field sobriety tests were performed, and it was determined she had driven to the location while under the influence of alcohol; she was arrested for DUI, also.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 12:30 a.m., an adult female was located lying on the asphalt in the parking lot across from the police department in the 100 block of East Lime. Officers contacted her and discovered she had been drinking and was having difficulty communicating and standing. Officers determined she could not care for her own safety; she was placed under arrest for being drunk in public and held for sobering.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 1:32 a.m., officers observed a vehicle driving erratically and stopped the vehicle at Myrtle and California. After contacting the driver, it was determined that the driver had been drinking. The officers asked the driver to perform field sobriety tests. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Violation of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 8:45 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 300 block of East Olive regarding the violation of a domestic violence restraining order. The female resident called police to report she saw her ex-husband outside her residence. He has been served with a restraining order and is to stay away from the location. Officers located the suspect nearby and he admitted to being at the location; he was arrested for violation of the restraining order.

Traffic Collision/Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 2 at 3:35 a.m., a driver heading the wrong way on Central at Mountain struck another vehicle. There were no obvious injuries, but both parties complained of pain. They were both treated at the scene by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics. The driver of the wrong way vehicle was arrested for driving under the influence and was later released to a parent.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
August 2 at 8:15 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of East Maple on the report of a hit and run traffic collision. The victim parked his company vehicle in his driveway at 2:00 a.m. When he returned to the vehicle at 8:00 a.m., he found collision damage to the rear of the vehicle. It appears a vehicle drove into the driveway, crashed into the rear of the vehicle, and fled the scene. The victim did not hear a collision during the night. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
August 2 at 3:18 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a business in the 900 block of West Duarte. A 1992 Toyota pickup, white with blue stripes, was stolen. The bed of the truck was full of wood. The suspect is described as a male White in his mid-30s with shaggy hair. The victim left the vehicle running in the parking lot while he went into the business. The suspect jumped into the vehicle and fled the area. Officers searched the area, but the vehicle was not located; surrounding agencies were notified. The vehicle was recovered in Pasadena at 6:10 p.m. and was returned to the owner. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Street Fair: LA Partyworks Responds, Street Fair Marriage

~ LA Partyworks responds to criticism of its handling of Friday Night Street Fair. http://goo.gl/GC1Yhw

~ Monrovia couple gets married at street fair. http://goo.gl/uTBxYZ

- Brad Haugaard

Why Monrovia May End Its Contract With Friday Night Fair Operator And Hire Another Company

At its Tuesday, Aug. 4 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/1B2b9d ), the Monrovia City Council will consider its staff's recommendation (staff report: http://goo.gl/MPuQFJ ) to terminate the contract of the new Friday Night Fair operator, LA PartyWorks, and engage a new company called Greenleaf Events, Inc.


The City of Monrovia is charging that ...

"While LA PartyWorks has been able to successfully integrate several new elements into the Friday Night Family Street Fair – including enhanced live entertainment, updated signage, and the incorporation of several new appropriate vendors – the operator has also demonstrated an inability to adhere to basic regulations stipulated in their contract, while also being unable to work collaboratively with Event stakeholders."

And, at its  July 28 meeting ...

"the Oversight Committee unanimously recommended that the City Council terminate the agreement with LA PartyWorks and consider engaging a new vendor to operate the overall Event."

Here are some of the city's concerns:

"Operational Concerns

• Lack of development of a traffic control plan
• Event set-up and take-down procedures
• Provision of adequate and trained staff to coordinate and manage the Event
• Trash collection activities
• Provision of electrical power to all portions of the Event
• Implementation of an overall lighting plan for the Event
• Compliance with ADA regulations
• Reduction in size and number of vendors in the Certified Farmer’s Market section of the Event

Procedural Concerns

• LA PartyWorks operated a kettle corn vendor booth in direct competition with an Old Town Merchant
• LA PartyWorks prohibited all event vendors from selling water / soda and operated an exclusive vendor booth selling drinks
• LA PartyWorks impaired the operations of an Old Town Merchant’s vendor booth in order to gain an operational and competitive advantage for their own vendor booth
• LA PartyWorks resisted the requirement that they provide seating at the Event in an effort to impair the operations of an Old Town Merchant’s vendor booth
• LA PartyWorks added an inappropriate number of new food vendors which has resulted in increased competition with Old Town Merchants Reliability Concerns
• Concerns from Old Town Merchants, vendors, and Event stakeholders regarding how LA PartyWorks manages, coordinates, and produces the Friday Night Family Street Fair
• Inaccurate and conflicting representations by LA PartyWorks regarding their overall business plan / financial model regarding operation of the Event
• Concerns regarding the commitment that LA PartyWorks has to continuing the production of the Event"

That being said ...

"LA PartyWorks was able to correct most of the operational and procedural deficiencies identified."

And if the City Council wants to end the contract, staff has a replacement company in mind, Greenleaf Events, Inc., which ...

"has over 75+ years of experience coordinating and producing street fair, farmer’s market, music festival, car show, and other similar special events. The company currently produces a weekly Farmer’s Market in the City of Rosemead, and has also been engaged to operate
the Kiwanis’ Taste of Monrovia event."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Mark Twain Statue Gets Dressed Up

A number of people posted pictures (this one by Erica Reel) of the Mark Twain statue at Library Park, on Facebook. Hmmm. Kinda hot today for a sweater.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at the Monrovian

Dinner recently at the Monrovian, at the corner of Colorado and Myrtle. Got the Deep Fried Chicken for $11.49 and an iced tea for $2.39. It came with a chicken tortilla soup. Good! I liked it. 

- Brad Haugaard

Video of New Monrovia Biotech Incubaor

Here is a video about LabLaunch, the new biotech company incubator that just opened in Monrovia. https://goo.gl/ds9gbW

- Brad Haugaard

Big Dog and Cat Clearance Event

The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, which serves Monrovia, is participating in "Clear the Shelters," a day-long adoption event on Saturday, August 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The adoption fee for cats and dogs will be reduced to $20.

The Humane Society is at 361 S. Raymond Avenue in Pasadena. Regular policies and screening apply. To expedite the process, print out and complete an adoption application from the website. If you rent, bring proof you are allowed to have a pet at your residence. View all animals at the shelter here: http://goo.gl/NHEcY2 .

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs; Hit and Run; Etc.

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

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 382 service events, resulting in 57 investigations.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspects Arrested
July 28 at 9:03 a.m., officers responded to a parking structure in the 700 block of South Myrtle on the report of a subject passed out behind the wheel of a white Honda. When the officers arrived, they found two male subjects in the vehicle. As the driver exited the vehicle, he dropped a syringe containing what appeared to be heroin. The passenger attempted to run from the officers, but an officer gave chase and detained the second suspect. A search of the vehicle revealed additional heroin and methamphetamine; both suspects were arrested.

Injury Hit & Run Collision – Suspect Arrested
July 28 at 12:04 p.m., a hit and run collision that just occurred was reported at Primrose and Oak. Witnesses followed the suspect vehicle, a black BMW with major collision damage, and reported the vehicle was parked at a residence on Heather Heights. The Foothill Air Support helicopter arrived above the residence and watched the vehicle in the driveway until officers could arrive. The father of the suspect driver called police from work. He received a call from his juvenile son, admitting he was involved in the collision. Further investigation revealed the son was unlicensed and had taken his father's car without permission. The suspect was arrested for felony hit and run.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
July 29 at 4:01 p.m., officers stopped a male subject for a vehicle code violation. The subject was found to be driving on a suspended license. He had several outstanding warrants for his arrest and is currently on parole. He was arrested and his vehicle was stored.

Problem With New Street Fair? | Rain Today?

~ City troubled by how the Friday Night Street Fair is being handled. http://goo.gl/OF6F8M

~ 60% chance of rain today. http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Reports Sales Down for Q2

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, which makes lenses for the eye, reported that net sales were $18.7 million for the second quarter of 2015, down 7% compared to $20 million in the prior year. http://goo.gl/zDjazK

- Brad Haugaard

The Wizard of Oz Jr. Starts Tomorrow

The Wizard of Oz Jr., Thursday, July 30 (2pm and 7pm), Friday, July 31 (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and Saturday, Aug. 1 (2 p.m. and 7 pm) at the IFGF church 147 Palm Ave., Monrovia. A fun musical for kids and kids at heart. Support the young performers of Center Stage, Inc.'s Summer Theater Camp. Tickets are $15 VIP and $10 GP. Evening shows are almost sold out so best time to watch would be during the matinee shows. Source: Facebook post

Chat With a Monrovia Cop

National Night Out on Tuesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., August 4, in Library Park. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and locally by the Monrovia Police Department, it will involve over 16,540 communities from all 50 states. In Monrovia it will provide an opportunity to meet with our officers, share a meal and ask those questions they have always wanted to ask a police officer. Free food, music and unity.

- Brad Haugaard

Walking Tour of Old Town Monrovia

Walking tour of the historic Monrovia downtown area on Saturday, August 8, at 10 a.m. RSVPs are not necessary, and the cost is $5 per person. Meet at the SE corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Train Maintenance Yard Turned Over to Metro

Gold Line Construction Authority CEO, Habib Balian, reports that ...

"Yesterday, the Foothill Gold Line Operations Campus was formally accepted by Metro. The turn-over process started several weeks ago and was finished two months ahead of schedule. Turn-over is an important milestone for the campus and the project overall, and allows Metro to begin receiving vehicles to the facility. Over the next two years, the campus will be the delivery point for a total of 74 vehicles for testing and training purposes; two have been delivered to date. Only 15 are needed to fully operate the Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa."

- Brad Haugaard

Open House at Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills

Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills invites community members to visit this Friday, July 31, during its open house. The Club will be open all day, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tour the facilities and learn more about the club's life-changing work with youth. 600 S. Shamrock Avenue.  RSVP to kbuller@foothillsbgc.org

- Brad Haugaard

Vehicles to be Washed Less Often; Is 'Monrovia' Sign Too Small? Water Usage Cut; Etc.

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/8QsqWU ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ As part of its water conservation effort, the city will wash its vehicles less frequently.

~ Initial feedback on the "Monrovia" sign that was installed on the south side abutment of the 210 Freeway at Myrtle Avenue is that it looks a bit small. "However," Chi writes, "as we move forward, additional artistic leaf details will soon be added to the "Monrovia" sign, as well as more landscape to finish off the area."

~ In May 2015, Monrovians reduced their water consumption by 20.25% compared with May 2013, and in June by 34.5% compared with June 2013. Also, for April, the city reduced its water usage by 29% compared to April 2013, and in May by 46% compared with May 2013.

~ Scout Angel Benitez from Boy Scout Troop 483 recently completed his Eagle Scout Project at Canyon Park, leading a team building a new fence around a native plant garden at the Nature Center.

~ Traffic clog-ups on Duarte Road between Myrtle Avenue and California Avenue have been caused by the loss of the vehicle detector during recent street paving activities. Chi said the city hopes to get that fixed in the near future.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovians Can Now Water Only Every Fourth Day, and More Water Rules

On July 21, 2015, the Monrovia City Council adopted Phase IV of the City’s Water Conservation Plan requiring additional water use restrictions. The regulations in Phase IV will take effect immediately due to the severity of California’s drought, while the enforcement plan and penalty structure will take effect following a 45-day educational period, ending on September 5th.

The City Council’s adoption of Phase IV includes the following elements:

• Mandatory 28-percent water conservation for Monrovia as a whole in order to meet the reduction level mandated by the State;
• Outdoor watering should be limited to about once per week or no more than every fourth day for a maximum of fifteen minutes per watering station or landscaped area before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. only; and
• An enforcement plan that focuses on achieving water conservation primarily through the use of education and outreach.

The enforcement mechanism included with Phase IV restrictions includes the following six-step Enforcement Plan:

• First violation results in a door hanger containing water conservation information.
• Second violation results in phone or in-person Staff contact providing conservation information.
• Third violation results in a formal written notice containing information on the fines that may be issued if additional violations occur.
• Fourth violation may result in a $100 fine.
• Fifth violation may result in a $200 fine.
• Sixth or more violations may result in a $300 fine.

The City wants to emphasize that the goal is to conserve water and comply with State mandates, not to issue a high number of fines or collect more money from our residents and businesses.

Furthermore, the City Manager or his designee can issue variances for customers who have received a violation notice and have extenuating circumstances that require them to conserve less water.

Additional water conservation restrictions remain in effect, including:

• No turf irrigation within 48 hours following measureable rain or during high winds.
• All water leaks must be fixed within 48 hours of discovery.
• Hoses should be equipped with a nozzle or quick relief shutoff valve.
• No washing hard or paved surfaces with potable water except as is required for sanitary purposes.
• No water shall be used to clean, fill, or maintain levels in decorative fountains, ponds, lakes or other similar aesthetic structures unless such water is part of a recirculating system.
• No person shall permit or cause irrigation water to spray or flow to any impermeable private or public surface, including driveways, sidewalks, streets, or storm drains.

City Staff will be conducting significant outreach to the community to help raise awareness of the Phase IV mandatory regulations during the educational period, and the new penalty structure will not be enforced until September 5th.

The good news is that Monrovians are doing more than their part to conserve water in the midst of our current drought. As a community, we have been able to reduce our overall water usage levels by 34.5% in June 2015 when compared with June 2013.

As a water customer, the City reduced its water usage by 46% in May 2015 as compared with May 2013. The City is taking additional steps to use water efficiently at City facilities, including:

• Conducting water audits at four parks within the City, namely Highway Esplanade Park, Lucinda Garcia Park, Recreation Park, and Rotary Park; and
• Drought-tolerant landscape renovations within Julian Fisher Park, along Myrtle Avenue in Old Town Monrovia, at City Hall, and on street medians.

The Public Services Department will be hosting Water Conservation Outreach booths at the Friday Night Street Fair through September 4th. Feel free to stop by to ask questions, pick up informational materials, and win free giveaways!

For more information or to read the complete Water Conservation Ordinance, visit www.CityofMonrovia.org.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard