Citrus College Appoints New Dean of Students

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has appointed  Dr. Maryann Tolano-Leveque as dean of students. Dr. Tolano-Leveque brings more than a decade of experience in higher education to Citrus College.  Most recently, she served as director of the Honors Program at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC).

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Train Depot Rehab Done This Year; Park Improvements; Slight Increase in Homeless; Compatibility; Library Workings; Rain Barrels

A few items from City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly update ( http://goo.gl/o9PIyt ):

~ Overall construction work to rehab the historic Santa Fe Depot is tentatively scheduled to be completed by late-2016.

~ A community discussion of park needs include: Restrooms at Library Park and Julian Fisher Park; Fitness Courses at Lucinda Garcia, Station Square, and Grand Avenue Park. Another meeting on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 102.

~ The homeless count indicates a "slight increase" in the homeless in Monrovia. The city counted 14 Campers / Vans / RVs, 2 Make-Shift Shelters, 7 Individuals, 1 Car, 1 Tent.

~ The city plans to present its neighborhood compatibility proposals - along with an overview of feedback received - in a series of Study Session meetings with the City Council and the Planning Commission. Details: http://goo.gl/o9PIyt

~ Behind the scenes look at secrets of the Monrovia Public Library on Monday, Feb. 8, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Library Story Room. Hosted by the MOMS Club of Monrovia. For more information call Elizabeth Schneider, Youth Services Library Supervisor, at 256-8275, or eschneider@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

~ Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District will host a free rain barrel giveaway at Monrovia High on Saturday, Feb. 13, beginning at 8 a.m. Details: http://goo.gl/o9PIyt

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Drone Scouts in Antarctica

A hand-launched drone made by Monrovia-based AeroVironment is scouting the ice shelf ahead of the Coast Guard's Polar Star, supporting critical ice-breaking mission to resupply McMurdo Station in Antarctica. http://goo.gl/9doBWI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Chief Donovan Leaving And So, Apparently, is MHS Coach Chris Stevens

Monrovia is apparently losing both its fire chief and its football coach.

Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan will be moving to be fire chief in El Segundo later this month. http://goo.gl/hc1fxU

Los Angeles News Group reporter Fred Robledo Tweets that "Monrovia coach Chris Stevens expected to leave and be named next head coach at Chino Hills."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Grand Theft Harley; Stolen Car Recovered; Bedroom Peeker; Car Window Smashing; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 28-31. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Grand Theft Auto – Motorcycle
January 28 at 3:53 p.m., a motorcycle was reported stolen from the 200 block of East Maple. The victim phoned the police to report someone had cut the lock to the door on his garage and stole his 2013 Harley Davidson. The motorcycle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system and the investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
January 29 at 8:08 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Cypress on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim parked and secured her vehicle in front of her residence in the evening. When she returned to it the next morning, she saw the passenger window had been shattered and her purse was gone. She had left her purse inside the vehicle on the front seat. The investigation is continuing.

Unlicensed Driver/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
January 29 at 3:27 p.m., an officer observed a female subject driving a vehicle, and he knew from previous contact that she did not have a valid driver’s license. He stopped the driver in the 600 block of West Lemon. The female admitted to having drug paraphernalia on her person. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
January 30 at 3:48 a.m., police received notification of a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of West Duarte. Police located the unoccupied vehicle parked in a business parking lot. Officers noticed two female subjects inside a fast food restaurant. The officers waited, and the two subjects eventually exited the business and walked over to the vehicle. Once the driver's door was open, the officers approached and took the subjects into custody. Both subjects accused the other of taking the vehicle, but one had an altered key in her possession. Both suspects were also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Prowling/Peeking/Gang Injunction Violation/Resisting a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
January 30 at 6:30 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of Bonita regarding a subject seen prowling in several yards. When officers arrived, the subject was gone. Police received several more calls reporting the subject in yards, and he was eventually located after a female resident called to report the subject peeking into her bedroom. The subject resisted officers, but was eventually taken into custody. During the investigation, officers discovered the subject was also listed on the Gang Injunction and was in violation of the court order. He was arrested and taken into custody. The subject is on probation and a hold was obtained. He was later taken to the Los Angeles County Jail.

Shoplifting/Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
January 30 at 9:28 p.m., a business in the 100 block of West Foothill called to report a subject who has been constantly trespassing in the store after being told not to return. The subject entered the store again, took various items, and left the location without paying. The subject matched the description of a person police had involvement with several times during that same week. Officers responded to his residence to determine if he was involved. When officers arrived at the residence, they spoke with the in-home caretaker who stated the subject had recently returned home with groceries. Officers detained the subject and he was positively identified. The reporting party made a citizen’s arrest for shoplifting and trespassing. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
January 31 at 12:57 p.m., an officer responded to a business parking lot in the 200 block of West Huntington regarding a vehicle burglary that had just occurred. The victim parked and locked her vehicle, but she left her purse inside the vehicle in plain view. The victim went into the business for approximately 5 minutes and returned to discover her car window smashed and her purse missing. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Black History Month Activities

A month of activities for Black History Month, here: http://goo.gl/y3iu2i

- Brad Haugaard

Take Two: Emergency Response Training by Monrovia Fire Department

An earlier posting on CERT had incomplete information.

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training March 5th, 12th and 19th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Monrovia Fire Station 102, 2055 S. Myrtle. CERT, according to FEMA, "educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills."CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training March 5th, 12th and 19th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Monrovia Fire Station 102, 2055 S. Myrtle. CERT, according to FEMA, "educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills." Topics include: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety/Fire Suppression, Light Search & Rescue, Disaster Medical Operations, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism, CERT Organization & Incident Command System. The final day of class includes a disaster drill. You must be 18 or over and live or work in Monrovia. Class size is limited. Participants must pre-register and must complete all three class sessions to receive a certificate. To register, please email: sdobson@ci.monrovia.ca.us with your name, address, phone number, and put CERT Course Registration in the subject line.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Arrested on Suspicion of Burglary | State of the City

~ Monrovia man arrested on suspicion of burglary in Azusa. http://goo.gl/bweXQN

~ Monrovia's State of the City address will be held on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Krikorian Theater.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High School Auditorium Back in Action

The Monrovia High School Auditorium is apparently fit for habitation again after the fire. In an email today to the congregation of Fellowship Monrovia, which meets there, Pastor Albert Tate wrote: "Last night we got the call that the Performing Arts Center Auditorium is now ready! Everything has been cleaned and cleared from the fire back in November so we'll be meeting in there for the 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 AM services." http://goo.gl/0vcTWJ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Jewish Federation Presents: Once Upon a Mattress

The Jewish Federation, based in Monrovia, will present "Once Upon a Mattress," a play performed by the JFed Players at The Clarke Center in Arcadia. A musical interpretation of the children's fairy tale, "The Princess and the Pea" - but for adults. Play dates and ticket information here: http://goo.gl/7HVko9 . Or call 445-0810.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council: Consultants and Budget Adjustments

At the Feb. 2 Monrovia City Council meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/8mDYtv ), the council will ...

- Consider hiring Gibson Transportation Consulting to prepare an Old Town Parking Analysis, and to recommend any improvements. That could cost up to $52,260. http://goo.gl/lW7ReT

- Consider hiring a VCA Code for up to $39,600 to review and update the City's Historic Preservation Program. http://goo.gl/yhbRcp

- Consider some mid-fiscal-year budget adjustments. http://goo.gl/6LFxiC

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Claim Jumper

Dinner recently at Claim Jumper, on Huntington. Got a BBQ Chicken Sandwich for $12.99 and a large beer for $8.25. The sandwich was tasty but I couldn't come close to finishing it, so I got two meals for the price of one.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company's Electric Charger is Finalist in Automotive Awards Competition

The portable electric car charger, TurboCord Dual, made by Monrovia-based AeroVironment, has been listed among the 2016 Automotive News PACE Awards Finalists. http://goo.gl/HNIuVX

- Brad Haugaard

Emergency Response Training by Monrovia Fire Department

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training March 5th, 12th and 19th at Monrovia Fire & Rescue, Station 101, 415 S. Ivy Ave. CERT, according to FEMA, "educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills." If you are interested, sign-up information here: [UPDATE: The city says there's a problem with the sign-up page and will get back to me when it's fixed. then I'll plug it back in.]

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Broken Into For Six Pairs of Shoes; Harley Stolen; Pedestrian Hit Crossing Against Light

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 25-27. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 371 service events, resulting in 65 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary
January 25 at 7:00 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of West Olive. An unknown suspect smashed a window on the vehicle to gain entry and stole six pairs of shoes that were left in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
January 25 at 9:05 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Montana on the report of a stolen motorcycle. The victim parked his Harley Davidson motorcycle on the street in front of the location. The victim’s girlfriend noticed the motorcycle was missing at 9:00 a.m. She checked the surveillance camera and could see a male Hispanic subject get on the motorcycle and ride away. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
January 25 at 12:44 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 500 block of South Madison. Unknown suspects broke into the vehicle and took a GPS and tools that were left inside. The investigation is continuing.

Traffic Stop/Weapons Offense/Warrant – Suspects Arrested
January 26 at 2:15 p.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. As the officer approached, he smelled marijuana in the vehicle and obtained consent to search the vehicle from the driver. A loaded firearm was located in the trunk of the vehicle and the driver, who admitted it belonged to her, was arrested for the weapons violation. One passenger was also arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Traffic Collision
January 27 at 10:47 a.m., police responded to the report of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. An elderly women stepped onto the street in the crosswalk against the red hand signal and was struck by a vehicle making a right turn onto southbound Mountain. She suffered a broken elbow and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Monrovia Representative's Bill Would Require License for 'Behavior Analysis'

Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced AB 1715, which "would require a person to apply for and obtain a license from the board [Board of Psychology] prior to engaging in the practice of behavior analysis" and "would require the Governor to appoint 2 additional members to the board" ( http://goo.gl/LUF1f9 ). A Holden press release says the bill "protects children with autism," among others.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Restaurant Le Gourmand To Reopen Under New Name | Detail on Big Accident

~ Old Town Monrovia merchant Pam Fitzpatrick reports that Le Gourmand restaurant "will be closing for about 30 days to reorganize, then will reopen with a brand new name and new offerings." http://goo.gl/cghGxo

~ More detail on the big accident at Myrtle and Foothill. http://goo.gl/xeBheT

- Brad Haugaard

Taxes and the Artist Workshop

Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to Noon, "Taxes and the Artist" Workshop at Monrovia Community Center - Monroe Room, 119 W. Palm Ave. Essentials of income tax for artists and artist groups of all disciplines, and the self-employed. Learn to track income and expenses and correctly file taxes. Topics include: record keeping, Form 1040, Schedule C, the self-employment schedule, deductions, hobby losses, home offices, and more. A workbook, "The Art of Deduction," is included with the admission fee. Additional handouts will be provided. Presenter is Abe Carnow, C.P.A., who teaches other accountants about individual income taxation, business income taxation, and ethics. 30 seats available. $20 for MAFA current and past members, $30 for non-members, $10 for students 21 and younger with valid ID: $10 Go to http://bit.ly/1nmsELn to purchase tickets.

- Brad Haugaard

Cop-On-Campus Working Well; Development Standards; Improving Parks

In his weekly report ( ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

- The state Office of Historic Preservation has included an article on Monrovia in its Preservation Matters newsletter. Starting on page 20. http://goo.gl/MNNTnr

- Assistant Principal Scott Iler of Monrovia High reports that Police Officer James Ruano, serving as School Resources Officer at the school, is "tearing down walls and preconceived notions about law enforcement officers."

- There will be two meetings to go over the city's proposed development standards: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 at 7 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at 7 p.m. Both at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room.

- There will be two Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment meetings to discuss improving city parks. Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9-11 a.m. in the Library Community Room (321 S. Myrtle Avenue), and on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9-11:00 a.m. at Fire Station 102 (2055 S. Myrtle Avenue).

- Brad Haugaard

State Requiring Monrovia to Spend $231.1 Million Or Face Fines of $10,000 Per Day

City Manager Oliver Chi reports ( http://goo.gl/KVEBSL ) that Monrovia's bill to comply with a state environmental project, the Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP), will actually be $231.1 million, more than the $214.15 million indicated in his last report, and, according to the state's schedule, the first project needs to be finished by 2020 and all the projects need to be finished by 2028.

Let's see now, if we divide the $231 million by the 13 years between now and 2028, we get $17.76 million per year. Monrovia's current annual budget is about $33 million ( http://goo.gl/QhoXAI ), so that means that if the city does not cut, it would have to raise more than half again as much money per year and the annual budget would have to go to about $50.77 million a year.

Chi writes: "Given this overall scenario, it is unrealistic to expect that our EWMP group will be able to comply with the implementation schedule that the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) is requesting. We have been doing everything possible within the constraints of financial reality to meet the expectations of the Water Board, however, we have been told that should we be unable to meet the timelines, the Water Board will likely issue us a Notice of Violation (NOV) with fines of up to $10,000 / day for being in noncompliance."

- Brad Haugaard