- Brad Haugaard
City Manager Says State Used Old Data in Saying Monrovia's Finances are Dicey
~ Says the California State Auditor used outdated and narrowly focused data in reaching its conclusion that Monrovia is one of the top cities in the state facing fiscal challenges.
Feik said:
- The state used old 2016-17 data, not 2017-18 data.
- That Monrovia has made a lot of positive changes since 2015 to address the city's finances, including addressing its retirement obligations by issuing Pension Obligation Bonds in 2017 to pay off all existing unfunded liability and pension liability debt, and which should save $43 million in interest over the next 30 years
- Sales and property tax revenue is strong. He concludes that, "The City is on stable financial footing, and fiscal responsibility and sustainability remains a top priority for the City Council."
~ The Pasadena Humane Society has proposed 50% to 600% cost increases for animal control for the cities it serves (including Monrovia). Feik said these are "incredibly significant," though Monrovia won't be affected until June 30, 2021, when its contract expires.
He said the Humane Society wants to charge cities for each service call, and has expanded its services without asking cities whether they want the new services. "In essence, PHS is now offering more services and wants us to pay the cost, though we've never had a seat at the table." He said there will be more discussions in the future.
~ Next week there will be tree trimming on both sides of Myrtle from Foothill to Huntington, between 5 and 10 a.m.
- Brad Haugaard
Meadow: Pups Okay, Now Mom's Ready for a Home
The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.
View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
Dr. Thorossian's October Superintendent Update
By Superintendent Dr. Katherine ThorossianMonrovia Unified's mission focuses on providing World-Class Schools for World-Class Students, an effort which is emphasized and supported through community partnerships and enrichment programs such as coding, robotics, dual-language immersion, career technical education, and early college courses.
In October, the District celebrated student success with the 2019-20 State of the Schools Address, which offered an in-depth overview of the District's mission, teacher and staff support, nurturing at the elementary level, middle school instruction, and preparation of students for college and careers.
I would like to thank Monrovia Unified's Board of Education and our District team who contributed not only to the event, but also who work tirelessly every day on behalf of all of our students. Their expertise and commitment fuel our programs and inspire our students.
Our District's Extended School Program finished off the month on a high note with a Lights on Afterschool event. The event celebrated the impact that after-school programs have on our students and families.
Throughout October, our students have continued to impress us with their achievements and academic success. Through our strong academic programs, our students are gaining the knowledge and skills they need for life after high school.
Thank you to our committed educators who play a vital role in preparing our students for college, career, and beyond. With only two months left of the fall semester, I encourage our students to continue working hard, while having fun and exploring their interests.
- Brad Haugaard
YMCA Winter Wonderland Festival
Santa Anita Family YMCA (501 S. Mountain) is sponsoring a free Winter Wonderland Festival on Dec. 13 from 5-8 p.m. Games and healthy activities, gingerbread house building, family board games, sugar cookie decorating, arts and crafts, photo booth.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Church Offers Enrichment Program for Engaged and Married Couples
- Brad Haugaard
Ramen Restaurant Becomes Cafe on Lemon
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Simply Divine Named 'Small Business of Distinction'
"Each year, I have the opportunity to recognize small businesses in the 41st Assembly District that make a positive impact in our communities and when it comes to a small business making a positive impact in Monrovia you couldn't find anyone better than Simply Divine Hair & Barber Salon." said Assemblymember Holden. "Small businesses contribute to our local economy, provide valuable employment opportunities, and are an integral part of community life."
Simply Divine Hair & Barber Salon owner Keshia Carter-Bowen has been in business for over 20 years. She began on a small corner location and now has a main street front location. Ms. Carter-Bowen is dedicated to serving the community as she works with students from Monrovia High School through an apprenticeship program, and participates in community events within the city and with Foothill Unity Center.
Source: Assemblymember Chris Holden press release
- Brad Haugaard
Breakfast at Peach Cafe
Breakfast at Peach Cafe, on the north side of Colorado just west of Ivy. Got three eggs with bacon, corn bread, and fruit for $11 and a coffee for $2.50. Good, and bacon and cornbread were particularly great.
- Brad Haugaard
North Alta Vista does it up for Halloween. Monrovia Police: Lyft Driver's Car Swiped; Roof to Roof Jumper Falls, Arrested; Lots of Drunks and Drugs; Etc.
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 400 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.
Grand Theft Auto / Stolen Vehicle Recovered
October 24 at 8:17 a.m., a resident in the 1700 block of S. Fifth called to report his vehicle had been stolen. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence in the evening and returned the following day to discover it missing. The vehicle is a gray, 1997 Honda Civic. Later that day at 2:26 p.m., an officer was on patrol near Fifth and Duarte when he saw the stolen vehicle in the street with the engine running. The vehicle was unoccupied. The officer recovered the vehicle and it was returned to the owner. The investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
October 24 at 8:09 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Parker called police to report his vehicle had been burglarized. The victim’s vehicle was locked inside his open garage and someone pried the rubber around the window to gain entry. A pair of sunglasses was taken. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
October 24 at 10:31 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Duarte. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence at 5:00 a.m. and made sure it was locked. The vehicle is a blue, 1996 Honda Civic. The victim returned to his vehicle at 10:00 a.m., discovered his vehicle missing and called police. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
October 24 at 4:02 p.m., an employee from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill called police to report a male and female for shoplifting. The female entered the passenger seat of a vehicle in the parking lot. The male exited the store and walked west through the parking lot. Officers arrived and observed the two subjects and the vehicle, but as they were arriving, the female moved into the driver's seat and drove away. A license plate check on the vehicle revealed the vehicle was reported stolen vehicle out of Pomona. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the female was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle. A computer check revealed the male subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody. The vehicle was returned to its rightful owner.
Being in a Park After Closing Hours – Suspect Cited
October 24 at 10:43 p.m., officers were walking through Library Park in the 300 S. Myrtle after closing time when they came across a female subject. She said she knew of the posted park hour signs and knew she should not be there. She was issued a citation for being in the park after closing hours.
Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 11:43 p.m., officers were patrolling the area of Alta Vista and Duarte when they saw a suspicious male subject loitering next to a home that was unoccupied. They stopped to talk to the subject and a computer check revealed he had five drug related warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Warrant / Possession of a Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 2:17 a.m., officers were patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when they saw a suspicious male subject on a bicycle. During a consensual stop, it was discovered that the subject had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, he was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 2:49 a.m., an officer was extra patrolling Station Square in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a female subject sitting on a bench with her head bobbing back and forth. He contacted the subject and found she was heavily intoxicated. The officer determined she was too intoxicated to care for her own safety and she was arrested and taken into custody. She was held for a sobering period.
Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 25 at 3:29 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cypress reported a motorist had just collided into a parked car on their street and fled the scene. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Vandalism / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 9:56 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Palm reported she just saw a male subject throw a rock at her parked car, shattering the glass, then he fled the area. Officers responded and located the subject on Violet. After the victim positively identified the suspect, he was arrested for the vandalism. A computer check revealed he also had a warrant for his arrest.
Grand Theft Auto / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 11:13 p.m., a Lyft driver called the police to report his vehicle had just been stolen in the 500 block of N. Canyon. The driver was transporting two subjects that were heavily intoxicated home to a Monrovia residence when they began touching his leg and making him uncomfortable. The driver stopped his car and exited the vehicle, then ordered the two subjects to get out, which they did. One of them then jumped into vehicle and drove away without permission. The other subject ran from the area.
An officer responded, located the vehicle and stopped it. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the suspect was arrested for DUI and grand theft auto. The vehicle was returned to the Lyft driver.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 26 at 10:49 a.m., a resident in the area of Huntington and California called to report a male adult walking into traffic. Officers arrived and located the subject. He displayed signs of intoxication. It was determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself or his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.
Wanted Person / Warrant / Trespassing / Assaulting Officers – Suspect Arrested
October 27 at 12:25 a.m., a sergeant was on patrol in the 1900 of S. Peck when he saw a known subject wanted by Arcadia Police Detectives to question as a possible suspect in a rape investigation. A computer check revealed he also had a warrant for his arrest and is on supervised parole for robbery. The subject refused to stop for the sergeant and fled the area.
Approximately ten minutes later, a female resident in the 100 block of E. Evergreen called to report a male subject entered her home through an unlocked door and was refusing to leave. He eventually left the residence and was located by officers on the roof of a home. The suspect was jumping from roof to roof on homes. The suspect fell as he attempted to jump across to another rooftop, causing injury to his ankle and side, but he climbed back up. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter and additional officers from neighboring agencies responded to assist. The suspect ignored officers telling him to get down, but eventually jumped off one roof and was grabbed by an officer. He fought and kicked the officer several times, but was eventually taken into custody.
Vandalism / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
October 28 at 2:18 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 800 block of E. Olive when he saw a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot of Recreation Park. He contacted the occupant and saw her hands had fresh green paint on them. He searched the area and discovered recent Halloween graffiti in green paint. The suspect admitted to the vandalism. The officer obtained consent to search her vehicle and discovered methamphetamine and a pipe for smoking methamphetamine. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.
Theft of Mail Incidents
October 29 at 9:17 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Duarte called to report ten mailboxes were vandalized at an apartment complex. At 11:05 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Foothill called to report eight more mailboxes had been vandalized. In both incidents the community mailboxes had been pried open. The US Postal Service was notified of the thefts and will be taking over the investigations.
No-bail Warrant / Fraud / Possession of Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
October 29 at 7:43 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and he conducted a traffic stop. Investigation revealed the front passenger had a no-bail warrant and was in possession of a controlled substance. A search of the vehicle revealed hundreds of copies of driver's licenses/identification cards and credit card information pertaining to other persons. The passenger was arrested for the warrant and being in possession of a controlled substance. The driver was arrested for identity theft.
Receiving Stolen Property / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
October 30 at 2:21 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Lemon called to report a suspicious vehicle driving in the area. Officers responded and eventually located the vehicle in the 800 block of W. Olive, traveling very slowly. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. There were four occupants in the vehicle. The investigation revealed the front passenger was in possession of a controlled substance. A search of the vehicle revealed property belonging to a residence nearby. All four subjects were arrested for receiving stolen property and one was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
Petty Theft
October 30 at 12:02 p.m., a victim called to report her vehicle was broken into at Canyon Park while she was hiking. The victim and her friend put their purses in the trunk and went for a hike. When they came back, they drove down to a coffee shop and found their purses were missing when they went to retrieve them. The officer looked at the vehicle and did not see any signs of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.
Meet New City Manager Dylan Feik Nov. 6
The community is invited to attend a Meet and Greet reception for the City of Monrovia's new city manager, Dylan Feik.
Meet & Greet with Dylan FeikMr. Feik has local government management experience working in the cities of Knoxville, Iowa, and Auburn, California. Most recently, Dylan served as City Manager of Calistoga, located in California's Napa Valley. His extensive exposure to a variety of local government related disciplines includes specific expertise in labor negotiations, public works operations, and overseeing capital improvement projects. Dylan holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Weber State University.
Monrovia Historical Museum
742 E. Lemon Ave., CA 91016
Wednesday, Nov. 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.
(Welcome remarks will begin at 7 p.m.)
The City hopes that you are able to attend this special occasion to welcome Dylan Feik. The event is completely free to the public, and parking will be available on Lemon Avenue. For more information, please call 256-8226.
Source: Monrovia City press release
- Brad Haugaard
Where, Oh Where, is a Monrovia Planning Department Word Game?
- Brad Haugaard
Who Are the Real Bad Guys - A Halloween Experiment
- Brad Haugaard
Gusty Winds Expected Tonight, Tomorrow
- Brad Haugaard
Beware the Utility Bill Scam! Youth Volleyball; Halloween; Youth Commission
~ There is a scam going around where someone calls to tell you if you don't pay your utility bill your water will be shut off. Feik says, "This is a scam, and residents should not pay anyone calling about their water bill, and should notify the police."
~ Registration (here: https://is.gd/e2ZfoR) is open for the Winter Season of the Youth Sports Program, featuring indoor co-ed volleyball. All 4th, 5th and 6th grade boys and girls may join. The season will run from Nov. 23 to Feb. 1, with practices held at the Mary Wilcox Youth Center (843 E. Olive Ave.) on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and games on Saturday mornings. Price is $35 for Monrovia Unified School District residents and students, and $70 for non-residents.
~ Old Town Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31 from 3-6 p.m., in Old Town and Library Park. Trick or treating, costume contest for youth, adult, group, family, and dogs, library activities,
activity and photo booth and more. https://is.gd/uPRgEH
~ 2019-2020 Youth Commission Board members are: Chair: Sebastian Laprsa, Monrovia High senior; Vice Chair - Matthew Angeles, Monrovia High senior; Secretary - Elizabeth Villoria, Inspire Charter School senior; Treasurer - Russell Wu, Monrovia High Senior; Member-At-Large - Benjamin Garcia, Seventh Grader at Clifton Middle School. https://is.gd/iCb8QW
- Brad Haugaard
Burrito: This Kitty is the Whole Tortilla!
The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.
View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
Red Flag Warning Tonight and Tomorrow
- Brad Haugaard
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