Ikonics - Not BurgerIM - Opens at 11 a.m. Today on Myrtle

Today, at 11 a.m., Ikonics Burgers & Brew Co. will open on Myrtle near the theater, at 406 S. Myrtle.

It was going to be a BurgerIM, but the BurgerIM corporation is having serious financial difficulties, but the owners of the franchise are opening anyway, under the name Ikonicks Burgers & Brew Co. - "a taste of New York and Chicago."

A press release says the owners "have re-invented their business idea and have turned their investment into a positive!

"Over the past year, our owners have dedicated their time to building a unique concept that is set to captivate our community's attention. We have known that our community members were eager and anticipated dining at BurgerIM; but as we know the famous BurgerIM franchise has faced challenges that have affected and impacted the business community.  We decided that our dream and vision would NOT dwindle because of the challenges BurgerIM has brought."

- Brad Haugaard

Statement of Mayoral Candidate Stephen Grollnek

We the people   

Monrovia voters should realize what that means gives the citizens the right to vote for the people who they feel will protect and serve the community for the best interest for all 

Look at are streets trees sidewalks 

Is this Mayor looking after are beloved city or just looking out for his spacial interest group that he has reps-anted

For 35 years 

Time to make those spacial  words mean something 

We the people have this golden opportunity to make this change on March 2 

Stephen Grollnek  make your vote count to protect are city 

Education Input Meetings Monday and Tuesday

Monrovia Schools will hold meetings for input on its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) on Feb. 24, from 7-8:30 p.m., and Feb. 25, from 6-7:30 p.m. Both meetings in the Board Room of the District office at 325 E. Huntington. Spanish translation provided. And what's an LCAP? The California Department of Education says "The LCAP is a tool for local educational agencies to set goals, plan actions, and leverage resources to meet those goals to improve student outcomes."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Doggy Door Burglary; Thief Swipes Purse, Then Car; Vacant House Marijuana Farm; Fatal 210 Crash; And More ...

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 13-19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 363 service events, resulting in 62 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
February 13 at 12:37 p.m., the OnStar Company notified Monrovia dispatch of a stolen vehicle parked in the 900 block of S. Fifth. Officers responded and located the vehicle. A male suspect was seen entering the vehicle. Officers initiated a traffic stop and conducted an investigation. The suspect was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary
February 13 at 1:40 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of N. Primrose called police to report her home had been burglarized. She had left the home at 10:30 a.m. that day and returned at approximately 1:00 p.m. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. It appears the suspects entered the residence through a dog entrance in the rear door. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
February 13 at 6:38 p.m., a grand theft was reported at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. A male suspect entered the store with the hood of his sweatshirt wrapped around his face. The suspect broke a display case and took two cell phones, then ran out of the store. Officers arrived and checked the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
February 13 at 9:06 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 900 block of W. Duarte. Officers arrived and obtained surveillance footage showing the suspect. The victim’s purse had been stolen previously while she was in a local business, and the suspect then used the keys to take the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 14 at 1:12 a.m., a caller reported multiple subjects in the 300 block of Meadow Lane, possibly looking into vehicles. Officers arrived and found the subjects were standing around a damaged vehicle. After investigation, it was determined the driver of the vehicle had driven into the curb. The driver was insistent he did not hit anything, and that the airbags deployed on their own. He was given a field sobriety test and it was determined he was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He was arrested and transported to a hospital, where he provided a blood sample.

Grand Theft
February 14 at 3:43 p.m., a grand theft of a spare tire was reported in the 600 block of W. Huntington. The full-sized spare tire was taken from the back of the victim’s vehicle while parked in a business parking lot. The victim was shopping in a business. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 14 at 5:54 p.m., a female driver parked her vehicle in the 700 block of W. Foothill and was taking her child out of the vehicle. A second vehicle was passing by and hit her open passenger door. The second vehicle did not stop. Officers arrived and searched the area for the suspect vehicle, but were not able to locate it. This investigation is continuing.

Illegal Cultivation of Marijuana
February 14 at 9:13 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Genoa regarding a report of possible prowlers in the area. A neighbor had seen two subjects running and jumping over a fence near the wash. During a search of the property for the subjects, an illegal indoor marijuana grow operation was discovered in a vacant house. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
February 15 at 8:49 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from an apartment complex in the 600 block of E. Olive. The vehicle had been taken sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Mail Tampering
February 15 at 9:25 a.m., a subject called police to report finding mail on the street from addresses on El Dorado, Diamond, and Encino. Officers responded and collected the mail, which will be returned to the correct addresses. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
February 15 at 2:33 p.m., two vehicles collided at the intersection of California and Huntington. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. One of the vehicles was traveling west on Huntington and failed to stop for the red traffic signal. One of the drivers was transported to the hospital for a complaint of pain.

Grand Theft
February 15 at 3:38 p.m., a grand theft incident was reported in the 700 block of Ocean View. The victim reported that he left his drone inside his unlocked vehicle overnight. When he returned to his vehicle, he found the drone had been taken from inside. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 3:49 p.m., a caller from a business in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported a shoplifting incident that had just occurred. Officers arrived and located the suspect, who was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested and issued a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Warrant / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 15 at 3:53 p.m., an officer on patrol observed a suspicious vehicle traveling through the intersection of Alta Vista and Hillcrest. A computer check revealed there was a no-bail warrant attached to the license plate. A traffic stop was made, and the driver exhibited symptoms of being under the influence. Field sobriety tests were conducted. The driver was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Attempted Burglary
February 15 at 4:46 p.m., a caller from a business in the 400 block of E. Duarte reported that a bolt had been cut to gain access to the business sometime during the night. Officers arrived and determined the suspects were not successful in gaining entry. This investigation is continuing.

Fatal Traffic Collision
February 16 at 4:42 a.m., officers responded to the 210 Freeway regarding an injury traffic collision involving a wrong-way driver. Officers arrived and found the two vehicles had been involved in a head-on collision. There was smoke coming from the vehicles and one of them was overturned. When officers checked for occupants, they found one of the drivers was deceased. The other driver was trapped inside the overturned vehicle. The officers were able to break a window and extract him. He was conscious and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. California Highway Patrol arrived on scene and assumed control of the investigation.

Vehicle Burglary
February 16 at 1:53 p.m., a member of a church in the 900 block of S. Shamrock walked outside the church and discovered someone had shattered her car window and taken her purse from the front seat while she was inside the service. Officers arrived and collected video surveillance of the suspects. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovered / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 16 at 8:02 p.m., police received a call reporting a suspicious unoccupied vehicle parked in the 500 block W. Colorado. The vehicle appeared to be an old black and white police car with no lights or license plates. The investigation revealed the vehicle was not a police vehicle, but it had been reported stolen out of Santa Ana. While officers were there, a subject approached and told them it was his car. He claimed he purchased the vehicle from a friend for $1,000, but hadn't finished paying for it. The subject was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and the vehicle was recovered.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 17 at 1:59 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a shoplifting incident in progress. They arrived as the suspect was fleeing from loss prevention employees. The suspect saw the officers, stopped running, and complied. The property was recovered and the suspect was arrested. He was issued a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested
February 18 at 12:23 a.m., a caller reported seeing two male suspects breaking into a business located in the 2600 block of S. Myrtle. Officers responded and set up containment of the area with support from neighboring agencies. The two suspects exited the building with stolen items, but then ran back inside the building when they saw police. The two suspects were eventually located hiding within the building, away from one another. Both suspects were arrested. An injured suspect was taken to a nearby hospital, treated, and later released back into the custody of Monrovia Police Department. Both suspects were charged with commercial burglary and are currently being held pending their court appearance.

Theft
February 19 at 11:27 a.m., a theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported at a business parking lot in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The victim walked outside the store he was shopping in and discovered someone had entered his unlocked truck. The suspect took several tools, then fled the area. Officers searched for the suspect, but did not locate anyone. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
February 19 at 4:16 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim returned to his vehicle from shopping and discovered someone had forced entry into it. The suspect took tools from inside the vehicle. Officers searched for the suspect, but were unable to locate anyone. This investigation is continuing.

Statement of Mayoral Candidate Melissa Taylor

I’m Melissa Taylor. I'm a community organizer, policy research consultant, a mother, a wife, and I am running to be Mayor of Monrovia in the 2020 election.

Growing up in the navy, I do not get to live where I was born. My family and I chose to move to Monrovia four years ago and have fallen in love with Monrovia’s small-town charm, the community and its accessibility to nature and the outdoors. With our broad mix of neighborhoods and cultures which all contribute to making Monrovia a wonderfully diverse place to live, we can continue to make it better. Regardless of where in the city you live or how long you have lived here, I want to make it a better place for everyone. My children and your children are the future of Monrovia.

I want to build a sustainable and livable future, founded on principles of equity, justice, and opportunity. Monrovia is a great place to live, but we can make it better. Whether it’s ensuring that our communities have enough affordable housing or keeping our streets and open spaces safe, I want to help make Monrovia a place that we can all be proud to call home.

I have been pulled to civil service to ensure that every single resident’s needs are taken into consideration when it comes to living in Monrovia. I want to be an advocate for everyone. I’ve worked with police, community and faith leaders to make communities safer, and recently helped establish and lead the San Gabriel Valley California chapter of the largest gun violence prevention organization. My background covers a wide range of policy issues from gun violence prevention, water and sustainability, and public issues related to water and the environment.

It would be my honor to serve as your Mayor.

Clifton Middle School's Hippie Bots Robotics Team Heading for Spain

When Clifton Middle School’s Hippie Bots robotics students travel to Spain as the sole United States representative at the FIRST Tech Challenge Barcelona Championship on Feb. 27-28, they will continue a tradition of fulfilling the school’s high expectations through commitment and teamwork.

“The Hippie Bots exemplify the spirit and determination of the Monrovia Unified robotics program, and their roles as world ambassadors speaks volumes on how far the District has come in such a short period of time,” Monrovia Board of Education President Rob Hammond said.

Clifton eighth-graders Lupe Hilario and Ty Weiss didn’t know each other when they joined the Hippie Bots at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, but they shared an admiration for the team’s accomplishments and a desire to contribute to its success, which includes trips to Shanghai in 2016 and the Netherlands in 2017.

“I always looked up to the Hippie Bots,” Hilario said. “I looked at their success and their competitions and I really wanted to be part of that and learn engineering. I decided to apply, and I made it.”

Hilario compiles the engineering notebook for the Hippie Bots team while Weiss helps to build the robot and acts as the driver during competitions – and the two rely on each other to ensure the robots perform at peak efficiency.

“My brother, Jake, was a Hippie Bot when the team went to Shanghai, and I thought the competitions were fun,” Weiss said. “Then my friend joined the Hippie Bots last year and he really enjoyed it too, so I decided to do it. It’s really cool.”

Clifton history teacher Paul Flores had no experience with robotics when he accepted the role of robotics teacher in 2015, but the strategies he developed as a football coach have helped his students remain calm under pressure during tournaments.

“One of the things we would preach as a coaching staff was to make practice more difficult than the actual game, so the game becomes easy,” Flores said. “When you step out there, there is no stress. The competitions should be fun. Everything is just muscle memory. It’s all decided during practice who’s going to win these competitions.”

Beyond the opportunity to showcase their talents, Hippie Bots team members are looking forward to meeting their international peers, pick up pointers from competitors, learn European history and make new friends.

“The District is deeply appreciative of the community support for our robotics program,” Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “Robotics is an investment in our students, and they are greatly increasing their ability to solve problems in the real world. Congratulations to Paul Flores and the Hippie Bots for continuing to achieve at the highest levels.”

A Go Fund Me campaign has been launched to cover costs related to travel, lodging, food, and shipping the robot. The goal is to raise $25,000. To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/hippiebots2020.

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Photos From Monrovia's Water District

Here are some cool historical images from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. I like the one with the guy looking down on the pipe gushing water. https://is.gd/tBsoa3

- Brad Haugaard

Statement of Mayoral Candidate Tom Adams

Photo by Terry Miller

Five years ago, I asked for your vote to become Mayor. I was so disappointed in the fact that our infrastructure was failing, we had a water main leak every other day, some of our roads were failing, I knew that something needed to be done or we could go beyond the point of return. I knew we needed a change, one that would set us on a path to breathe life back into Monrovia.

Now, thanks to your trust and a city council that sees the importance of taking care of our hometown we are on the road to completion in the largest public works project in the history of Monrovia. In less than a year, all of the curbs, gutters, sidewalks, water mains, sewer lines and roads will be up to at least the 70% mark.

Our bond rating is now AA, with only one level above that. We are currently working on achieving a AAA bond rating, one that will save the city a considerable amount.

Six years ago we were constantly experiencing a revolving door at the City Managers office. I am very proud that we are back to having solid management!

Senator Portantino has said that the Monrovia Model for helping the homeless is the best he has seen in the entire State, lets keep improving it.

Relationships on the City Council are better than I have seen in many years. Although we don’t always agree, we strive to find compromise that works for all, sharing in the task of representing Monrovia and representing it well.

I ask for your trust again, to complete the work we have started. Monrovia is very special to me, I ask that we bring Monrovia back to a level we can all be proud of.

Census This Year; Fire Department Inspecting Churches; Bartlett Mosaic Replaced; Monrovia Is Example of Good Planning

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~  Residents should receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census in mid-March from the US Census Bureau, and the city is anxious that everyone participate. Feik writes, "City staff will be taking a census presentation roadshow to hit all of the upcoming boards and commission meetings, as well as the service club meetings for the month of February to educate and motivate residents to complete the census." For questions contact Ashton Gout, CMC, in the City Clerk's Office at 932-5599.

~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue will be inspecting houses of worship more consistently. Feik writes, "In the past, places of worship were not inspected consistently. Efforts are currently underway to update our system, ensuring every building is inspected annually. These inspections will allow us to identify hazards and provide safety recommendations."

~ The Mayor Bob Bartlett Mosaic at Station Square was damaged recently, but has been restored and reinstalled.

~ Monrovia planners John Mayer, Teresa Santilena, and Austin Arnold, met with Rowland High students, who were in Monrovia to see what good city planning looks like.  https://is.gd/ee9E1s

- Brad Haugaard

Interim City Officials Vasquez and Sullivan Become Permanent

Monrovia City Manager, Dylan Feik, has named Lauren Vasquez as Assistant City Manager and Sean Sullivan as Public Works Director.

"After serving in the interim role since September 2019, I am very pleased to remove the interim titles and make Lauren's and Sean's appointments permanent," said Dylan Feik. "Throughout the transition of city managers, and even now into the new decade, both have served in those roles incredibly, faithfully and with a focus on best serving the mission of the City."

As the Assistant City Manager, Lauren Vasquez now oversees the operations in the City Manager's Office, which includes managing the Administration Division, Human Resources Division and City Clerk's Office. For the past 14 years, Ms. Vasquez held various roles in different departments in the Monrovia organization, including the Redevelopment Agency, Administrative Services Department and City Manager's Office. Ms. Vasquez holds a Master's Degree from the University of La Verne in Management and Leadership and a Bachelor's Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in Urban and Regional Planning.

"I can't begin to describe what a genuine privilege it has been for me to be a part of the Monrovia team for the past 14 years," said Lauren Vasquez. "I am humbled, excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and our organization. In this new role, I look forward to doing my part to support the City's mission, to serve the people of Monrovia, and to create a community that offers a premier quality of life."

As the Public Works Director, Sean Sullivan now manages the Operations, Field Services and Utilities divisions. Most notably, Mr. Sullivan will continue to lead the Monrovia Renewal efforts, a $51.7 million comprehensive infrastructure improvement program aimed at making citywide repairs to water pipelines and facilities, sewer pipelines, streets and sidewalks. Prior to his interim director role, Mr. Sullivan held the position of public works manager for the City of Monrovia and the City of Rosemead. Mr. Sullivan has a Master's Degree from California State University, Northridge, in Public Administration and a Bachelor's Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in Business Administration.

"I look forward to the opportunity to lead the public works team in a greater capacity, to maintain the City's infrastructure, and most importantly, to provide excellent service to our residents and businesses," said Sean Sullivan.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Black History Month Feb. 22 at the Library

Black History Celebration at Monrovia Library Feb. 22 in the Youth Services Area, from 1 to 4 p.m. African American heritage and history with interactive activities and programs for the family. 1 p.m. - Tales and Drum Circle with Storyteller Onochie Chukwrah. 2 p.m. - Cultural Arts and Crafts Activity Center. 3 p.m. - Readers Theater presentation of Papa's Mark. For information email asimpson@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8269

- Brad Haugaard

Cloudy, With a Chance of Purring

Today’s forecast: Cloudy with a chance of purring! Ten-year-old Cloudy didn’t find his home during our Purr-fect Match Speed Dating event, but that just means you have an early date for Valentine’s 2021. While he may not be at the front of his cage meowing for your attention, don’t overlook him – this sweetie is friendly and loves to cuddle when he’s in a home environment. Cloudy isn’t a kitten who might wake you up in the middle of the night by jumping on your face. Instead, you’ll probably wake up after a good night’s sleep to find him snuggling with you!

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

Statement of City Council Candidate Donna Baker

I’m Donna Baker. My husband, Dave and I moved to Monrovia 33 years ago. We bought a 1910 Craftsman, and I immediately got involved with the preservation community and proudly served as Historic Preservation Commissioner for 20 years.. 

I have been recognized as Citizen of the Year, given the Mary Wilcox Youth Advocacy Award by the Boys & Girls Club, and served as President of the Santa Anita Family YMCA and Monrovia Days. I have supported a significant number of local charities and youth programs, including sports programs, robotics teams, and the Monrovia Youth Alliance. My strong belief is that by supporting our kids, I am supporting the future of Monrovia!

As a successful local Realtor since 2001, I have run a thriving small business, serving as CEO, COO & Treasurer. Being an independent contractor means I have experience with negotiations, finances and budgeting, marketing, and organizational skills. I believe this provides me with the knowledge to learn quickly and become an asset to the City Council. I may not have the experience or be part of “the dream team,” but my passion to do a good job on behalf of the residents will guide me through the learning process.

I believe Monrovia needs someone on the Council who is citizen-driven and not indebted to anyone or any business. My goals are to work with community members on those things you deem important, such as traffic issues, fiscal responsibility, preservation/responsible development, homelessness, and affordable housing. I promise to be a voice of reason. I promise to listen to the concerns of the residents. I promise to be honest with our community. I promise to continue to move Monrovia forward! 

Visit my website at DonnaBakerMonrovia.com for more information.

I respectfully ask for your vote on March 3^rd.

Monrovia Mayoral and City Council Candidate Statements

Beginning tomorrow MonroviaNow will begin running mayoral and city council candidates' statements. They will be published daily, unedited, with a picture, if submitted by the candidate, in the order they were received.

- Brad Haugaard

Arcadia Woman’s Club: NASA Speaker on Apollo Moon Trip

Do you remember watching the 1969 moon landing, and do you have memorabilia and memories from July 1969 that you’d like to share? Or, do you have an interest in what NASA is doing today and then where NASA is going next? 

The Arcadia Woman’s Club, which welcomes Monrovia women, will host NASA Solar System Ambassador Rosanne Sachson, who will speak on, “Apollo: To the Moon and Beyond,” from the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969 up to today’s space accomplishments and where is NASA headed in its next missions.

Sachson has recently returned from NASA's Ames Research Center in the Silicon Valley where she was briefed on the latest missions, research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology and science.

In addition, Sachson, an architectural interior designer, was responsible for the architectural and interior design, customized furnishings, millwork and oversight of construction for the innovative 3,200 square foot Flight System Testbed and 1,800 square foot Project Design Center at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

The Arcadia Woman’s Club invites women of all ages to attend this outstanding program and regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 4, at 11 a.m., in its historic Clubhouse, 324 South First Avenue, Arcadia. The meeting includes a social hour, business meeting, luncheon, and Ms. Sachson’s presentation. Please bring your July 1969 memorabilia to show us.

Both the $15 lunch and the program require reservations by Monday, March 2, and they may be made by calling Linda Mokler at 818-7779.

To learn more about Arcadia Woman’s Club, visit www.arcadiawomansclub.org or www.facebook.com/arcadiawomansclub.org

Source: Arcadia Women's Club press release; photo by Randy Rasmussen

- Brad Haugaard

Wrong-Way Driver Causes Major Accident, Death, on 210 in Monrovia

A woman driving the wrong way on the 210 Freeway at 4:42 a.m. Sunday in Monrovia caused an accident that killed herself and left the driver of the other vehicle with major injuries. https://is.gd/CleYyb

- Brad Haugaard

Concert Scheduled to Support Church Members Battling Cancer

There will be a free concert to support a parishioner of Monrovia's St. Luke’s Episcopal Church who is battling cancer.

Healing Lives Through the Beauty of Music, a concert of chamber music by a string quartet from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, will be presented on Saturday, Feb. 22, at noon at The Parish of St. Luke The Physician, 122 S. California Ave., Monrovia. The performance will be followed by a buffet luncheon in the church’s Guild Hall. The event is free, and offerings for nonprofit cancer research and patient support are welcome. Guests are asked to RSVP to info@saintlukesmonrovia.org.

The event is inspired by Trish Gresham, a longtime St. Luke’s parishioner, choir member and administrative assistant to Rector Neil Tadken, as well as other community members who are currently undergoing cancer treatments. It is dedicated to her and the many local neighbors who are bravely battling the disease. The presentation is made possible by Mari Edelman through a grant from The Mari and Ed Edelman Charitable Fund for Music and Public Service.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Discourage Vaping; New Development Tax; Reducing Plastic Waste; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/ynSYey) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ In closed session, the sale of the properties, which comprise a parking lot, along the west side of Myrtle between Primrose and the train station park. https://is.gd/kXyzW8

~ A special city services tax for the 310-unit 127 Pomona Project near the train station. https://is.gd/2SvJxb

~ A joint resolution (with the Monrovia School Board) to "take all practical and necessary steps to discourage students and youths in community from smoking, including forbidding the use of tobacco products and vaping devices on campuses and during any school-related activities, and by providing student education and family information on the dangers of tobacco and vaping use." https://is.gd/bNoO0l

~ A resolution supporting Senate Bill 54, which would direct the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to adopt regulations to require manufacturers to reduce by 75 percent waste generated from single‐use packaging and priority single‐use plastic products in California by 2030. https://is.gd/GEaZPx

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Cafe X20

Lunch at Cafe X20, on the north side of Foothill just west of Melrose.  Got the Chicken Shawerma Plate for $12 and a beer at a special half-off price of $3. Very good! Liked it a lot. 

- Brad Haugaard 

City Council Candidate Forum

Candidates from left: Incumbents Gloria Crudgington and Becky Shevlin, challenger Donna Baker.

The candidates from two open spots on the Monrovia City Council answered questions from a League of Women Voters moderator at a candidates' forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce tonight.

There did not appear to be much the candidates disagreed on (except a little bit on rent control and Airbnb rentals). Crudgington and Shevlin talked about their successes on the council and Baker said she thought the city could do better, particularly with development, fiscal responsibility and outreach to the community.

Rent Control

Crudgington doesn't oppose it and said she has kept rents low on the rentals she owns.
Shevlin is "doubtful whether it helps or hinders." In the short term it may look good but she thinks "in the long run fewer residences are built.
Baker: "I'm for rent control." In Monrovia, she said, "there are more renters than homeowners."

Airbnbs

Shevlin: Against them. They turn multi-family units "into hotels." They can "decimate a community" by turning residences into "party central."
Crudgington would distinguish between renting a spare room - where the owners can keep an eye on things - and renting an entire residence where the owner is absent.
Baker said they cause instability. "I do think they bring down the community."

Development

Crudgington and Shevlin said the state is requiring cities to provide for more housing, so the city is directing it - including lower-cost housing - to the area around the train station.
Baker said there should be fewer luxury units and more affordable housing, and that the city should work with developers, churches and businesses to provide it.

Greenness

Baker would establish an Environment Commission for the city and follow through on older environmental plans the city set up.
Crudgington said the city has phased out some pesticides and if more hasn't been done it's because "the wheels were coming off the city."
Shevlin believes the city should try to be more green "when fiscally responsible."

GoMonrovia

Baker would revisit the GoMonrovia Lyft program to make it easier for seniors. She'd also like trolleys from the train station to Old Town and add lighted crosswalks in Old Town.
Crudgington said she watched the trolleys run empty and said seniors can already use a regular telephone (not a smart phone) to get a Lyft ride.
Shevlin said she was the one who suggested the Lyft program to former city manager, Oliver Chi, and it turned out to be a huge success.

Random

Crudgington said she is concerned about the Community Center. The building is old, she said, and she is worried what would happen to it in an earthquake.
Baker would ask MOTAB (Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board) to recruit new businesses to Old Town.
Shevlin said the print media is dying. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, she said, is not endorsing candidates for the Monrovia race because of lack of staff.
Crudgington said Monrovia doesn't have the population to support Old Town and that the new development near the train station could help support it. "If you use Amazon," she added, "you're part of the demise of Old Town."

- Brad Haugaard