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Monrovia In Better Financial Shape Than Predicted

Monrovia is in better financial shape than expected - by $2.03 million - according to a budget update (https://is.gd/rKGXlJ) that will be presented to the City Council at its next meeting (https://is.gd/w71JZL).

The staff report says:

Due to a variety of factors, the General Fund is expected to close the Fiscal Year 2020-21 significantly better than originally anticipated. When the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget was originally approved in August of 2020, at a critical time during the pandemic, City Council utilized a conservative budget approach to prepare the City for the uncertainty of the negative financial impacts of the pandemic, the potential for new business closures, and the impacts of stay-at-home orders. In addition to conservative budgeting, the original Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget incorporated expenditure savings measures, such as staffing vacancies, adjustments to maintenance and operations budgets, and savings from renegotiated vendor contracts. To ensure sound financial management throughout the pandemic, staff monitors the budget regularly as the City cautiously navigates the financial impacts of the pandemic.

The General Fund’s estimated surplus of $2.03M can be attributed to higher than expected revenues, most notably sales tax, Redevelopment Residual Property Tax Revenue, and hotel tax. Additionally, staff’s diligence in managing costs has also contributed to the overall savings. The General Fund was originally expected to close the year with a deficit of $663,201.

- Brad Haugaard


Monrovia Weekly Coronavirus Count: 18 More Cases, No More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 10/13/2021. Changes since 10/06/2021.

City of Monrovia: 3,973 cases (up 18), 82 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 445 cases (up 3), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Detectives Arrest Grand Theft Suspects; Women Fight in Road-Rage Incident; Sleeping Driver Hits Light Pole; License Plate Swap; and More

 [Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 7-13. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 7:24 a.m., a caller requested a welfare check on a female subject in the 800 block of Alta. She had told a co-worker she was punched in the face by her boyfriend. Officers arrived and talked with both parties. During the investigation, it was learned the boyfriend slapped the girlfriend, causing a small scratch. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 1:46 p.m., detectives conducted surveillance at an address in a neighboring city in an attempt to locate two wanted burglary suspects. While at the location, the two suspects left in a vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted and one of the occupants threw a loaded handgun and drugs from the vehicle. The two individuals were positively identified as the suspects in the grand theft case. They were arrested and taken into custody.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 4:59 p.m., a caller reported a fight between two females in the parking lot of the business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Witnesses intervened and one of the parties left the location. Officers learned the fight was over a road rage incident. One of the females used her car keys to hit the other female over the head, causing a large gash. The suspect later turned herself in to police and was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 8:24 p.m., officers responded to a family disturbance in the 1900 block of Peck. The reporting party advised the male suspect had left the area in a white SUV and appeared intoxicated. Officers located the vehicle driving erratically in the area and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was too intoxicated to operate the vehicle safely and was arrested for DUI.

Weapon Offence – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 7:43 a.m., a caller reported that he was assaulted by a subject in the 800 block of E. Royal Oaks. Officers arrived and learned the victim had his phone knocked out of his hands by the suspect after a dispute over a parking space. The suspect then brandished a knife at the victim. The suspect was arrested.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 8:51 a.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported parked in the 500 block of S. Lincoln. Officers arrived and located a male subject who was sleeping in the vehicle. An investigation revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 8 at 1:49 p.m., a caller reported that her vehicle was involved in a hit and run traffic collision in the 600 block of W. Huntington. No suspect information was obtained. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 8 at 3:36 p.m., the owner of the business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle reported that someone fraudulently cashed one of his employee's paychecks. An online banking application was used. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 9:48 p.m., an officer patrolling the intersection of Mayflower and Evergreen observed a vehicle fail to stop for the stop sign. The driver also made several unsafe turning movements. The driver was stopped and the officers noticed he displayed symptoms of being under the influence. It was determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Traffic Collision
October 9 at 1:30 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Foothill and Mayflower. A driver was traveling east on Foothill when he fell asleep behind the wheel and collided with a light pole. The driver was not injured and had not been drinking.

Mail Tampering
October 9 at 8:46 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of N. Alta Vista called to report his mailbox was tampered with and mail was missing. This investigation is continuing.

Mail Tampering
October 9 at 9:41 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of N. Alta Vista called to report her mailbox was also tampered with and mail was missing. This investigation is continuing.

Mail Tampering
October 9 at 9:50 a.m., while an officer was patrolling the 500 block of N. Alta Vista, he located an empty mail package. The address on the package was from a residence in the 500 block of N. Alta Vista. He spoke with the victim and confirmed a mail theft did occur. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 10:22 a.m., a caller stated a male subject was urinating on the wall of a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was extremely intoxicated and unable to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia PD Jail for booking and a sobering period.

Court Order Violation / Mental Health Evaluation – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 12:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of E. Pomona regarding a subject trespassing in a rear yard. Officers arrived and found a subject who had a domestic violence court order restraining him from being at the location. They noticed the subject had open sores on his neck. Paramedics were dispatched to the location, but the subject refused to be treated. The suspect was arrested. While in custody, the subject began displaying behavior indicating he was in need of mental health treatment. He was then transported to a mental health facility to be evaluated by a professional.

Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 12:15 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of E. Royal Oaks regarding a subject causing a disturbance at the location. The subject had a dispute with a resident and refused to leave. Officers arrived and spoke with the subject. During the investigation it was discovered he was in possession of property he claimed was given to him to polish. He also had lock picking tools. The subject was arrested for possession of burglary tools and released on a citation.

Fight in Progress
October 10 at 12:54 a.m., officers responded to a fight in progress in the rear parking lot of a business in the 100 block of W. Lime Avenue. When officers arrived, they located several subjects who said they had been involved in a fight with subjects who left the area in a Grey Nissan. Additional officers searched for the vehicle, but were unable to locate it. Officers had Monrovia Fire Department respond to make sure all subjects were medically okay. All the subjects had been drinking and would not provide further information. Later the same day, two of the subjects came into the Monrovia Police Department station to provide additional details about the event and file a report. A report was taken and the investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
October 10 at 6:17 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a parking lot in the 3300 block of S. Peck. Surveillance footage of the theft was collected by the investigating officer. This investigation is continuing.

Stolen License Plate
October 10 at 7:03 p.m., a female subject reported that her vehicle's license plate had been stolen and replaced with another vehicle's license plate while parked in the 200 block of W. Lemon. This plate was later found to be stolen from a vehicle in Sierra Madre. It is unknown when the plates were switched, but the recovered plate was reported stolen in the early part of September. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 11 at 6:48 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 500 block of S. Myrtle when he witnessed a traffic collision in the intersection of Myrtle and Colorado. He stopped and found one of the drivers was complaining of pain, so paramedics responded. The injured driver did not want to go to a hospital. After investigation, the driver found to be at fault was issued a citation for the traffic violation.

Theft
October 11 at 7:24 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of Wildrose started his car to go to work and heard something wrong with his exhaust. He looked under his vehicle and saw someone had cut off and stolen his catalytic converter. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
October 11 at 7:58 a.m., a resident of an apartment complex in the 800 block of S. Myrtle walked to their vehicle, which was parked in the building's parking structure, and discovered someone had broken into it sometime during the night. Personal items had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 11 at 9:25 a.m., a caller reported two motorists collided into one another at the intersection of Huntington and Primrose. Officers responded and found one of the drivers was complaining of pain so paramedics also responded. The injured driver did not want to go to the hospital. The non-injured driver was found to be at fault and was issued a citation for the traffic violation.

Vehicle Burglary
October 11 at 12:53 p.m., a resident of an apartment complex in the 800 block of S. Myrtle walked to his vehicle, which was parked in the parking structure, and discovered someone had shattered one of the windows. The loss from inside the vehicle is undetermined at this time. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 3:40 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1600 block of S. Primrose when he contacted a subject who was found to have a warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 6:05 p.m., a caller reported a male subject that was trespassing at a business in the 100 block of W. Palm. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. He had been advised previously about trespassing on the property and was subsequently arrested.

Court Order Violation / Mental Evaluation – Subject Evaluated
October 11 at 7:25 p.m., a caller reported that her adult son was at her residence in the 200 block of E. Lime in violation of a court order. She also said it appeared he was under the influence and possibly overdosing. Officers and paramedics responded. The subject then made suicidal statements and it was determined he needed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. He was then transported to a facility for treatment and the case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for filing charges.

Grand Theft
October 11 at 9:10 p.m., a witness observed a male subject underneath a vehicle using a power tool near the intersection of Mayflower and Chestnut. Officers arrived and located the vehicle, however, the suspect was gone. It was learned that the suspect had stolen the catalytic converter and was last seen driving a grey truck. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 12 at 1:15 p.m., the manager of a coin laundry business in the 900 block of W. Duarte reported someone had burglarized the business at around 3:00 a.m. that morning when the business was closed. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 7:20 p.m., a caller reported that a subject was vandalizing a wall in the 800 block of E. Olive. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. He was identified by a witness and admitted to the crime. He was also in possession of spray paint. The suspect was arrested.

Residential Burglary
October 12 at 10:03 p.m., a resident arrived home in the 900 block of California to find their rear sliding glass door shattered and the home ransacked. Two suspects were seen on surveillance at the front door, before they entered the backyard, at approximately 7:20 p.m. A sum of money, jewelry, and the family's passports were stolen. Investigation continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 13 at 3:29 a.m., an officer located a vehicle stopped in the roadway, blocking traffic near the intersection of Myrtle and Foothill. The driver provided a false name to the officer. After further investigation, the driver’s identity was confirmed and she was found to have a warrant for her arrest and no driver’s license. She was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation – Subject Evaluated
October 13 at 12:55 p.m., several callers reported a female subject running naked in the middle of the street in the 2600 block of S. Myrtle. Officers responded, along with paramedics, and located the subject. It was determined she needed to be seen by a mental health professional. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 13 at 2:21 p.m., a caller reported two motorists collided into one another in the intersection of Mountain and Royal Oaks. Officers responded and found one person involved in the collision complained of pain. Paramedics responded and she was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Package Theft
October 13 at 3:09 p.m., a caller reported seeing a male subject on a bicycle stop in the 600 block of Monterey, walk onto someone's front porch and take a delivered package. The subject fled the area on his bicycle. Officers searched for the subject, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 13 at 3:51 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of E. Cypress walked outside his home and discovered his vehicle, which was parked on the street in front of his house, had fresh collision damage that occurred sometime in the morning. This investigation is continuing.

Local Water District Honored as 'WaterSense Partner of the Year'

For a third consecutive year, the Monrovia-based Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 2021 WaterSense Partner of the Year.

The district received the award at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas for its helping residents and businesses save water.

The EPA highlighted Upper District's creative outreach efforts to promote water efficiency in 2020 despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. https://is.gd/M4mDEn

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Basin 141

Dinner at Basin 141, at the corner of Myrtle and Lime. Got the Chicken Mole Tacos for $13 and a beer for $6. Really good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Historical Society President to Speak on City's Founding Women on Nov. 13

Monrovia Historical Society President Steve Baker will speak on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Monrovia Community Center on "Monrovia's Founding Women and What they Created." The event, jointly sponsored with the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, will be both in-person and virtually by Zoom, at: https://wmp.zoom.us/j/92755488491?pwd=dlJJRDg5ZEk4YkhPamU0ZzVXTHZidz09 Password: 639273.

There will be refreshments for those who come in person. Masks will be required.  The Community Center is at 119 E Palm in Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

App Gives Monrovia Library Access to Magazines and Newspapers

The Monrovia Library now offers free access to magazines and newspapers from around the world through the PressReader app. Download the app from the App Store (for iPhone) or from Google Play (for Android phones). Select the "libraries & groups" option and search for "Monrovia Public Library". Select the Monrovia library and login with your library card and PIN (your phone number on file, including the area code).

- Brad Haugaard

Orphaned Dumbo is Sweet, Energetic and Friendly

Ten-year-old Dumbo came to the shelter after his owner sadly passed away. This sweet dog is energetic, friendly, and does well on a leash. He enjoys the company of other dogs, especially if they’re close to his size! Dumbo does well with new people, too. Dumbo would do best in a calm and quiet home where he can relax and play.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

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 and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

New Art Display and Artist Reception at Monrovia Community Center October 24

The public is invited as the Artist Alley Gallery celebrates a new three-month art installation of four MAFA artists on Oct. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. The exhibit will feature paintings by Brad Haugaard, Melissa Ahaus, and Jeni Bate, as well as pen and ink and colored pencil drawings by Eric Watkins.

In addition, the event will feature displays of art from students of the Clifton Arts Academy at Clifton Middle School, as well as California School of the Arts—San Gabriel Valley. The students’ art from each school will be adjudicated by a professional artist and prizes awarded at the close of the reception at 5 p.m.

The five-member band Lobo Reese will provide live musical entertainment, and the reception will include delicious refreshments from Rivanis Baking Company and beverages from Wine of the Month Club. 

Interested art buyers can purchase art from the four featured MAFA Artists (via check only) at the front desk of the Community Center. Purchased items will be tagged as sold and the proud new owners may take the art home at the end of the current three-month show. 

After Oct. 24, the public can still view and purchase art from this installation until Jan. 29, 2022, during the Community Center’s businesses hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed Saturday and Sunday except for special events (during which the gallery will be open).

Source: MAFA press release

- Brad Haugaard (Yeah, that's me)

Monrovia High Girl's Volleyball Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research


Monrovia High's girls volleyball team raised funds to support breast cancer research and snagged a win during their game on Oct. 4.

- Brad Haugaard

Number of Independent Study Students Increases by 300%


With so many students having now had experience with distance learning because of COVID, it appears an increasing number of them actually prefer it, even though the schools are now open physically.

Monrovia Schools Public Information Officer, Gustavo Olguin, reports that the number of students opting for independent study - much of which is virtual - has increased by 300% since 2019.

In 2019, Olguin said, enrollment in Monrovia's Mountain Park School -- which focuses on independent-study -- was just under 50. In 2020 it was around 80, and this year it is about 200.

"Mountain Park [https://is.gd/mShOlj] helps provide the option of independent study for families wanting a more flexible class schedule while attending grades K-12," Olguin writes. "Around 90% of students from MP are accepted directly to post-secondary education or the military."

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: The Monrovia Hotel in 1886

The Monrovia Hotel 1886 built by John C. Anderson, who also built his family home at 215 E Lime, now a museum maintained by the Monrovia Historical Society. See full details here. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Mountain Lion Treated for Bobcat Fire Injuries Dies

The mountain lion found in Monrovia that was treated for injuries sustained during the Bobcat fire, has died from unknown causes, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife . She was nicknamed "Monrovia" and apparently lived successfully for 10 months following the fire, and was tracked and found to range along the mountains all the way from Azusa to Burbank. https://is.gd/6RJktC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Polytechnic 42-13

Last night Monrovia varsity football won its home conference game against Pasadena's Polytechnic by 42-13. https://is.gd/xbWube

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween in Library Park

 

-  Brad Haugaard

Centre Stage Fundraiser October 24

-  Brad Haugaard

Volunteer for 'Make a Difference Day' October 23


The Volunteer Center of the San Gabriel Valley will hold Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 23 to help make a difference in the Monrovia community.  Individuals and Groups can adopt a project. Contact Macy Gracia at 774-1105 for information on large group registration. Here are the projects:

  • Bulky Item Drop-Off Points 
  • Home Improvements & Landscaping for low-income families and home-bound seniors. 
  • Improving local parks and the Community Center. 
  • Food Sorting and landscaping at Foothill Unity Center 
  • Red Ribbon Project - Help unite the community to take a stand against alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

https://is.gd/APhltW

Native Plant Sale Nov. 6 at Historical Museum

The California Native Plant Society, San Gabriel Mountain Chapter, will host a Native Plant Sale on Saturday, November 6, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Monrovia Historical Museum. There will be a variety of California native plants and wildflower seeds appropriate for gardens in the Los Angeles basin, including plants for attracting birds and butterflies. Chapter members will be on hand to answer questions. https://is.gd/rqzyhI

- Brad Haugaard

New Job Opening with the City of Monrovia

Open position:

Principal Accountant, full-time - $93,753.46 - $125,638.60 annually

Details: https://is.gd/ELXrA1

- Brad Haugaard

Oaktober - Get a Free Oak Tree Sapling


On October 16, 21 and 28, there will be presentations by oak experts, discussing planting, oak tree care, and their ecological benefits . There will be representatives from the Arboretum, Huntington Library and Metabolic Studio. The events will last about an hour.

- Brad Haugaard