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

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


The City of Monrovia is charging that ...

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

And, at its  July 28 meeting ...

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

Here are some of the city's concerns:

"Operational Concerns

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

Procedural Concerns

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

That being said ...

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

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Mark Twain Statue Gets Dressed Up

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

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at the Monrovian

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

- Brad Haugaard

Video of New Monrovia Biotech Incubaor

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

- Brad Haugaard

Big Dog and Cat Clearance Event

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs; Hit and Run; Etc.

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

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

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

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

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

Problem With New Street Fair? | Rain Today?

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Reports Sales Down for Q2

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

- Brad Haugaard

The Wizard of Oz Jr. Starts Tomorrow

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

Chat With a Monrovia Cop

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

- Brad Haugaard

Walking Tour of Old Town Monrovia

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Train Maintenance Yard Turned Over to Metro

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Brad Haugaard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional water conservation restrictions remain in effect, including:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Biter Arrested; Ski Equipment Stolen; Robber Loads Backpack, Walks Out; Intoxicated Woman Calls for Help; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 23-26. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Robbery/Warrants – Suspect Arrested
July 23 at 2:22 p.m., a suspect entered a business in the 100 block of West Foothill and selected merchandise. He walked out of the store without paying for the merchandise and was confronted by a loss prevention agent in front of the store. A struggle ensued, and the suspect bit the agent on the arm, attempting to flee with the stolen merchandise; he was detained by loss prevention agents. An officer arrived and arrested the suspect for robbery. A computer check revealed the suspect also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, which were added to his charges.

Petty Theft
July 23 at 3:47 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of West Duarte Road regarding a theft investigation. The victim reported his apartment storage unit had been broken into and miscellaneous camping and ski equipment was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Robbery
July 23 at 6:49 p.m., a robbery was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington. Officers arrived and were informed that the robbery actually occurred the day before. Employees reported that a male suspect came into the store and walked down one of the aisles. He was carrying a backpack, and as he exited the aisle, he walked directly out of the store, sounding the theft alarm. An employee followed the suspect outside and asked him to come back into the store. The suspect told the employee he had a knife and to leave him alone. The employee turned and went back into the store. The employee did not report the incident to his manager until the next day. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Verified Complaint Filed
July 23 at 10:51 p.m., dispatch received a call of a solo vehicle traffic collision at the intersection of Olive and Shamrock. Officers responded and located a vehicle that had collided into a block wall. The driver was still inside the vehicle. After investigation, officers determined the driver had been drinking and was driving under the influence. He also had several medical conditions and was taken to a hospital. A verified complaint for the charges will be filed with the District Attorney’s Office.

Vehicle Vandalism/Attempt Burglary
July 24 at 8:06 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of West Cherry regarding vehicle vandalism. The victim stated his vehicle's rear window had been smashed. An officer investigated and determined nothing had been stolen.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
July 24 at 1:25 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. The suspect was detained by loss prevention for stealing a power drill and several deadbolts. The suspect was positively identified and determined to be on probation for burglary. The suspect was arrested and received a citation to appear in court on the charge.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
July 24 at 8:54 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in the area of Palm and Primrose for a vehicle code violation. During the contact for the traffic stop, the suspect told the officer he had marijuana and methamphetamine in the vehicle. The driver was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
July 25 at 3:22 a.m., officers observed two male subjects at a park in the 700 block of East Lemon after the park had closed. The officers contacted the subjects and determined one of them displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Further investigation confirmed this and smoking paraphernalia was also located on the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Medical Assist
July 26 at 7:25 p.m., dispatch received a call from the California Highway Patrol reporting a female subject in distress. She was crying and asking for police help. She was calling from her cell phone and disconnected from CHP before they could get any information. Monrovia dispatchers called the woman back on her cell phone, but could not get any identifying information from her either. Monrovia dispatchers then conducted a thorough investigation and were finally able to contact the woman’s husband. He said she was driving from Las Vegas in a rental car. The husband called his wife and she said she was parked behind a business in Monrovia. Officers responded and located the vehicle behind a gas station in the 700 block of West Huntington. The female was extremely intoxicated and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Monrovia's Boy's and Girl's Club Gets $3,000 Check

West Coast footwear retailer, WSS, presented a $3,000 check on July 23 to Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills to support education and career opportunities for youth. This is part of a ten-day tour to present $3,000 checks to 27 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout LA.

- Brad Haugaard

Grandparents Day Celebration Sept. 12

For your calendar: Grandparents Day, Saturday, September 12, noon to 3 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock Ave. Sponsored by the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association. Tickets $20, $10 for kids 12 and younger. RSVP to Eloise Hart at (760) 669-0669.

- Brad Haugaard

New Townhomes Planned Near Monrovia's Station Square

Brandywine Homes will begin demolition this month on Lotus Court, a .74-acre community that will offer 13 townhomes on Duarte Road near Station Square, a newly revitalized transportation hub in Monrovia, Calif. Brandywine expects to begin sales in February 2016 and plans to complete the community by summer 2016. http://goo.gl/lmdXFI

- Brad Haugaard

Look at Saturn Tonight at Monrovia's Library Park

Join Monrovia's Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers at Library Park at the corner of Myrtle and Lime after dark tonight to look at the Moon and Saturn.

- Brad Haugaard