City to consider buying two new fire trucks; City deficit a bit less than expected, Etc.

One of the Pierce Enforcer model fire engines.

At its next meeting (agenda ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider buying two new fire engines, Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination Engines, for $2.93 million, with a $293,000 contingency amount. The engines will replace two reserve fire engines that are approaching their 25-year frontline lifespan. One is 24 years old and the other is 18 years old. Details. https://www.monroviaca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40571

~ Receive a financial report saying that while the city is running a deficit, its finances are in decent shape, but rising pension and operating costs are a problem. 

The city expects a General Fund deficit of about $2.4 million in 2026-27, an improvement from the $2.65 million deficit projected when the two-year budget was adopted. Revenues are projected at $62.8 million and expenditures at $65.2 million.

Property tax revenue continues to grow, hotel tax revenue remains strong, but sales tax revenue has largely flattened. The city's biggest financial challenge is rising pension costs, with annual payments toward its unfunded CalPERS liability increasing from $1.38 million in 2024-25 to $3.89 million in 2026-27, with another increase expected next year.

To help close the gap, the City plans fee increases, delayed hiring, contract reviews, grant applications, and continued contributions to its pension stabilization trust. Details

~ Consider proclaiming June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day and June 19-25 as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

~ The city will also hold a study session at 6 p.m. on the economic development and business climate in Monrovia, and have a "Communications Overview." Details

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Monrovia Library annual patron survey, May 29–June 30

Summer Concerts in the Park, Sundays May 31–Aug. 9

SPOT teen program at Library Park, June 5–Aug. 7

Monrovia High School pool open to public June 8–July 31

VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show, June 13

Stories from Latin America at the Library, June 13

MAP Block Party at Julian Fisher Park, June 13

Smoothie Social at the Library for children, June 15

Summer Solstice Garden Party, June 20

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Celebrates 30th Anniversary June 20

Summer Solstice Garden Party at Monrovia Community Garden, June 20

Peace Camp at OASIS, June 22–26

Wildfire ecology and evacuation workshop, June 22

Fire Resilient Gardening workshop June 27

Arthur Blair Historic Inn Grand Opening July 4 in Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Monrovia Today brochure is out

The summer edition of Monrovia Today is now online. Lots of activities listed for the months ahead. See it here.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at new Mayan Bar and Noodle restaurant


Had dinner at the new Szechuan style Chinese restaurant in the Aztec Hotel on Foothill. Got the spicy beef noodle bowl for $15. It was very good and there was a generous amount of beef in it. There's no sign out front yet, but I was told that the restaurant name will be Mayan Bar and Noodle. The "bar" part of the name has not yet fully kicked in as the restaurant still needs to get city approval.

- Brad Haugaard 

Fire breaks out on Santa Anita Wash


A fire broke out along the Santa Anita Wash near Bonita Street this morning about 10:30. It sent billows of black smoke into the sky, but was quickly put out. Some social media posts indicated it may have been a homeless encampment that caught fire.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Relative pulls knife, threatens to kill; Driver ditches car, resists cops in store; Stolen car suspect caught exiting; Man offers drugs to boy; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 4 – 10, 2026. 573 calls for service, 83 investigations, 0 mental evaluations, 3 traffic collisions, 23 arrests. - Brad Haugaard]

SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS

JUNE 4

Grand Theft

At 7:11 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of El Dorado reported the catalytic converter from her vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting

At 12:59 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. The suspect was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

At 4:13 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported an assault. An investigation revealed the victim and a relative were involved in an argument when the relative produced a knife, thrust it toward the victim and threatened to kill him. The suspect fled shortly after. The relative was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.

JUNE 5

Grand Theft Auto

At 7:02 a.m., a victim in the 600 block of E. Lemon reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

At 12:10 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of E. Chestnut reported his vehicle window was smashed and money was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting

At 4:51 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft – Suspects Arrested

At 7:45 p.m., employees from a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported two female subjects were concealing merchandise. Officers arrived and located the subjects outside. They were arrested and taken into custody.

JUNE 6

Shoplifting / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 9:06 p.m., a loss prevention officer for a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and located the subject outside the store. An investigation confirmed the theft and he was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 11:25 p.m., while patrolling the area of Duarte and Mountain an officer saw a vehicle in violation of a vehicle code. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

JUNE 7

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested

At 3:20 a.m., a noise disturbance involving occupants of a parked vehicle was reported in the 300 block of E. Olive. Officers arrived and made contact with the occupants. An investigation revealed two of the occupants were heavily intoxicated and unable to care for themselves. They were both arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested

At 5:11 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cypress reported her ex-boyfriend was outside, intoxicated. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Domestic Violence

At 10:40 a.m., a victim in the 300 block of May reported that his child's mother grabbed him violently and hit him. The victim suffered injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The suspect was gone prior to officers' arrival. This investigation is continuing.

JUNE 8

Resisting – Suspect Arrested

At 12:54 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Foothill and Mayflower saw a vehicle in violation of vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver abruptly entered a parking lot, exit the vehicle and entered a store. Officers made contact with the driver inside the store and while attempting to detain him, he began to resist. He was eventually arrested and taken into custody.

Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested

At 7:12 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject in a park drinking alcohol. An officer arrived, saw the subject drinking alcohol and made contact with him. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested

At 4:26 p.m., a caller in the 300 block of W. Huntington reported a female subject drinking alcohol in public. Officers arrived and located the subject with two open containers. She was arrested and taken into custody.

JUNE 9

Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspect Arrested

At 6:57 a.m., officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Fifth and Foothill. The stolen vehicle was located in a parking lot with the driver exiting the vehicle. The driver was located, arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto

At 7:36 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of W. Central reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Municipal Code Violation / Resist Delay – Suspect Arrested

At 3:41 p.m., an officer patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle saw a suspicious male and made contact with him. The subject gave the officer false identifying information and he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 4:07 p.m., while patrolling the area of Longden and Peck an officer saw a pedestrian commit a violation. The officer made contact and discovered the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 5:53 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject offered the caller's grandson a controlled substance. Officers located the male subject a short distance away. He was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

JUNE 10

Grand Theft Auto

At 7:04 a.m., a victim in the 700 block of S. Shamrock reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Identity Theft

At 12:41 p.m., a resident walked into the MPD lobby to report an unknown subject used her identity to shop online. This investigation is continuing.

COMMUNITY ALERTS

Street Sweeping Parking Enforcement Update

The City is making a change to how street sweeping parking restrictions are enforced.

For years, residents have been allowed to move their vehicles back into posted "No Parking" areas once the street sweeper passed, even while the parking restriction period was still in effect. This practice created inconsistency, and the Monrovia Police Department is moving to enforce posted signage as written. Moving forward, citations will be issued for the full posted no-parking window, regardless of whether the sweeper has already come through.

No changes are being made to posted times, signs, or routes, only to how the hours are applied and signage is enforced.

Catalytic Converter Thefts Alert

Protect your vehicle by following the prevention tips in the attached flyer and reporting suspicious activity to the Monrovia Police Department.

Arthur Blair Historic Inn Grand Opening July 4 in Monrovia

The Arthur Blair Historic Inn at 512 S. Ivy Ave. will hold its grand opening on Saturday, July 4, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

The property consists of two original historic Monrovia homes once owned by Steve Baker, former city historian, along with a third building constructed in compatible historic style. The site has been developed into a combined inn and soon-to-open restaurant called Viola’s Bar & Bistro.

Steve Baker (1941–2022) served as Monrovia’s city historian for 30 years and as president of the Monrovia Historical Society. A fifth-generation Monrovian, he lived in the family home built by his great-great-grandfather in 1887. Baker was widely recognized as the primary authority on local history, known for his detailed research, public speeches, and graveside tours at Live Oak Cemetery.

Proceeds from the grand opening event, which includes light refreshments, live music, self-guided tours throughout the restored property, will support the acquisition of period furnishings for the Historic Society's George H. Anderson House Museum.

Tickets for the event are available here.

- Brad Haugaard



Charming Jon Snow is a Siberian Husky who loves adventure, couch naps, and giving kisses

Uploaded ImageMeet Jon Snow, a 4-year-old Siberian Husky at Pasadena Humane who is ready for his second chapter! This handsome boy is the perfect mix of adventure buddy and couch companion. He loves his daily walks and can get excited when it's time to explore, but once he's had some exercise, he's calm, relaxed, and happy to lounge nearby. According to his foster, Jon Snow is house-trained, thrives on a consistent routine, and is known for his sweet habit of giving kisses to the people he loves.

Jon's friendly personality shines wherever he goes. At a recent adoption event, he charmed everyone he met. Treat-motivated and eager to connect, Jon Snow is a wonderful companion looking for a home where he can share both his playful spirit and his loving nature.

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

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

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.

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

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: The auto dealerships of Huntington Drive

Auto dealerships lined Huntington Dr. in Monrovia through the 1980s, the last one leaving in 1991 for a freeway-adjacent auto mall created by the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency. From the Dick Singer collection. See full details here.

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

Smoothie Social at the Library for children, June 15


Smoothie social at the Library’s first Monday Funday, June 15 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Children ages 6-11 can enjoy smoothies, games, music, and time with friends in the Community Room. No registration is required. Details

Talk on forefathers of Spiritualism on Father's Day

The Spiritualist Church of Revelation, at 200 W. Colorado,  will present a talk on the history of Fathers Day and on the forefathers of Spiritualism at 11 a.m. on June 21. The service begins with a healing service and laying of of hands. Attendees will receive a free spirit greeting.

- Brad Haugaard

Grow Monrovia petitioning for city to hire arborist and expand protections for trees

The organization, Grow Monrovia, is collecting signatures for two petitions, one to hire a city arborist/urban forester, and one to strengthen tree protection standards. Following are summaries provided by the organization.

First petition

  • Create the position of a city arborist/urban forester
  • Improve long-term tree planning
  • Review development impacts to trees
  • Help enforce tree protections
  • Improve accountability for city tree management

Second petition

  • Expand protections for significant trees
  • Improve replacement requirements
  • Require better planning around mature trees
  • Help preserve long-term canopy coverage
- Brad Haugaard

Some Monrovia Frontier Communications customers have been without service for a month

The Pasadena Star-News is reporting that some Monrovia residents using Frontier Communications for their land line connections have been without service for a month and without information from Frontier. The city has also been unable to get in touch with the company. The outage was apparently caused by the theft of some of the company's copper wiring. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Stories from Latin America at the Library, June 13


Families Read Together: Stories from Latin America, will be held at the Library on Saturday, June 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The event features an English-Spanish bilingual performance by Olga Loya, presented by The Music Center of LA County, with stories, folktales, and legends from East Los Angeles and Latin America. Registration required for children ages 0-5 and closes June 13 at 11 a.m. Free books available while supplies last. Details and registration here.

- Brad Haugaard

Reptiles and Friends, at the Library, June 11

Reptiles and Friends, presented by the Wildlife Learning Center, will be held June 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Library Park Fountain Area. Children to age 11 can see animals such as a tortoise, walking stick, and Madagascar hissing cockroach while learning about reptiles and other wildlife. Details

- Brad Haugaard

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