City Of Monrovia: City Manager's Update | March 11, 2022

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

03/11/2022 9:09 AM

Hello Monrovians, 

This past week I have spent considerable time thinking about these past 2 years. We are nearing the 2nd anniversary when the City initiated procedures to declare the COVID-19 pandemic an emergency. It was a quiet morning on Friday, March 13th (yes, you read that right...Friday the 13th) when the decision was made, only to be ratified by the City Council at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 17th. Now during this 2nd anniversary, we are finally removing masks and pushing ahead on our "return to normal." But will be ever truly be "normal" again? Last week the global death toll surpassed 6,000,000 people. In Monrovia, we surpassed 20,000 cases and 100 deaths. Even during a community meeting last night, I met a wonderful resident who is still recovering from COVID after several months. Our lives have been deeply affected by COVID in ways we never imagined. So as we pass this milestone I plan to spend some time in gratitude and solace. I'll take time to count my own blessings but also honor and contemplate those 100 Monrovians who are no longer with us. 

I look forward to seeing you all again soon, in person, and perhaps without a mask for the first time in a very, very long time. 

Thank you,
Dylan

Email: dfeik@ci.monrovia.ca.us 
Phone: (626) 932-5585

Highlights in this Update

• 427 West Palm Ave project
• Job Opportunities: Police Officer, Police Cadet, Recreation Coordinator
• Neighborhood Treasure Unveiling for Almera Romney
• Community Celebration for Arbor Day & Earth Day presented by Grow Monrovia
• Business Emergency Resiliency Training
• Too Toxic To Trash Collection Event

427 West Palm Ave Project

The City has recently been working with Bowden Development to move an existing Craftsman Bungalow at 427 West Palm Avenue 13 feet to the west on the same site. The bungalow will be temporarily moved to the rear of the lot so that the existing foundation can be demolished and a new foundation built. Once that work is done, the house will be moved to its new, prominent location at the southwest corner of the lot. The project will also include complete restoration of the home.  Understanding the importance of preserving our history, City staff will be working closely with the developer to ensure that this little gem will have a long and healthy life!

We're seeking individuals to join our team!

• Police Officer Recruit (entry level)
• Police Cadet
• Recreation Coordinator

The City of Monrovia is actively cultivating and promoting employee engagement and internal communication strategies to help build camaraderie between team members. We are focused on building an inclusive workplace for all individuals focusing on advancing social and racial equity, where unique talents and different perspectives are valued, and creative thinking is encouraged. If you're interested in joining the Monrovia team, submit your application today!

Business Emergency Resiliency Training 

Monrovia Fire & Rescue’s Business Emergency Resiliency Training (BERT) is back in March with a FREE workshop on preparedness for both businesses and their employees! This session is scheduled for March 24, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room.  
    
Attendees will:

• Identify who is responsible for employee preparedness
• Learn about preparedness at home and work
• Learn hands only CPR

BERT is an ongoing program designed to give businesses the knowledge and tools help to weather a disaster. The six seminar series uses lecture, small group, and hands-on activities to develop the skills necessary to design business operations and continuity plans as well as promote preparedness among employees. SCE, So Cal Gas, Monrovia Public Works and Monrovia Police Department will provide guest speakers throughout the series. All seminars are stand-alone and can be completed as a business’ schedule permits.

Too Toxic To Trash Collection Event

A FREE Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Drive-Thru event will be held on Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the San Gabriel Valley Airport, 4233 North Santa Anita Avenue, El Monte, CA 91731. 

Neighborhood Treasure Unveiling for Almera Romney

The City of Monrovia is excited to announce the unveiling of the sixth Neighborhood Treasure honoring Almera Romney. All are invited to attend the block party on Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Canyon Early Learning Center, 1000 S. Canyon Blvd.   

Almera Romney was a woman who believed her faith dictated that all children, regardless of their ethnicity, should be treated equally. Over her 17-year tenure at Huntington Elementary School as a teacher and then principal, she fought her supervisor (who was also the school superintendent), her church, and the local newspaper to draw resources and attention to give Huntington Elementary Students a good education. 

Huntington Elementary was the segregated school that children of color in Monrovia were forced to attend. From 1946 to 1963, Ms. Romney was the driving force that transformed Huntington Elementary School from an under-resourced and physically unsafe school to a place where students thrived academically and socially. She ensured students not only felt safe and valued, but no longer had cast-off books and unhealthy lunches. She disputed the belief that the children at Huntington Elementary were incapable of learning.

Neighborhood Treasures celebrates historically significant Monrovians through the installation of public art pieces in various neighborhoods throughout the community. The goal of the program is to enrich the lives of those who view the art and improve neighborhoods by its presence. When designing a public art piece for Neighborhood Treasures, artists include specialized artwork that visually represents the life and contributions of the honorees. 

Community Celebration for Arbor Day & Earth Day

Volunteers are invited to save the date for the following events and workshops presented by Grow Monrovia, in honor of  Arbor Day and Earth Day! 

Water Optimization Workshop - March 19 - This workshop will take place at the Maryknoll Sisters Property and will focus on grass removal to reduce the water used outdoors on landscape. A speaker from the water district will discuss grass rebates and answer resident questions. Leigh Adams, from the LA Arboretum & Studio Petrichor, will present on water optimizing in landscape. After the presentation there will be a hands-on workshop for grass removal techniques by beginning the removal of 50,000 sq. ft. of grass at the Maryknoll Sisters Property. 

Gardening for Those Experiencing Homelessness & Disadvantages - April 9 - Grow Monrovia will partner with the Foothill Unity Center to develop a teaching garden for those who are experiencing homelessness and disadvantages. Volunteers are encouraged to join in and assist in filing in tree wells with fruit and shade trees. 

Celebrating Earth Day & Arbor Day - April 23 - This event will again take place on the Maryknoll Sisters Property and is called Ask an Arborist, where residents can ask an experienced arborist questions about their mature trees and attend a workshop on proper planting techniques for new trees. New shade trees will be given to residents for front yards and fruit trees given out for community spaces like churches. 

Mulch and Compost Event 

The City will be hosting a Compost & Mulch event on Saturday, March 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Public Works Yard. Enjoy free compost and mulch to add to your and garden today!

Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call (626) 932-5562 or email pbeglarian@ci.monrovia.ca.us. 

Composting Organic Waste

This Saint Patty’s Day, think about how you can turn your trash into a pot of gold. And by gold, we mean compost! Home composting is an easy way to reduce the materials that end up in landfills and reduce our carbon footprint on the world. Many types of food waste and yard waste can be composted such as grass clippings, vegetable and fruit waste and scraps, leaves, coffee grounds and more. Be sure your composting safety! If you live in a neighborhood that is frequented by wildlife, make sure you separate your organics and place it into your bear bin to keep yourself and wildlife safe. 

Monrovia Conserves 

Monrovia Conserves 

When water conservation is at its peak, don’t forget to check for leaks! March 14 - 20 is National Fix a Leak Week. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average household leak can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year! Ten percent of homes that have leaks waste 90 gallons or more per day! Common types of leaks can be found in old toilets, flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. According to the EPA, fixing these easily repairable leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills. 

To check out tips on detecting leaks, family fun contests, demonstrations and more, visit the EPA Fix a Leak Week webpage!

Water Usage Penalty

Excess water usage penalties will go into effect starting the first billing cycle in March 2022. The City has been expanding educational outreach for many months to ensure all Monrovians are aware of Phase II of the Water Conservation Plan and what that means for your water consumption and your water bill. 

As a recap, Phase II of the Water Conservation Plan stipulates a 10% mandatory reduction in water consumption from each households same month billing period in 2020. For example, the first billing period in March will compare your usage from February of 2022 to your usage in February of 2020. 

Multi-Family Residential Water Conservation Poster – Available!

Are you a property owner or manager in the City of Monrovia? Are you looking for ways to inform your tenants on water conservation tips and tricks? A flyer has been created specifically for multi-family residential dwellings who are interested in conserving. Download the flyer and place it in all common areas and areas of high foot traffic to help inform your residents about what they can do to help conserve!

Tools to Help You Conserve

• Water Rebates - Save $$ when you save H2O! Check the latest rebates offered by the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. You may qualify for rebates for indoor and outdoor water-saving equipment for your home or business including turf removal or financial incentives for water efficient equipment or improvements!
• Upper District’s Water Smart Home Program offers qualifying residents an opportunity to choose a variety of water conservation items to be installed at their home, free of charge, by EcoTech Services. 
• The Water Conservation Kit is filled with tools, at no charge, to help make conserving water that much easier. 
• The Water Conservation Planner, designed in collaboration with Smitten on Paper and BeWaterWise.com, is filled with native plants and water conservation tips.
• The City of Monrovia has partnered with the Upper San Gabriel Water District for the Turf Rebate Program. Through this program, residents can earn up to $3 per square foot in rebates for turf replacement.   
• The Upper San Gabriel Water District offers FREE Landscape Irrigation Surveys to help improve irrigation efficiency for residential, commercial, and common area landscapes that are one acre or larger in size.
• Not sure about making a change just yet but want to stay informed? Try out a Water Smart Workshop. Different classes will be offered until June 2022 including California Friendly Landscape Training for Residents, Turf Removal, Leak Detection, Garden Design and Professional Series.

COVID-19 At a Glance 

Latest Facts & Figures 

Residential / Non-Residential Settings in Monrovia 

Residential / Non-Residential Settings in Monrovia 

Facilities that have no reported positive COVID-19 cases for 14 days are considered to no longer have an outbreak and removed from the list. Confirmed cases of employees from residential/non-residential settings get counted under their home city.

Additional details on cases and deaths were not provided by the County of Los Angeles. View the Public Health Statement Regarding COVID-19 and Patient Privacy.

Second Baptist Church of Monrovia is hosting free COVID-19 testing for the Monrovia community, at 925 S. Shamrock Ave. Testing is available Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but those who would like to be tested must bring a valid I.D.

Development Spotlight

Several significant projects are working their way through the review process and stages of construction here at the City. Among these are the Adaptive Reuse of the Monrovia Market Building (approved on Oct. 1), the Overton Moore Pacific Self Storage Project in the former Verizon Building in Old Town (approved on Nov. 19), 127 Pomona Multi-Family Development with 310 units at Station Square (approved on Jan. 21), the Alexan Multi-Family Development with 436 units at Station Square (approved on Feb. 4), and the Arroyo at Monrovia Station Multi-Family Development with 302 units (Planning Commission approved on Feb. 12). For more details, visit the Development Spotlight webpage.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events 

• Spring Veggie Workshop | March 12 | 10 a.m. 
• City Council Meeting | March 15 | 7:30 p.m. 
• Neighborhood Treasure Unveiling for Almera Romney | March 19 | 11 a.m.
• FREE Mulch and Compost Event | March 26 | make your reservation 
• Art on the Box Program | Application due March 31
• Join the Bobcat Fire Clean-Up Crew
• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center 
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop Off at Monrovia Public Works Yard | Daily
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Request a Bulky Item Pick-Up
• Report Abandoned Bulky Item 
• Shop the City of Monrovia Official Store

Jobs with the City of Monrovia 

The City of Monrovia is now recruiting for the following position:

• Police Officer Recruit (entry level)
• Recreation Coordinator
• Director of Public Works
• Library Supervisor

The City of Monrovia offers interested individuals a chance to keep themselves notified on our job openings through the job interest card. This card will help interested individuals receive notifications about positions that open within the city without having to continuously log on to view our employment opportunities page.

Neighborhood Watch Report 

This report lists the total number of calls for service received over the last seven-day period. View the Neighborhood Watch Report. 

This press release was produced by the City of Monrovia. The views expressed here are the author’s own.