City Of Monrovia: City Manager's Update | March 4, 2022

Press release from the City of Monrovia:

03/04/2022 12:16 PM

Hello Monrovians, 

Every now and then, it is important that the City highlight the many wonderful programs and services offered by partners in the community. As you look thru this week's update, you will see many activities and programs offered by Monrovians that make our community the wonderful place that it is. At a glance, you’ll find details regarding the recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, tree planting program, the Monrovia Today, and much more. 

Thank you,
Dylan

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

Highlights in this Update

• Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month 
• Monrovia Today Spring Edition, Now Available!   
• Los Angeles County Assessor Update 
• MOHPG Historic Walking Tour
• Spring Veggie Workshop at the Monrovia Community Garden
• U.S. Vets Career Fair 
• MDBAA Black History Month Art Festival 
• Where does my trash go? 
• Fruit Harvesting Best Practices 

Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month

At their meeting on March 1, the Monrovia City Council proclaimed the month of March 2022 as Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month. For people suffering from mental health illnesses, there are services and resources available 24/7. You are not alone. To learn more, please visit the City's Support Services and Resources webpage. 

Mental Health and Wellness Book Kits
The Monrovia Public Library now offers eight Mental Health and Wellness Book Kits on a variety of topics: anxiety, depression, grief, mindfulness and stress relief, substance abuse, postpartum depression, PTSD, and mental health and wellness. The kits were provided by the California State Library’s Mental Health Initiative, and contain at least four books on each topic plus a resource sheet for further information. Checkout is for six weeks and kits can be placed on hold for pickup—just search mental health kit in the library’s catalog or for more information contact the library at (626) 256-8274.

COVID-19 Update, Modified Health Officer Order

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a modified Health Officer Order, which went into effect on Friday, March 4. 

According to the DPH, under this modified order, indoor masking will be strongly recommended, but not required, for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, except in high-risk settings where federal and state regulations continue to require masking, including everyone using public transit and all those in emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities.

For those visiting City of Monrovia facilities, masks are recommended but not required. 

Monrovia Today Spring Edition

The Monrovia Today is now available for browsing! Fitness classes, dance lessons, academic support programs and much more will be offered to residents and community members to participate in during the spring months!

This season, the Monrovia Today will be a digital version so residents can have quick access to all programs. Residents can contact the Monrovia Community Center at (626) 256-8246 to be placed on a mailing list for a physical copy.

Los Angeles County Assessor Update 

At the Council Meeting on March 1, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang provided a presentation on the 2021 Annual Report, property value growth in Monrovia, homeowners' exemption program, accessory dwelling units, and more. If you would like additional information or have any questions, please view the presentation, or contact  Anne-Marie Williams, Special Assistant, Field Deputy, at (213) 928-4883.

MOHPG Historic Walking Tour

If you have yet to take the Historic Walking Tour in Downtown Monrovia, you will have another opportunity on Saturday, March 5. The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group sponsors these tours as a way to provide interested residents with a comprehensive introduction to the town’s history. The tour will begin at 10 a.m., and participants are asked to meet at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Palm Avenues, across from Library Park. Cost is $5 per person, the tour lasts about two hours, and RSVPs are not necessary.

Spring Veggie Workshop

Join us back in person at the Monrovia Community Garden to learn about spring and summer gardening in the San Gabriel Valley. A variety of topics will be covered like which vegetables do well in warmer seasons, pest management, and healthy soil. You will not want to miss this workshop taught by our expert volunteer leadership team. All levels of experience welcome!

The workshop will take place on Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., at the garden at 303 W. Colorado Boulevard. If you have any questions, please inquire at info@monroviacommunitygarden.org.

U.S. Vets Career Fair

The U.S. Vet Career Network will be hosting a virtual Career Fair on Tuesday, March 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. To learn more, please email Jennifer Delatte at jdelatte@usvets.org. 

U.S.VETS Career Network is an award-winning veteran employment program connecting with individuals across the country through online and traditional in-person support. Through the Career Development Initiative, they prepare transitioning service members and veterans for the civilian job market, connect them with veteran-friendly employers, and provide them with all the resources they need to launch a satisfying and gainful civilian career. 

MDBAA Black History Month Art Festival

The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association, in partnership with the Monrovia Unified School District, celebrated Black History Month with an art festival! For the 9th annual event, every wall in the Monrovia Community Center room was adorned with original art work from students.

Where does my trash go? 

According to CalRecycle, landfills are the largest source of Methane production in California. Did you know that Methane was 84% more potent than Carbon Dioxide? Organic waste such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard, all make up materials that contribute to the increased production of methane in landfills. But this doesn’t have to be the case!

Do your part to reduce organic materials from ending up in the landfill. Athens Services is doing their part to remove these materials from the waste stream, but you can help by starting from the source! Check out what items go into which container before disposal by using Athens Services “What Goes Where” guide.

Fruit Harvesting Best Practices 

When harvesting and donating your own citrus fruit, follow these best practices to ensure the deadly citrus tree disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), does not destroy our beloved citrus trees. HLB is spread by a tiny insect called the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), as it feeds on citrus tree leaves, and has no cure. The best way to protect our citrus trees from HLB is to prevent the movement of ACP. When harvesting fruit to donate, be sure to: 

• Remove all leaves, stems and branches before citrus is moved from the property. 
• Wash fruit thoroughly before moving the fruit. 
• Fully open bags carrying your citrus, dump and shake them out, and remove any stems, leaves, or other debris before leaving the property. 
• Inspect clothes, personal items, and vehicles for plant materials and brush them off before leaving the property. 

If you would like to report any suspected findings of the disease, please call the California Department of Food and Agriculture at (800) 491-1899.

2022 Career Expo & Job Fair  

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 2022 Career Expo & Job Fair! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet face-to-face with local businesses that are currently hiring. Whether you're a resident of Monrovia or of the San Gabriel Valley, all are welcomed to attend! This event will take place on March 10, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., at the Sierra Auto Group (1450 S. Shamrock Ave., Monrovia).

Monrovia Conserves 

Monrovia Conserves 

Are you interested in learning more about how to maintain your lawn while conserving water during our current drought? The Upper San Gabriel Water District is offering a free virtual landscaping classes until June 2022! Upcoming Classes are available on:  

• Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m.  
• Tuesday, March 22, 12 p.m.  

Registration is required to attend. If you’re interested in learning more, click here to register!

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. 

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.

Work around Town 

Power Outage - Southern California Edison will be conducting scheduled work this upcoming week that will result in a power outage on Tuesday, March 8. All customers who will be affected have been notified.

• 200 Block of North Mayflower (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• 300 Block of West Hillcrest (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) *this one will also include a road closure between those hours

Contact: SCE Customer Service, (888)759-6056

Water Line Improvements Project - The City will be replacing water lines along South Magnolia Avenue and West Pomona Avenue. On the week of March 7, please expect lane closures as crews begin to surveying and potholing for underground utilities through the project area. For more information on what work will be happening on your street and general inquiries about the project, please contact Monrovia Public Works at (626) 932-5575 or pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

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.

Stay Informed  Resources

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 

• Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Career Expo | March 10 | 2 p.m. 
• City Council Meeting | March 1 | 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:

• 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.