Monrovia City Manager Publishes Update For April 1

Monrovia CA

05 April, 2022

10:48 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Monrovia: April 1, 2022 Hello Monrovians, "After 28 years in the fire service, Fire Chief Brad Dover has made the decision to retire on June 24. Brad began his career with Monrovia in 1994 as a fire cadet, and was hired into a full-time firefighter role in 1998. In 2016, Brad was appointed as the Fire Chief after serving in every role in the Department at some point in his career. And in 2019, he even served as Interim City Manager. During his years in Monrovia, Brad has been instrumental in advancing a variety of operational enhancements in both the fire department and throughout city services. Brad always placed others before himself and worked tirelessly to lead the amazing men and women of the department. He sought and received competitive grant funding to reduce wildfire risk; planned, budgeted and designed a new ladder truck; and earned a reclassification of a high class 2 ISO rating which lowers property insurance premiums for all residents in Monrovia! Brad also helped create a road map to a better and stronger department that has led to the many successes and accolades in recent years. And I would be remiss if I did not mention his leadership ability through times of crisis where he helped lead our community through the Bobcat Fire and COVID-19 Pandemic. Beyond his work titles, accomplishments and accolades, Brad is a wonderful husband, father, mentor and friend. I am honored to have worked alongside a man who is, simply put, wonderful. Please join me in wishing Chief Dover a hearty "congratulations" as he begins the next chapter of his life. I can say without a doubt that Monrovia is truly blessed to have had Brad Dover as the Fire Chief. Join me in congratulating Chief Brad Dover on a successful career and a legacy that has become part of the City of Monrovia and its Fire & Rescue Department forever! Sincerely," Dylan Email: [email protected] Phone: (626) 932-5585 Highlights in this Update Unveiling of Almera Romney Neighborhood Treasure Youth Employment Services (YES) Summer Internship County of Los Angeles Student Election Worker Program MOHPG Historic Walking Tour Eagle Nest Live Feed at Monrovia Public Library Family Literacy & Book Kits Compost and Mulch Event Bulky Item Pick-Up Unveiling of Almera Romney Neighborhood Treasure City and school officials, family of Almera Romney, former students, and the public gathered in front of the Canyon Early Learning Center to unveil the latest neighborhood treasure in honor of Almera Romney. To see the stunning art piece, head to the Canyon Early Learning Center at 1000 S. Canyon Blvd. Youth Employment Services (YES) Summer Internship The City of Monrovia is now accepting applications for this year's Youth Employment Services (YES) Summer Internship! The redesigned YES Summer Internship gives Monrovia's youth the opportunity to be part of a thoughtful, enriching and premier experience. Staff members from various city departments will become mentors to the interns, giving the youth an inside look at what it is like to be a part of the daily operations in local government. The City is also partnering with local businesses and organizations so interns can obtain valuable, real life work experience. Additionally, the interns will attend weekly professional development workshops and training. County of Los Angeles Student Election Worker Program The Los Angeles County Student Election Worker Program provides high school students with an exciting opportunity to serve as Election Workers in Los Angeles County elections. Participating students will receive a stipend for their service, hands-on introduction to the democratic process and earn community service/service learning credits! MOHPG Historic Walking Tour The Baxter Building (or the Keifer Building) was built in 1886 at the northeast corner of Myrtle and Lemon Avenues, and it is the only remaining downtown wooden building from the early days of Monrovia! If you have yet to take the Historic Walking Tour in Downtown Monrovia, you will have another opportunity on Saturday, April 2. The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group sponsors these tours as a way to provide 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. Eagle Nest Live Feed at Monrovia Public Library On Tuesday, March 29, Youth Staff set up a display in the Youth Services Area, which allows patrons of all ages the opportunity to view a live bald eagle's nest. The male and female eagle recently welcomed a young eaglet and have been caring for and feeding it. Friends of Big Bear Valley raised funds, obtained permits and installed a camera on the first ever active bald eagle nest in Big Bear Valley. The camera and sound system is solar powered and runs live stream. This nest is in the San Bernardino National Forest land. It has been in active use since the fall of 2013. The surrounding area is closed to the public during nesting season to protect the eagles—bald eagles have been known to abandon nests when disturbed by humans. Historically, bald eagles only wintered in Big Bear Valley to find sources of food (waterfowl and fish) not available in the frozen lakes further north. Recently, however, a pair took up year-round residence. This display encourages children to learn from observation. Watching animals and learning about their lives is a very important part of science. The display is meant to stimulate curiosity and raise awareness about nature. Books about these and similar birds are also part of the display and available for young patrons to borrow so that they can learn more. Interesting eagle facts have been posted near the viewing monitor. This display will be up until the young eaglet is old enough to fly which may be in another month. Family Literacy & Book Kits The Monrovia Public Library is offering take-home kits that aim to encourage families to read together to help their child develop early literacy skills. Participants read Susan Choi's Camp Tiger, which tells the story of a boy who is growing up and learns that change and growth may seem scary at first, but it can be a good thing- even fun! The book is paired with a simple activity parents and kids can do together. Sign up for your kit at the library or on the Library's online event calendar for a book & activity kit! Pick-up is available Saturday 4/2/22 through Saturday 4/9/22. While supplies last. Compost and Mulch Event was a SUCCESS! This past Saturday, the Public Works Department in partnership with Athens Services wrapped up the first of their bi-annual Compost and Mulch event and it was a major success! The event had a total of 205 attendees who were able to obtain 40 yards of mulch and 40 tons of compost! Save the date - the Public Works Department will be hosting another Compost and Mulch event on October 22. Bulky Item Pickup Do you have an item you would like to get rid of, but it does not fit in your trash can? It's considered a bulky item. Residents get two FREE pickups each year! To schedule your pick-up: Call Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 Visit www.AthensServices.com/bulky-item-pickup Illegally dumping bulky items in the public right of way is a crime! Be sure to always schedule your bulky items with Athens Services. Boards & Commissions Are you looking for ways to be more involved in your community? One way to do so is to serve in an advisory capacity on one of the City's various Commissions, Committees or Boards. We're currently accepting applications for positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Services Commission, Library Board, and the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. Monrovia's 2021 Older American of the Year Do you know an Older American who is worthy of recognition for their service to others in our community? Now is your chance to celebrate and honor them! We are now accepting nominations for the 2021 Older American of the Year Award. The award is presented to a Monrovian 60 years of age or older, working or retired, and still actively involved in a volunteer service in Monrovia. The purpose of the award is to honor and encourage older individuals to remain active in our community. Nominations are due Friday, April 1, at the Monrovia Community Center (119 W. Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016). Individuals submitting nominations will need to provide their name, address, and phone number so staff may contact them if further information is needed. The Older American Award recipient will be honored at the Senior Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, April 28, at the Monrovia Community Center. "Treasures from the Collection" Sale On Sunday, April 3, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., the Monrovia Historical Museum will host a "Treasures from the Collection" sale. After a two-year hiatus, the Monrovia Historical Museum is clearing their shelves of some vintage and not-so-vintage items. All sale proceeds support the Museum's ongoing exhibit development, educational outreach, and historical research. All items sold "as is" and all sales final; buyers must be able to transport their purchases. The Monrovia Historical Museum is located at 742 E. Lemon Avenue. Spring Bunny Photos at Library Park! Join us at this EGG-citing spring event on Saturday, April 9 in Library Park from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.! Take your photo with the Spring Bunny and enjoy other fun photo opportunities in the park. Other activities will include: arts & crafts, lawn games, photo opportunities and Library Storytime. Program will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Event subject to the COVID guidelines as established by the LA County Department of Public Health. Spring Egg Hunt & Healthy Kids Day Don't miss out on one of our favorite annual community events, the Spring Egg Hunt & Healthy Kids Day! This year, the event will be held on Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., with registration for the egg hunt beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event will feature a full day of fun and activities for the entire family! Activities will include: arts and crafts, face painting, wellness activities, toddler activities to teen activities and storytimes! This will be one terrific day filled with music, fun, and a visit from the Spring Bunny! Thank you to our Event Sponsors, Wendy's and Assisted Living & Memory Care Oakmont of Covina Hills. Old Town Monrovia Wine Walk The Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board and the merchant community is pleased to announce the 5th Annual Wine Walk in Old Town Monrovia! This event will take place on Saturday, April 23, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Enjoy the charm of Old Town Monrovia as you stroll down the street and explore each business, all while sampling various wine offerings. Registration is required, purchase your tickets today! 12th Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference Come one, come all to the 12th Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference hosted by the Monrovia Area Partnership team! This year's conference is coming out better and stronger, as we come back to an in-person conference after our virtual one last year. The MAP team appreciates our MAP leaders and the support from our entire community, which is why we put this conference together to engage and celebrate with one another. What to Expect: FREE breakfast snacks FREE information fair from booth vendors FREE workshops FREE lunch FREE health screenings provided by Set For Life FREE MAP Samson Bear Painting Activity (first come first serve) You won't want to miss out, so grab your family, friends, and neighbors and come join us on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Second Baptist Church (925 S. Shamrock Ave). Click here to register for the most anticipated MAP event of the year, which is OPEN and FREE to the ENTIRE community! For more information, contact the MAP staff at [email protected]. 2022 Monrovia Days The City of Monrovia, Monrovia Unified School District, and Centre Stage is excited to announce the three-day Monrovia Days celebration, May 13 - 15! Throughout the weekend, celebration activities will include a Monrovia High School pep rally, parade, live music, beer garden, Merengue's Famous Pie Eating Contest, a carnival and so much more! Parade Entry Application The Monrovia Days Parade will take place on Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m., featuring our local youth, "Scholars and Champions." If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of the Parade, please complete the application. All are welcomed! Game Booth Participation Is your organization looking for an innovative fundraising activity? Monrovia Days Committee is giving away $12,000 to local Monrovia non-profits! New this year, local non-profits serving the Monrovia Community, can provide volunteers to work a game booth at Monrovia Days and earn $50 per booth per hour of service! The Monrovia Days Committee will provide the game booths, the games, and the prizes; all you need to do is provide the volunteers! Limited opportunities are available and priority will be giving to organizations serving Monrovia youth. Applications must be received no later than Thursday, March 31 at 5 p.m. If space is available, a single organization may host more than one booth or more than one day. Community Celebration for Arbor Day & Earth Day Mark your calendar for the following events and workshops in honor of Arbor Day and Earth Day! 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. Earth Day Celebration - The Monrovia Canyon Park team invites you to Celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 22, at 4 p.m., at Monrovia Library Park! There will be fun activities for all ages, including arts & crafts, information booths, a scavenger hunt and giveaways. Celebrating Earth Day & Arbor Day - April 23 - Presented by Grow Monrovia, 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. Arbor Day Tree Planting - On Friday, April 29, at 4 p.m., the Monrovia Youth Commission and the Teen Advisory Board will plant an Engelman Oak Tree at Recreation Park! Those interested in attending can send an RSVP to Tiffany Peterson [email protected]. Monrovia Conserves According to the San Gabriel County Water District the average household uses roughly 30-60% of water outdoors. This means that almost half of the water we use goes towards irrigating our lawns! Use some of these tips and tricks for your lawns to ensure you're only using what you need. Use Drought Resistant Trees and Plants to save up to 30-60 gallons per 1000 sq. ft. each time you water. Install Drip Irrigation & Add Smart Controllers to time your irrigation between 6:00PM and 8:00AM the following day to ensure water is being used efficiently. This can save 15 gallons each time you water. Use a Broom to Clean Outdoor Areas which can save 6 gallons every minute. Use Mulch to keep the moisture from evaporating after you've water your plants and trees. This can save 20-30 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. each time you water. For more tips and tricks on using your water efficiently, visit Save Our Water! 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. 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. Classes begin on March 14, and will be available until April 12. Space is limited, so please register by emailing Jennifer Aguilar at [email protected]. Work Around Town Water Line Improvement Project - The City of Monrovia will continue to upgrade the water lines along South Magnolia Avenue and West Pomona Avenue. Please expect lane closures as crews begin to surveying the potholing for underground utilities throughout the project area. Contact: Monrovia Public Works, (626) 932-5575 COVID-19 At a Glance Latest Facts & Figures 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. 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. Upcoming Projects - In-N-Out Burger recently submitted an application to construct a new drive-thru restaurant. Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events City Council Meeting | April 5 | 7:30 p.m. 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: YES Intern Police Cadet Library Supervisor Administrative Assistant Assistant to the City Manager Principal Accountant 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.