Why Monrovia Can't Approve Gold Line Deal Until September | Drawing Straws | Recycling

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa writes in his weekly report that ...

~ Although the Gold Line officially approved a deal to purchase Monrovia land, "the Monrovia City Council cannot consider the proposed purchase and sale agreement until its September 6 Council meeting because of the State's adoption of AB 1X 26 and 27 - the redevelopment elimination and extortion bills." At that time the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency should be up and running again.

~ A property issue that would normally be routine will be unusual because of conflicts of interest which would prevent the City Council from having a quorum to vote on the matter (a new housing development at 1116 and 1122 South Magnolia and 239 West Cypress.) Under these circumstances, Ochoa said the Council will essentially "draw straws" to see who gets to consider the matter.

~ The closing of the Puente Hills Landfill in October 2013 means recycling will soon be cheaper than dumping. So, should the City Council require small businesses to recycle 75 percent of their trash, or just let the market nudge them in that direction? He said staff recommends requiring it.

Source: http://goo.gl/smonm

- Brad Haugaard

Helping Business in Monrovia

Monrovia is unveiling a new web page designed to help businesses thinking of opening or moving to Monrovia. Here it is: http://goo.gl/8vH1O

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Redevelopment: Join or Die | New Old Town Signs

At its 7 p.m., July 19, meeting ( http://goo.gl/xIN3C ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider whether to pay the state of California for the privilege of allowing Monrovia's redevelopment agency to exist. City staff recommends joining the program, even though its report characterizes the state action as a "raid on local funds" and seems to mock the volunatary nature of the arrangement. 

~ Consider a city staff recommendation to replace various Old Town signs, which "are quite old and have been looking shabby for the past few years." The new ones would be paid for by Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board and "available franchise fees."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fairly Happy According to City Survey

Results of Monrovia's survey of residents' s satisfaction with the city.

Monrovians generally seem to be fairly happy with their community, according to the city's Neighborhood Survey.

The survey rates the city on Safety, Appearance, Services, and Community. Click here ( http://goo.gl/lZwKs ) to see the full report, and information about your neighborhood.

Here are a few highlights on the 1-10 ratings:

- The city scored an overall 7.26, which falls in the Healthy category.

- Overall, Safety was rated 8.39, or "Thriving,"  and was the highest rated category by respondents in almost every area of the City.

- Community was the lowest rated (6.28), though that still falls in the "Healthy" range.

- Traffic issues, especially speeding, were are one of the main concerns.

- 90 percent of people feel safe in their neighborhoods during the day. 19 percent feel unsafe at night.

- 68 percent feel police and fire respond quickly and 65 percent believe safety officers treat people with dignity.

- 20-25 percent report public drug sales or use.

- Only 33 percent said that they often participate in social or recreation activities with neighbors.

- Just over 70% agreed that neighbors are friendly with one another.

If I could generalize, it appears the north end of town is a bit happier than the south end. In the south part of town are several neighborhoods rated "Stable," a level just below "Healthy."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Date Moved

If you are a Monrovia city council attendee, the July 5 council meeting has been put off until July 6. I assume it will be at 6:30 p.m. Here's the agenda: http://goo.gl/YjS0g

Big item on the agenda appears to be a hearing about the Gold Line property.

Also, staff is recommending the council take a stand on three state measures: oppose a bill making it harder for cities to go bankrupt; oppose a bill requiring an election before cities can contract out library services; and (tentatively) support a bill that would reform redevelopment. http://goo.gl/0dtz3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager: The State as Extortionist

In his weekly report (out early this time) the always colorful Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa compares the recent state budget to "extortion as practiced by organized crime as it preys on independent businesses." He said Monrovia would have to pay the state $1.1 million in "protection money" up front and an additional $400,000 every year thereafter.
 
Ochoa is objecting to a pair of bills, one which eliminates redevelopment agencies and the second that restores those that "voluntarily" contribute money to the state. He said the measures are "illegal and unconstitutional" and would be challenged in court.

Source: http://goo.gl/WtZ3O

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line and Monrovia Try to Work It Out

It appears both the Gold Line and Monrovia are backing away from a fight.

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian writes that the Gold Line Construction Authority "has deferred eminent domain action on city/redevelopment agency land" and "has instructed its negotiators to explore with city officials work-arounds that satisfy both City and Authority interests."

 

Balian said the action was taken in response to the Monrovia City Council tabling any action regarding the proposed Gold Line property acquisition.

 

"The Authority," he writes, "remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a result that is satisfactory to all parties."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Eminent Domain Against Monrovia? | Star-News Whacks City Council

Will the Gold Line use eminent domain against Monrovia ( http://goo.gl/txtey )? And today's Star-News editorial whacks Monrovia in its property dispute with the Gold Line: http://goo.gl/yD6Fs

OPINION: While not totally in disagreement with the Star-News editorial, there are three things I'd like to mention in Monrovia's defense:

1. The S-N says Monrovia will benefit from the proposed maintenance yard, which is undoubtedly true, but it will also be hurt by the maintenance yard because - as I seem to recall Councilman Tom Adams saying - part of the land is now private (read "taxable") and once it is transferred to the Gold Line (a governmental entity) it becomes non-taxable, meaning no more tax from that land going to the city from now until, well ... forever.

2. The S-N correctly points out that the maintenance yard could bring jobs and people to Monrovia. Yeah, but if a private developer opened a large business in the same location, that would do the same thing, so I'm not sure there is a net benefit from a maintenance yard. 

3. If it is - all things considered - a benefit to Monrovia, why did no other city along the line volunteer to have the yard?

Still, I agree with the general thrust of the editorial, which is that we really need to see this fight resolved.

- Brad Haugaard

UPDATE: Councilman Tom Adams responds: 

Brad,

 Please keep in mind that there are always alternatives to Monrovia giving in on this.

 1) The maintenance of the trains could continue right where it is today, in Los Angeles. That yard serves the MTA rolling stock well and can for many years to come.

 2) The yard could be built in one of our neighboring communities rather than our neighbors ganging up on Monrovia and threatening to file a lawsuit for our unwillingness to do what they won't.

 As for the S-N talking about jobs, far less will be created at the yard than would be created in a business other than the yard, so Monrovia actually would lose jobs by taking the yard. Taxes, well none will be paid. 50 years from now when someone calls the paramedics to the yard, that cost will be subsidized by the Monrovia taxpayers, no one else.

 We all want the Gold Line to come but at what price? Does the S-N and others really think that Monrovia should bear this burden alone? Let's see, Los Angeles says it wants the current yard out of their city, none of the cities on the extension want it, everyone seems to want the yard in Monrovia and they all know at what price we should take what they won't.

 I don't think this passes the smell test.

State May Resurrect Killed Redevelopment Agencies that 'Volunteer' Money

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa said that instead of just killing redevelopment agencies (RDAs), the state is now discussing two bills, the first of which would eliminate RDAs, and the second which would recreate them IF they "voluntarily" pledge to give money to the state.

"An interesting way to enforce compliance," Ochoa writes, "but still roundly viewed as unconstitutional."

Source: http://goo.gl/joAP9

- Brad Haugaard

Will Gold Line Use Eminent Domain Against Monrovia?

The disagreement between Monrovia and the Gold Line Construction Authority (GLCA) over the purchase of Monrovia land for a railway maintenance yard continues.

In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says the GLCA is "trying to force Monrovia to pay GLCA's costs to settle two lawsuits filed against GLCA by Excalibur Holdings" (a company fighting against having its property acquired by the city), and that the GLCA is threatening to "condemn Monrovia's property." He also warned that "potential litigation between GLCA and Monrovia" could be "protracted."

"No one is forcing this site upon GLCA," Ochoa said, and "if they can make a better deal elsewhere along the Gold Line alignment, then perhaps the time has come for them to reconcile to this alternative as well."

Lots more reading here: http://goo.gl/joAP9

UPDATE: Habib Balian, spokesman for the GLCA, writes: "I hope to provide positive updates on the last remaining critical path items, including the private landowner’s lawsuit against the City of Monrovia allegedly preventing the City from selling city-owned land to the Authority for the maintenance and operations facility."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Responds To Monrovia Criticism

In the land-sale disagreement between the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority and Monrovia, Authority Chairman Doug Tessitor writes that the almost-purchase-agreement was "based entirely on ... the City’s ability to sell its land free and clear without litigation or other encumbrance. In fact, the draft Purchase and Sale Agreement stated there was no threatened litigation."

 

But with a landowner suing, he says the litigation changes the Authority's ability to purchase the property, so the Authority would like the city to share some of the costs to settle with the property owner. But, he said, "it does not appear that the City considers that it has any responsibility in the litigation or the cloud over its property."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager: Aztec Hotel 'Potentially Unsalvageable'

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa is doubtful about the future of the Aztec Hotel. He writes:

 

"[T]he very historical significance of the structure [the Aztec Hotel] contributes to the high cost of renovation which makes the situation potentially unsalvageable. As a hotel, the economics of the property are challenging to say the least; as any other adaptive reuse, the significant rehab cost erodes the market value. Still, there are elements in the building that could inspire a long-term investor's imagination and vision. We shall see."

 

Source: http://goo.gl/gpPOH

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Economics: Getting Better

On the economic front, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says that things are getting better, but life's still tough.

"The good news," he writes, "is that sales and property tax revenues are beginning to recover... . While it would be a stretch to consider this year as an economic juggernaut, we are meeting our conservative revenue estimates."

The "bad news," he says, is that "we continue to have to economize on costs."

He said the "foundation" of the city's business model is "attracting new businesses that generate new property and sales tax revenue; attracting employers whose employees shop and dine and live in Monrovia; and attracting the private investment that generates the momentum to sustain itself."

Source: http://goo.gl/gpPOH

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Land to Gold Line? Gear for Fire Department; Deal With Forest Service

The Monrovia City Council will hold be a special budget study session at 6 p.m. on June 6, and then a regular meeting on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. At the regular meeting the Council will:

 

- Hold a hearing on whether to sell to the Gold Line the land bounded by Evergreen Avenue, Shamrock Avenue, Duarte Road and California Avenue.

 

- Consider buying $27,782.91 of protective gear for the fire department, paid for by a federal grant. http://goo.gl/MDflV

 

- Consider working a deal with the Forest Service to cooperate if there is a forest-city fire. http://goo.gl/gHT2s

 

- Brad Haugaard

Goodbye Santa Teresita Hospital

At its June 7 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider zoning changes to facilitate a project to tear down Santa Teresita Hospital (mostly in Duarte but on the border of Monrovia) and replace it with the "Rose Gardens at Santa Teresita." This project will include "skilled nursing facilities as well as assisted living and independent living units in a campus type setting for seniors." The project "will be developed in four phases and the first phase includes construction of a 22-unit assisted living facility located in Monrovia." http://goo.gl/C81ZS

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager on Budgeting and Pension Costs

In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa called budgeting a "full-contact sport" and said the city will negotiate with employee groups to reduce pension costs.  http://goo.gl/VnUOX

 

~ In discussing the Monrovia City Council's budget study session at 6 p.m. tonight (May 31), Ochoa says: "These unprecedented economic times in California - if nothing else - make budgeting a full-contact sport as we try to slip between the obstacles posed by the State."

 

~ Also, Ochoa addressed pension reform, saying, "[W]e will negotiate with employees to absorb increasing amounts of their own retirement costs, until they have reassumed the entire employee share; and we will adjust the structure by which employees accrue bankable hours and expend such hours." He writes that a few years ago, the pension system's investments were doing great, but not so any more, and Monrovia's employee groups and management team "all appear to understand the new economic reality."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plans $39.6 Million Land Sale to Gold Line

Monrovia plans to sell properties near California Avenue and Duarte Road to the Metro Gold Line for $39.6 million. The matter will be considered at the City Council's June 7 meeting.

If you want to see the proposed sales agreement between the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency and the Gold Line, here it is: http://goo.gl/abNxd . There will be a public hearing on the matter at the same meeting: http://goo.gl/gLw6z

In his weekly report, City Manager Scott Ochoa says that, "No doubt, the consideration of this proposed agreement will ratchet up the legal maneuverings by the party already suing both the City of Monrovia and GLCA on this matter." http://goo.gl/i9DGt

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gold Line, New Chief, and Arts Supporter

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/BZieL ) Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa wrote that:

 

Despite the lawsuit against the Gold Line rail project, the city "will move forward with considering the transactions that we have negotiated in good faith with GLCA, and allow both the Gold Line and the plaintiff to decide upon whatever course of action they propose to take."

 

~ He hopes to have a new police chief to replace retiring Roger Johnson by September. Captain Jim Hunt is interim Chief of Police.

 

He congratulates City Council member Clarence Shaw, who was recognized May 7, as the Renaissance Award recipient by Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. He said, "Clarence has been a driving force in developing and supporting the arts in Monrovia."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Next Up at the Monrovia City Council

At the next City Council meeting ( http://goo.gl/kFoto ), May 17, 6:30 p.m., the Council will consider ...

~ Hiring some technical consultants, and extending a contract with a graffiti-removal contractor.

 

~ Adopting an ordinance governing cell-phone towers. http://goo.gl/JIcEv

 

~ A city staff recommendation that the Council oppose a California bill that makes it harder for cities to go bankrupt, and another bill that would require voters to approve any city plan to provide library services through private contractors. Also, staff recommends supporting a redevelopment-reform bill (temporarily dead but resurrection can happen). http://goo.gl/qObh3

 

- Brad Haugaard

Mylar Balloons Caused Monrovia Power Outage

City Manager Scott Ochoa reported that mylar balloons whacked the power from parts of Monrovia Thursday ("from Mountain to Myrtle, Lime to Colorado").

Ochoa writes: "They [the balloons] got caught in the lines near the California-Jasmine Avenue neighborhood and caused the transformer to blow. The power lines actually ended up on the ground. Fire and Police units responded immediately; however, we are fortunate that no one was hurt. Mylar balloons - don't buy them. Get your special someone a book, or a card, or savings bond - just no more metallic balloons."

Source: http://goo.gl/mlbFS

- Brad Haugaard