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Showing posts with label city government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city government. Show all posts

New Monrovia City Manager by May 2012?

Regarding City Manager Scott Ochoa's own replacement (he's moving on to Glendale), Ochoa estimates that if Monrovia hops on it, "it is conceivable that the new city manager could begin in Monrovia as early as May 1, 2012." He adds: "A worst case scenario might be a July 1, 2012, start date." Also, he says it could cost up to $27,000 for a headhunter firm, plus $60,000 to $90,000 (through next May) to pay for an interim city manager. All of it paid for by not having to pay him. http://goo.gl/VsHCu
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Says Goodbye

[Statement from Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa in his weekly report.]

"This week, I was appointed by the Glendale City Council to become their next City Manager, effective January 3, 2012.
It is awfully bittersweet to leave this job, this organization and this community. Over the nearly 19 years that I've worked here, and over the last 7½ that I've had the privilege of being City Manager, I've gotten to know many, many amazing people. Giving and kind neighbors in the community, visionary Mayors and City Councilmembers, and dedicated and expert professional staff and employees - all of these folks comprise a city that is, pound-for-pound, one of the best in the state.
 
"Whether it is building a new library, planning the redevelopment and future growth of our town, or simply making it through the Great Recession, Monrovia's can-do spirit and consistency make it a truly special place.
 
"Thank you, Monrovia, for a wonderful run."

 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia is Most Business Friendly Small City in LA County

Monrovia has won the Most Business-Friendly City in LA County in the under-60,000 population category in the LA County Economic Development Corporation's 16th Annual Eddy Awards ceremony. http://goo.gl/1rAXH


The award was presented at a ceremony tonight.


Monrovia was up against four other finalists: Commerce, Duarte, Gardena and La Mirada.


Criteria LAEDC considered in selecting the winner were:


~ Demonstrated commitment to economic development as a priority

~ Excellence in programs and services designed to facilitate business entry, expansion, and retention

~ Economic development activity over the past three years

~ Competitive business tax rates and fee structures

~ Availability of economic incentives

~ Effective communication with and about business clients


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Moving to Glendale

At tonight’s Monrovia City Council meeting, City Manager Scott Ochoa tendered his letter of resignation, effective January 2, 2012. This move came after the members of the Glendale City Council had, at their afternoon City Council meeting, appointed him as Glendale’s next City Manager. Ochoa’s tenure in Glendale will begin on January 3, 2012.


Ochoa has held the City Manager position in Monrovia since March 2004.


He began working for the City of Monrovia as an intern in 1993, while in his senior year at Claremont McKenna College. After graduating from Claremont McKenna with a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1993, Ochoa earned a fulltime position with the City. While working in Monrovia, Ochoa obtained a Master’s Degree at the USC School of Public Administration with an emphasis in public sector entrepreneurship. Prior to his appointment as Monrovia’s City Manager, Scott held various management positions in the City Manager’s office, including Assistant City Manager and Assistant Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency.


As the City Manager of Monrovia, under the general direction of the City Council, Ochoa managed an aggressive economic development program, worked to balance quality of life issues with fiscal constraints and development pressure, and restructured the organization to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing business environment. His management philosophy was predicated on values-based management, exceptional customer service, and precision execution.


“My colleagues and I will miss Scott Ochoa, his leadership and professionalism are unparalleled – Glendale is getting a great City Manager” said Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz. 

Ochoa is currently very active in economic development activities in the San Gabriel Valley, serving on the Board of Directors of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, and as the Chair of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Technical Advisory Committee. He is also Past-President of the San Gabriel Valley City Managers’ Association, Past-President of the Monrovia Kiwanis Club, and is an active member of the Boys & Girls of the Foothills Board of Directors.


“I could not be prouder or more appreciative of my time in Monrovia,” wrote Ochoa in letter of resignation. “City Councils have worked in partnership with community leaders and staff to accomplish amazing feats – from attracting new development, to reimagining entire sections of town, to surviving and even thriving through the Great Recession, to building a new public library. Monrovia taught me about who I am, and what a motivated and focused group of people are able to accomplish when they work together.”


Ochoa will succeed Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird, who will be retiring in December after 14 years of service to the City of Glendale. Starbird is himself a former Monrovia City Manager, having worked in Monrovia during the 1970’s and 1980’s.


"Glendale is a wonderful community – diverse, well-managed and progressive. I hope to add the benefit of my experiences to this dynamic organization and validate the City Council's trust and confidence in me” said Ochoa. “Following a manager of Jim Starbird's caliber is no easy task; however, with a high-performance management team, dedicated employees, and clearly defined and ambitious expectations from the Council, I look forward to the challenge. I can't wait to begin serving Glendale."


- Brad Haugaard (from City of Monrovia press release) 

DA Says: No Problem with How Monrovia City Council Handled Vacant Seat

District Attorney says Monrovia City Council did not violate Brown Act in how it handled Councilman Clarence Shaw's seat open (it left the seat open) when he was called up by the Army Reserve. http://goo.gl/eIaEU
 
- Brad Haugaared

Monrovia City Council to Consider Allowing Gates on a Residential Project

At its Nov. 1 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider whether to allow Bowden Development to put gates at both entrances of a recently-completed, 7-unit residential development between 1122 and 1126 South Magnolia Ave. and 239-247 West Cypress Ave. City staff is recommending allowing the variance. Details: http://goo.gl/q5X3y
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager: Don't Panic About Released Prisoners

In his weekly report City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that "now is not a time to panic" about prisoners being released - because the state doesn't have money to keep them locked up - because they "are classified as non-violent offenders." Rather, he says, "now is a time to 'harden the target' and be vigilant - participate and/or activate Neighborhood Watch groups, don't invite property crimes-of-opportunity by leaving valuables in your unlocked car, etc." He said Police Chief Jim Hunt will give a presentation at Tuesday's city council meeting. http://goo.gl/KKx98
 
- Brad Haugaard

Give Your Thoughts on Monrovia Parks

Have thoughts on Monrovia parks? Parks in general, pocket parks, Julian Fisher Park, Station Square Park? Here are some meetings where you can give the city your ideas:
 
Oct. 11 - Community Center (Community Services Commission meeting), 119 W Palm, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 - Greater Ambassador Church, 420 Monrovista Ave., 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 - Community Center, 119 W Palm, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 - City Hall (Planning Commission Meeting), 415 S. Ivy Ave.,  7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 - Community Center (Community Services Commission meeting),119 W Palm, 7 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plans to Buy Six Replacement Police Cars

At its October 4 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider buying a Chevy Tahoe and five Crown Victoria Police Interceptors for $152,725 as replacement patrol vehicles, plus spending $23,066 to get them decked out with sirens and lights, and another $1,810 for lettering and graphics. http://goo.gl/mq3Gy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Consider Covering Wash, Etc.

At its Sept. 20 meeting ( http://goo.gl/9UTvl ), the Monrovia City Council will (among other things) ...


~ Consider contracting with Cordoba Corporation for up to $229,700.00 to oversee construction of a cover over approximately 50 feet of Santa Anita Wash at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and Huntington Drive. Presto! New land for the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency. http://goo.gl/lVUV6


UPDATE: And a picture of the wash: http://goo.gl/I8YuD


~ Consider adopting a resolution to transfer money from the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency to the City each year so the city can pay the state-required annual payment (probably about $262,000 a year) that will allow the Redevelopment Agency to exist. It's kinda convoluted, but I think that's what it says. http://goo.gl/NoNi6


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Staff - Consider South-Side Park as Part of Gold Line Station Project

Monrovia city staff reports that "Monrovia is still deficient in the amount of urban park space it affords residents compared to national recreation standards," but is recommending not buying a residential property in south Monrovia for a "pocket park" because it isn't in the best location, wouldn't have the best facilities, and a park might be better considered together with the proposed "Station Square" project attached to the Gold Line station. http://goo.gl/che6w
 
The report will be presented at the Monrovia City Council meeting on Sept. 20: http://goo.gl/9UTvl
 
- Brad Haugaard

Fewer Shopping Carts Laying Around Monrovia

Monrovia City staff reports that a shopping-cart ordinance passed last year "has resulted in a significant decrease of abandoned and discarded shopping carts throughout the City." From 993 abandoned shopping carts between Jan. 1-Aug. 31, 2010 down to 848 for Jan. 1-Aug. 31, 2011. The report will be presented at the City Council's Sept. 20 meeting. Take a peek at it here: http://goo.gl/8M1Rt
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Confident the DA Will Find No Problem following Complaint

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/A44Ge ), Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says that he expects the city will be cleared of any wrongdoing in keeping Councilman Clarence Shaw's seat open, since the law permits this. He writes:
 
"[A] resident contacted the Los Angeles County DA's office to allege some wrongdoing in the Council's leaving vacant Councilman Shaw's seat. We expect a conclusion of the investigation imminently, and we expect that the DA will understand and apply the dictates of existing law."
 
- Brad Haugaard

Public Comment Open for Wilderness Preserve EIR

If you have comments about the draft EIR for the wilderness preserve
area, you can make them orally or in writing at the Department of
Community Services's public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at 7
p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm Ave., Monrovia.

After the public comment period is over, the City will prepare written
responses to all comments received during the comment period regarding
the adequacy of the Draft EIR under CEQA. Then, the Draft EIR will be
scheduled for review by the Planning Commission at its regularly
scheduled meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 7:30 pm. The
Planning Commission is expected to make a recommendation to the City
Council on the Environmental Impact Report at that meeting. The
Community Services Commission will review the Resource Management Plan
at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at
7:00 pm. The Commission is expected to make a recommendation on the
RMP to the City Council at that meeting.

The Planning Commission Recommendation on the EIR and the Community
Services Commission recommendation on the Resource Management Plan
will then be considered by the City Council during its regular City
Council meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 7:30 pm.

All Community Services Commission meetings and Planning Commission and
City Council Hearings will be held in the City Council Chambers at
Monrovia City Hall, 415 South Ivy Avenue.

For more information, please contact the Monrovia Department of
Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard (from a city press release)

Tuskegee Statue for Monrovia?

A statue of a Monrovia Tuskegee Airman for Library Park? No money, says Mayor Lutz. What about others?, says Councilman Adams. http://goo.gl/QWdDK
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Faces Impasse With Employees; Will Consider Imposing Its Final Offer

Facing a labor negotiations impasse with city employees, the Monrovia City Council will decide (among other things) whether to unilaterally impose its final offer. http://goo.gl/TrUW3
 
According to the staff report: "Unfortunately, no agreement was reached. MMEA employees took a vote on August 11, 2011, wherein they elected not to accept the City's last and best and final offer."
 
With that, the City Council will decide at its September 6 meeting whether to unilaterally implement the city's "last, best and final offer to the Monrovia Municipal Employees Association."
 
However, just before the regular council meeting will be a closed session which includes "Conference with Labor Negotiator." Perhaps a last-minute attempt at an agreement. 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Decoding Monrovia Street Lights | Motorcycle Crash | Why Hunt Was Selected as Police Chief

Selections from Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report:


~ In case you were wondering how to tell streetlights that are owned by Monrovia from streetlights owned by Southern California Edison, well, all wooden and metal poles are owned by SCE, except for the green metal poles in the Old Town area around Myrtle Avenue. The remaining poles (concrete) are primarily owned by the City. So if you see any burned out bulbs, now you know who to tell. City Public Works: (626) 932-5575; SCE: (800) 611-1911


~ The Fire Department responded to 66 emergency calls from 8 a.m. August 2, to 8 a.m. August 9, including helping Arcadia treat a motorcyclist involved in a crash on the 210 on August 6. The cyclist "received traumatic injuries when he fell from his motorcycle. The victim was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center where he is expected to recover from his injuries."


~ Jim Hunt got the job as police chief, Ochoa writes, because of his "knowledge of the Department, personnel and community, his vision of the future of public safety in Monrovia, his proven leadership over the years, and his engaging management style earned him the job. ... [H]e is a Five Tool Player: he Thinks, he Leads, he Communicates, he knows our Operations, and he is a dedicated Public Servant."


- Brad Haugaard

City of Monrovia Hires a New Police Chief

The City of Monrovia is pleased to announce the hiring of Jim Hunt as the new police chief. Chief Hunt was selectedafter the exhaustive and highly competitive selection process.


Jim is a 20 year veteran of the Monrovia Police Department.  He was first hired in 1991 as a Police Officer.  He progressed through the ranks and was appointed to the rank of Police Sergeant in 1998, Police Lieutenant in 2002 and then to Police Captain in 2008.  He was appointed to the position of Interim Police Chief in May, 2011 upon the retirement of former Police Chief Johnson. Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said, “I have known Jim along time, and he is definitelythe right man for the job. Monrovia has many challenges ahead and I am confident Jim will lead this department with integrity and wisdom."


Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia said, “Jim has been preparing himself to be a chief for some time, and now that dedication is paying off for him; we’re pleased to have him as our new chief.” Chief Hunt has a Bachelor’s Degree from Whittier College and a Masters Degree in Public Administration fromthe University of La Verne. He also completed both the California Law Enforcement Command College, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s esteemed National Academy for leadership development in 2010.


Councilman Tom Adams said, “Jim has served the department in many different capacities throughout his career in Monrovia; he was especially instrumental in the gang injunction process a couple years ago, and we’re excited to have him leading our force into the future.” Councilmember Becky Shevlin said, “I’m pleased to have Jim as our new chief, he has shown great leadership as a captain and I have no doubt that will continue as the chief.”


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Thanks Representatives for Support of Redevelopment

[An open letter from Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz to Monrovia's representatives in Sacramento. - Brad Haugaard]

From Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz:

A Message of Thank You to Senator Bob Huff, Assembly Members Anthony Portantino and Tim Donnelly:

As Mayors and City Council Members, we find it hard to believe that Governor Brown and the California State Legislature actually voted to eliminate Redevelopment Agencies from the State of California in spite of clear facts that Redevelopment abates blighting influences and brings positive economic development benefits to our cities and the state. It is particularly disturbing that the Legislature would ignore the fact that less than a year ago the citizens of California voted overwhelming for Prop 22 – an initiative designed to protect local government funding and specifically, Redevelopment.

The sad fact is that they did approve the elimination Redevelopment; but not all State Legislators turned their back on the people they represent.

We are proud to stand next to and thank Senator Bob Huff, Assembly Member Tim Donnelly and especially the only democrat to oppose the bill, Assembly Member Anthony Portantino.

Taking principled stands that are not politically expedient is not easy. Representation that is meaningful and preserves local government serves all Californians and we are grateful to be represented by such fine public servants. Thank you Senator Bob Huff, Assembymembers Tim Donnelly and Anthony Portantino!

With gratitude from the Mayors and City Council Members from the following cities:


Draft EIR for Monrovia Wilderness Area

If you would like to comment on the Wilderness Preserve Draft Environmental Impact Report, here it is (It's a monster, so be patient as it downloads): http://goo.gl/Ls9Xr  If you want just an overview, read through the "Executive Summary." A couple possible projects:
 
~ At the end of Cloverleaf Drive put a nature center; a native plant restoration garden; upgrades to the Wilderness  Fire  Station;  an  emergency  helicopter  landing  pad;  a  maximum  of  10  picnic  tables  (no fire/barbeque  pits);  bear  proof  trash  receptacles;  two  short,  loop  walking  trails;  a restroom  facility; and new informational signage, fencing and entry  gate.  Up to 25 parking spaces may be provided 
 
~ At the end of Highland Place a  parking  area  with  up  to  10  parking  spaces  with  a  Fire  Department approved  turn‐around,  picnic  tables  (maximum  of  4)  bear  proof  trash  receptacles; informational signage; fencing and entry gate.  No fire/barbeque pits.
 
- Brad Haugaard