More Water Restrictions for Monrovia; Buying Extra Water; Contracting With Chamber of Commerce; Wilderness Preserve

At its Tuesday meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/r0CyyP ) the Monrovia City Council will consider updating its water rules for "residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public landscaped areas" (except for "commercial nurseries, golf courses and other water dependent uses" ( http://goo.gl/8YbNao ). If adopted, the new rules will require ...

- Spray-irrigating only every third day and only between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Drip irrigation systems are okay. Also, it's okay to use extra water to plant low water usage plants, or if you use reclaimed water as permitted by law.

- You can water a landscaped area for no more than 15 minutes per watering day.

- You can't have water spray or flow onto "any impermeable private or public surface, including but not limited to, walkways, driveways, sidewalks, alleys, streets, or storm drains."

- No sprinkling or running fountains when winds could cause runoff onto those impermiable surfaces.

- You can't water for at least 48 hours after it rains more than a tenth of an inch.

- Hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast places "shall provide customers the option of choosing not to have towels laundered daily."

- Low-flow waterless toilets for non-residential buildings, and new dishwashers and washing machines must be water-efficient.

Also, the council will consider ...

~ Purchasing $612,430 of water from the Azusa Valley Water Company ( http://goo.gl/3slP3X ) and $336,500 of water from the Main San Gabriel Basin ( http://goo.gl/QQ2Yg0 ). Monrovia's allotment is 5,740 acre feet of water per year, but it consumes 7,095 acre feet per year, creating a shortage of 1,355 acre feet.

~ Contracting with the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $43,819 for providing support services related local businesses. http://goo.gl/AUB6nF

And, at a special 5:30 p.m. meeting, the council will hold a study session on maintaining the city's wilderness preserve. http://goo.gl/MuITHI
 
- Brad Haugaard

Service for Mother of Monrovia Treasurer Steve Baker

A service for the mother of Monrovia Treasurer and Historian, Steve Baker, will be held this coming Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Avenue in Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

A Whole Line of People Blessed at Monrovia Wendy's

Monrovian Deanna Robinson writes on Facebook about a whole string of people being blessed at Wendy's:

"We don't normally eat fast food, but we decided to go to Wendy's tonight. To be honest, I didn't feel like cooking because this is the anniversary of the death of someone who was/is still very important in my life. Well, someone in the drive-through decided to 'pay it forward' tonight and started a chain reaction where a whole line of cars paid for the car behind them. There were no cars behind me at all, so, I think I was a final recipient of a string of the kindness of strangers. Thank you for being so kind and showing a total stranger a piece of compassion today, on a day my heart is so heavy. Don't worry, I will also be paying it forward because of you. I wish you many blessings, whoever you are."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Carry Torch For Special Olympics

Yesterday Monrovia Police carried the Special Olympics torch through town as part of a 1,500-mile relay run through more than 200 communities to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Southern California. (Photo courtesy of City of Monrovia) http://goo.gl/R4DLLI

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Starbucks at Foothill and Madison?

The Monrovia Development Review Committee has recommended that the Planning Commission approve a drive-through Starbucks at 860 West Foothill Blvd. ( http://goo.gl/CtEvWT ), which appears to be at the location of the current Burger Shack, at the corner of Foothill and Madison ( http://goo.gl/MkD4KM ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Cell Phone Stolen from Unlocked Car; Jeans Swiped From Store

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 8-10. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 431 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.

Petty Theft From a Vehicle
June 8 at 7:02 p.m., police responded to a parking lot in the 600 block of South Shamrock on the report of a petty theft. A female adult went to pick up her child at the location and parked her vehicle in the lot. She left her vehicle unlocked with the windows open and her cell phone on her seat. She went inside the location for approximately 5 minutes. When she returned to her vehicle, her cell phone was gone. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
June 8 at 8:08 p.m., a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a petty theft from the store. The loss prevention officer reported that a male adult entered the store and picked up a pair of jeans. He then ran out of the store without paying for the item. The investigation is continuing.

Samson the Bear Re-Unveiled

The Samson the Bear statue in Monrovia Canyon Park has been repaired. Here he is: https://goo.gl/f9n8xo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Cuts Water Usage; Cloverleaf Access; Summer Reading; Etc.

From City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly report ...

~ In May, Monrovia cut its water usage by 19.8%, from 217.4 million gallons of water to 174.4 million gallons, a reduction of 43 million gallons.

~ The Cloverleaf Access Point Working Committee discussed concerns raised by neighbors living along Cloverleaf and Hidden Valley about the Cloverleaf access point to the city's Wilderness Area. Topics: On-street parking restrictions; new gates / access controls to allow for pedestrian use only at the Cloverleaf Access Point; enhanced city patrols; bike related concerns.

~ On June 20, starting at 12 p.m. at Library Park, there will be reading events held throughout the day to kick off the summer reading program. For more information, call the Monrovia Public Library at 256-8274.

~ Monrovia's Gold Line station dedication will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 10 a.m.

~ If you have an opinion about public transportation, the Southern California Association of Governments is inviting the public to provide input on the Regional Transportation Plan. June 29, 2015, from 9-11 a.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Ave.

Source: http://goo.gl/B08bo9

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Reads Chili Bowl and BBQ

Monrovia Reads Chili Bowl and BBQ fundraiser, Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at the Monrovia Historical Museum (742 E. Lemon). $100 per person. Includes food, drinks, ice cream sundae bar and entertainment. RSVP by July 3 to Diane Delmatoff: ddelmatoff@ci.monrovia.ca.us

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Movies Are Back at Monrovia Parks

Annie, June 27; Maleficent, July 11; Big Hero 6, August 8. http://goo.gl/76n8uH

- Brad Haugaard

Mario Andretti Fuels Up at Monrovia Shell Station

Mario and Shell Owner Ramzi Rabadi.

Monrovia Shell Station owner Ramzi Rabadi writes to say: "We had an exciting moment last night at Monrovia Shell. Mario Andretti filling up gas (v-power nitro) in his Ferrari heading to Jay Leno garage.

Shell was doing a roadshow driving across the country.  It started June 1 in Time Square and it ended at Monrovia Shell before going to Jay Leno's garage.  Shell is promoting its new V-Power Nitro and our site was the winner as best image station in the Los Angeles Area.  We knew Ferraris would be fueling up before ending at Jay Leno garage but were surprised to find out the driver of the lead Ferrari was Mario Andretti."

- Brad Haugaard

Netflix Commercial To Be Filmed in Monrovia

Diane Delmatoff, of the City of Monrovia, writes: "There will be a Netflix commercial filmed at 401-1/2 S. Myrtle (K.C. Hopper) on Thursday, June 11 from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. They will be prepping the store tomorrow from 8 am - 8 pm. They will be using the green zone on the south side of Lime alongside Monrovia Travel on the prep day for loading and unloading. They will use parking on Myrtle in front of the location, a few spaces on the north side of Lime next to Library Park for a generator and a craft service vehicle and the east side of Primrose."

- Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser at Max's in Monrovia

Fundraiser for Relay for Life at Max's Mexican Cuisine, 1101 E. Huntington, June 10 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Details: http://goo.gl/mX42Y8

Cat and Dog Vaccination at Monrovia's Library Park | Vacation Bible School

~ Cat and Dog Vaccination Clinic, Thursday, June 18, 6:30-8 p.m. at Library Park. Vaccinations and microchips. Details: http://goo.gl/Lf0lL8

~ Vacation Bible School at Monrovia United Methodist Church, July 20-22, 9 a.m. to noon. 140 E. Palm. Registration: 303-2783. $10 per child.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Two Green Lights? Snoozing at Stop Light; Minibikers Arrested; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 4-7. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 1:13 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of West Walnut when she stopped a motorist for failing to obey a traffic sign. A subsequent investigation revealed the motorist was intoxicated. The officer arrested the motorist and took him into custody. The motorist was held for sobering.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 12:58 a.m., an officer was in the area of Lime and Primrose on patrol when he observed a subject stumbling. The officer contacted the subject and determined he was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The officer arrested the subject for public intoxication and took him into custody. The subject was held for sobering.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 5 at 4:35 a.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at Bradbury and Royal Oaks. A motorist was driving eastbound on Royal Oaks and struck a driver who was southbound on Bradbury, turning to eastbound Royal Oaks. Both drivers claimed the light was green in their direction. No independent witnesses could be located. Both vehicles sustained major damage and both drivers were checked for injury at the scene by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics. Both drivers declined to be taken to the hospital for minor injuries that were sustained. The vehicles were towed.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 4:50 a.m., an off-duty officer observed a vehicle stopped at Evergreen and Myrtle that did not move as the traffic light cycled through, and the driver appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. When the officer knocked on the window, the driver awoke and drifted into the intersection, swerving. The driver struck a curb on the right side of the freeway on-ramp and continued driving onto the freeway. The off-duty officer followed the driver onto the freeway and Monrovia and California Highway Patrol units responded to handle the incident. The vehicle then exited the freeway and drove west on Live Oak, where it was stopped by police. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence and his vehicle was stored. A marijuana pipe and marijuana was also located inside the vehicle. The driver was held for sobering.

Traffic Offense / Evading a Peace Officer / Driving Without a License – Suspects Arrested
June 5 at 4:25 p.m., an officer responded to Mayflower and Hillcrest regarding speeding vehicles. While he was speaking with the reporting party, two young men on minibikes drove by on the street. They were on vehicles that were not properly equipped for public streets. The resident told him that these young men ride the minibikes on the street frequently. The officer followed and attempted to stop them by activating his red light and siren. The subjects looked back at the officer and increased their speed, failing to yield. The officer was able to get the subjects to stop after a brief pursuit. One rider was a licensed adult and the other was an unlicensed seventeen-year-old subject. They were arrested for the above listed violations. The minibikes were stored as evidence.

No-bail Warrants – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 5:20 p.m., an officer was in the area of Huntington and Buena Vista on patrol, when he observed a male subject that he knew had an outstanding no-bail warrant for his arrest. He was able to stop and detain the subject and confirmed he had two no-bail warrants. He was arrested without incident.

Critical Missing Adult – Subject Located
June 6 at 10:37 a.m., a 21-year-old female took her mother’s car from her residence in the 500 block of East Almond and drove away, even though she is unlicensed. Her mother was extremely concerned because of her daughter’s state of mind. She was entered into the law enforcement system as a critical missing person and law enforcement agencies were notified. At approximately 3:30 p.m., detectives received a call from a California Highway Patrol officer advising that the missing female had been arrested for driving under the influence. She was arrested on Interstate 15, about an hour past Barstow. Her mother was notified that she was located, and she was removed from the missing person’s system.

Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision With Injuries – Suspect Arrested
June 6 at 5:19 p.m., officers responded to an injury traffic collision in the 700 block of East Central. The male driver was westbound on Central and struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street. The victim suffered head trauma and a broken rib. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. The driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for DUI. He will be charged for felony driving under the influence traffic collision with serious injury.

Grand Theft Auto
June 6 at 1:38 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 700 block of South Mayflower Avenue. The victim reported parking and securing her vehicle at approximately 1:30 a.m. She did not return to the vehicle until 1:30 p.m., when she found it was missing and called police. She does not know who took her vehicle and did not give anyone permission to drive her car. The vehicle stolen is a blue/green, 1994 Honda Accord. The investigation is continuing.