Council to consider 9% salary boost for City Manager; receive Community Center update

At upcoming Tuesday meetings the Monrovia City Council will  evaluate in closed session the performance of City Manager Dylan Feik (agenda here), then at its regular meeting (agenda here) consider removing the 5% annual raise limit to give him a 9% raise, and also to remove limits to enable him to receive a one-time payment for up to $30,000 of his unused sick time.

The staff report says the current 5% per year salary increase limit for the city manager's position "has become unworkable, and does not allow the City to keep up with the market for City Manager salaries." Feik's salary, the report says, is "significantly below market." Details. 

Also, the council will hold a study session (agenda here) to receive a Community Center project update.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Jim’s Burgers

Dinner at Jim’s Burgers, at the shopping center near the corner of Duarte Road and Sixth. Got the Avocado BLT for $8.99 and a soda for $3.09. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Pour House closing celebration July 12

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Bear burglar breaks into Norumbega home; Extortion call foiled; Baby delivered in car; Tree falls on home, car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 3 – 9. - Brad Haugaard]

During this period the Police Department handled 425 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Municipal Code Violation – Suspect Arrested
July 3 at 11:45 a.m., multiple callers in the 300 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject bathing in a fountain at a park. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Bear
July 3 at 10:06 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Norumbega regarding a possible residential burglary. Officers arrived and discovered that a bear had broken a side window and entered a bedroom.

Drug Activity
July 4 at 2:55 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of W. Huntington reported a female subject loitering. Officers arrived and located the female on the property. She was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and was arrested. She was transported to the Monrovia Police Department for booking and was later released with a citation.

Mental Evaluation
July 4 at 9:13 a.m., officers responded to an alley in the 100 block of E. Lime regarding a subject sleeping in the road. They contacted the subject, who was determined to be extremely intoxicated. She was transported to a medical facility for treatment and a mental evaluation.

Vandalism
July 4 at 8:31 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Colorado reported a group of juveniles had shattered a window to her home with fireworks. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
July 4 at 9:08 p.m., while patrolling the area of Myrtle and Palm officers saw a female subject arguing with a friend. An investigation revealed she was too intoxicated to care for herself. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Shoplifting
July 5 at 11:28 p.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported a theft. Officers arrived and located the suspect. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
July 5 at 3:41 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the suspect. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 5 at 8:56 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the area of Mountain and Duarte. Officers arrived and discovered a solo motorcyclist fleeing from Azusa PD collided and suffered injuries collided and suffered injuries.

Drug Arrest
July 5 at 11:23 p.m., while patrolling the area of Central and Myrtle, an officer saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and three occupants were contacted. An investigation revealed one occupant was in possession of a controlled substance, a second was in possession of an open container, and the third was unlicensed. They were arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence
July 6 at 12:00 a.m., an officer responded to the 1000 block of Royal Oaks regarding a domestic violence incident that occurred a week prior. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrest
July 6 at 12:39 a.m., officers patrolling the area of Lemon and Myrtle saw two subjects who appeared to be intoxicated. They made contact with the subjects and determined they were too intoxicated to care for themselves. They were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Vandalism
July 6 at 11:19 a.m., a caller in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported a tagging on a front door of a business. An investigation revealed who the suspect was. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication / Battery on a Police Officer
July 6 at 1:51 p.m., while patrolling the 500 block of W. Foothill, officers saw a subject who appeared intoxicated. Officers made contact with the subject and determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and taken into custody. Once in the jail, the subject became argumentative, noncompliant, and struck an officer.

Fire
July 6 at 2:28 p.m., a caller in the area of Mayflower and Chestnut reported a brush fire. Officers and MFD responded and extinguished the fire. This investigation is continuing.

Unlawful Burning
July 7 at 2:23 a.m., an officer patrolling the 700 block of W. Duarte saw an open flame and found that a male subject started a small fire. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 7 at 1:25 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in a parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. An investigation revealed a vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed in the parking lot and collided with a light pole and a fire hydrant. The driver sustained a minor injury. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
July 7 at 6:11 p.m., a grand theft from a residence in the 800 block of W. Colorado was reported. This investigation is continuing.

Death Report
July 7 at 8:16 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of W Lime Ave regarding the death of a male who had been suffering from cancer. It appeared the individual had been deceased for approximately two weeks. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office responded and took custody of the decedent.

Commercial Burglary
July 8 at 8:50 a.m., employees arrived to work at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington and noticed a window was smashed. Officers responded and cleared the inside of the business. A safe was stolen from the location. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
July 8 at 9:38 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a theft. Officers arrived and located the suspect nearby. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Loitering
July 8 at 10:47 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1300 block of S. Magnolia regarding a male subject loitering on the property. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Extortion
July 8 at 11:02 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of S. Myrtle reported an unknown subject called him saying that he had the caller’s mother and would release her once money was paid. Officers were able to make contact with the caller’s mother and confirm she was safe. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
July 8 at 4:34 p.m., an employee from a business in the 100 block of W. Pomona reported fraudulent activity on an employee’s timecard. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 8 at 5:29 p.m., officers responded to the area of Linwood and Magnolia regarding an injury traffic collision. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. One of the parties involved sustained injuries, but refused medical treatment.

Medical Assist
July 8 at 8:14 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Hillcrest reported her husband accidentally injured himself while trimming a bush. Officers arrived and rendered medical aid until the MFD arrived. The subject was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Medical Assist
July 8 at 9:50 p.m., a caller in the area of Mountain and Wildrose reported his partner gave birth in the backseat of their vehicle. Officers arrived and discovered the proud new mother delivered a healthy baby. MFD responded and transported the mother and baby to a hospital for treatment.

Grand Theft
July 9 at 8:29 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Colorado reported his vehicle’s tailgate stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
July 9 at 8:53 a.m., a theft was reported in the 300 block of E. Colorado. The officer arrived and discovered the victim’s tailgate from his vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Tree
July 9 at 5:28 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 100 block of Norumbega regarding a large tree falling on a house and vehicle. Public Works and MFD also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

Warrant Arrest
July 9 at 7:43 p.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 100 block of Montana. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. An investigation revealed a verbal altercation between a father and his son was intensifying and they were separated. A computer search revealed the son had two warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Battery / Mental Evaluation / Vandalism
July 9 at 9:36 p.m., a battery was reported in the 1100 block of E. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the suspect nearby. An investigation revealed the victim was battered by the suspect in an unprovoked attack, bystanders reported that an additional victim was attacked nearby. He was arrested and taken into custody.

City phone lines not working today, July 9

City phone lines are temporarily down today, July 9, due to technical issues. Phone service is currently unavailable at City Hall, Public Works Yard, Community Center, Library, and non-emergency Fire and Police lines. Emergency 911 lines remain operational.

- Brad Haugaard

Hot Dog & Cool Cat adoption event July 9-20

Pasadena Humane, which serves Monrovia, will waive adoption fees for all adult dogs and cats, six months and older, from July 9 to July 20 during its “Hot Dog & Cool Cat” summer promotion. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The event aims to find homes for nearly 150 animals as shelter intake rises. Adoptions are first-come, first-served, with standard screenings. View the cats, dogs and other assorted critters here.

- Brad Haugaard

Blue is an affectionate companion with a dash of mischief

Blue is a three-year-old fawn pit bull with a big heart and a dash of mischief. After coming to Pasadena Humane during the Eaton Fire, Blue was understandably nervous and unsure. With a lot of patient care, he’s grown into a loyal, affectionate companion. His foster family describes him as a well-adjusted indoor dog - he's fully house-trained, gentle at mealtimes, and happiest when snuggled close to you or chasing after a toy.

Blue would thrive in a home without other animals and ideally with adults or older children who can provide a structured environment. He’s still working on leash manners and can be reactive toward other dogs, so a private yard or balcony for potty breaks would be a helpful plus.

If you’re home often and looking for a loving, loyal sidekick who just needs a little understanding, Blue might be your perfect match!

Pasadena Humane is excited to promote “Hot Dog Summer”, taking place from July 9 to July 20, where adoption fees will be waived for all available adult dogs, six months and older.

Outside of this promotion, the adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.    

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia Nursery in 1940s

Monrovia Nursery Company in 1947-1948 showing equipment and plants. Monrovia Nursery was founded in 1926 by Danish immigrant Harry E. Rosedale on a 10‑acre plot in Monrovia, where it stayed until around 1956, when it moved to a larger rural site in the Azusa‑Glendora area, and now has locations throughout the United States. From the Gary Boen collection.  Here is an old LA Times article about the company. 

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Book Reviews of two new Monrovia history books

I just finished reading two great new Monrovia history books by historian Richard Singer: Monrovia Confidential, about the seamy side of life in a “great little American town,“ and Tales of the Gem City, snapshots of life in Monrovia from 1912 to 1950.

Both books, collections of short stories, are relatively brief compared to his previous works, 173 pages for Monrovia Confidential and 140 for Tales of the Gem City, and both are thoroughly engaging.

For example, in Tales of the Gem City, there’s the story of the Dokeys (yes, Dokeys), their fabulous get together here in Monrovia, and it’s unfortunate conclusion.

And in Monrovia Confidential, we learn of Marcus (aka “Shorty”) Monroe, the unsavory grandson of town founder, William Monroe.

Here’s the start of that story, just to give you a flavor of how Singer writes:

“One thing had to be clear to Marcus Monroe as he sat in a Mexican jail awaiting extradition. He was a failure at his chosen profession.

“Lord knows he'd tried—really worked at it—but, with one failure after another over more than three decades, his career in crime had pretty much run its course. Not that he wasn't good at robbery and thuggery and such. He was. He just wasn't very good at getting away with it. And now here he was, 51 years old and in jail again.”

Both books are available for purchase for $20 each at Charlie's House, 430 S. Myrtle Ave. in Old Town. All proceeds go to support Monrovia's historical heritage.

- Brad Haugaard

Unity Center school supply drive

- Brad Haugaard 

Super Mario party July 12 at Library

Super Mario Cooking in the Library Community Room on Saturday, July 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for 16 and older. Participants will make a Super Mario themed pizza biscuit. Registration required. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Make a Mario clock - teens and older, July 12

Create a Mario-themed clock at Super Mario Clock Craft in the Library Community Room on Saturday, July 12 from noon to 1 p.m. for 16 and older. Participants will use acrylic paint pens to decorate and take home a working wooden Mario clock. Registration required. Details here.

- Brad Haugaard

Happy 2025 Fourth of July Monrovia!

The view from Foothill Boulevard.

- Brad Haugaard

No late fees for utility bills this time around

A system malfunction with Monrovia's billing provider caused a five-day delay in sending utility bills, so late fees will be waived for this billing cycle. For help, contact Utility Billing at 932-5517.

- Brad Haugaard

Library Park concert schedule - Funk music on July 6

- Brad Haugaard