SBA Opens Disaster Loan Office
If you need a loan to fix damaged property, the SBA has opened a disaster loan office in Pasadena. http://goo.gl/8PI9m
Reception for Outgoing Monrovia City Manager | Grand Opening of Charlie's House
~ "Tomorrow night, prior to the City Council meeting, the City of Monrovia will host a reception for outgoing City Manager Scott Ochoa at 7 p.m. This reception will be held in the lobby of City Hall (415 S. Ivy Avenue). The public is invited. Refreshments will be served until 7:30 p.m. Please join us to thank him for his years of dedicated service to our community." http://goo.gl/xyUDd
~ There will be a grand opening of Charlie's House Tuesday, Dec. 20 at noon at 430 S. Myrtle Ave. in Old Town. Charlie’s House "offers unique and stylish home décor and accessories, unique gifts and much more at very affordable prices." The store is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. http://goo.gl/8zUMh
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Manager Says Goodbye
In his last weekly report ( http://goo.gl/FsAic ), City Manager Scott Ochoa says goodbye:
Well, after nearly eight years, my tenure as City Manager is coming to an end. I've actually been with the organization for 19 years. Beginning as an intern while I was still attending Claremont McKenna College, it has been my honor to serve Monrovia since January 1993. Over the years, I was given opportunities to contribute to this team and to this community. I did my best and tried to make a lasting and positive impact on the people around me. I am happy with the successes we've enjoyed and grateful for the lessons I've learned. As I move on to the next chapter in my career, I know I will always rely on my experiences in Monrovia. To all of the residents, business leaders, elected officials and staff members, thank you for making me the City Manager I am today.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: A Strong Disagreement Over Music; Shoplifter Tries It One Time Too Many; Bar Robbed on S. Myrtle; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 15-18. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website at www.cityofmonrovia.org and click on the crime mapping link.
Burglary / Parole Hold - Suspect Arrested
On December 15 at 7:30 p.m., police responded to the 700 block of East Huntington on the report of a burglary. A female suspect entered a business and was recognized by loss prevention as a shoplifter from previous encounters. They maintained surveillance on the suspect and contacted police when she exited the store with merchandise without paying. Through investigation, it was determined she had entered the store with the intent to steal and was charged with burglary. She was found to have prior convictions and is currently on parole. A parole hold was obtained.
Robbery
On December 15 at 10:58 p.m., police were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 300 block of West Central. A male subject went to the residence and rang the doorbell and knocked. When the victim opened the door slightly, the suspect pushed the door open, pulled out a revolver from his waistband, and pointed it at her. The victim began screaming. The suspect then grabbed the victim and pulled her out of the apartment and onto the landing outside her apartment, causing injuries to her hands. The victim continued to scream and the suspect fled east from the location on foot.
The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his 20's, 5' 8", medium build, medium complexion, round eyes, round nose and a high forehead. He was wearing a denim collared-type shirt, dark pants, black or blue baseball cap, and he used a silver, full-sized revolver. Investigation continuing.
Possession of Burglary Tools / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
On December 16 at 1:46 a.m., a suspicious subject was reported in a parking lot in the 100 block of West Cherry. Officers responded and located a male subject hiding behind some storage bins. He had a bag of tools and told officers he was stripping wire he found in the parking lot for copper. During a pat-down search, a methamphetamine pipe was found in his pants pocket. He was arrested for possession of burglary tools and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Outside Assist / Irwindale Police Department - Active Shooter
On December 16 at approximately 1:45 p.m., Monrovia Police Department received a request for mutual aid from Irwindale Police Department regarding an active shooter at a business complex being utilized by Edison California. All available units where dispatched to assist and the Foothill Special Enforcement Team was activated. Five persons were struck by gunfire, with three fatalities, which include the shooter. The events leading to this incident are under investigation by Irwindale Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau.
Armed Robbery
On December 19 at 1:40 a.m., the owner of a bar in the 1500 block of South Myrtle reported that he had just been robbed. He was closing the bar when three male Black suspects entered the premises. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun and pointed it at the victim. The suspects demanded money from the register, escorted the victim to the register, and took the money. The suspects ordered the victim to the floor and took his wallet, and then fled in an unknown direction. The suspects were described as three male Blacks in their early 20's, wearing dark clothing and black hooded sweatshirts. Investigation continuing.
Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Battery
On December 19 at 1:55 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a local hospital regarding an assault report. The victim reported that he and his girlfriend were at the suspect's residence at an address on Stedman listening to music. The suspect told the victim to change the song. When the victim refused, the suspect punched the victim in the face, causing him to go unconscious. The suspect then stood over the victim and punched him in the face repeatedly. The victim's girlfriend attempted to push the suspect away, but the suspect then pushed her to the floor.
The victim suffered a concussion, a moderate laceration above the left eye, a broken nose, and disfigurement to the left side of his face. The victim's girlfriend was not injured. The officer was unable to locate the suspect. A want for the suspect's arrest was entered into the computer database. Investigation continuing.
Special Enforcement Team Activity
False Information to a Police Officer / Sales of Methamphetamine / Transportation of Methamphetamine - Suspect Arrested
On December 14, the Special Enforcement Team was on patrol and stopped a vehicle for multiple vehicle code violations. A search of the vehicle revealed several baggies of methamphetamine. The suspect also gave officers a fraudulent international driver's license with someone else's name on it. The suspect was arrested for false information to a police officer, sales of methamphetamine, transportation of methamphetamine, and he is a previously deported illegal alien. An ICE hold was obtained for the suspect.
Parole and Probation Compliance Checks
On December 16, Monrovia's Special Enforcement Team conducted parole and probation compliance checks with Monrovia detectives and Los Angeles Sheriff's Department DAMAGE personnel. The team went to four locations and made two arrests. A parole compliance check was conducted at a residence in the 400 block of East Greystone, but the parolee was not there. His wife, who is on probation, was at the residence. A search of their bedroom revealed several pieces of drug paraphernalia and two California identification cards that did not belong to her. She was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and later released pending further investigation. Another parolee was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
On December 16, between 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., Monrovia's Special Enforcement Team officers conducted ABC saturation patrol and assisted ABC at several local bars. At approximately 1:30 a.m., officers entered a bar in the 1500 block of South Myrtle and arrested four subjects for being drunk in public and an ABC Investigator cited the owner for serving an obviously intoxicated customer.
Cleanup Money From State? | Monrovia Hillside Recommendation
~ City Manager Scott Ochoa reports that State of California "has finally recognized the magnitude of the windstorms" and "made the necessary declaration," which may result in some money from the state. http://goo.gl/FsAic
~ The Community Services Commission has recommended to the City Council the "minimalist" (5b) option for managing the hillside area above Monrovia. This essentially means leaving things as they are but adding some gates and direction signs and No Parking signs in the residential areas near the gateways. Also, the Commission recommended keeping Lower Clamshell Truck Trail closed pending further environmental study. http://goo.gl/FsAic . Also, see the executive summary of the various plans here: http://goo.gl/wpDSP
Opinion: My concern is that all Monrovians paid for this hillside area, so all Monrovians should have reasonable access to it, but if the city reduces the amount of parking (by putting up No Parking signs), that would make this area less accessible. Homeowners near the gateways reasonably don't want cars in front of their houses all day, so I think the project should include at least some new parking so the homeowners are not imposed upon and so there is a net parking increase - not decrease - for visitors.
- Brad Haugaard
Drones by Monrovia's AeroVironment May Find Work in Oil Fields; Company Wins Award for Wind Turbine
People seem to find more and more uses for the little drones made by Monrovia's AeroVironment (military, police). Now oil companies want to use them to keep an eye on pipelines. http://goo.gl/t0zhj
Also, CleanTechnica has named AeroVironment's architecturally-attractive mini wind turbine, "Architectural Wind," as one of its five best micro wind turbines. http://goo.gl/Bbjka
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police Hunt for Chubby-Cheeked Suspect
Monrovia Police are looking for a chubby-cheeked man suspected of attempting to force his way into a Monrovia apartment. Picture: http://goo.gl/iX4eY
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center - Looking for an Executive Director
Foothill Unity Center Executive Director Joan Whitenack is retiring and now the Center is advertising for her replacement. Here are the requirements: http://goo.gl/znPNU
- Brad Haugaard
Petition Seeks to Undo Portantino's Ban on Open-Carry of Guns
A petition is being circulated that would overturn a law that bans the open carrying of firearms, a law authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/L685w
- Brad Haugaard
Gunman Forces Monrovia Woman from her Apartment
On Thursday, December 15, 2011, at approximately 11 p.m., in the 300 block of West Central, a woman answered a knock at her front door. The male on the other side of the door asked for a name she did not recognize. When she opened the door the male suspect pulled a revolver from his waist band and tried to force his way in the apartment. The woman screamed and the suspect pulled her from her doorway and onto a landing outside of her apartment. The victim fell to the ground causing abrasions to her hands.
As the victim continued to scream the suspect fled. The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, 5’8”, medium build wearing a denim type, collared shirt and dark pants. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Monrovia Police Department at (626) 256-8000
The Monrovia Police Department would like to remind everyone to be alert to their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police.
- Brad Haugaard (from Monrovia Police press release)
Lunch at Taisho Teriyaki Grill
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Greeting Card | Shop Locally | Lobbyists Help Portantino
~ This holiday snow-globe from the Gold Line folks includes the cheery information that the Pasadena-to-Azusa segment of line should be completed by 2015.
~ Star-News columnist Steve Scauzillo suggests local Christmas shopping, like in in Monrovia's Old Town, but, he adds, no pepper spray. http://goo.gl/6WIcN
~ Lobbyists helping Portantino in congressional race. http://goo.gl/vyU1i
- Brad Haugaard
Montgomery New Citrus Prez | Monrovia Kiwanian on Rose Float
~ Joanne Montgomery is new president of Citrus College board. http://goo.gl/skF2L
~ Monrovia Kiwanis reports that member Don Yost will be riding on the Kiwanis Rose Parade float on Jan. 1.
- Brad Haugaard
A Temporary Replacement for Shaw? | Friday Night Live | Rental Inspections | Recycling | Street Fair
A few items on the Monrovia City Council agenda ( http://goo.gl/J14C3 ) for Dec. 20:
~ Consider whether to find a temporary replacement for Councilman Clarence Shaw during his active duty for the Army. http://goo.gl/dOJrH
~ The City Council will hear a report on an experimental Friday Night Live program designed to reduce the number of youth loitering problems during the street fair and consider whether to continue it. Opinion: The data ( http://goo.gl/D1Iol ) seems ambiguous. Also, the city increased police bike patrols at the same time as it added the youth program, which makes it a harder to untangle cause and effect. Change one variable at a time.
~ Consider a pilot Rental Housing Inspection Program in the 700–900 blocks of West Walnut and Olive Avenues. Rental properties result in the most service calls. Maybe more inspections will help. http://goo.gl/rFOoN
~ Some reports on recycling. http://goo.gl/o6AW5 and http://goo.gl/MM3rc
~ Consider a three-year contract with Family Festival Productions to continue putting on the street fair. City staff recommends approval. http://goo.gl/Tq9Jt
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Finances: Better But Worse
Despite some bright economic news, Monrovia calculates that it will have $137,536 less money to work with this fiscal year, according to a report to the City Council by Mark Alvarado, Director of Administrative Services.
The good news: In the first five months of the 2011-12 fiscal year there has been an increase in sales and property taxes, and city staff expects this to continue. "Revenue from auto sales and leasing are strong again," Alvarado writes, "after two years of huge decreases. Building and construction activity is still flat, as the housing market muddles through more foreclosures and high unemployment."
Earlier, the city projected a 5 percent increase in sales tax. Now it's thinking it'll be 8 percent.
Also, property tax revenue is up about 4 percent from last year, but - and here's the main problem - last year the city expected more revenue but got less, so it is behind by $289,147.
And the other negative is the state. In an attempt to balance its own budget, the state is not passing through $110,000 in motor vehicle license fees the city usually gets.
Lots more details here: http://goo.gl/tuHZY
- Brad Haugaard
Will Monrovia Move to Merit-Based Pay System for Employees?
Monrovia needs to switch to a merit-based, rather than seniority-based, compensation system for its employees, according to a report to the City Council by Mark Alvarado, Director of Administrative Services.
He writes:
The focus must also be on restructuring the current compensation model so that the City pays only what it can afford. As a service delivery organization, personnel is the largest cost factor in the operating budget. Compensating employees for a job well done, as opposed to how long they have been employed, is a sound financial model to follow. All current labor contracts expire no later than the 2012-13 fiscal year. All future budget projections regarding labor costs are based on pension cost sharing and reasonable merit salary increases.
The City Council will decide on his recommendations at its Dec. 20 meeting.
Source: http://goo.gl/tuHZY
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Bean Bag Motivates Mountain Lion, Burglary, Grand Theft Lexus and Silverado
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for December 12-14 – Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, December 8-14, 2011, the Police Department handled 496 service events, resulting in 96 investigations.
Residential Burglaries
On December 13 at 8:23 p.m., two residential burglaries were reported that occurred on a lot in the 500 block of West Maple. In both cases, the unknown suspect(s) gained entry by prying open the rear door of the residence. The front house was ransacked and jewelry was stolen. There was minor ransacking in the back house, but nothing was taken.
Mountain Lion
On December 14 at 2:37 a.m., police received a call reporting a mountain lion in the 800 block of East Lemon. Officers responded and found an adult mountain lion, possibly a female, in a yard in the 800 block of East Lemon. It appeared to have an open wound next to its left eye. The officers fired two beanbag rounds, which motivated the mountain lion to move back into the hills.
Drug Violations
On December 14 at 2:56 p.m., Monrovia Special Enforcement Team officers on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. This encounter led to the officers conducting a search of the vehicle, which revealed hidden drug contraband under the pad of a child seat. The driver was arrested and booked for numerous drug violations.
Grand Theft Auto
On December 14 at 5:51 p.m., police responded to Mckinley Place and Foothill regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim reported that he parked his vehicle on the street. When he returned to where he had parked it, the vehicle was not there and he could not find his keys. The vehicle is a white, two-door, Lexus SC300. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
On December 14 at 6:12 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of East Central on the report of a stolen vehicle. The theft occurred between 6:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The victim parked and locked his vehicle on the street and went into work for the day. When he returned at the end of the day, his vehicle was missing. The vehicle is a black, 2004, Chevy Silverado pickup truck. The victim reported that there was an unloaded handgun in the vehicle at the time it was stolen, but there was no ammunition in the truck. Investigation continuing.
Downtown Mountain Lion | $10K Reward in Arcadia Killing
~ A Twitter report by Nancy Casanova says that a Mountain Lion has been spotted near Lemon and Mountain. Careful.
~ Antonovich offers $10k reward for information on killer of Arcadia father. http://goo.gl/TYKDN
- Brad Haugaard
Santa Tours Monrovia | Unity Center Needs Helpers
~ Santa makes the rounds in Monrovia. It's not every day you see a pickup truck with antlers.
~ Foothill Unity Center, of Monrovia, is still short of volunteers (adults only) for its Holiday Distribution for families this Sunday, December 18, in Ayres Hall at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. If you'd like to help, email raina@foothillunitycenter.org for a sign-up form.
- Brad Haugaard
Progress in School-Baseball League Negotiations; New MYBL Initiatives
Monrovia Youth Baseball League board vice president, Jack Taylor, says he believes the MYBL and the Monrovia School District are making "good progress" and will successfully complete fee negotiations for field usage by February, when the league's season opens.
Previously, he said, the league was able to use the fields for free, and he'd like that to continue that for community groups such as MYBL, but he also understands the district is in a tough financial position. But, then, so is the MYBL. He said he has met with numerous school and city and officials and feels everyone is trying to be helpful.
If there must be fees, he said, he hopes they can be offset by work that the league could do at the schools, such as reseeding the fields.
Taylor said the league also has several new initiatives:
- Instituting a curriculum and increasing the number of training classes for coaches at each of the league's five levels, both in technical aspects of the game and in management of players and - ahem! - parents. The goal is for the players to be able to move directly to high school baseball when they graduate from MYBL.
- Recruiting a lot more Monrovia district students - at least 10 percent - to increase league membership to about 500, up from the current 370. Taylor said scholarships are available for students who cannot afford the fee.
- Developing tighter relationships with the Monrovia community. He said MYBL is making a more determined effort to distribute flyers at schools, participate in the street fair, in Chamber of Commerce events, and develop relationships with city and school officials and civic organizations and give priority to Monrovia businesses. At its opening day fair, for example, he said the league wants Monrovia businesses to have the first crack at displaying their services and goods.
For more information about MYLB: myblpony.clubspaces.com
- Brad Haugaard
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