~ Fellowship Monrovia is booking the Hollywood Bowl for its Easter service, along with Christian Assembly Church of Eagle Rock and Bel Air Presbyterian Church. http://goo.gl/c2WZ7c
~ Remember, Clifton Middle School yard sale tomorrow, Saturday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. http://goo.gl/pZMJdP
~ Get a free 7-day pass to the Santa Anita Family YMCA. http://goo.gl/AESP4H
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at the Monrovian
- Brad Haugaard
Rails to Monrovia | Despicable Bee | Hypertension | Newcomers
~ 800-foot segments of rail being transported to Monrovia for installation. http://goo.gl/2FTcSJ
~ Despicable Bee spelling bee, 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Monrovia Community Center. Students from Plymouth, Mayflower, Bradoaks, Monroe, Clifton and Santa Fe schools will compete. http://goo.gl/kzdNxn
~ Pulmonary Hypertension Association has launched the Race of Our Lives campaign to rally the PH community members behind Team PHenomenal Hop, creating opportunities for patients, families and medical professionals to raise funds and awareness in their own communities. Saturday, April 12, at Monrovia's Recreation Park band shell at noon. Details: http://goo.gl/kzdNxn
~ Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley Club announces is adding gardening to its activities. Tips and advice on gardening, vegetables, annuals, perennials, seeds as well as trips to botanical gardens and more. New residents in the San Gabriel Valley area are welcome to attend the club's monthly "Meet and Greet" Coffee, May 7 at 10 a.m. in San Gabriel. Write for details: sgvnewcomers@yahoo.com
- Brad Haugaard
Merk Pays Monrovia's Xencor | School Bill Progresses
~ Xencor, Inc., of Monrovia, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has received a payment from Merck, through a subsidiary, for beginning a Phase 1 clinical trial for a biologic drug candidate that uses Xencor's XmAb antibody engineering. http://goo.gl/z8fZZK
~ Assembly Bill AB 1970, by Monrovia's assembly member, Chris Holden, to establish a grant program encouraging school districts to provide more Advanced Placement classes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, has been approved in the Assembly Education Committee. Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
~ Assembly Bill AB 1970, by Monrovia's assembly member, Chris Holden, to establish a grant program encouraging school districts to provide more Advanced Placement classes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, has been approved in the Assembly Education Committee. Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
Palm Pancakes at First Pres. | La Canada Over Monrovia in Softball :-(
~ Monrovia First Presbyterian Church will have a Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast this Sunday from 9-10 a.m. http://goo.gl/LZyA3f
~ La Canada over Monrovia in softball. http://goo.gl/0rO0wb
- Brad Haugaard
~ La Canada over Monrovia in softball. http://goo.gl/0rO0wb
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Council: Labor Negotiations; City Manager; Honor Gloria Crudgington
At its April 15 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/qEMORL ), the Monrovia City Council will ...
- Discuss labor negotiations and a new city manager at a 6:30 p.m. closed session meeting. http://goo.gl/xadEIN
- Honor Gloria Crudgington, Community Services Chair and Recipient of the California Park and Recreation Society, District 13 Community Service Award at its regular 7:30 p.m. meeting.
- Brad Haugaard
- Discuss labor negotiations and a new city manager at a 6:30 p.m. closed session meeting. http://goo.gl/xadEIN
- Honor Gloria Crudgington, Community Services Chair and Recipient of the California Park and Recreation Society, District 13 Community Service Award at its regular 7:30 p.m. meeting.
- Brad Haugaard
Trail Into Monrovia's Hillside Recreation Area May Open in July
If all goes well, the Cloverleaf entry point to the city's Hillside Preserve in the foothills above Monrovia could be open this July.
Monrovia City Council Member Becky Shevlin writes that Recreation Supervisor Kerri Zessau updated the Community Services Commission during last night's meeting on Cloverleaf access and said she and new Community Services Director, Tina Cherry, "will be meeting with the City Attorney next week to discuss progress with the access issue; that they have finally now been able to meet with [a Cloverleaf property owner] but that she believes the City is still on track to, if necessary, bring this issue back to City Council in June and if all goes well, to have it open in July."
Map showing Hillside Preserve access points: http://goo.gl/q6U3q5
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Council Member Becky Shevlin writes that Recreation Supervisor Kerri Zessau updated the Community Services Commission during last night's meeting on Cloverleaf access and said she and new Community Services Director, Tina Cherry, "will be meeting with the City Attorney next week to discuss progress with the access issue; that they have finally now been able to meet with [a Cloverleaf property owner] but that she believes the City is still on track to, if necessary, bring this issue back to City Council in June and if all goes well, to have it open in July."
Map showing Hillside Preserve access points: http://goo.gl/q6U3q5
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Congresswoman Denounces Syria Attacks
Congress member Judy Chu (D), who represents the top sliver of Monrovia (kinda north of Hillcrest), denounced attacks on the Armenian Community in Syria. She said "we cannot allow such atrocities to stand." http://goo.gl/b7IoGZ
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: 'Zero Tolerance' for Driving-While-Phoning
As part of April's Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, the Monrovia Police Department will be joining with over 200 local law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol in a month long "zero tolerance" enforcement and education campaign to curb those texting or operating hand-held cell phones while driving. Officers will be on alert throughout the month for those who break the cell phone laws and place themselves and others in danger. Special high-visibility enforcement operations to cite cell phone violators will take place throughout the month of April.
The increased enforcement and education aims to persuade drivers to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and reduce the number of people impacted by this perilous behavior. The "It's Not Worth It!" theme emphasizes that a phone call or text isn't worth a hefty fine or a collision. The current minimum ticket cost is $161, with subsequent tickets costing at least $281.
"We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously," said Monrovia Police Sergeant Daniel Verna, "because we see the aftermath of these totally preventable crashes. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $161, or worse, someone's life?"
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver. According to research, sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. Even a three second glance at freeway speeds means a driver has traveled the distance of a football field.
Research shows that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in "inattention blindness" which occurs when the brain isn't seeing what is clearly visible because the driver's focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road. When over one third of your brain's function that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone "zombie."
Source: Monrovia Police press release
- Brad Haugaard
The increased enforcement and education aims to persuade drivers to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and reduce the number of people impacted by this perilous behavior. The "It's Not Worth It!" theme emphasizes that a phone call or text isn't worth a hefty fine or a collision. The current minimum ticket cost is $161, with subsequent tickets costing at least $281.
"We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously," said Monrovia Police Sergeant Daniel Verna, "because we see the aftermath of these totally preventable crashes. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $161, or worse, someone's life?"
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver. According to research, sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. Even a three second glance at freeway speeds means a driver has traveled the distance of a football field.
Research shows that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in "inattention blindness" which occurs when the brain isn't seeing what is clearly visible because the driver's focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road. When over one third of your brain's function that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone "zombie."
Source: Monrovia Police press release
- Brad Haugaard
Veterans Benefits Seminar Thursday Night at Monrovia VFW
A Veterans Benefits Seminar is set for tomorrow night, April 10, from 5:30 p.m.-close at VFW Post 2070, 825 S. Magnolia in Monrovia. All veterans (regardless of combat experience) and their families may attend. Source: VFW press release
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Former Monrovia Representative Making Strong Showing in Field Poll
In his race to become governor, Tim Donnelly, who represented Monrovia in the State Assembly before redistricting, is leading other Republican candidates - by far. A Field Poll indicates Donnelly is favored by Republicans by 34% as opposed to the other main Republican candidate, Neel Kashkari, with 3%. However, more broadly, incumbent Jerry Brown has a strong lead overall. http://goo.gl/HFf1tT
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Assemblymember Urges Defense Department to Recognize Sailors Who Died
State Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has asked fellow lawmakers to support a resolution urging the Department of Defense to include on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. the names of 74 sailors killed when the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans sank during Vietnam War exercises in the South China Sea. Source: Holden press release
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Save Energy, Water | Easter Carnival in Library Park | Art Alas Campaign Gathering
~ With the weather getting warmer, the City of Monrovia has a list of energy and water saving resources that might interest you: http://goo.gl/w13kS4
~ Life Church of Pasadena and Monrovia is having an Easter Carnival at Library Park on Easter Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Lunch, face painting, balloon drop, bunny petting zoo, cotton candy, sack races, ring toss. http://goo.gl/IQDMh4
~ On Saturday, April 5, more than a hundred people gathered at Republican Headquarters in Covina to meet Art Alas, candidate for Congress in the 32nd district, which includes Monrovia. His emphasis: That people would "be safe from undue government meddling in their lives and to be free to pursue their own interests in enterprising ways that in turn serve the community." His website: http://www.electalas.com/ Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
~ Life Church of Pasadena and Monrovia is having an Easter Carnival at Library Park on Easter Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Lunch, face painting, balloon drop, bunny petting zoo, cotton candy, sack races, ring toss. http://goo.gl/IQDMh4
~ On Saturday, April 5, more than a hundred people gathered at Republican Headquarters in Covina to meet Art Alas, candidate for Congress in the 32nd district, which includes Monrovia. His emphasis: That people would "be safe from undue government meddling in their lives and to be free to pursue their own interests in enterprising ways that in turn serve the community." His website: http://www.electalas.com/ Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
Any Monrovia Authors Out There?
When I posted here about my book, The Outlander, that I recently published on Amazon, I heard from another Monrovia writer who also has books on Amazon and I began to wonder if there are even more Monrovia authors out there.
With that in mind, I'd like to publish a list of the most recent books by current Monrovia residents.
So, if you have a book available on Amazon (only your most recent one), send me its title, blurb, and link to the Amazon page by Wednesday, April 23, AND convince me you live in Monrovia (No offense to Duarteans, Arcadians and others, but it could get out of hand if I open it to everyone).
Then, if I get at least a few entries, I'll post a list with links.
- Brad Haugaard (brad@bradhaugaard.com)
With that in mind, I'd like to publish a list of the most recent books by current Monrovia residents.
So, if you have a book available on Amazon (only your most recent one), send me its title, blurb, and link to the Amazon page by Wednesday, April 23, AND convince me you live in Monrovia (No offense to Duarteans, Arcadians and others, but it could get out of hand if I open it to everyone).
Then, if I get at least a few entries, I'll post a list with links.
- Brad Haugaard (brad@bradhaugaard.com)
Grand Park Clean-Up; Nice for the Forest Service; Kings and Queens
~ What's the good side of the California drought? Well, the US Forest Service Tweets: "Silver lining? We're finding lack of fall & winter rains = less brush & other veg to clear for fire prevention in some areas #cadrought" Comment: Well, always glad to reduce someone's workload.
~ A nice photo gallery of Monrovia High's winning robotics team, "The Kings and Queens": http://goo.gl/sXP0Kr
- Brad Haugaard
Easter Season at St. Luke
Easter season schedule for St. Luke, at California Avenue and Foothill. Services conducted by Rev. Neil Tadken with music by choir accompanied by director and organist Kent B. Jones. A soloist will perform on Good Friday and the Second Sunday of Easter. A study of the book, "The Last Week" to be held at 6 p.m. on April 14-19.
- Palm Sunday, April 13: Eucharist, 8 and 10 a.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15: Eucharist, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16: Eucharist, Laying on of Hands, 12:10 p.m.; Tenebrae, 7:30 p.m.
- Maundy Thursday, April 17: Eucharist, Foot Wash, 7:30 p.m.
- Good Friday April 18: Liturgy, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Holy Saturday, April 19: Easter Vigil, 7:30 p.m.
- Easter Sunday, April 20: Eucharist, 10 a.m., followed by Easter brunch.
- Wed. April 23: Eucharist, Laying on of Hands, 12:10 p.m.
- Second Sunday of Easter, April 27: Eucharist, 8 and 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, April 30: Eucharist, Laying on of Hands, 12:10 p.m.
- Palm Sunday, April 13: Eucharist, 8 and 10 a.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15: Eucharist, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16: Eucharist, Laying on of Hands, 12:10 p.m.; Tenebrae, 7:30 p.m.
- Maundy Thursday, April 17: Eucharist, Foot Wash, 7:30 p.m.
- Good Friday April 18: Liturgy, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Holy Saturday, April 19: Easter Vigil, 7:30 p.m.
- Easter Sunday, April 20: Eucharist, 10 a.m., followed by Easter brunch.
- Wed. April 23: Eucharist, Laying on of Hands, 12:10 p.m.
- Second Sunday of Easter, April 27: Eucharist, 8 and 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, April 30: Eucharist, Laying on of Hands, 12:10 p.m.
Monrovia Resident Says City Overcharging for Building Permits
Monrovian Chris Ziegler is charging that the City of Monrovia is out of compliance with state law by overcharging for building permits.
Ziegler, who said he will be running for mayor in the next election, said that California's Fee Mitigation Act limits the amount that can be charged for city fees to the cost of providing the service, and that the fees are not supposed to generate revenue for the city, only offset costs. However, he said, when he installed a solar system at his house in 2012 he was charged $768, a $688 building permit and $80 for the plan check, which he said is far more than the service cost.
He said he calculated the total inspection time was seven minutes and thirty seconds. He estimated that by driving from the City Hall parking lot to his house and adding the amount of time at the site that the inspector spent at his house, then took the hourly wage of the city worker, which he said was $45, and doubled it to take into account benefits, then added a dollar per mile for mileage costs.
"When you get above $200 it is a stretch to justify it," he said.
He said the city has told him that his bill included other costs associated with the project, but he said any additional costs are supposed to be explicitly enacted by ordinance, so that, for instance, if an inspector has a long drive time to inspect a site, that should be explicitly covered by a city ordinance.
He added that the city told him in March 2013 that it would look into the matter, but he has not had any updates.
I wrote to Interim City Manager Fran Delach and asked him for a response, which he provided, here:
Two bills signed in 2012 place limits on the fees that cities can charge for a solar permit. AB 1801 specifies that a local government cannot base the fee for a solar permit on the value of the solar system or the value of the property on which the system will be installed. It also requires the local government to separately identify every fee charged on the invoice provided to the applicant.
SB 1222 restricts a city, county, city and county, or charter city from charging more for a solar permit than the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. The law further provides specific limits on the dollar amount local governments may charge for a permit:
- Residential solar energy systems: $500, plus $15 for every kilowatt (kW) over 15 kW
- Commercial solar energy systems: $1,000 for systems up to 50 kW, plus $7 for every kW between 51 kW and 250 kW, plus $5 for every kW over 250 kW
The restrictions of SB 1222 only apply to roof-mounted PV systems, not ground-mounted systems or solar thermal systems. The law also gives local governments the ability to exceed these cost limits by resolution or ordinance if they provide substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit, and meet other criteria. In response, the City has taken several actions. We continue to use the valuation method but cap it at 500.00. There are however add-on fees some of them state mandated such as building standards as well as City fees for Historic Preservation, archiving etc. As part of this year’s budget process we have prepared an analysis of our costs associated with the issuance and inspection of a solar system and will be presenting during the budget process (the new fee will be around $325 dollars) we will be seeking direction on how to address the add-on fees, which really is a Council Policy should they decide to subsidize this type of permit.
The Monrovia City Council has had a consistent policy of attempting to recover direct costs with permits and fees so the taxpayer would not be subsidizing private building or development efforts; yet also keeping in-line with the “Business Friendly” culture they demand.
UPDATE: Chris Ziegler wants me to clarify that the building inspector made two visits to his home.
- Brad Haugaard
Ziegler, who said he will be running for mayor in the next election, said that California's Fee Mitigation Act limits the amount that can be charged for city fees to the cost of providing the service, and that the fees are not supposed to generate revenue for the city, only offset costs. However, he said, when he installed a solar system at his house in 2012 he was charged $768, a $688 building permit and $80 for the plan check, which he said is far more than the service cost.
He said he calculated the total inspection time was seven minutes and thirty seconds. He estimated that by driving from the City Hall parking lot to his house and adding the amount of time at the site that the inspector spent at his house, then took the hourly wage of the city worker, which he said was $45, and doubled it to take into account benefits, then added a dollar per mile for mileage costs.
"When you get above $200 it is a stretch to justify it," he said.
He said the city has told him that his bill included other costs associated with the project, but he said any additional costs are supposed to be explicitly enacted by ordinance, so that, for instance, if an inspector has a long drive time to inspect a site, that should be explicitly covered by a city ordinance.
He added that the city told him in March 2013 that it would look into the matter, but he has not had any updates.
I wrote to Interim City Manager Fran Delach and asked him for a response, which he provided, here:
Two bills signed in 2012 place limits on the fees that cities can charge for a solar permit. AB 1801 specifies that a local government cannot base the fee for a solar permit on the value of the solar system or the value of the property on which the system will be installed. It also requires the local government to separately identify every fee charged on the invoice provided to the applicant.
SB 1222 restricts a city, county, city and county, or charter city from charging more for a solar permit than the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. The law further provides specific limits on the dollar amount local governments may charge for a permit:
- Residential solar energy systems: $500, plus $15 for every kilowatt (kW) over 15 kW
- Commercial solar energy systems: $1,000 for systems up to 50 kW, plus $7 for every kW between 51 kW and 250 kW, plus $5 for every kW over 250 kW
The restrictions of SB 1222 only apply to roof-mounted PV systems, not ground-mounted systems or solar thermal systems. The law also gives local governments the ability to exceed these cost limits by resolution or ordinance if they provide substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit, and meet other criteria. In response, the City has taken several actions. We continue to use the valuation method but cap it at 500.00. There are however add-on fees some of them state mandated such as building standards as well as City fees for Historic Preservation, archiving etc. As part of this year’s budget process we have prepared an analysis of our costs associated with the issuance and inspection of a solar system and will be presenting during the budget process (the new fee will be around $325 dollars) we will be seeking direction on how to address the add-on fees, which really is a Council Policy should they decide to subsidize this type of permit.
The Monrovia City Council has had a consistent policy of attempting to recover direct costs with permits and fees so the taxpayer would not be subsidizing private building or development efforts; yet also keeping in-line with the “Business Friendly” culture they demand.
UPDATE: Chris Ziegler wants me to clarify that the building inspector made two visits to his home.
- Brad Haugaard
Revenge in Monrovia Canyon Park
Cleaning up this morning after filming the last episode of the season for the television show, Revenge, near the stream in Monrovia Canyon Park. At least, that's what an employee told me.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblymember's Bill Would Increase Vandalism Fines in San Gabriel Mountains
A bill by Monrovia's Assemblymember, Chris Holden, to increase penalties for vandalism and illegal dumping in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (which includes parts of the San Gabriel Mountains) was approved late Monday in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. AB 1767 would increase the maximum fine for dumping, defacing or destroying property on Conservancy properties to $1,500 and would increase the fine for infractions to not more than $750. Source: Holden press release
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High's Winning Robotics Team on KTLA
Video: KTLA has a segment on Monrovia High's winning robotics team, "Kings and Queens": http://goo.gl/GvJvDw
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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