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Gold Line Train Yard Opening in June | Monrovia Over San Marino

~ Monrovia Gold Line train maintenance yard to open in June. http://goo.gl/O4Bn8S

~ Monrovia over San Marino in baseball - 3-1. http://goo.gl/UkmVSO

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Club Supports Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk

(This post sponsored by Monrovia Rotary Club)
Saturday, May 9th 2015 will mark the 5th annual “Fountain to the Falls” run/walk from the fountain in Library Park to the water falls in Canyon Park.

The Monrovia Rotary Club intends to lend support for this fun, family event by hosting a health booth and by our Rotarians participating in the race. All fitness levels are welcome. Lynda Linforth, a personal trainer, owner of Trainer on the Run (http://www.trainerontherun.com) and a Monrovia Rotarian, is giving hands on support to the pre-race training.

The Monrovia Rotary Club has agreed to put an emphasis on health and fitness for 2015. A 'biggest loser' competition was started in January for willing participants and is currently ongoing.  “All participants will be able to finish at their own pace but preparation must be done to avoid injuries” said Linforth. The Monrovia Rotary Club is getting together, three times a week to train for the race. Lynda Linforth has presented a day-by-day training program and will be on hand for pre-event stretching and advice. Lynda leads us on a Saturday morning walk in preparation. We also have scheduled walks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

This event is organized by the City of Monrovia and will feature a health fair presented by the YMCA. For more information, please visit www.cityofmonrovia.org.

The Monrovia Rotary Club meets weekly at the Monrovian Family Restaurant (upstairs) Tuesdays at noon.  If you are interested in joining us please contact us at joinus@monroviarotary.com

School Board: Help Students Plan for College; Refinance Bond; Remember Armenian Genocide; Etc.

At the next meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/UxbveM ), the Monrovia School Board will consider ...

- a contract with Naviance, which helps students plan ahead for college: http://goo.gl/bLruft

- refinancing the Measure M bond, since interest rates are now lower. http://goo.gl/CROja7

- adopting a resolution "In Remembrance of the Armenian genocide and Man's Inhumanity to Man." http://goo.gl/Cj7Joq

- and other stuff.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at New Salad Bistro


My wife had lunch recently at the new Salad Bistro on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lemon. (I was busy.) She got the Piccadilly roast beef sandwich for $8.95, and an ice tea for $1.95. She liked it.
- Brad Haugaard

New Gold Line Maintenance Yard is Environmentally Friendly

The 24-acre, $265-million Gold Line Operations Campus in Monrovia, is one of the only facilities of its kind to meet  U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Gold standards, one of the highest levels available, according to Habib F. Balian, CEO of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority.

The facility will house up to 84 light rail vehicles and nearly 200 employees over several shifts a day. Features built into the facility will reduce water and electricity consumption, as well as capture 100% of the rainfall from the site and infiltrate it into the groundwater aquifers below.  Highlights:

- A 714-panel, 178.5-kilowatt solar panel array has been installed that will generate 22,000 Kilowatt Hours/Month, enough electricity to meet one-third of power needs of the 132,000 square foot Main Shop Building. Excess power will be made available to the local electric grid.

- Water-reduction measures in the Main Shop Building (such as high efficiency fixtures and infrared sensor faucets) will help achieve a 35% water reduction level. Smart sprinkler technology and drought-tolerant plants will reduce landscape water consumption by 50%. The large carwash facility, with average usage of 60,000 gallons of water a day, will use only recycled, reclaimed water.

- A specialized stormwater management system has been installed to capture the first 3/4-inch (112,000 gallons) of a 100-year storm event. The stormwater is treated, then sent to large, open-bottom subterranean chambers below the facility.

- Recycled materials make up nearly 50% of the material used on the campus, and materials were locally sourced to reduce environmental impacts of long-distance transport.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Unapproved $650,000 - In Scope of Plan But Not Referred to Council, as Required

Another letter from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz:

I reported to you Wednesday morning that we had discovered nearly $650,000 in change orders for Station Square construction that went forward without approval from the City Council. I want to update you now on what we have done to investigate and remedy that situation.

The Council met in special session this morning to hear a report from City Manager Oliver Chi on how the procedural breakdown occurred. His report satisfied the Council that the change orders were within the scope of plans presented and approved in study sessions (although not presented to the Council for formal approval as required) and that the contractors had proceeded in good faith based on authorizations from two City employees. The Council then voted unanimously to authorize the additional expenditures.

One of the individuals responsible for bypassing formal Council approval is no longer employed by the City and the department involved has since been reorganized and is under new management. I have asked the City Manager to address the matter of the second responsible party in an appropriate manner. I also asked for and received a public commitment that he and his management staff will see to it that this never happens again.

Additionally, I have asked that the Council establish a committee, including two of its members, to oversee the entire Station Square project. Station Square is the largest such project ever undertaken by the City and has come at a time of reduced staff and resources. It is important, therefore, that the Council engages directly in the oversight process.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Donates to Explorers | Police Honored | Gold Line Parking | Hazardous Waste Collection

~ The Monrovia Rotary Club has donated $1,286 to the Monrovia Police Department Explorer Post. http://goo.gl/BvMnnI

~ Mothers Against Drunk Drivers honors Monrovia police for their work. http://goo.gl/chyGmu

~ A nice picture of the parking structure at the Monrovia Gold Line Station: http://goo.gl/LXvCiq

~ Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monrovia High parking lot off Madison Avenue.

- Brad Haugaard

Walk n' Roll at Monrovia's Bradoaks | Unity Center Auction | Gold Line Parking Structure


~ Heather Mixon Stokes says Bradoaks School's Walk n' Roll is coming up next month and the school is in need of sponsors. Any businesses or families that would like to promote their business and sponsor this year please send an email to Karyn McIntyre Godbold at karyngodbold@gmail.com.

~ Foothill Unity Center is celebrating its 35th Birthday with an online auction. You can participate here ( http://goo.gl/nhbnJO ) "and bid on a wide variety of spectacular goods and services, sumptuous dining experiences and unique adventures."  The Center reports that, "Last year, we assisted 10,288 individuals from almost 5,000 families with food, emergency housing assistance, health services, job training and more."

~ A nice picture of the parking structure at the Monrovia Gold Line Station: http://goo.gl/LXvCiq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Swipes 15 Pairs of Jeans and the Bag to Carry Them; He'll Steal More Beer Later; No Bomb At Monrovia High; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 6-8. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 383 service events, resulting in 62 investigations.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 9:33 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. An adult male subject entered the business and stole a Nike athletic bag that he had filled with 15 pairs of jeans. The suspect attempted to flee with the bag, but surrendered to loss prevention when he was stopped. The suspect was arrested and charged with commercial burglary.

Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 4:46 p.m., police responded to the report of a female subject sitting in front of a motel with a pistol under her sweater. Officers were deployed, they stopped traffic in the area and the Foothill Air Support helicopter arrived overhead for assistance. The female was then detained. No pistol was found on the subject, but a pipe for smoking methamphetamine was discovered in the female's property. She was arrested and taken into custody. 72-Hour Mental Evaluation April 6 at 11:38 p.m., a caller reported a female subject with no clothes on, running in the 100 block of West Foothill, attempting to flag people down on the street. Officers responded to the area and located the female. She was taken to a hospital and held for a 72-hour mental evaluation.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
April 7 at 10:45 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of East Duarte Road regarding a shoplifter. The suspect took two packs of beer from the store and fled the location, hiding around the corner. When he was discovered by officers, he had already consumed one can of beer. He told the officers he was going to steal more beer as soon as he was released from custody. The suspect was arrested and held on the likelihood of reoccurrence, pending his court appearance.

Vehicle Burglary
April 7 at 8:13 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill. The victim parked and locked his vehicle in the parking lot and went to work at one of the businesses. When he returned, he noticed the doors were still locked, but the inside of the vehicle had been ransacked. The suspect took a couple sports hats and a backpack that was inside the vehicle. A male and a female subject were seen near the vehicle at the time of the burglary. The investigation is continuing.

False Bomb Threat
April 8 at 8:55 a.m., a female subject called police and claimed a bomb was being placed in the gym at Monrovia High School in the 800 block of West Colorado. The Police Department response was coordinated with the school staff and the gym was immediately evacuated. The gym was thoroughly searched, but nothing suspicious was located. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
April 8 at 11:49 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 500 block of Linwood. The victim left her iPad inside her vehicle, which was left unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Council to Discuss $650,000 in Surprise Expenses | Softball Loss | Fun Day at the Y

~ A special meeting of the Monrovia City Council (agenda: http://goo.gl/vHfPNM ) this Friday at 8 a.m. to discuss the $650,000 in change order expenses for the Station Square project that Mayor Mary Ann Lutz referred to here: http://goo.gl/wCQUzl . Staff is recommending the council authorize the expenses.

~ South Hills over Monrovia in softball. 10-0. :-( http://goo.gl/qwVTn3

~ There will be a day of free family-friendly games including basketball, family Group Ex, swimming and a bean bag toss on Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. YMCA program sign-ups, a visit from Stewie the Duck (who will be reading to kids) and community sponsor booths. Santa Anita Family YMCA, 501 South Mountain. 359-9244. http://goo.gl/8bKH8v

- Brad Haugaard

Distraction Burglary in Monrovia

Beware of distraction burglaries. From the Monrovia Bears group on the Nextdoor network:

"Today we were burglarized by being distracted by one man while another ransacked the house. Beware of a man posing to do work on a power pole in your backyard to distract you. Also, they took mainly cash and jewelry but they took my husband's ashes by mistake. The ashes are in a  plain black, wooden box (12"x12"x5")."

- Brad Haugaard

$650,000 in Change Orders for Station Square Never Approved by Monrovia Council

The following letter is from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz:

We were informed by City Staff during the Council meeting last night that approximately $650,000 in change orders for construction work on Station Square was somehow authorized and went forward last year without first getting City Council approval.

All of the changes had been discussed with the Council in general terms and had received the Council's okay, but were never brought back for approval of the actual expenditures. The $650,000 is covered in the project's budget, with another $751,445 remaining in unallocated funds.

That this happened during a time of major staff cutbacks and changes in management is no excuse. The Council will be meeting again Friday in a special session to receive a report from Staff on how this unacceptable oversight occurred.

As this is the last week before the Mayoral and City Council elections, we can expect a good deal of political rhetoric surrounding this situation. Please do not rush to judgment.

I am the Mayor. This happened on my watch, and I accept my share of the responsibility. My opponent Council Member Adams, who has direct oversight responsibility for Public Works, was also surprised by this disclosure. We share both the blame and the responsibility to find out exactly what happened and to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Turns Off Water to Medians | Library Park Fig Tree Trimmed to Prevent Limb From Collapsing | Newspaper Group Comes to Town | Steve Baker is 'Distinguished'

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

- last week the city turned off the sprinklers for the medians on Huntington Drive and Highway Esplanade to comply with Governor Jerry Brown's order to restrict water usage. The city is planing to re-landscape those areas in a low-water fashion. The fountain in Library Park uses recirculated water, so, if I'm understanding him, it will not be affected.

- the Morton Bay Fig Tree in Library Park was trimmed last Friday, April 3, to save the large branch that is now being supported by two braces. Large cracks have developed along the main branch. Chi wrote that "there was a real concern from our arborist that the main branch could collapse if the pruning work was not implemented."

- the Los Angeles News Group, which owns the Pasadena Star News, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and other newspaper publications, is moving to Monrovia. It will be leasing 33,000 square feet of office space at 605 East Huntington Drive (northwest corner of Huntington and Shamrock).

- City Treasurer Steve Baker has been selected to receive the Lucky Baldwin Boy Scout District Distinguished Citizen award.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College: Food Trucks and History

~ Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College (Huntington and Myrtle) reports that it is hosting food trucks on the first Thursday of every month, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. http://goo.gl/GUAxiL

~ A bit of history about Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College. http://goo.gl/7a4BQC

- Brad Haugaard

Bills By Monrovia Assemblyman Approved by Committee

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has had a couple bills approved in Assembly committees.

- AB 265 would require used car companies to give a 10-day grace period before repossessing the car by using a starter-interruption device. The bill also calls for a final warning 48 hours before using the gadget to shut down the vehicle remotely. It was approved by the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.

- AB 288 (College and Career Access Pathways Act) encourages school districts and community colleges to enter into formal agreements so high school students who want to enroll in college courses or career tech classes can more easily do so. It has been unanimously approved in the Assembly Higher Education Committee.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Invites Residents to Annual MAP Conference


The City of Monrovia invites you to the 6th Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference, Saturday, April 25, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm.

MAP is a partnership of residents, agencies and city departments, joining unique skills, knowledge and expertise to make Monrovia a strong and vibrant community. Since 2006, MAP has worked year round to develop and promote programs that enhance public trust, practice effective problem solving and educate residents on the subjects of neighborhood safety and community pride.

This event only comes once a year and it’s not to be missed.  Be sure to save your spot by registering early and tell your friends to do the same. At the Conference, participants will enjoy free food, workshops, an information/health fair and small group discussions with other residents, community leaders, city staff and local. This event is free, fun and a great way to be part of Team Monrovia!

Join us to celebrate our community and learn about all the ways we continue to work together for a stronger Monrovia.  Register today to save your spot in workshops like:

- Rail Safety
- Sidewalk First Aid/CPR
- Coffee with a Cop
- Stress Relief/Breathing Exercises
- Library Resources 101
- Disaster Preparedness, and much more

To find out more or register for the Conference, visit www.cityofmonrovia.org, call 932-5504 or e-mail map@ci.monrovia.ca.us

While the MAP Neighborhood Conference is being offered free of charge, registration is required. Register online at cityofmonrovia.org or in person at the following locations: Monrovia City Hall, Monrovia Community Center or the Monrovia Public Library. For more information, you can also call Neighborhood Services Staff at (626) 932-5504.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Homes on Monrovia Mothers' Day Old Home Tour

Here are the homes that will be on display for the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's Mothers' Day homes tour: http://goo.gl/pyF9IG

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Five-Time Trespasser | Two Green Lights? | Drunk, Drunk, Drunk | Veggie Fire | Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 2-5. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Public Intoxication / Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 3:00 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington Drive on the report of a subject trespassing. This was the fifth encounter involving this same subject causing problems and trespassing at the location. Upon contacting the subject, the officer determined he was, in fact, trespassing and that the subject was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The suspect was arrested and held due to the likelihood of reoccurrence, pending his court appearance.

Injury Traffic Collision
April 3 at 8:08 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at Duarte Road and Fifth Avenue. The drivers both claimed they had a green light entering the intersection and striking each other. There were no independent witnesses to the collision. At the time of the incident, both drivers stated that they were not injured, but later in the day, one of the drivers returned with her husband and stated she had begun to feel bad after the officer left. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Traffic Collision
April 3 at 9:34 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at Huntington and Primrose. The two vehicles collided when the driver on Primrose failed to yield to cross traffic at Huntington. No injuries were reported at the scene. The driver that failed to yield was cited for the collision.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 8:35 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Encinitas on the report of a man down. Upon arrival, the officer determined the person was intoxicated to the point of not being able to care for his own safety. The suspect was arrested for public intoxication and held for sobering.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
April 4 at 1:19 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Foothill and Primrose when he observed a subject stumbling. The officer contacted the subject and determined he as extremely intoxicated and was not able to care for his own safety. The suspect was arrested for public intoxication and held for sobering.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
April 4 at 1:28 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Foothill and Acacia when he observed a subject stumbling. The officer contacted the subject and discovered the person was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The officer arrested the suspect for public intoxication and he was held for sobering.

Medical Assist
April 4 at 12:31 p.m., police responded to the report of a female subject passed out on a trail at Canyon Park, approximately a half mile from the waterfall. The officer arrived and found the woman was conscious and breathing. According to family members, she had grown dizzy and fainted after sitting down. She had no visible injuries. She was taken to a hospital to be checked out.

Driving Under the Influence / Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
April 4 at 18:27 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a gas station in the 1500 block of South Myrtle on the report of a male and female arguing inside of a vehicle. Upon arrival, the vehicle was located and the occupants were detained. Both subjects were determined to be intoxicated. The male driver was arrested for driving under the influence and the female subject was arrested for public intoxication. The subjects were held for a sobering period.

Incident Report – Vegetation Fire
April 4 at 11:17 p.m., Monrovia officers were handling a disturbance call at a residence in the 1100 block of Starlit Lane, where approximately 200 teenagers were causing a disturbance at the location. During this call, a small vegetation fire began on a property in the 300 block of Elfwood. One of the officers immediately contained the fire by using fire extinguishers until Fire Department personnel arrived and put the fire out completely. There was no structure or property damage reported, and no one was injured as a result of the fire. A blue truck with a camper shell was seen leaving the area at about the same time the fire was discovered, but the vehicle was not located.

Commercial Burglary
April 5 at 7:13 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 900 block of West Duarte Road. Employees arrived for work and discovered the front window of the business had been smashed. A search of the business revealed the building had been ransacked, but no items were found to be missing. The investigation is continuing.

Inside/Out Exhibit at Monrovia's Saga Fine Art


The exhibit, "Inside / Out," plein air and studio landscapes, will open April 7 at Saga Fine Art, on Lime just south of Library Park. Artist reception 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Again Listed as a Top Supermarket

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's again snags top spot in best-ranked supermarkets. http://goo.gl/ezXDIC

- Brad Haugaard