Council Adopts Budget with $2.4 Million Deficit, Approves Two New Fire Engines; Fire Dept. Wins Stroke Response Award

June 16 Monrovia City Council meeting, summarized by AI.

• Council adopted the FY 2026-27 general fund budget: $62.8 million in revenues, $65.2 million in expenditures — a projected $2.4 million deficit. Citywide revenues total ~$213 million; expenditures ~$153 million. Capital improvement program: $18.5 million. Personnel costs represent about 65% of general fund spending.

• Approved purchase of two Pierce Enforcer fire engines from South Coast Fire Equipment for up to $2.93 million (plus a $293,000 contingency). Delivery expected in FY 2029-30; payment due at delivery. Fire engines replace a 2002 and a 2008 unit.

• Two Craftsman homes designated as local historic landmarks with Mills Act preservation tax contracts: 115 May Ave (1912, built by the Tipple brothers) and 225 Highland Place (1909, attributed to architect Arthur Roland Kelly, who worked with the renowned firm Green & Green).

• Approved a tentative tract map for a 14-unit condominium project at 1232 S. Mayflower Ave., with a minor exception for common recreation space. Mayor Shevlin recused herself due to a conflict of interest.

• June 19 proclaimed Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Councilmember Kelly noted her children brought the observance to Monrovia, leading the council to formally adopt it in 2020. June 20-26 proclaimed National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.

• Annual assessment levies confirmed for FY 2026-27: Citywide lighting and landscaping at $56.23 per unit (unchanged); park maintenance at $16.22 per unit (up $0.48, a 3% CPI adjustment).

• Monrovia Fire Department received the Golden Brain Award from USC Arcadia Hospital for a rapid stroke response: a 76-year-old woman was taken from scene to surgery in 91 minutes; she fully recovered. One of only two LA County agencies to receive the award.

• City Manager reported unplanned power outages in parts of northwest and central Monrovia; Edison working to restore service by 11 p.m.

• City Manager updated council that the California Highway Patrol granted itself a second 30-day extension on the city's records request related to the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez. No information has been provided.

• Monrovia's All-America City finalist delegation will present in Denver, June 25-29. Ten cities will be named All-America Cities on Sunday, June 29.

• City Manager clarified that the Monrovia Pride Book Festival (Saturday, 12-6 p.m., Library Park) is a private nonprofit event. The city reviews rental applications for procedural compliance only and does not filter content.

• Resident Sam Carmichael reported ongoing trespassing onto private residential rooftops at Colorado Commons via the adjacent city-owned parking structure. He asked the city to work with the HOA on anti-climb barriers and cameras to prevent injury before an accident occurs.

• A World Cup watch party is being planned at Library Park for June 26 (Thursday, 7 p.m.) to coincide with the U.S. soccer team's final group stage match.

• Mayor Shevlin authorized a support letter for AB762 (Irwin/Wilson), which would ban disposable vapes due to lithium battery hazards in the waste stream.

Complete meeting video here.

- Brad Haugaard

Lovable Regan is a wiggly, smiling pit bull who may also be a World Cup fan

Uploaded ImageRegan is a lovable 4-year-old pit bull with an incredible personality and a big, wiggly smile. She's an affectionate, people-friendly girl who happily accepts pets, takes treats gently, and already knowns how to "sit" and "lie down". Regan enjoys getting out and exploring the world, spending plenty of time sniffing along her walks, and enjoying some time couch-side watching the World Cup.

While she can be enthusiastic on leash, Regan has shown she can walk calmly, handle new situations well, and has quickly become a staff and volunteer favorite. With her sweet nature, happy energy, and loving heart, Regan is ready to find a family of her own. Come meet Regan and see why she's impossible not to love!

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 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 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: Asa Casner's butcher shop around 1910

Asa Casner's Butcher Shop at 619 S. Myrtle Ave. around 1910. This is where Neighborhood Pawn is today. The use of a refrigerated display case was a novelty. (I like the ceiling fan, and I think the floor could use a little mopping.) From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.

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

Monrovia elementary schools may each get a 'Samson' bear sculpture

Bear designed for Mayflower School.

Monrovia's Art in Public Places Committee (agenda) will consider expanding the Samson bear sculpture program to the school district's five elementary schools. The “Samson Goes to School” program will feature five bears, each designed by its school. The program will cost $20,500. See all the bears here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia 3-Year-Old Named First-Ever 'Gerber Get’ems' Winner

Joey Rider, a 3-year-old from Monrovia, has been named the first-ever Gerber Get’ems winner in the 2026 Gerber Photo Search. Get’ems is a new category recognizing children ages 3 to 5 and is named for the company's line of healthy snacks designed for children three and older.

On social media, Gerber posted:

"Joey’s photo captures what makes her so special: a smile that shines bright and a spirit that makes friends everywhere she goes, brings people together, and makes sure no one is ever left out.

"From coloring side by side with her family to dreaming up new creations, she leads with imagination and creativity, filling every moment with joy and connection. In so many ways, Joey is coloring her world and the world around her in the most vibrant way."

Joey and her family will receive a $10,000 prize, plus a wardrobe valued at $500 from Gerber Childrenswear."

- Brad Haugaard

Music Trivia and Karaoke at Library, June 27


Music trivia and karaoke at the Library on Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for adults. Music trivia, followed by karaoke, and snacks. No registration required. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Baby Storytime at the Library on June 23


Baby Storytime will be held at the Library on Tuesday, June 23, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for children to age 5 and their caregivers. Books, songs, games, and movement activities to support early literacy development. Children must attend with an accompanying adult. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout at the Library, June 19, 3 to 4:30 p.m.


Teen Game Hangout at the Library, June 19 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Teens in grades 7–12 can drop in to play Nintendo Switch games including Mario Kart and Smash Ultimate, Beyblades, and board games. Snacks will be provided. No registration is required. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Library hosting induction cooking workshop June 20, wildfire preparedness June 22

Monrovia Public Library is hosting two free workshops this month.

On June 20, from noon to 2 p.m., an Induction Cooking Workshop (ages 18+) will feature samples from a Latin-Asian fusion menu and information on borrowing an induction cooktop through the Library of Things collection.

On June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., a Wildfire Ecology, Evacuation Readiness, and Your Community workshop will cover wildfire ecology, evacuation planning, and household preparedness steps.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Canyon Park Family Hike and Campout, June 27-28

Monrovia Canyon Park will host its Annual Family Hike and Campout at Fireman's Flat Picnic Area from June 27 at noon through noon on June 28. Campfires, s'mores, guided day and night hikes, story time with Monrovia Library, and family activities. A barbecue dinner and pancake breakfast are included. Registration is $123 per 10' x 10' campsite (maximum 4 people). Space is limited. For more information, call Canyon Park staff at 256-8282.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD Touch-A-Truck Event, June 14

The Monrovia Police Department is hosting a free Touch-A-Truck event on June 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Monrovia Community Center. Children and families can explore police cars, fire trucks, and other vehicles up close. Officers and firefighters will be present, along with vendors serving the autism community.

- Brad Haugaard

MPWR fundraiser at BJ's Restaurant in Arcadia, June 24

The Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation (MPWR) is hosting a fundraiser at BJ's Restaurant in Arcadia, on June 24, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Show the flyer or enter code JUN317 when ordering online, and 20% of your purchase will be donated to MPWR.

- Brad Haugaard

LA Metro releases new mobile app for riders

If you ride the train, LA Metro has released a new mobile app that combines trip planning, service alerts, and fare information. It includes service alerts for buses and trains, regional trip planning, bike share and Metro Micro locations, TAP vendor locations, and station amenities. 

- Brad Haugaard

Work on Huntington and Myrtle through June

A road closure will be in effect at Myrtle Avenue, south of Huntington Drive, June 16-19. Avoid the area. Additional traffic delays are expected at the Huntington Drive/California and Huntington Drive/Shamrock intersections through June.

- Brad Haugaard

Experimental. try to get to work on mobile devices