Calling All Poets - Time for Sidewalk Poetry Contest

All poets, now's your chance to enter Monrovia's 2020 Footnotes Sidewalk Poetry Contest, according to the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts.

To learn more about the contest and view the 2018 and 2019 winners, you can visit the City's Sidewalk Poetry web page here: https://is.gd/5eoXEX

For more information about entering the competition and to submit your entry, contact Kerri Zessau at kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.gov or 932-5564.

- Brad Haugaard

Non-Eviction Ordinance Extended to Commercial Properties

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that last night (Tuesday, April 7), the City Council approved an Urgency Ordinance to prohibit commercial evictions for non-payment of rent and “no-fault” evictions during the time of the Coronavirus emergency.

Here is a summary of the ordinance:

• During the existence of the local emergency, no commercial property owner or agent shall take any action, or threaten, to evict a tenant in either of the following situations -
  • Nonpayment of rent, late fees, or other fees or charges, if the landlord knows that the tenant is unable to pay the same due to financial impacts related to COVID-19
  • No-fault eviction unless immediately necessary for the health and safety of tenants, neighbors or the landlord, other than based on illness of the tenant or any other occupant of the tenant or any other occupant
• Tenant must notify the landlord
  • Tenant must give notice of inability to pay rent within 7 days after the date rent is due.
  • Tenant must notify landlord in writing that tenant has incurred financial impacts as defined by the ordinance
  • Within 30 days after the date rent is due, tenant must provide written documentation to landlord to support the tenant’s inability to pay all or part of the rent due.
  • Also, it is important that tenant has applied for applicable state and federal aid programs and must supply to the landlord.
• For purposes of this ordinance, “financial impacts” means –
  • Loss of the tenant’s monthly business income due to business closure
  • Loss of compensable business, sales, or fees
  • Extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses
• A financial impact is “related to COVID-19” if resulted from any of the following–
  • A key employee or manager of the tenant’s diagnosis with COVID-19 or that person’s need to care for a household or immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19
  • Loss of business, fees or business income resulting from the Safer at Home Order, a business closure, or other economic impacts of COVID-19
  • Compliance with a recommendation or order from the County Health Officer to close the business, stay at home, isolate, self-quarantine, or avoid congregating with others during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
  • Extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses related to diagnosis and testing for treatment of COVID-19
  • The business owner, manager or key employees’ need to provide additional child care costs arising from school closures related to COVID-19
• During the period of local emergency, all tenants shall pay timely that portion of the rent the tenant is able to pay.
  • Nothing in this ordinance relieves tenants of any liability for unpaid rent which landlords may seek after expiration of the local emergency.
  • Tenants must pay all rent that is due within 6 months following the termination of this local emergency. All tenants are encouraged to work hand-in-hand with landlords.
• Finally, this ordinance prevents the enforcement of non-payment eviction notices, no-fault eviction notices, and unlawful detainer actions based on such notices and may be used as defense to any such action by a landlord in violation of this ordinance.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Planning Department Adapts to the Age of Coronavirus

You're in the construction industry. It’s Monday morning, you spent months of preparation and countless hours having development plans drawn up and printed. You are finally ready to submit them for the cIty’s review.

But city hall is closed.

No fear. The Planning Department has come up with instructions on how to submit plans electronically, or by postal mail. Here's how: https://is.gd/zBdYJ6

- Brad Haugaard

Company Will Manufacture Ventilator Systems in Monrovia

Brea, Calif.-based Mullen Technologies is using the Monrovia high-voltage battery R&D center to manufacture its Mullen 8 ventilator system in response to the shortage of equipment faced by hospitals around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mullen 8 system is designed as a low-cost, compact, emergency-use ventilator that can be mass-produced from readily available parts to distribute to hospitals, field hospitals and military combat support hospitals.

Mullen Technologies’ portable device is designed with a low-draw, high-torque drive motor for adjusting between six and 12 respirations per minute, along with a battery system designed for dozens of hours on a single charge with the ability to be plugged into a traditional power source. Its primary function is for emergencies when larger devices are unavailable.

Chairman & CEO David Michery said in a news release that the company dedicated 40,000 square feet of its facility for production and expects to begin at a rate of 5,000 to 10,000 units per week with delivery by the end of May. He expects the price to be no more than $3,000 per unit.

“These units can be the difference between life and death for thousands of people that require immediate respiratory assistance at hospitals that are unable to meet critical patient demand,” Michery said. “We are moving incredibly fast on this initiative and have a strong team working around the clock, targeting the end of April 2020 to have the first full set of production units ready by. We’ve also been able to leverage our advanced engineering team in Europe and the U.S. to finalize the design and testing and expect to begin manufacturing in record time.”

Source: Mullen Technologies press release

- Brad Haugaard

Two More Monrovians Infected - Now 13

The number of Monrovians officially listed by the County as infected by Coronavirus is up two, to 13. This is a rate of 32.03 per 100,000 population, a bit higher than our neighbors, Arcadia (29.83), El Monte (19.34) and Bradbury (zero). No data for Duarte or Sierra Madre. https://is.gd/zJ0Km9

- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent's Report on Monrovia Schools in Challenging Times

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

I want to thank you all for your continued support as we work through these challenging times. I’m continually impressed with the strength of our school community, which has come together to support each other – showing what it means to be a part of the Monrovia Unified family.

The success of our students remains our priority, which is why our educators have been hard at work innovating and reinventing their lessons to better suit the online environment.

In March, in addition to a variety of videos our teachers have created, printed instructional packets were distributed for remote learning and online platforms were created to guide our families through the distance learning process.

Through our Distance Learning Platform, students and parents receive access to resources such as a sample daily schedule to stay on task, tips on how to create a productive learning space, and guides to using programs for online learning.

Monrovia Unified is made up of dedicated and passionate individuals who care about our students, families, and community, and even during these challenging times, continue to ensure they receive the tools they need to succeed.

Our Food Services Department has been busy since we announced the March 16 dismissal, preparing and distributing meals to the children of our community. Monrovia Unified has served more than 26,000 meals to students thanks to the dedication of our heroic staff.

Lastly, I want to celebrate our scholars. They have all experienced a drastic change in their routine and are isolated from their peers and school community. However, I continue to hear about their continued success even while participating in at-home learning.

Please continue practicing social distancing, stay at home as much as possible, and keep up with healthy habits. We are all in this together and it takes all of us to ensure we stay healthy.

We will continue providing updated information on our website and social media platforms. Pre-recorded informational messages are regularly updated at (626) 471-2084. Additionally, KGEM-TV is hosting a series, “Conversations with Ralph Walker,” joined by Board President Rob Hammond and Mayor Tom Adams, who share the most up-to-date information regarding our District and City.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

Monrovia Company Fighting Virus By Donating Sneeze Guards

A Monrovia company is manufacturing sneeze guards and has been donating them to local businesses. Here's a video report: https://is.gd/pXYcDe

And here's a web site describing the project: https://www.covid19guard.org/

If you'd like to contribute, the project could use: 3/4" plywood, 1/8" Acrylic/ Lexan or any other clear substrate, industrial velcro, and money.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Infections: 11

Now 11.  https://shrtm.nu/gQpl

- Brad Haugaard 

Online Monrovia Church Services Today

This is a partial list of online church services today in Monrovia. There are some I could not find information about or that I just missed. If you know of others, please let me know (Include a link and times of services.)

Calvary Chapel Monrovia, or on Facebook  (1307 S Myrtle) -  10 a.m.

Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 West Olive Ave) 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m.

Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High) - 9 and 11 a.m.

First Lutheran (1227 S Magnolia) 9 a.m.

First Presbyterian (Foothill and Myrtle) - 10 a.m.

Hope Unlimited Church (1900 Walker Ave) - 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m.

IFGF (Palm and Primrose) 10:30 a.m.

Mountainside Communion Church (Colorado and Magnolia) 10 a.m.

Second Baptist Church, or on Facebook (925 S Shamrock) - 10:45 a.m.

Vineyard (223 S Encinitas Ave) - 10 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Virus Count Rises to Nine

County reports nine cases in Monrovia now. https://is.gd/86RQ9f

- Brad Haugaard

Crash Following Apparent Race Between Mustang and Camaro - Two Drivers Hospitalized

RMG News (sorry, no link), is reporting two people taken to the hospital early Saturday afternoon after what bystanders said appeared to be a race between a Mustang and Camaro in the 1900 block of South Myrtle. The news service reports the Mustang ran into a pickup and the Mustang's driver was flung about 100 feet. Both the driver of the Mustang and the driver of the pickup were taken to the hospital. The Camaro drove off.
Update: Report from KTLA: https://is.gd/GhSv1S

- Brad Haugaard

One More Monrovia Coronavirus Case - Total 8

The county reports eight confirmed coronavirus cases in Monrovia, up one from April 1. https://is.gd/8yDNcF

Comment: That's not good but I'm pretty impressed at the very low growth rate of the virus in Monrovia. Keep up the good work, folks!

- Brad Haugaard

School District Food Staff Still Ensures Students Fed

Monrovia Unified School District is ensuring students receive daily nutrition through a Grab-and-Go meal distribution program, which provides free breakfast and lunch for children ages 18 and under.

Meal distribution began on March 16 and is prepared by the District’s Food Services Department staff. The curbside meals can be picked up at the school nearest students’ residences.

To date, Monrovia Unified has served over 26,000 meals to students. The District plans to continue with the Grab-and-Go meal program until the end of the extended dismissal period.

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner From 38 Degrees

Got dinner from 38 Degrees, on the south side of Colorado a half block east of Myrtle. Got the Beef Brisket with sides of beans and kimchi for $15. Curb-side pick-up was easy and quick and the meat was tender and well prepared. Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovian and 1776 Closed for Remodeling, Repainting

The Monrovian restaurant is closed for remodeling, and 1776 restaurant is also closed. A sign on the front says closed for repainting. Comment: Well, this is probably a good time to do it. Thanks to Kelly Moran for the info.

The Monrovian

1776

- Brad Haugaard