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Grand Park Clean-Up; Nice for the Forest Service; Kings and Queens


~ Monrovia Police Explorers join with Kiwanis to clean up Grand Park (City of Monrovia photo): http://goo.gl/PYejJC

~ 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.

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

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

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

Monrovia Bear Video

Another Monrovia bear video. Mom and three cubs: http://goo.gl/AebU01

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Meat Burglary; Dog vs. Dog; Fighting; Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 3-6. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On April 3 at 6:32 p.m., an adult male entered a business in the 100 block of West Foothill with an empty bag and selected over 150 dollars in meat products and concealed them. He left the location without paying and was detained by security. An officer responded and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
On April 4 at 4:54 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 700 block of West Huntington and noticed a Chevrolet Tahoe with damage to the rear door window in a hotel parking lot. He approached the vehicle and saw the rear seat was missing. The officer was able to locate the owner, who indicated the seat was there before he entered the hotel for the night. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
On April 4 at 4:02 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 500 block of East Colorado. The victim left his back door open for his dogs. Unknown suspect(s) entered the residence and took his television, which was located just inside the back door. The investigation is continuing.

Juveniles Fighting – Subjects Cited
On April 4 at 7:49 p.m., officers responded to the area of Myrtle and Palm regarding a fight in progress. A group of female juveniles were arguing and the argument escalated into a physical confrontation. Officers arrived and two female juveniles were cited for fighting.

Animal Problem
On April 4 at 11:21 p.m., a male subject was walking his leashed pit bull in the 200 block of West Walnut when a smaller dog rushed up and the two dogs began to bite each other. The owners tried to break up the dogs; one of the owners sustained a dog bite and the smaller dog sustained large lacerations. Pasadena Humane Society was called out to handle the incident and the bite victim was treated by the Monrovia Fire Department.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
On April 5 at 8:00 p.m., a citizen called to report a male subject drunk in front of a business in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive. The intoxicated subject had pushed another subject when he was approached. An officer arrived and determined the subject was drunk in public and placed him under arrest. The subject was argumentative and required sobering before he could be booked for the charges several hours later.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On April 5 at 9:01 p.m., officers on patrol observed a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road and then it ran a red light in the area of Myrtle & Palm. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Easter for Kids in Monrovia


Monrovia's Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk May 10; Sign Up Now

Monrovia's fourth annual Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk will be held Saturday, May 10, at 7 a.m. It is a 7 mile out-and-back race, from the Library Park Fountain to the Canyon Park Waterfall, and is offered in cooperation with the Santa Anita Family YMCA. First through third place awards will be given for each age category. The race is limited to 400 participants and advance registration is required. No race day registration will be accepted. The $35 entry fee (a registration fee is added to each entry) includes a t-shirt. Registration will only be accepted on-line at www.active.com. No late starts or unregistered participants will be permitted. Registration will be accepted through Thursday, May 9, or until filled. Any reprint of this information is not official race information. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.
 
Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Peach Cafe Changing Hands; Homeless Committee; E-Waste; Etc.

~ The Peach Cafe, on Colorado near Ivy, is changing hands, according to a report given at the Monrovia Coordinating Council.

~ Police Chief Hunt is leading a committee on homelessness. Also from a report at the Coordinating Council.

~ E-waste collection at the corner of Myrtle and Pomona. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

~ Race for our Lives, a one-mile walk at Library Park, near the band shell, to raise awareness of pulmonary hypertension April 12, noon to 3 p.m.

~ National Day of Prayer May 1, 7-8:30 p.m. At Tzu Chi Education Foundation. Donation will go to Foothill Unity Center.

~ Monrovia Adult School open house, with a focus on business in the health field. April 24, 8-10 a.m. It's at 920 S. Mountian.

- Brad Haugaard

McDonald's First Restaurant was in Monrovia | Albertson's Airport Mural

~ The precursor to the McDonald's restaurants was actually in Monrovia, according to writer Sylvia Dohnal. In 1937, at the Monrovia Airport, just south of Huntington, between Shamrock and Mountain, Patrick McDonald opened "The Aerodrome" (burgers and orange juice for a nickel). He later moved to San Bernardino, opened a "McDonald's," then Ray Kroc came along and, well, you know the rest.

~ What will happen to the tile mosaic commemorating the old Monrovia Airport if whatever new company takes over the old Albertson's wants to remodel the front of the building? An Albertson's official tells Mark Still, curator of the Monrovia Historical Museum, that the museum can have the mural if that happens.

Source: Monrovia Historic Preservation Group newsletter

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Yard Sale for Marching Band and Spirit Marchers

The First Annual Yard Sale to benefit Clifton's Middle School Marching Band and Spirit Marchers will be held Saturday, April 12 from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on the front lawn of Clifton Middle School across the street from the Monrovia Post Office.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia 2014 Mothers Day Home Tour

Here are details about the Monrovia 2014 Mothers Day Home Tour, which includes five homes, the Aztec Hotel and the Monrovia Historical Museum. Sponsored by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. http://goo.gl/1mD4ux

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sidewalk Astronomy Tonight

Look at the moon and Mars with Monrovia's Sidewalk Astronomers tonight, April 5, from 7-9 p.m. at the southeast corner of Library Park, near the Mark Twain statue.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company's Drones Could Have Helped Find Missing Airliner

Drones, like those made by Monrovia's AeroVironment, could have been very helpful in finding Malaysia Air Flight 370. http://goo.gl/Zuc7QF

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Salsas Taqueria


Lunch at Salsas Taqueria, at Olive and Myrtle, at the former location of S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs, which is moving somewhere. I got a special, two tacos (I chose chicken and carnitas) and a drink for $5. Good price and good taste. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Friday Fish at Monrovia Knights of Columbus

Monrovia Knights of Columbus Lenten is having fish dinners every Friday during Lent, to April 18. Dinner served 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Adult dinner $9; child dinner $6, grilled cheese $4. 130 W. Pomona Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Lieutenant Graduates from LA Leadership Program


On April 3, 2014, Monrovia Police Department’s Lieutenant Zeke Cerecerez graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Program. (City of Monrovia photo) http://goo.gl/L8h2Uo
- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Monrovia Plans Offices at Huntington and California

Proposed office and meeting building for Fellowship Monrovia church.

Fellowship Monrovia, a church which began just over two years ago in the Monrovia Community Center, then moved to the Monrovia High auditorium, is now planning to occupy a 13,000 square foot light industrial building at the northeast corner of Huntington Drive and California for "office space, evening gatherings and a Sunday satellite meeting room," according to a city staff report for the Monrovia Planning Commission. The church will continue to use the High School auditorium for its main Sunday meetings. http://goo.gl/Z99rYr

Comment: I don't know if this is exactly the meaning, but the phrase "satellite meeting room" suggests a video-connected overflow area, and for a two-year-old church that uses the big MHS auditorium to need an overflow area is pretty amazing.

- Brad Haugaard