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City Manager's Update | October 3, 2025

Post Date:10/03/2025 10:30 AM

Good morning, Monrovians!

When we made our case to the National Civic League as to why Monrovia is an All-America City, we used the theme, "Better Together." That has always been true and remains true, still. Whether an individual, a neighborhood group, a nonprofit, or a local business, Monrovia thrives because people work together. This past week was a perfect example, as hundreds of people came together for several different events and activities.

On Tuesday, we were proud to host a special screening at LOOK Cinemas of An Ode to an Old Road: A Route 66 Story. The film was produced by Community Media of the Foothills and was more than just a film about historic Route 66 and its lasting impact in Monrovia. The production itself was a true community effort. It was brought to life on the big screen by the voices of Council Members, local historians, artists, and community leaders - who all care deeply about the Monrovia community. If you couldn't make it to the theater to join us, please keep an eye out on the Community Media of the Foothills YouTube channel to watch it as soon as it becomes available online!

On Wednesday evening, the Monrovia City Council hosted an appreciation event at Fred’s Monrovia to host the many volunteers who serve on City boards, commissions and committees. As one council member stated, "We cannot do it alone." It was an evening of connection and appreciation for the time, expertise, and dedication that many community members devote to guiding and supporting our community. If you aren’t familiar with our Boards and Commissions, those who serve in these roles are all volunteers, they give their time, knowledge and serve without compensation! We are deeply grateful for their commitment, which makes a lasting difference in strengthening and shaping the future of Monrovia. It was very special for us to take an evening to appreciate the role they play in our community!

To cap off an eventful week, on Thursday many of us visited Monrovia's classrooms for Read Across Monrovia! Twice a year, Monrovia Reads partners with the Monrovia Unified School District to host Read Across Monrovia, a community-driven celebration of reading. This special event invites volunteers, including city staff, parents, community leaders and public officials to visit classrooms and read to children in schools throughout the Monrovia Unified School District. It was a wonderful event and I personally enjoyed reading to my kids' classrooms at Monroe.

This week was a helpful reminder that we are "Better Together" and its through partnership and relationships that makes Monrovia thrive!

Sincerely,

Dylan

Email: dfeik@m onroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update:

Monrovia Fire & Rescue: Fire Prevention Week Open House - Saturday, October 11
Safe Streets and Roads for All Community Meeting #2 – Monday, October 13
701 South Myrtle Development Project – Final EIR Now Available
In-N-Out Reading Program at Monrovia Public Library
Artists Wanted: 2025 Holiday Tree Ornament Contest - Submissions due by Sunday, October 5
Taste of Old Town Monrovia - Sunday, October 26
Proposed Assessment District: Monrovia Citywide Lighting, Landscaping, and Parks Maintenance District
Artists Wanted: 2025 Holiday Tree Ornament Contest
Monrovia High School Mountain Bike Team Meet & Greet - Tuesday, October 7
Walk, Bike, and Roll to School - Wednesday, October 15
Pacific Clinics Monrovia: Noche de Familia - Wednesday, October 15
Return to the Canyon, hosted by MPWR - Thursday, October 23
Halloween Tour of Live Oak Cemetery - October 25, 26
Girl Scouts' Hispanic Heritage Celebration Fundraiser - Sunday, October 26
SCE Inspections Using Drones & Helicopters
Southern California Edison LED Streetlight Retrofit Project
Los Angeles County California Avenue Street Repair Project
City of Irwindale Myrtle Avenue Street Repair Project
Peck Road and Mountain Avenue Infrastructure Improvement Project Updates
Work Around Town
Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

Monrovia Fire & Rescue: Fire Prevention Week Open House -Saturday, October 11

Next week is Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme is: “Charge into Fire Safety!”

Monrovia Fire & Rescue will be hosting our annual Fire Prevention Week Open House next Saturday, October 12 at Fire Station 101 (141 E Lemon Avenue) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for the community to enjoy games, explore the station, and learn about fire safety tips!

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, please contact the Monrovia Fire & Rescue at (626) 256-8181.

Safe Streets and Roads for All Community Meeting #2 – Monday, October 13

Join us on Monday, October 13 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for an update on the City’s progress with the Safe Streets and Roads for All project. Your participation is key to the development of the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Bicycle Master Plan update, so we hope to see you there!

During the meeting, we’ll review the following items:

Brief discussion of community survey results
Recommended traffic safety projects for all roadway users
Proposed solutions for expanding the City’s bike lane network

Staff will host the meeting in person at the Library Community Room, 321 S Myrtle Ave.

To register for the meeting, visit the following link here. To learn more about the project, visit our website or contact Sophia Sousa at (626) 932-5512, ssousa@monroviaca.gov.

701 South Myrtle Development Project – Final EIR Now Available

We want to keep you informed on the status of the 701 South Myrtle Avenue Development Project, a proposal to redevelop the Myrtle and Olive Business Park with a new five-story mixed-use building that includes 204 apartment homes and ground-floor commercial space.

Earlier this summer, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) was released for public review as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The 45-day comment period ran from Thursday, July 3 through Monday, August 18, 2025. During that time, community members and agencies submitted comments about the project’s potential environmental impacts.

Those comments, and the City’s responses to them, are now available in the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR), which is posted online on our website.

In addition to the responses to comments, the Final EIR includes an update based on the results of the recently completed Water and Sewer Capacity Study.

Together, the Draft and Final EIR documents make up the complete Environmental Impact Report for the project. Both are available in full on the City’s website and will be used by decision-makers during the upcoming public hearing process.

That process begins with the Development Review Committee (DRC), which will review the project and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission. The DRC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Dates for Planning Commission and City Council hearings will be announced soon.

To follow the project and view all materials, we encourage you to visit the City’s Development Spotlight page. It’s the best place to stay up to date.

In-N-Out Reading Program at Monrovia Public Library

Calling all kids aged 4-12! Visit the Monrovia Public Library from Saturday, October 4 through Saturday, November 15 to sign up for the In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Program! Kids who read 5 books will receive a gift card for a FREE hamburger or cheeseburger at In-N-Out!

Limit three (3) gift cards max per child for the duration of the program. Drop by the Monrovia Public Library (321 S Myrtle Ave) to learn more!

Artist Wanted: 2025 Holiday Tree Ornament Contest - Submissions due by Sunday, October 5

We invite artists of all ages to submit designs for this year's Art in Public Places Holiday Tree Ornament Contest! The winning design will be featured on ceramic ornaments with this year's theme of Monrovia Merriment. The selected artist will receive a $500 stipend and have their name featured on the ornament!

Submissions are due by this Sunday, October 5. Proceeds from ornament sales will support Monrovia's public art programs. View the application online and submit your design today!

For questions, contact Kerri Zessau: (626) 932-5564 or kzessau@monroviaca.gov

Taste of Old Town Monrovia - Sunday, October 26

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 26 for the 10th Annual Taste of Old Town Monrovia!

Stroll through Myrtle Avenue and enjoy unlimited tastings from your favorite local restaurants, sips of fine wine, craft beer, and signature cocktails, all while enjoying live entertainment all evening long! Tickets are $80 and include: a souvenir wine glass and plate, swag bag, and all food and beverage tastings. Enjoy a fun-filled evening of food, drinks, and community with 100% of the profits directly benefitting local youth programs!

Taste of Old Town Monrovia is a 21+ event and tickets are limited and selling quickly! Purchase your tickets online today!

Proposed Assessment District: Monrovia Citywide Lighting, Landscaping, and Parks Maintenance District

Monrovia takes pride in our beautiful parks, tree-lined streets, safe lighting, and welcoming public spaces, and we’re committed to keeping them well cared for. To make sure these essentials continue to be maintained at the high standard our community expects, the City is proposing the creation of the Monrovia Citywide Lighting, Landscaping, and Parks Maintenance District.

This new district would replace the two existing assessment districts, which have funded streetlights, traffic signals, landscaping, and park upkeep since the 1990s but no longer generate enough revenue to cover rising costs.

If approved by voters, the new district will provide a stable and self-sustaining structure to maintain these services, protect property values, and allow the City to keep investing in safety, accessibility, and long-term neighborhood improvements. To ease the transition, new assessment rates will be phased in gradually over five years, with the City covering part of the cost during the early years.

Every property owner will receive a ballot packet in the mail beginning September 26, which will include a fact sheet with parcel-specific details, a notice of public hearing, and an official ballot with instructions for returning it by November 18.

We encourage everyone to get informed and ask questions. To learn more, additional resources, including background information, timelines, and an interactive map of proposed rates, are available on the City’s website.

Monrovia High School's Mountain Bike Team Meet & Greet - Tuesday, October 7

Did you know Monrovia High School (MHS) has a Mountain Bike Team? Now is your chance to meet the MHS Mountain Bike Team and learn all about the program on Tuesday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m. at the Lower Loops (closest address is 539 Cloverleaf Dr)!

All Monrovia Unified School District students in grades 6–12 are invited for a meet and greet info session with coaches and team members, followed by a friendly ride with the team. Please bring a bike, helmet to join in on the fun!

To learn more and to ask questions, please email D'Arcy Ross, Team Director. You can also view the team's Instagram account here!

Walk, Bike, and Roll to School - Wednesday, October 15

Join us in participating in Walk/Bike/Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 15! This national event that Mayflower Elementary brings to Monrovia encourages students to choose active transportation! This is a great opportunity to walk, ride your bike, or roll on your scooters, skateboards, and inline skates to school with the community, and you might just find certain City Council members, the city manager and even the Monrovia Unified School District Superintendent on bicycles too!

If you can't join but expect to travel through the area that morning, please note that traffic will be impacted at the following intersections in town to help slow traffic:

Mayflower Avenue and Concord Avenue
Mayflower Avenue and Court Street
Mayflower Avenue and Hillcrest Boulevard
Alta Vista Avenue and Hillcrest Boulevard
Alta Vista Avenue and Concord Street

We hope to see you out there with us walking, biking, or rolling to school!

Pacific Clinics Monrovia: Noche de Familia - Wednesday, October 15

Join Pacific Clinics Monrovia for an evening filled with fun games and activities for all!, as well as a resource fair featuring numerous community organizations!

This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and will take place on Wednesday, October 15 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Pacific Clinics Monrovia (902 S Myrtle Ave).

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, have fun, and learn about the resources available in our community. Whether you're looking to connect with local services or simply enjoy quality time with your loved ones, Noche de Familia has something for everyone.

For more information, contact Pacific Clinics Monrovia. We look forward to seeing you there!

Return to the Canyon, hosted by MPWR - Thursday, October 23

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation (MPWR) are thrilled to invite you to an evening of fall fun supporting MPWR with a Return to the Canyon! Your evening starts with appetizers, wine and beer at the Monrovia Canyon Park Nature Center. Next, relax and enjoy a delicious catered dinner, dessert and live music under the trees in the adjacent picnic area.

Tickets are $50 and must be purchased in advance by 10/9. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Attendance is limited to 75 guests, so be sure to purchase your tickets today!

For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit the event page online.

Halloween Tour of Live Oak Cemetery - October 25, 26

Our Halloween favorite returns! Join Jim Wigton as he carries on Steve Baker’s tradition of storytelling among the graves at Live Oak (200 E Duarte Rd). Hear tales of notable burials, local history, and just enough spookiness to set the mood!

This year, Halloween Tours will be offered on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.! Tickets are available now at the Community Center (119 W Palm Ave) for $25, with all proceeds benefitting the Monrovia Historical Society. Each tour is limited to 25 guests, so purchase your tickets now before spots fill up!

For more information, please visit the Monrovia Community Center or call (626) 256-8246.

Girl Scouts' Hispanic Heritage Celebration Fundraiser - Sunday, October 26

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Monrovia–Duarte Service Unit on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Duarte Elks Lodge (2436 Huntington Dr)!

Enjoy a special performance by the California State University, Los Angeles Mariachi Ensemble: Aguila de Oro, hands‑on cultural crafts, as well as cultural snacks and food! Registration is $25 for Girl Scouts (includes patch and all activities), and $20 for non‑Girl Scouts, tag-alongs, and adults. All proceeds from the event go toward Girl Scot travel opportunities!

Register online by October 17 to secure your spot!

SCE Inspections Using Drones & Helicopters

Southern California Edison (SCE) will be conducting aerial inspections in neighborhoods throughout Monrovia over the next few weeks as part of their wildfire prevention and mitigation program.

These inspections, performed by drones and/or helicopters, allow SCE to view equipment from multiple angles, including overhead, for a complete 360-degree assessment. The goal is to identify any damage or potential hazards on poles and towers that may need repair to help keep our community safe.

Inspection times will vary depending on the number of poles or towers being checked, generally lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. For more information, please visit Southern California Edison online.

Southern California Edison LED Streetlight Retrofit Project

During the month of October, Southern California Edison will perform a project to retrofit utility-owned streetlights to LED. LED light bulbs can produce light as much as two times more efficiently than traditional street lights leading to lower electricity use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and lower electricity costs. Through the project, SCE will transition all street lights that are owned and maintained by the utility to LED.

For the week of October 6 through October 10, work will take place in portions of the City south of Colorado Blvd and north of El Sur St, as well as streets south of Foothill Blvd and east of Mountain Ave.

Local residents should expect on-street parking restrictions and increased noise during construction hours. Schedules are subject to change. We appreciate your flexibility.

Contact: Southern California Edison, (626) 815-7256

Los Angeles County Public Works to Perform California Avenue Street Repairs this Fall

The County of Los Angeles is performing street repairs along California Ave south of the Monrovia City limit.

During the week of October 6 to October 10, work will take place from Hurstview Ave to El Norte Ave.

Drivers should expect temporary lane closures for both north and southbound lanes of California Ave during the construction hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please plan for delays, and we appreciate your understanding.

Contact: Monrovia Public Works, (626) 256-8224

City of Irwindale Myrtle Avenue Street Repair Project

The City of Irwindale will perform street repairs October 7 through October 8. Irwindale’s contractor, Sully Miller, will perform pavement repairs along Myrtle Ave at Longden Ave.

Drivers should expect northbound lane closures and traffic delays. Please note that schedules are subject to change. We appreciate your flexibility.

Contact: Monrovia Public Works, (626) 256-8224

Peck Road and Mountain Avenue Infrastructure Improvement Project Updates

The City’s contractor All American Asphalt will continue the Peck Rd and Mountain Ave Infrastructure Improvement Project.

For the week of October 6 through October 10, work will include:

Myrtle Ave at Novice Ln
- Installation of striping for north-bound lanes
Peck Rd from Live Oak Ave to Foothill Transit Driveway
- Installation of striping for north-bound lanes
Peck Rd from Duarte Rd to cul-de-sac south of Longden Ave
- Patching of concrete
Mountain Ave from Foothill Blvd to Huntington Dr
- Replacement of striping and signage

Drivers should expect a single driving lane open for traffic for both north and southbound lanes of Peck Rd and Mountain Ave during the construction hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please plan for delays, and we appreciate your understanding.

Contact: Monrovia Public Works, (626) 256-8224

Work Around Town

Potential Traffic Delays

For the week of Friday, October 3 – Friday, October 10, the following locations will have construction work that may alter traffic and/or sidewalk flow. Please follow all directional signage and worker instructions for your safety.

Friday, October 3
- 1000 block of Norumbega Dr – Pre-dig ground and pothole.