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City Manager's Update | December 5, 2025

Post Date:12/05/2025 10:30 AM

Good morning, Monrovians!

I would like to sincerely thank all of you who joined us for last night's Holiday Parade! This annual event has become one of my personal favorites. The charm and feeling you experience along Myrtle Avenue is just so special and memorable. The festivity, creativity, and joy of the holidays is so much fun to see and experience!

This year, we saw 90 parade entries join in on the fun and participate. Between the 90 parade entries, nearly 2,500 individuals were marching up and down Myrtle Avenue...not including those watching them on! If you didn't get to join us last night or couldn't stick around for the entire parade, here are this year's 2025 Holiday Parade winners:

  • Best Band - Pasadena Unified School District All-Star Band

  • Best Float - Mayflower Elementary

  • Judge's Award - Plymouth Elementary

  • Best Dance Squad - Dancing for His Glory

  • Best Holiday Spirit - Girl Scouts Troop 8111

I'd also like to extend a special note of gratitude to our event sponsors...the Monrovia Old Town Merchants! Your continued generosity lifts our community up and truly helps bring holiday magic to Old Town! And finally, I'd like to thank all of our elected officials, dedicated staff and volunteers, merchants and community members who work so hard behind-the-scenes and pour their heart into making this our parade shine.

The holiday festivities continue next week as our Santa Tour returns to Monrovia! From Monday, December 8 through Friday, December 12, the Santa Tour will travel throughout Monrovia visiting different parts of town each evening. The Santa Tour schedule is available in this week's update and online on our website. Beginning Monday, December 8, residents can track Santa's location on his tour by using our Santa Tracker! The Santa Tracker is available now to view, but you won't see any movement until Santa begins his tour on Monday evening!

 

 

 

As a reminder, today is the LAST day to submit an application and enter your home for this year's Holiday Home Decorating Contest! Entries must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. today, and decorations must be street-visible and ready to go by Monday, December 8. Judging will take place on Tuesday, December 9, and all winners will be recognized at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 16! 

I hope you have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update: 

  • Monrovia Today | Winter 2025 - Out Now!
  • Santa Tour | Monday, December 8 - Friday, December 12
  • 2025 Building Code Update
  • Proposal to Place Downtown Monrovia on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Holiday Carolers & Winter Carriage Rides in Old Town
  • Utility Billing Counter Temporary Closure | Wednesday, December 10
  • Santa Storytime at Monrovia Public Library | Saturday, December 13
  • Art in Public Places 2025 Holiday Ornament Now Available!
  • William Newton Monroe's Life: In His Own Words
  • Historic Walking Tour | Tomorrow, December 6
  • "A Legendary Christmas", Christmas Kick-Off 2025 | Sunday, December 7
  • Clifton and Santa Fe Music Annual Winter Concert | Wednesday, December 10
  • Citrus Singers Christmas Concert | Thursday, December 11
  • Los Angeles County California Avenue Street Repair Project
  • Work Around Town
  • Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

 

  

Monrovia Today | Winter 2025 - Out Now!

The Winter edition of the Monrovia Today is now available online! Inside, you’ll find everything happening in Monrovia this season, from holiday events, and New Year's gatherings, to upcoming classes, programs, and more.

Class registration is underway! Start the new year with an assortment of fun and engaging classes by registering online now!

 

2025 Santa Tour Schedule 

 

Santa Tour | Monday, December 8 - Friday, December 12

Santa Claus is coming to town next week! Beginning Monday, December 8, at 5:00 p.m., Santa and his friends will be touring Monrovia along with our friends at the Fire & Rescue, Police and Public Works Departments. Every night from Monday, December 8, through Friday, December 12, Santa will be touring different areas of the City with his entourage!

Check out our Santa Tracker on Monday, December 8, to find out where Santa is at in town!

 

 

 

 2025 Building Code Update

The 2025 California Building Standards Code has been officially adopted by the State and was published on July 1, 2025. Under State law, all new Codes take effect 180 days after publication, which means they will apply to all local construction starting January 1, 2026.
Monrovia is adopting these updated Codes—along with a small set of local amendments—as our new Monrovia Building Code.

What’s New This Cycle

The biggest change this year is the introduction of the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC). This new code pulls together wildfire-resilience requirements that were previously scattered across multiple codes. Modeled after the ICC’s WUI Code, the CWUIC does not add major new requirements; instead, it organizes existing rules into one clear, easy-to-use document. This is a major step forward in making wildfire-related standards more streamlined statewide.

Local Amendments & AB 130

Normally, cities can modify the State codes to address local needs. However, Assembly Bill 130, effective June 30, 2025, places a six-year moratorium on local amendments that affect residential units. The only local changes allowed for housing are those that:

  • Match amendments already in effect before September 30, 2025, and/or
  • Improve wildfire resistance

Because of this, Monrovia will continue using the same local amendments we adopted during the last code cycle along with some new Fire code amendments. These are allowed under AB 130 because they were already in place before the moratorium and improve wildfire resistance. We are also proposing minor updates to the Administrative Code to improve cross-references and maintain consistency with the 2025 Codes.

Please feel free to contact the Monrovia Building Division at building@monroviaca.gov if you have any questions regarding the 2025 Building Code Update.

 

 

 

Proposal to Place Downtown Monrovia on the National Register of Historic Places

On December 2, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group (MOHPG) presented their efforts to place Downtown Monrovia (Old Town), Myrtle Avenue from Palm to Olive and the surrounding blocks, on the National Register of Historic Places. The effort highlights Old Town's long-standing role as the heart of the community and aims to formally recognize its architectural and cultural significance.

If awarded, the designation could open the door to federal and state preservation incentives, including grants and tax credits for qualifying rehabilitation work. It would also add Old Town Monrovia to a national archival database and allow the community to celebrate the designation with an official plaque.

A National Register listing does not impose new restrictions on private property owners. It does not limit how owners may use, develop, modify, or even sell their buildings unless federal funding or permits are involved. Zoning rules and regulations remain the same with or without the listing and designation.

For more information on the proposal, please contact MOHPG online.

 

 

Utility Billing Counter Temporary Closure | Wednesday, December 10

The Utility Billing Counter will be closed for a department function on Wednesday, December 10, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

For other ways to pay your utility bill during this time, please see the information below:

  • Payments can still be made online, by phone, or by dropping off a check at the City Hall drop box.
  • To pay online, visit the City of Monrovia Online Payment Portal. You will need your Account Number and Customer ID/Number. Both numbers can be found on your monthly billing statement.
  • To pay over the phone using our automated system, call 1-800-272-9829, enter option 3, and enter Jurisdiction Code 1573. You will need your Account Number and Customer ID/Number when calling. Both numbers can be found on your monthly billing statement.

In-person payments and inquiries will resume when the utility billing counter reopens at 2:00 p.m.

 

 Santa Storytime at Monrovia Public Library | Saturday, December 10

Join us on Saturday, December 13, from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. for stories, holiday crafts, and photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus!

Plus, the Friends of the Monrovia Library will be hosting a special kids book sale with all books priced at just $2 (all proceeds support library programs & collections). A perfect morning for family fun and lots of holiday spirit!

 

 

Art in Public Places 2025 Holiday Ornament Now Available!

The fourth ornament in our annual Art in Public Places holiday series is here! This year’s design, "Monrovia Merriment", by local artist Karen Drylie, highlights the Library Park fountain in a festive ceramic keepsake. Each 2.5" double-sided ornament comes boxed and ready for gifting. All proceeds from ornament sales directly support public art and help maintain more than 185 installations citywide.

Limited quantities are available, purchase today online at our Monrovia Store or at City Hall (415 S Ivy Ave)!. For more details, please call us at (626) 932-5564.

 

 

 

William Newton Monroe's Life: In His Own Words

A never-before published book written by Monrovia's founder, William Monroe, William Newton Monroe's Life: In His Own Words, has just been released by the Monrovia Historical Society and is now available at Charlie’s House (430 S Myrtle) for $30.

At the age of 91 Monroe wrote down the story of his life. He tells of his Civil War battles (with his wife Mary Jane riding along), building railroads in Texas, "old" Mexico and Berkeley, California, run-ins with Judge Roy Bean (who called himself "The Only Law West of the Pecos"), his work in the Alaskan gold rush, and surprising details of the founding of Monrovia.

The 84-page book, with rare photos of his life, shows the original pages in Monroe's own handwriting side-by-side with a deciphering of his writing in clear type. 

 

Historic Walking Tour | Tomorrow, December 6

After this building in downtown Monrovia ceased being a bank, who was its next occupant? The answer to this and the numerous other historical anecdotes on Monrovia’s history can be yours tomorrow, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. Meet at the SE corner of Myrtle and Palm Avenues for the two-hour trip back into time to learn about Monrovia’s history. Cost is only $5 per person. See you there! 

 

"A Legendary Christmas", Christmas Kick-Off 2025 | Sunday, December 7

Get ready for a festive start to the season with IFGF Church and Centre Stage! Join IFGF and Centre Stage this Sunday, December 7, for "A Legendary Christmas", a fun and heartwarming experience centered around Jingles, a small elf discovering that you don’t need to be a legend to make Christmas legendary.

Choose from two services at 9:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. at IFGF Monrovia (147 West Palm Ave). Admission is free, and you’re invited to stay after the 11:30 a.m. service for free photos with Santa, food, and fellowship! 

 

Clifton and Santa Fe Music Annual Winter Concert | Wednesday, December 10

Clifton and Santa Fe Music invite you to their Annual Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 10, at Clifton Middle School Auditorium (226 S Ivy Ave)!

Enjoy an evening of music beginning at 7:00 p.m., with general admission entry beginning at 6:30 p.m. and early entry available at 6:00 p.m. for $5. Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase.

For questions, contact cliftonmusicboosters@gmail.com. 

 

Citrus Singers Christmas Concert – Thursday, December 11

The Kiwanis Club of Monrovia is hosting their annual "The Citrus Singers" Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 11, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monrovia (924 W Huntington Dr)!

The event begins with an 11:30 a.m. champagne social, followed by a noon luncheon and performance. Guests can also enjoy opportunity drawings throughout the afternoon. Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased at the door (cash or check) or in advance through the Kiwanis Club of Monrovia.

 

 

Going Somewhere Special This Holiday Season? Get there with GoMonrovia!

Whether you’re holiday shopping, visiting loved ones, or hoping to avoid traffic, get where you need to be with GoMonrovia. There are two main options for travel: 

  • Monrovia Transit: $0.50 ADA-accessible trips for individuals with disabilities and seniors (62+). Transit riders must complete an application before using this service.
  • “GOMONROVIA” Lyft Pass: $6.00 Lyft trips available to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Just add the code “GOMONROVIA” as a Lyft pass in the Lyft app.

Both services are available during the following schedule 365 days a year, including holidays:

  • Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • Friday – Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

For additional information on how to sign up for Monrovia Transit or access the GoMonrovia Lyft pass, contact (626) 932-5512 or gomonrovia@monroviaca.gov 

 

Los Angeles County California Avenue Street Repair Project

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

During the week of December 8 to December 12, work will take place from El Sur Street to Camino Real Street.

Drivers should expect closures of the northbound and southbound lanes of California Avenue, and detours at the following intersections:

  • Camino Real Street
  • Shrode Avenue
  • El Sur Street

Traffic will be diverted to Myrtle Avenue and Mountain Avenue. Please plan for delays along California Avenue and surrounding streets.

We appreciate your understanding, as the County works to make critical repairs to local roads. The County of Los Angeles forecasts work to be completed by January 2026. Schedules are subject to change. We appreciate your flexibility.

Work Around Town

For the week of Friday, December 5 – Friday December 12 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.

  • Monday, December 8  – Friday, December 12
    • Primrose Avenue and Evergreen Avenue at 127 W Pomona Ave – Periodic street closures and detours.

Contact: Monrovia Public Works, (626) 932-5575

  • Friday, December 5
    • 400 Block of Highland Place – Pre-dig for anchor.

Contact: Southern California Edison, (800) 655-4555

  • Monday, December 8
    • Near Highland Place and Franklin Place Intersection – Pole replacement and maintenance with traffic control.
      • Work: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
      • Outage: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Contact: Southern California Edison, (800) 655-4555

 

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

 The City of Monrovia offers interested individuals a chance to keep themselves notified on our job openings through the job interest card. This card will help interested individuals receive notifications about positions that open within the City without having to log on to view our employment opportunities page continuously.

The City of Monrovia is now recruiting for the following positions:

  • Police Officer (Lateral)

  

Neighborhood Watch Report

This report lists the total number of calls for service received over the last seven-day period.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events

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