Your Government » City Manager's Office

City News & Highlights

Print
Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Font Size: + -

City Manager's Update | December 12, 2025

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

Good morning, Monrovians!

We’ve enjoyed a truly special week in town as Santa made his way through our neighborhoods, greeting families and waving alongside his Monrovia crew! Our annual Santa Tour is one of our favorite traditions, and we love to see the excitement and holiday spirit from the community. And I'm proud to share that I didn't receive a single call or text for Santa to "slow down" as he made his way around town! Our Santa Tracker is still live on the website so residents in the area can track his whereabouts so you don't miss him traveling through your neighborhood!

As the Santa Tours wrap up their final night this evening, his Monrovia visit isn't over yet! Learn more about Santa's stop to the Monrovia Public Library on Saturday where he plans to have story time with our little ones. 

Earlier this week, we also held our annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Judging took place on Tuesday evening and winners have been chosen! Here are the 2025 winners:

Homes:

  • Best Still Display: 126 Melrose Ave
  • Best Outdoor Display: 541 Valmont Dr
  • Holiday Spirit Award: 12 Hidden Valley Rd
  • Most Effective Use of Lighting: 308 W Lemon Ave
  • Children's Choice Award: 632 Terrado Dr
  • Best Neighborhood Effect: Valmont Drive & Valmont Place
  • Santa's Workshop Award: 519 W Colorado Blvd
  • Judge's Award: 429 E Walnut Ave

Old Town Monrovia Businesses:

  • Most Creative Award: Suo Boutique 
  • Judge's Award: Jake's Roadhouse
  • Holiday Spirit Award: Hot Shots Salon
  • Most Spectacular Award: California Drums

 

 

I would like to thank everyone who participated and put so much effort into decorating their home and businesses. We've created a map of all home and business entries and have included it on our website for all to check out! The support and participation we receive for our holiday events and activities make Monrovia feel truly special during this time of the year. We look forward to formally recognizing and celebrating this year's winners at next week's City Council meeting! 


I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update: 

  • Santa Storytime at Monrovia Public Library | Saturday, December 13
  • Community Development Counter Temporary Closure | Wednesday, December 17
  • City Facilities Closure | Thursday, December 18 at 11:30 a.m.
  • Monrovia Today | Winter 2025 - Out Now!
  • 2025 Building Code Update
  • Proposal to Place Downtown Monrovia on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Holiday Carolers & Winter Carriage Rides in Old Town
  • Art in Public Places 2025 Holiday Ornament Now Available!
  • Brew Hum Bug | Friday, December 12
  • MAFA Art Night at Grey & Cash | Friday, December 12
  • William Newton Monroe's Life: In His Own Words
  • Going Somewhere Special This Holiday Season? Get there with GoMonrovia!
  • Los Angeles County California Avenue Street Repair Project
  • Work Around Town
  • Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

Santa Storytime at Monrovia Public Library | Saturday, December 13

Join us on tomorrow, 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! 

 

 

 

Community Development Counter Temporary Closure | Wednesday, December 17

The Community Development Counter will be closed for a department function on Wednesday, December 17, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

 

 

 

City Facilities Closure | Thursday, December 18 at 11:30 a.m.

City Hall, Public Works, Community Center, Library and Police and Fire Administration will be closed next Thursday, December 18 at 11:30 a.m. for an employee recognition event. Facilities will resume normal business hours on Friday, December 20, at 7:00 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

City Facilities Limited Operations - December 22, 2025, through January 2, 2026

Beginning Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026, City Hall, Public Works, and Police and Fire Administration will be closed to the public. All normal City operations will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.

During these limited operations, all emergency and essential services will continue to be provided. Additionally, staff will still be available to assist the public's needs in a limited manner.

To view a list of our services during this period of limited operations, please visit our website.

 

 

   

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 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.

 

 

 

Holiday Carolers & Winter Carriage Rides in Old Town

Celebrate the season in Old Town throughout December! Enjoy holiday carolers on Saturdays, December 13, and 20, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., filling the streets with festive music. Then return on Sundays, December 14, and 21, for winter carriage rides between 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Bring family and friends for a charming horse-drawn tour of Old Town. Rides are $5 per person, or enjoy one free ride with $25 spent in Old Town, just show your receipt to staff! 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Brew Hum Bug | Friday, December 12

Join Food ED this evening from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Mt. Lowe Brewing Co (150 E Saint Joseph St) as they celebrate another year of community and garden learning! Enjoy light refreshments, a build-your-own pollinator kit to take home (or gift!), and get an close-up look at some cool bugs! To RSVP, please visit their event page online. 

 

 

 

MAFA Art Night at Grey & Cash | Friday, December 12

Join the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (MAFA) tonight, Friday, December 12, at Grey & Cash (425 S Myrtle Ave), from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. for Art Night! Explore art with coffee and some of Monrovia's local artists!

For more information, please email MAFA at christine@monroviafinearts.org or call (626) 483-0560. 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

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 

 

 

Huntington Drive Improvements Project Set to Begin

Beginning in January, the City’s contractor Gentry Brothers will begin mobilization for the Huntington Drive Improvements Project. The scope of work will include street improvements and maintenance from Magnolia Avenue to Shamrock Avenue, including:

  • Repair 6,450 square feet of damaged concrete
  • Replace 20 ADA curb ramps and install high visibility crosswalks
  • Repair 2,780 square feet of sidewalk for improved pedestrian access
  • Replace 1,460 square feet of concrete driveway approaches
  • Grind the roadway for a smooth driving surface
  • Replace worn street striping, markings, and signage
  • Retrofit existing streetlights to LED from Fifth Avenue to Mountain Avenue
  • Install solar-powered lighting systems within six bus shelters along Huntington Drive

Work is scheduled to begin January 5, 2026, and projected to last through Spring 2026. The contractor will phase work to impact a single driving lane along Huntington Drive at any given time. Residents and drivers should expect increased traffic, temporary lane closures, increased noise, and on-street parking restrictions between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Regular street sweeping will not take place in the work area during construction hours, so please take note of posted construction parking signage.

We recognize that construction can be messy and inconvenient, and thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we work through these improvements.

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

 

  

 Peck Road and Mountain Ave Infrastructure Improvements Project Updates

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

For the week of December 15 through December 19, work will include:

  • California Avenue from Novice Lane to Myrtle Avenue
    • Repaving roadway

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

Local residents should expect on-street parking restrictions as well as increased dust and noise during construction hours. Regular street sweeping will not take place in the work area during construction hours, so please take note of posted construction parking signage.

We recognize that construction can be messy and inconvenient, and thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we work through these improvements! Please note that schedules are subject to change. We appreciate your flexibility.

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

 

 

 

 

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 15 to December 19, 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 February 2026. Schedules are subject to change. We appreciate your flexibility.

Work Around Town

For the week of Friday, December 12 – Friday December 19 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 12  – Friday, December 19
    • Primrose Avenue and Evergreen Avenue at 127 W Pomona Ave – Periodic street closures and detours.

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

  • Monday, December 15  – Friday, December 26
    • 200 Block of Duarte Road – Intermittent lane closures.

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

  • Friday, December 12
    • Concrete restoration at the following locations:
      • 800 Block of Diamond Street
      • 100 Block of East Pomona Avenue
      • 1200 Block of South Ivy Avenue
      • 200 Block of Cherry Avenue

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

  • Saturday, December 13 – Sunday, December 14
    • 500 Block of Cloverleaf Avenue – Pulling remaining wires on poles.

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

  • Monday, December 15 – Tuesday, December 16
    • 500 Block of Cloverleaf Avenue – Pre-dig for anchors.

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

Return to full list >>