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City Manager's Update | January 9, 2026

Post Date:01/09/2026 10:30 AM

Good morning, Monrovians,

Earlier this week, January 7th marked the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire, one of the most destructive natural disasters in California’s history. The devastating fire took the lives of at least 19 people, burned over 9,000 structures, and affected the lives of countless others. The most devastating disaster in our county's history will also require the longest recovery in our county's history...so many victims are still displaced and, frankly, will never fully return to "normal," whatever that may look like. Our hearts and prayers are with the countless wildfire victims as they continue their journey of recovery. I only hope the new year brings plentiful opportunities for us all to assist Eaton Fire victims. 

 

We are also ready to reopen the City's 9th park! You're all invited to a ribbon cutting and dedication event for Satoru Tsuneishi Park (1111 Encino Ave) on Tuesday, January 13, at 3:00 p.m.  We will celebrate the grand opening with remarks from the Monrovia City Council, members of the Tsuneishi family, and a special Japanese Taiko drum performance. It will be a day of celebration, remembrance and respect as we honor the many Japanese American families who have contributed so much to Monrovia over the years, particularly including Satoru Tsuneishi and his family. We hope you can join us.


Finally, the 2026 Annual State of the City event is fast-approaching and we need your help! As part of this year's program, we'd like to highlight achievements from those who make our community an All-America City...you! We are asking your help in sharing with us accomplishments, awards or achievements that we can highlight as part of the presentation. 

I'm excited to kickoff the new year with the opening of a new public park, and "a little birdie" tells me that we will soon have a reopened pool at the high school. I hope to see you in the new year!

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update: 

  • City Council Considering Donation of Land Within Hillside Wilderness Preserve
  • Share Your Achievements! | State of the City 2026
  • Volunteers Needed for Point-In-Time Homeless Count | Wednesday, January 21
  • Monrovia Community Job Fair | Thursday, January 22
  • Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events
  • Monrovia Community Garden | January Workshops
  • Cisneros Institute Summer Program at George Washington University
  • Spring 2026 Landscaping Workshops | Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
  • MAFA Art Night at Grey & Cash | 2026 Schedule
  • Street Sweeping Cancelled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Huntington Drive Improvements Project Continues
  • Los Angeles County California Avenue Street Repair Project
  • Work Around Town
  • Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

 

 City Council Considering Donation of Land within Hillside Wilderness Preserve

On December 23, the City Council held a Special Meeting to consider the donation of 5.19 acres within the Hillside Wilderness Preserve (HWP), home to the historic “M,” a local landmark.

For nearly 40 years, the community has worked to protect the Monrovia hillsides from development and preserve the hillsides as open space. Acceptance of the 5.19 acre donation would expand the overall footprint of the HWP and permanently preserve the historic “M” property. The City would assume responsibility for the ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and recreational use of the property, along with any future costs associated with preserving or improving the site.

At this time, the City has not yet finalized the donation and will continue working with the property owner who has been working generously with the City to preserve this property including the Big M. I will be sure to provide more details as they become available. 

 

 

Share Your Achievements! | State of the City 2026

As we prepare for our annual State of the City event, which highlights our community's achievements, we want to celebrate what our community members have accomplished! If your school, non-profit, church, or other organization has achieved a milestone, received an award, gained recognition, or completed a project, please share it with us so we can honor your efforts in our address!

Please email Jocelyn Casas at jcasas@monroviaca.gov to submit your achievements.

 

 

 

Volunteers Needed for Point-In-Time Homeless Count | Wednesday, January 21

Our city is once again participating in the Point-In-Time Homeless Count, an annual event coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).  This year, the homeless count is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 21, at 8:00 p.m. starting at the Monrovia Community Center. 

On that evening, volunteers will be covering Monrovia, along with other areas of the San Gabriel Valley, to determine how many people in the area are homeless. The data collected is used to better design programs and deploy resources to serve the homeless population. For those interested in volunteering to assist with the homeless count in Monrovia, we would love to have your help! 

To register as a volunteer, please visit the Greater Los Angeles Homeless website online. Pre-registration is not required to volunteer, you may also simply join us on the night of the count. Similar to last year, volunteers will being using their own smart phones via a mobile app to conduct the count. A volunteer training and orientation session will be given, and representatives from LAHSA and the City’s Community Services Department and Police Department will be on hand to address any questions. 

 

 

Monrovia Community Job Fair | Thursday, January 22

The Monrovia Community Adult School will be hosting a Community Job Fair with over 40 employers expected in attendance. Meet employers across various industries and discover diverse career paths, job openings, and access to free workshops. 

The job fair will take place at the Monrovia Community Adult School (920 S Mountain Ave) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22. 

Businesses interested in participating may register by filling out the Employer Registration form online. Job seekers interested in attending can register by filling out the MCAS Job Fair form online. 

 

 

 

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events

Come join the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and a few of your local Monrovia business owners by attending one of their upcoming events:

Filet Sushi 1-Year Anniversary and Ribbon Cutting
Filet Sushi is celebrating their 1-year anniversary! Join the Chamber for a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, January 21, from 4:30 - 5:00 p.m. at Filet Sushi (618 S Myrtle Ave). To RSVP, please visit the Chamber website.

Lunch & Learn with Herbert Financial Group
The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and Herbert Financial Group are hosting a Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, January 27, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room (321 S Myrtle Ave). To RSVP, please visit the Chamber website. 

 

 

 

Monrovia Community Garden | January Workshops

Join the Monrovia Community Garden for this month's workshops!

Tree Pruning Work Shop | Saturday, January 17, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Learn about how tree pruning can support tree health, fruit production and aesthetics by helping us prune our community fruit trees!  Prepare to roll up your sleeves and grab a pair of pruners for this hands-on workshop.  Tools and gloves will be provided. The event is free and will be held at the Monrovia Community Garden (303 W Colorado Blvd).

Pollinator Garden Workshop | Thursday, January 22, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Learn how to grow a garden that attracts local pollinators.  Free plant giveaway while supplies last.  No RSVPs necessary. The event is free and will be held at the Monrovia Community Garden (303 W Colorado Blvd). 

 

 

 

Cisneros Institute Summer Program at George Washington University

The Cisneros Institute is now accepting applications for their Summer Program at George Washington University!

Caminos al Futuro is a fully funded, pre-college and residential summer program led by The George Washington University's Cisneros Institute. To be eligible, you must be a rising senior at a U.S. high school with a high-level of academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to leadership.

During the three-week intensive program, Caminos scholars live on the GW campus and examine the social, economic and political transformations affecting the Hispanic/Latino community in a college-like environment.

Participants get a first-hand view of policymaking in the nation’s capital with visits to Congress, government agencies and leading non-profits. Scholars also participate in university-style lecture series, writing labs, and community action projects, meet with admissions specialists in a series of workshops to prepare them for the college application process. 

For more information and to apply, visit Caminos al Futuro online. 

 

 

Spring 2026 Landscaping Workshops | Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

Monrovia residents are invited to take part in a series of free Spring 2026 Landscaping Workshops, offered by the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper Water), focused on water-smart, sustainable gardening!

Rain to Roots: Water for Your Garden
(Virtual) Thursday, January 29, from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Learn practical ways to turn rain into a resource.

Landscape Design Seminar
(In-person) Saturday, February 21, from 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Learn how to design a watershed wise landscape.

Outdoor Leaks Waste Water
(Virtual) Thursday, March 19, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Learn how to spot and prevent outdoor leaks.

Protect the Pollinators
(Virtual) Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Learn how to create a pollinator-friendly garden.

To register for the workshops, please visit Upper Water online. For any questions, please contact Katherine Vazquez at katherine@usgvmwd.org or (626) 443-2297 ext. 404.

 

 

 

MAFA Art Night at Grey & Cash | 2026 Schedule

Join the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts every 2nd Friday of each month 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! 

2026 Schedule

  • January 9
  • February 13
  • March 13
  • April 10
  • May 8
  • June 12
  • July 10
  • August 14
  • September 11
  • October 9
  • November 13
  • December 11

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

 

 

 

Street Sweeping Cancelled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

There will be no street sweeping and no street sweeping parking enforcement from January 19, 2026 through January 23, 2026 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Street sweeping and parking enforcement will resume on Monday, January 26, 2026.

For more information, please contact Public Works at (626) 932-5575. 

 

 

 

Huntington Drive Improvements Project Continues

The City’s contractor Gentry Brothers will continue the Huntington Drive Improvement Project. For the week of January 12 through January 16, residents should expect the contractor to perform the following activities:

  • Westbound lanes of Huntington Drive from Ivy Avenue to Canyon Boulevard
    • Repair sidewalk and driveways
    • Replace northern curb ramps at Ivy Avenue
  • Westbound lanes of Huntington Drive from Primrose Avenue to Ivy Avenue
    • Repair sidewalk and driveways
    • Replace northern curb ramps at Myrtle Avenue

The contractor will phase work as much as feasible to impact a single direction of traffic along Huntington Drive at any given time. Driveway access will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. 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 4:30 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. Work is projected to last through April 2026.

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 

 

 

 

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 January 12, work will take place from Camino Real Street to Novice Lane.

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.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Work Around Town

For the week of Monday, January 12, 2026 through Friday, January 16, 2026 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, January 12  – Friday, January 16
    • Primrose Avenue and Evergreen Avenue at 127 W Pomona Ave – Periodic street closures and detours.
    • 200 Block of Duarte Road – Intermittent lane closures.
    • 1100 Block of South Myrtle Avenue – No parking

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

 

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:

  • Fire Cadet (Part-time)
  • Hazardous Materials Fire Inspector
  • 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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