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City Manager's Update | April 24, 2026

Post Date:04/24/2026 10:30 AM

Good morning, Monrovians!

The annual Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Neighborhood Conference is back tomorrow, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Second Baptist Church of Monrovia (925 S. Shamrock Ave). Whether you're a longtime attendee or joining us for the first time, all are welcome! If you didn't get a chance to register, walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged.

This year's theme is "The Power of You," and the day is packed with free activities and programming designed to inform, connect and empower attendees. Join us for interactive workshops on topics like AI made simple, civic leadership, local history, and development in Monrovia, plus an expanded information fair, health screenings, community resources, and more prizes and giveaways than ever. A continental breakfast and lunch are included and it's all completely free!

Come connect with your neighbors and learn something new with us. We're excited to see you all!

 

 

Monrovia Days is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for May 14–17 as we celebrate Monrovia's birthday in Old Town. Wristbands for unlimited rides and games go on sale this Monday, April 27. Keep an eye on the Monrovia Days website or follow @monroviadays on Instagram for the presale link, and purchase your wristbands before prices increase closer to the event.

 

 

Additionally, applications are still being accepted for both the parade and the Merengue Bakery Pie Eating Contest! This year's parade features a brand new Spirit Award for the entry that best captures one of three themes: Western, America 250, or Route 66. Pie Eating Contest teams of up to five can enter for a chance to win $300! Applications for both can be found here.

For the latest updates as we count down to the big weekend, we encourage you to follow @monroviadays on Instagram!

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update: 

  • Monrovia Elementary Campuses Opens to the Public After Hours
  • Boards and Commissions – Accepting Applications!
  • Celebrating a Legacy: Kiyoshi Kuromiya Named Monrovia’s Newest Neighborhood Treasure
  • Monroe PTA Silent Auction Now Open!
  • VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show | Saturday, June 13
  • National Day of Prayer | Thursday, May 7
  • Monrovia Historical Museum Grand Opening: Engines of Change
  • Celebrate Route 66 with MOHPG | Saturday, May 3
  • Monrovia Fire & Rescue Pancake Breakfast | Saturday, May 9
  • MAFA "Combines" Workshop | Tuesday, April 29
  • Upcoming MPWR Fundraiser | Saturday, April 25
  • Monthly Monrovia Garden Club Meeting | Monday, April 27
  • Work Around Town
  • Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

Monrovia Elementary Campuses Opens to the Public After Hours

The five Monrovia elementary school campuses will now be open to the public during non-school hours, expanding community access to nearly 8.76 acres (about 382,000 square feet) of green space!

During the school year, these spaces will be open on weekdays from 6 p.m. until sunset. On non-school days (including weekends and summer break) they will be open from sunrise to sunset. As with any city park, visitors are asked to follow these rules:

  • Dogs must be on leash
  • No alcoholic beverages are allowed
  • No portable BBQ
  • No smoking on campus

 

 

Boards and Commissions – Accepting Applications!

Are you looking for ways to be more involved in your community? One way to do so is to serve in an advisory capacity on one of the City's various Commissions, Committees or Boards. From now through Friday, May 1, we're accepting applications for positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Services Commission, Library Board, and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board.

Boards and Commissions Recruitment/Appointment Timeline:

  • Friday, May 1: Application Due
  • Wednesday, July 1: Terms Begin

For any questions regarding Boards and Commissions, please contact the Sarah Godinez, Deputy City Clerk, at (626) 932-5599.


 

Celebrating a Legacy: Kiyoshi Kuromiya Named Monrovia’s Newest Neighborhood Treasure

We're pleased to recognize Kiyoshi Kuromiya as the City’s newest Neighborhood Treasure, an honor reserved for individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the community.

The Neighborhood Treasure Program celebrates residents through public art who exemplify service, leadership, and community pride. Mr. Kuromiya embodied these values through a lifetime commitment to justice and civic engagement. He was a nationally recognized Asian American and LGBTQ+ rights activist who worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and later became a leading advocate for AIDS awareness and civil liberties.

A Neighborhood Treasure Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 934 Royal Oaks Drive, beginning at 11:00AM. The event will include an art unveiling, music, and community recognition. The public is invited to attend!

For additional information, please contact kzessau@monroviaca.gov or call 626-932-5564.

 

May 2026 is Older Americans Month

Older Americans Month acknowledges the wealth of experience, education, and wisdom the senior citizens of Monrovia represent. It also recognizes our country’s effort to ensure that older Americans can live and age with dignity.

Every year, the City of Monrovia recognizes someone as our Older Monrovian of the Year. The purpose of this award is to recognize a Monrovia resident, age 60 years or older, who embodies this year’s theme. The City Council recognized Sandy Burud as the Older Monrovian of the Year for the City of Monrovia. Congrats Sandy on your commitment to service and community involvement!

 

Monroe PTA Silent Auction Now Open!

The Monroe Elementary PTA has officially launched its annual Silent Auction, featuring a wide variety of local experiences, gift packages, and community favorites—all in support of Monroe students.

Residents are invited to browse and bid online at app.galabid.com/monroepta2026. New items will be added through Friday, April 24 at 6:30 PM, when bidding closes. Winners will be notified directly through the auction site.

 

VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show | Saturday, June 13

Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2070 for a BBQ & Car Show on Saturday, June 13, at 825 S. Magnolia Ave! The BBQ features ribs, chicken, and hot links, paired with potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and corn muffins! 

Preordered meals are $20 and sales start on Friday, May 1. For more information, please contact VFW Post 2070 by visiting their website.

 

 

National Day of Prayer | Thursday, May 7

The Interfaith Council of Monrovia and the Monrovia Ministerial Association invite the community to gather at Library Park on Thursday, May 7, at noon for the National Day of Prayer. This year's theme, "One Community, Many Voices," reflects a shared commitment to the well-being of Monrovia and its residents. The gathering will include prayer and encouragement for local and national leaders, and all are welcome to attend.

 

Monrovia Historical Museum Grand Opening: Engines of Change

The Monrovia Historical Museum invites you to the grand opening of Engines of Change: How Transportation Shaped Monrovia next Thursday, April 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibit explores how transportation shaped the city over time, with a special Route 66 exhibit kicking off Monrovia's Route 66 Centennial celebration.

Admission is free. Join the fun with live music by The Houston Trio, Good Humor ice cream bars from Seven Gables Real Estate, and a Helms Truck serving donuts courtesy of Norm Haley Real Estate. After the opening, the evening continues with a cruise tracing the two historic alignments of Route 66 through Monrovia. The museum will also be open during regular hours from 1 to 4 p.m. that day.

For more information, email info@monroviahistoricalmuseum.org or follow along on Facebook at Monrovia: 100 Years of Route 66.

  

Celebrate Route 66 with MOHPG | Saturday, May 3

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group returns on Sunday, May 3, with its annual tour of older homes and buildings, and this year carries special significance. 2026 marks the centennial of Route 66, the "Mother Road" that passed through Monrovia when it was inaugurated on November 11, 1926. Every home and business on this year's tour lies along that original path through town.

Tickets are available at Charlie's House (430 S. Myrtle Avenue) and online. Advance tickets are $30, with prices increasing to $35 on tour day. The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the MOHPG website to watch a 5-minute preview of what will be open for viewing!

 

Monrovia Fire & Rescue Pancake Breakfast | Saturday, May 9

To celebrate Fire Service Day, the Monrovia Fire & Rescue is hosting their annual pancake breakfast! Please join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 101 for delicious pancakes and fun activities! There will be a Jr. Firefighter challenge, raffles, displays, and live demonstrations.

$8 tickets will be sold at the event, and proceeds will benefit local Monrovia charities and Fire Explorers. If you have any questions, please contact our Fire Department at (626) 256-8181.

 

MAFA "Combines" Workshop | Tuesday, April 29


The Monrovia Fine Arts Association is offering a free workshop on Tuesday, April 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center. Instructor Ed Houlemarde will guide participants through "Combines," a technique inspired by artist Robert Rauschenberg that blends sculpture and painting using found objects, altered materials, and mixed media. Ed typically begins by placing an object on a canvas and building outward from there, letting color, composition, and instinct shape the piece. The goal is to create an abstract assemblage that is visually compelling and personally meaningful. The workshop is open to adults and students ages 12 and up. Registration is required by April 27 at monroviafinearts.org/workshops.

Plan to bring a 9" x 12" or 11" x 14" canvas board, one drop glue or super glue, four to six 2-oz acrylic paint colors, and paintbrushes. Ed will also have a selection of found and leftover objects available for attendees to use at no cost.

 

 


Upcoming MPWR Fundraiser | Saturday, April 25


The Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, & Recreation Foundation (MPWR) supports local recreation programs, parks, facilities, and open spaces that enrich our community. You can help further their mission by participating in an upcoming fundraising event:

Nothing Bundt Cakes - April 25, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Present the flyer at the 526 W Huntington Dr. location, and 20% of proceeds will benefit MPWR.

Learn more about MPWR and explore additional events and programs.

 


Monthly Monrovia Garden Club Meeting | Monday, April 27


The Monrovia Garden Club welcomes speaker Sandy Masuo on Monday, April 27, for a program exploring the science of plant reproduction! From selfing and cloning to the surprisingly complex relationships plants maintain with their pollinators. It's a fascinating look at the biological processes that make nearly all life on Earth possible, and one that promises to change the way you see an ordinary flower.

Masuo brings an impressive background to the subject. She currently serves as the botanical content specialist at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and previously spent 18 years as an associate editor at the Los Angeles Zoo. She has also taught classes ranging from succulent gardening to birdwatching at local community colleges.

The meeting is held at Fellowship Hall of the Monrovia Community Church, 101 E. Foothill Blvd. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., with the program starting promptly at 7:00 p.m.

 


 

Work Around Town

The City of Monrovia is excited to announce the launch of our new Projects and Traffic Updates Page! This webpage will provide timely updates on City construction projects, local traffic impacts, and utilities maintenance and emergency repairs.

City of Monrovia Project and Traffic Updates

For the week of Monday, April 27, 2026, through Friday, May 1, 2026, the following locations will have construction work that may alter traffic flow and/or sidewalk access. Please follow all directional signage and worker instructions for your safety.

Huntington Drive Project Continues

Drivers can expect traffic delays along Huntington Drive from Magnolia Avenue to Shamrock Avenue. Driveway access will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. Work is projected to last through the close of April 2026.

Sewer Cleaning Project

Drivers can expect temporary lane closures within the project area from Colorado Boulevard on the north to the 210 freeway on the south, and from Fifth Avenue on the west to Sierra Terrace on the east. Work is expected to last through May 2026.

 

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: 

  • Management Intern (Part-time)
  • 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