Good morning, Monrovians!

Tomorrow, the Monrovia Firefighters Association is hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast in honor of Fire Service Day! Tickets are $8 at the door, with proceeds benefiting local charities, and the morning runs from 7 to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 101 (141 E. Lemon Ave.). Alongside a great breakfast cooked by our very own Monrovia Firefighters and countless volunteers from across Monrovia, the Pancake Breakfast includes a Jr. Firefighter Challenge, live demonstrations, raffles, and more! Fire Service Day is a meaningful occasion to honor the men and women who show up for our community every day, and this breakfast is a wonderful way to do that together. It's shaping up to be a fun morning and I encourage you to bring your family, friends...and an appetite!

The City of Monrovia would like to wish Isabel Ayla Olivas a very happy 100th birthday! Born on May 5, 1926, Isabel is a lifelong Monrovian who spent her entire life in Monrovia. Sadly her late husband, Michael, could not join Isabel for her centenarian celebration but other family members, including 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, could. At 100 years old, Isabel continues to inspire her family with her sharp memory, strong spirit and stories of Monrovia through the decades. And she has but one simple, birthday wish…to see the Dodgers 3-peat in the World Series! Happy 100th Birthday, Isabel!

Lastly, instead of the regular City Manager's Update next Friday, there will be a Special City Manager's Update in the middle of the week covering everything you need to know about the 2026 Monrovia Days Community Festival, including daily schedules, event highlights, parking information, and more.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update: 

• Congressman Cisneros Awards $1.09 Million to Watershed Management Authority
• Calling all Monrovia Walkers and Cyclists! Bike and Pedestrian Project Survey Opens
• Monrovia Elementary Campuses Open to the Public After Hours
• Monrovia Days is Almost Here! | May 14 - 17
• May 2026 Proclamations
• MAFA Art Night | Tonight, May 8
• Crystal Lake Fishing Event | Saturday, May 16
• Garden Tools Workshop at Monrovia Community Garden South | Saturday, May 23
• Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events
• Work Around Town
• Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

Congressman Cisneros Awards $1.09 Million to Watershed Management Authority

Congress recently awarded the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Watershed Management Authority $1,092,000 through the annual Community Project Funds to support a Stormwater Capture Project at Encanto Park in Duarte. The funding was secured with the help of Congressman Gil Cisneros, whose office delivered a ceremonial check to mayors and city managers of the partnership cities on Wednesday. Monrovia has been part of this regional collaboration for over a decade, working alongside Arcadia, Duarte, Bradbury, Sierra Madre, and Los Angeles County on stormwater projects aimed at improving water quality throughout the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River Watersheds.

Calling all Monrovia Walkers and Cyclists! Bike and Pedestrian Project Survey Opens

The City of Monrovia is finalizing plans for the Monrovia Active Community Travel Vinculum (ACTV) Phase 1 project, which will create new walking and biking connections across the I-210 freeway at Central, Evergreen, and Magnolia Avenues.

Your feedback is requested to confirm what matters to our community and make sure the final details fit the surrounding neighborhood. Details on the project and a link to our project survey are available on our website.

The survey will be available through June 26.

Stay connected! Project updates will be posted on the ACTV Phase 1 website. To receive email updates and meeting notices, contact ccastruita@monroviaca.gov.

Monrovia Elementary Campuses Open to the Public After Hours

The five Monrovia elementary school campuses are 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) 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

For more information and to view after hours entrances, please visit our website.

Monrovia Days is Almost Here! | May 14 - 17

Monrovia's annual birthday celebration runs Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, in Old Town! The festivities kick off with a parade at 7 p.m. Thursday, celebrating our America 250, the Route 66 Centennial, and a Western theme. This year, all schools that participate and bring one of the three themes to life on the parade route will compete for the Monrovia Days Spirit Award!

Monrovia Days runs Friday through Sunday with rides, games, jumpers, and a photo booth. Wristbands for unlimited access start at $15 for a single day. Pre-sale pricing ends Thursday, May 14, so grab yours today! Wristbands are available online or at the Monrovia Community Center. Please note, a free account is required to purchase presale wristbands.

Learn more and discover the Monrovia Days full schedule online.

May 2026 Proclamations

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Mayor Shevlin and the full Council issued three proclamations marking meaningful observances this month.

Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month, a time to acknowledge the wealth of experience, education, and wisdom Monrovia's senior residents represent. As part of the recognition, the City Council named Sandy Burud as Monrovia's Older American of the Year for her continued service to the community! Residents are encouraged to honor and thank the older Americans in their lives this month.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental illness can affect anyone at any time, with effects that reach well beyond the individual to family, friends, and coworkers. The City encourages residents to fight the stigma surrounding mental illness, recognize the signs of struggle in those around them, and empower those affected to seek care. Learn more about support resources & services in Monrovia, including our partnership with Care Solace.

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

With more than 17 percent of Monrovia's population identifying as Asian American and Pacific Islander, the AAPI community is a vital part of this city's history, culture, and daily life. The City celebrates those contributions this month and encourages all Monrovians to learn more about AAPI heritage and work to combat racism and xenophobia.

MAFA Art Night | Tonight, May 8

The Monrovia Fine Arts Association is hosting Art Night this evening in Old Town, and it's a great reason to make a night of it. Stop by Grey & Cash from 6 to 9 p.m. to meet local artists, browse original work, and take in the creativity happening right here in Monrovia. The timing pairs perfectly with the Friday Night Street Market, so bring a friend and enjoy the evening. Art Night takes place on the second Friday of every month. Artists interested in displaying their work at a future event can learn more at monroviafinearts.org.

Crystal Lake Fishing Event | Saturday, May 16

The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is hosting a free family fishing event at Crystal Lake Recreation Area on Saturday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. Anglers 16 and older will need a valid California fishing license, available in advance through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or at authorized vendors. There is a 5-trout limit per person.

A few things to know: there is no shuttle service, swimming is not permitted, and cell phone service is not available in the area. Dress for the outdoors, and note that the event may be canceled in unsafe weather conditions. For more information and to register, visit Upper Water online.

Garden Tools Workshop at Monrovia Community Garden South | Saturday, May 23

The Monrovia Community Garden is hosting a free Garden Tools Workshop on Saturday, May 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. at MCG South (1650 S. Magnolia Ave.). The morning will cover tool safety, maintenance, and choosing the right tool for the job — and SGV Best Cutlery will be on hand to sharpen your tools at no charge. Bring your own tools and come ready to learn. Parking is available at the free Park & Ride lot at 168 W. Pomona Ave.

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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:

• Business Seminar Series-Part 2 AI Sales Team | Monday,  May 11, 8:30 -10:30 a.m.
  • Monrovia Public Library, 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia CA 91016
  • $20 for members, $25 for non-members
  • RSVP
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Sports Clips Haircut of Monrovia | Tuesday, May 12, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
  • Sports Clips Haircuts of Monrovia, 668 W. Huntington Drive Suite 5H, Monrovia CA 91016
  • RSVP
• Networking Lunch | Wednesday, May 13, 12:00 -1:30 p.m.
  • Jake’s Roadhouse, 622 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
  • $30 members, $35 non-members
  • RSVP
• Multi-Chamber Mixer | Wednesday,  May 20, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
  • Le Meridien Hotel, 130 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA 91007
  • $15 per person
  • RSVP

Work Around Town

Have you visited the City of Monrovia’s new Projects and Traffic Updates Page? This webpage provides 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, May 11, 2026, through Friday, May 15, 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.

Road Closure on Magnolia Avenue Scheduled to Begin

JPI will continue a closure of Magnolia Avenue between Genoa Street and Duarte Road for construction of new underground utility connections to the Station Square South project. Drivers can expect detours along Duarte Road, Genoa Street and Mayflower Avenue. Work is projected to last through May 22, 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: 

• Recreation Leader (Part-time)
• Neighborhood and Business Services Division Manager
• 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

• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center 
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop Off at Monrovia Public Works Yard | Mon - Thu | 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Request a Bulky Item Pick-Up
• Traffic Safety Request Application
• Report an Issue for Public Works
• Shop the City of Monrovia Official Store