I am excited to announce that Mayor Mary Ann Lutz has joined an elite group of elected officials this week as she travelled to Houston, Texas, to attend the National Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD).  The Mayors' Institute on City Design is a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the American Architectural Foundation and the United States Conference of Mayors.

Since 1986, the Mayors' Institute has helped transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities. The MICD achieves its mission by organizing sessions where mayors engage leading design experts to find solutions to the most critical urban design challenges facing their cities. "The Mayors' Institute was founded both to educate mayors about design and to educate the design community about the latest practical needs of our cities," according to MICD officials.

Mayor Lutz is one of only eight western U.S. Mayors that were invited to contribute to this organization's study of urban design issues on topics such as downtown revitalization, design of new public buildings, and transportation planning.  We are excited to hear what Mayor Lutz brings back from her studies and participation.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz will again deliver the State of the City address -- but this time for a very special audience -- for the Monrovia youth. This will be in partnership with the Monrovia Unified School District, and will be the second annual youth address.  The event will be held at Monrovia High School at 2:00pm in the school auditorium.  High School youth from MHS, Canyon Oaks, and Mountain Parks schools are all invited to attend.  This is an effort to reach out to the youth of the community, and include them as we move through this new year.  We expect the event to be as inspiring as the Annual State of the City address that was delivered on January 24 at the Krikorian Theatre.  For those who missed that State of the City in January, a full video of the address can be found on our website at www.cityofmonrovia.org.

Yes, It Actually Happened...Now What?

As of February 1, redevelopment has been eliminated.  So now what? The Successor Agency -- which is the City of Monrovia -- will be holding its first public meeting on February 7, 2012.  There will be a slight change to the former Agency's usual public meeting schedule; the meeting will be taking place right after the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.  For any questions regarding the meeting agenda, please contact Darlene Sanchez at (626) 303-6604.

Articles Attached

• Hit-and-Run Driver Pleads Guilty to Injuring 12-Year-Old Girl in Monrovia - We are hoping for the little girl's full recovery, and are thankful to the good investigative police work that tracked down the driver.

Neighborhood Services Blog.  The Neighborhood Fix is Monrovia's Neighborhood Services blog, providing opportunities for residents to stay in touch with the community through community involvement.
Become a follower of TheNeighborhoodFix.blogspot.com to learn about:

• Who's New in Town
• What's on the Community Calendar
• How to participate in Neighborhood Services Programs: Monrovia Area Partnership, Leadership Academy, Community service opportunities
  

Starting this week, find the best weekend deals in town by checking out our new Yard Sale page!

Banfield Pet Hospital #2252
745 W. Huntington Drive

Dale’s Auto Service
721 S. Shamrock Avenue

Dana’s Pet Care Center
2650 S. Myrtle Avenue, B-5

Healthcare Eligibility Service
343 W. Foothill Boulevard

John’s Management
348 W. Foothill Boulevard

Koncept Technologies, Inc.
429 E. Huntington Drive

Laboratory Corporation of America
605 W. Huntington Drive, #209

M Carroll Painting Co., Inc.
1949 S. Myrtle Avenue

MHR Investments, Inc. dba Yogurtland
104 S. Myrtle Avenue

Monrovia Internal Medicine & Primary Care
425 W. Duarte Road

Monrovia Optometry
248 W. Foothill Boulevard

Monrovia Tech Support
50 W. Lemon Avenue, #25

Salon Cheo
147 E. Foothill Blvd.

Shanghai Dumpling House, Inc.
215 E. Foothill Boulevard

Code Enforcement staff are assigned to protect the health, safety, and the general welfare of the public.  This is accomplished through the education and enforcement of state, county, and municipal codes relating to blight, public nuisances, substandard housing, property maintenance, business operations and zoning/land use.  Code Enforcement efforts help to preserve the quality of life, community environment and property values for our citizens.

In January 2012, Code Enforcement Officers conducted 389 inspections that included property maintenance concerns, discarded items in the public right-of-way, unpermitted construction, hoarding conditions, and unpermitted occupation of garages.  Additionally, 38 Code Enforcement cases were closed during the month.

The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the following at their regularly scheduled meeting on January 25, 2012:

• 119 May Avenue - Time Extension for Mills Act Contract MA-52 - Approved.
• 310 East Foothill Boulevard - Time Extension for Mills Act Contract MA-88 - Approved.
• 223 Oaks Avenue - Review of addition to potential historic landmark - The Commission determined that the addition maintains the significance of the house.
• 338 Highland Place - Review of Mills Act Contract condition for MA-103 - The condition requiring replacement of the parapet was waived.

The Development Review Committee is reviewing the following at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 1, 2012, and these are Staff's recommendations:

• 949 West Duarte Road - Chapman Kwan, Ad Signs, applicant - Review of new signage for "Alpha Science" - Approval.
• 212-216 West Olive Avenue - Bowden Development, Inc., applicant - Advisory review of four unit Planned Unit Development - Forward to the Planning Commission with a recommendation of approval.
• 710 South Myrtle Avenue - Elro Signs, applicant - Review revision to previously approved sign for "UPS" - Approval.
• 221 Valle Vista Avenue - Rabbani Design, applicant - Minor Exception to encroach into front yard building bulk angle requirement - Approval.
• 345 West Foothill Boulevard - German Cortez, applicant - Review of façade changes - Approval.
• 507 East Lemon Avenue - Joseph Mendes, applicant - Review of granny flat (second unit) with a 2-car garage to be located behind existing residence - Approval with conditions.
• 547 El Norte Avenue - Dexter El Norte, LLC, applicant - Advisory review of four unit Planned Unit Development - Forward to the Planning Commission with a recommendation of approval.
• 955 Wildrose Avenue (Lot 1) - Bowden Development, Inc., applicant - Review of new single family residence with attached 3-car garage - Approval.
• 955 Wildrose Avenue (Lot 2) - Bowden Development, Inc., applicant - Review of new single family residence with attached 2-car garage, and pool house with attached 1-car garage - Approval.
• 1450 South Shamrock Avenue - LMC Permit Services, applicant - Minor Exception for signage for "Sierra Chevrolet" - Approval.
• 825/825½ Ocean View Avenue - Jeff Godbold, applicant - Determination to allow the reconstruction of a non-conforming rear unit. Additionally, a four-car garage is proposed. - Approval with conditions.

The City Council will review the following at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2012:

• AR-1 Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2008081097), Making Certain Findings of Fact as Required by the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), Adoption of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan, all in Connection with the Hillside Wilderness Preserve and Hillside Recreation Area Resource Management Plan, and Adoption of the Hillside Wilderness Preserve and Hillside Recreation Area Resource Management Plan; Resolution No. 2012-07

The Library's Youth Services Staff visited Monrovia High School and Canyon Oaks High School to promote participation in the Teen Video Project.  The 12 registered teens will learn how to operate a video camera, editing and interview techniques, and produce short documentary films on a community topic of their choice.  The Teen Video Project is funded by a California State Library Grant.  For additional information, please contact the Library at (626) 256-8274.

The 15 members of the Novel T Book Club met on Tuesday, January 24, in the Library's Community Room.  The topic of discussion was the book The Kitchen House by Kathleen House.  The group began evaluating future book titles for discussion to include classics and non-fiction.  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Trevanian's (pen name) for author Rodney William Whitaker's spy novel Shibumi from the New York Times Best Seller list.  This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library.  For additional information, please contact the Library at (626) 256-8274.

Seniors have another great reason to visit the Monrovia Public Library.  Monthly afternoon movies and munchies will be offered on the last Friday of each month at 12 p.m. in the Library's Community Room.  This month's movie will be screened on Friday, February 24, featuring a hysterical high school reunion comedy with Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis and Betty White can you guess the movie?  This program is free and open to Monrovia seniors 50 years and older.  The Friday, January 27 movie was attended by 15 people.  For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

Fire personnel responded to 64 emergency calls this week.  Significant incidents included:

Vehicle versus Pedestrian.  On January 27, Monrovia Fire Department Engine 102 responded to the report of a vehicle versus pedestrian in the 200 block of East Huntington Drive.  Upon arrival, Paramedics found a 12 year old female that had been struck by a vehicle.  The patient had severe injuries and was treated by Paramedics at the scene.  Due to the time of day and degree of injuries, the Paramedics determined the patient would benefit from air transportation to Children's Hospital.  The patient was transferred from the accident scene to Clifton Middle School where Los Angeles County Helicopter 17 transported her to Children's Hospital for further treatment.

FIRE PREVENTION

Community Wildfire Protection Plan: The Monrovia Fire Department loses a great friend.  The Monrovia Fire Department learned that Cathy Brooke passed away last Saturday at her home in Monrovia.  Cathy's passing is a great loss to the fire safety community, which benefited from Cathy's inspired work as grants manager for the California Fire Safe Council, which has generously supported much of Monrovia's wildfire prevention efforts for the past decade.  Cathy was a great advocate for Monrovia, shepherding us through the grant process that has provided funding for brush and roadside clearance and fire safety planning and outreach.  While fire safety is a never-ending task, tremendous progress has been made.  Through Cathy's advocacy, Monrovia's hillsides are safer, and Monrovia's residents are better prepared than we were a decade ago.  Cathy influenced all of us who worked with her, mixing toughness and humor, passion and patience, in her approach to building a fire safe community.

Cathy Brooke's obituary was published on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Pasadena Star-News, and can be accessed at the following link:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pasadenastarnews/obituary.aspx?n=brookecathy&pid=155716248

The Monrovia Fire Department gives our deepest condolences to Cathy's family.  She will be dearly missed.

TRAINING AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The disaster preparedness team hosted another SERT training session for the Monrovia Unified School District this week at Fire Station 101.  This SERT class is winding down, with one more training session which will involve a mock disaster to allow the participants to put their new found skills to work.  This collaboration with the school district is proving to be a beneficial program in disaster preparedness throughout the entire community.

ADMINISTRATION

This week, the Monrovia Fire Department lost two very special people, each huge supporters of the Fire Service.  Arcadia Fire Captain Andy Troncale and Cathy Brooke of the California Fire Safe Council passed away following long battles with cancer.

Arcadia Fire Captain Andy Troncale had a line-of-duty memorial fire service Monday after a three year battle with cancer.  Andy had 32 years of fire service experience, and was a Fire Captain II when he retired three years ago.  His retirement was due to a brain tumor that was caused by stage four colon cancer.  Always upbeat and positive, Andy fought hard for three years and succumbed to the illness with his family by his side.  Monrovia Fire was particularly touched by the passing of Andy, due to the closeness of the two agencies, and the fact that his son, Clark, is a cadet with our Department.  Andy will be missed, but his legacy lives on in his son Clark who wants to be a firefighter just like his Dad!

As mentioned earlier, Cathy Brooke was a local Monrovia resident, and worked for the State of California Fire Safe Council.  A tough-minded and strong advocate for fire safety in the urban interface, Cathy demanded excellence from "her fire departments" that received special grant funding for brush reduction and preparedness efforts to make communities fire safe.  Cathy loved Monrovia and was a true supporter of our local efforts, but she also demanded a high standard, and would let us know if we weren't keeping up to her standards.  Cathy succumbed to cancer after a long and courageous battle, and will be missed.

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 470 service events, resulting in 106 investigations.  To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to

http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping.

Suspicious Package.  On January 23 at 1:41 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Chestnut regarding a suspicious letter received by a local business.  A white powdery substance was contained within the letter.  Monrovia Fire Department, in coordination with Los Angeles County Fire and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Hazmat Teams, responded to recover the suspicious letter.  The substance was analyzed, and tested positive as a narcotic substance.  The origination of the letter is under investigation, and is being handled by the Monrovia Police Department.

Possession of Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested.  On January 24 at 11:30 a.m., an officer observed a bicyclist run a stop sign in the 900 block of Alta Vista.  After stopping the subject, he received consent to search.  During the search, he found the subject was in possession of several gift cards.  The names on the cards matched the names of victims from thefts that occurred earlier in the week in Monrovia.  The suspect was arrested for possession of stolen property, and the investigation is continuing.

Trespassing - Suspect Arrested.  On January 24 at 9:52 p.m., officers responded to an audible alarm activation at a residence in the 200 block of North Myrtle, which is a house that is under construction.  When officers arrived, it appeared as if someone had climbed through an unlocked rear window.  Upon closer examination, a wallet with identification was found inside the house.

While officers were speaking with neighbors, they noticed a male subject walking nearby.  His head was down as if he were looking for something he had dropped.  The officers contacted him and discovered he was the owner of the wallet found in the vacant house.  This individual lives in the neighborhood.  He said he was looking for a place to smoke Marijuana, and he knew that the house was vacant.  He climbed through an unsecured window and activated the audible alarm, which caused him to flee and drop his wallet.  There was no evidence indicating the suspect entered the location to steal any property.  He was arrested for trespassing.

Possession of Burglary Tools - Suspect Arrested.  On January 25 at 4:08 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of West Olive reported hearing suspicious male voices in the alley.  Officers responded and detained two subjects.  One of them was arrested for possession of burglary tools.  Nearby, the officers found a red and black, "Gary Fisher" brand, mountain bike that had been discarded.  The bike was taken as found property, and the officers began attempting to locate its owner.  Investigation continuing.

Attempt Burglary.  On January 25 at 9:03 p.m., an attempted residential burglary was reported in the 1000 block of Orange.  The incident occurred sometime between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.  An unknown suspect attempted to pry open the front door of the residence.  There was no loss.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary.  On January 26 at 4:58 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of East Lemon called to report a burglary.  An unknown suspect entered the residence sometime after the resident left for work, and ransacked the home.  A video game station was stolen.  Additional property was found by the victim on the front lawn.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary.  On January 27 at 2:48 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of East Colorado regarding a burglary.  The victim reported that she left her home for work at 10 a.m. on January 26 and returned home at 2:45 a.m. on January 27 to find her house ransacked.  There were no signs of forced entry; however, the front door was open.  Money was taken from a shoe box in the living room.  Investigation continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Vehicle Versus Pedestrian - Suspect Arrested.  On January 27 at 3:31 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision occurred at Huntington and Canyon.  A 12-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle as she tried to cross the street.  After stopping briefly down the road, the driver drove off and did not stop to check on the child or to render any aid.  The child was severely injured, and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in critical condition.

Officers conducted an intense search for the suspect driver.  Witness statements and evidence at the scene led officers to an address in Monrovia, where the suspects vehicle was recovered and the passenger who had been in the car during the incident was found.  Through further investigation, officers eventually located the suspect at a business in Duarte.  The female suspect admitted to driving the vehicle, and striking the child.  She was arrested and booked for the appropriate charges.

The father of the child called later and reported that the victim had been upgraded to stable condition.

Vehicle Burglary.  On January 27 at 8:06 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim reported that he arrived at the location at about 7 p.m., parked his vehicle in the parking area, and went into the hotel.  When he returned to his vehicle at about 8:25 p.m., he found the dashboard had been removed and the navigation system was missing.  Also missing was a briefcase containing personal information, and other miscellaneous paperwork.  Investigation continuing.

Vandalism.  On January 28 at 2:53 p.m., graffiti was reported at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  Suspects wrote on the band shell in the park in pink/red letters.  Investigation continuing.

Discharge of a Laser at an Aircraft.  On January 28 at 9:13 p.m., the Foothill Air Support helicopter reported being hit by a green laser from the area between Diamond and El Dorado.  Arcadia Police Department was also notified.  Monrovia officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the source of the laser.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  On January 29 at 12:30 a.m., an officer responded to a local hospital regarding a stabbing victim at their facility who reported that the incident occurred in Monrovia.  The victim, a 16-year-old male, stated that he and several friends had left a friend's house in the 100 block of East Evergreen and began walking to another friend's house in the 800 block of East Olive.  When they reached California, they were confronted by two male Hispanic subjects.  The victim pushed the suspect, and the suspect stabbed him in the arm.  The second suspect jumped in and hit the victim in the face.  Then they separated, and walked away in different directions.  The victim was taken to a hospital by friends.

Suspect number one is described as 18 to 22 years old, 5 foot 5 inches tall, 140 to 160 pounds, black hair, thin moustache, wearing a light colored baseball cap, gray hooded sweatshirt and light colored shorts.  Suspect number two is described as a male Hispanic, 20 to 22 years old, 5 foot 7 inches tall, 140 to 160 pounds, black or brown medium length shaggy hair, wearing a black t-shirt.  The weapon is a pocket knife with a 4-inch stainless blade.  Investigation continuing.