Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 13, 2010

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Mountain Views News Saturday, November 13, 2010

City Manager’s Report:

MFA Lawsuit Presented in Curious Fashion

This week, we received 
notification from the Monrovia 
Patch.com website that the 
president of the Monrovia 
Firefighters' Association (MFA) 
was planning on suing the City 
of Monrovia. Interestingly, the 
City has not been served with 
the lawsuit despite its being filed 
two months ago. And while 
the plaintiff has, I believe, 120 
days to serve us, preemptively 
leaking it to the press seems a 
bit melodramatic.

The plaintiff's attorney leaked 
the news of the lawsuit 
after being contacted by the 
Monrovia Patch.com editor 
about a separate case (another 
discrimination lawsuit he is 
handling, brought by a former 
Fire Department employee). 
The City will defend both 
lawsuits, regardless of these 
sensationalistic tactics. 
Allegations of discrimination 
are serious, no doubt.

Still this set of circumstances 
does raise some valid questions, 
such as, "What is going on in the 
Monrovia Fire Department?" 
and "What was the D.A. inquiry 
that was referenced all about?" 
With kudos to Monrovia Patch.
com for presenting an even-
keeled overview of this situation, 
about all I can say is that - in my 
opinion - this is about control 
over the Fire Department. Folks 
have tried to make it about 
safety (remember the fracas 
over the grant-funded regional 
procurement of firefighter 
breathing apparatus?), but 
couldn't; they've tried to make 
it about ethics (the aborted D.A. 
investigation), but couldn't. This 
is about control and change 
in organizational culture. 
Thus, with apologies to the 
community for the ignominy 
of having this power-play play 
out in public, all I can offer is 
that sometimes these situations 
simply need to work themselves 
out.

As for the issue of the above 
referenced D.A. investigation, 
we received a letter in February 
2010 from the D.A.'s Public 
Integrity Unit stating that they 
had opened an investigation 
as to whether Fire Chief Chris 
Donovan and Battalion Chief 
Chris Fabrizio were illegally 
receiving certification pay of 
$100 and $50 per month for 
a period of 10 and 8 months 
respectively. The pay is in 
reference to training certificates 
that both men possess.

By way of background, in 
the previous Memorandum 
of Understanding (MOU) 
negotiation with the MFA, 
the City agreed to pay Fire 
personnel for such training 
certificates, similar to what 
police personnel have enjoyed 
for years (the "POST certificate" 
pay). The alleged illegality of 
this situation stems from the 
fact that the City paid both the 
Chief and Battalion Chief for 
the Chief Officer certificates 
they possessed, even though 
such "cert pay" was not directly 
discussed in the management 
and mid-management 
employee MOUs (which cover 
all management employees, 
sworn and non-sworn alike). 
Instead, relying on past practice 
(which is common, appropriate 
and lawful in the realm of 
employment law) the City's 
position has historically been 
that whatever benefits were not 
specifically mentioned in the 
management employee MOUs 
- but were covered in the Fire 
and Police MOUs - would be 
applied to appropriate sworn 
public safety employees. To 
be clear: the violation was not 
that paying Fire Chiefs and 
Battalion Chiefs was wrong; but 
rather, that the management 
MOUs did not say that Fire 
management employees (or 
Police management employees, 
for that matter) were eligible for 
such pay.

The D.A.'s office acknowledged 
that this was a "technical 
violation," but argued that 
they had to examine this 
matter strictly from a criminal 
law standpoint, not a civil 
employment law perspective. 
Thus, in April 2010 the City 
Council approved revised 
management and mid-
management MOUs that 
specifically authorized such cert 
pay; Chief Donovan, Battalion 
Chief Fabrizio - as well as two 
other Battalion Chiefs who were 
not named in the complaint 
- repaid the small amount 
of certification pay they had 
received; and the D.A.'s office 
closed the case.

One detail that stuck out in 
the Monrovia Patch.com story 
was, "Why did Chief Donovan 
and Battalion Chief Fabrizio 
voluntarily stop receiving the 
cert pay - was it some tacit 
admission of guilt?" Hardly. The 
MFA raised the issue previously 
with the City's Department of 
Human Resources. The Human 
Resources Director advised the 
MFA representatives that the 
City has long relied on the past 
practice of having sworn safety 
management employees follow 
their respective department 
employees' MOUs. Still, when 
Donovan and Fabrizio were 
advised of the union's protest, 
both men voluntarily offered to 
forgo the pay - the grief simply 
wasn't worth $100 or $50 per 
month. Yet, as the saying goes, 
no good deed goes unpunished.

All this said, I have hope - 
indeed I have to have hope - that 
better times lie ahead. In this 
country - and certainly in this 
organization - men and women 
have the right to complain, 
protest, argue and beef about 
issues they believe are unfair, 
and to do so without fear of 
retribution or retaliation. At 
the same time, if the situations 
change and the people change 
and issues change over the 
years, but the rant from a small 
group of individuals remains 
the same, then I do believe that 
folks will eventually have to 
open their eyes and try to make 
the best out of a given situation 
- even if it means compromising 
and not getting everything they 
want.

Increased Wildlife Sightings

Just an FYI that we have 
experienced an uptick in wild 
animal sightings over recent 
weeks. If you see bears, mountain 
lions or coyotes exhibiting 
aggressive or nuisance behavior, 
please contact the Police 
Department's Animal Control 
officers. Also, please keep in 
mind the new animal control 
regulations that were recently 
adopted by the City Council - 
especially those concerning the 
feeding of wild animals. Help us 
help the animals!


IT’S RUBBER DUCKY TIME!

Want to adopt a duck? A rubber duck, that is. The Santa 
Anita Family YMCA is gearing 
up for its annual Rubber Duck 
Dunk fundraiser. Funds raised 
will benefit The Y’s Youth and 
Government program to help offset 
travel costs to Sacramento for local 
teen delegates to the YMCA Model 
Legislature and Model Court in 
February. 

 Ducks are available for 
adoption for $5 each. On Saturday, 
Nov. 20, beginning at 2 p.m. all adopted ducks will get 
tossed in the swimming pool at The Y and lucky ducks – 
those that are randomly plucked from the water – will win 
valuable prizes for their adoptive “parents”. Winners not 
need be present. 

 More than 25 prizes will be given away, including 
a 30-day fitness package including personal training, 
nutrition, counseling and personalized fitness plan, and a 
one night’s stay at Embassy Suites.

 Helping to sponsor the event are the Montgomery 
Family, Realtor Donna Baker, and New Life Evangelistic 
Church.

 The Santa Anita Family YMCA serves the cities of 
Arcadia, Bradbury, Duarte and Monrovia, offering dozens 
of sports programs, exercise classes and activities on a 
member and non-member basis for children, teens, adult, 
seniors and people with special needs. 

 For more information about The Y or to “adopt a duck,” 
call (626) 359-9244 or visit the website at www.ymcala.org 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

If you are looking for a second career or wishing you could do more for 
Monrovia -- Now is your chance!

 The City is looking for volunteers willing and able to join City staff in 
serving the community. If you have good clerical, computer and/or people 
skills, are interested in teaching or working with families and children, or 
if you have special or professional skills -- give us a call!

 Volunteers will receive training and work alongside City staff. Examples 
of opportunities available in all City departments include:

Community Development Code Enforcement and Neighbor-to-Neighbor 
Mediation 

Finance and Human Resources research and office-related projects 

Fire Department brush clearance and hillside monitoring 

Library mending and shelving books; assisting patrons 

Police Department clerical, receptionist, Citizens Patrol (must be 50 or over) 

Public Works clerical and general data input; Producer for programs to be 
aired on cable television; Disability Compliance Resource Person; Outdoor 
education programs at Canyon Park; Trail maintenance and construction, 
and general park maintenance 

Recreation special events and senior programs 

Office related assistance 

Coach and referee 

For more information call the Job Line at (626) 932-5592,


FRIENDS OF THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY 

November Saturday to Saturday Sale

 

MONROVIA - Friends of the Monrovia Public Library announce the 
Friends November “Saturday to Saturday” monthly sale, November 13-
20, 2010. To celebrate a successful year and thank our customers, this 
is a “Half-Price Thank You Sale.” All hard cover and trade paperback 
books in the Friends Store at the Monrovia Public Library will be half-
priced. Books normally selling for $2 will be $1 during the sale. Shelves 
will be restocked daily giving all customers an opportunity to find 
excellent bargains. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public 
Library. 

 Holiday books will be on display beginning November 29! Think 
devotional along with party planning, decorating, and cooking. The 
collection is large and varied. We also have lots of children’s holiday 
related story books both religious and secular! 

 In fact, do some holiday shopping when you visit the store. A limited 
number of mugs displaying Lynn Fearman’s lovely library image are still 
available for $10. When the supply is gone, these become a collectable. 
Give a neighbor the Monrovia history published by the Monrovia 
Historical Society – just $20. Use “book bucks” as gifts for neighbors 
and teachers. These are sold in bundles of $7 worth of vouchers to use 
in the store for just $5 – a 40% discount and there’s no expiration date! 
They can be used for any purchases in the store. Or, make a selection 
of current, clean copies of popular and interesting books. Even at 
the regular price of $2 for hard cover and trade paperbacks, they’re a 
bargain.

 The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library promote the Library by 
stimulating a greater use and appreciation of the literary, educational, 
and cultural advantages the library offers throughout the community.

Monrovia Public Library 321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 
91016. For more information, call (626) 932-5555, Ext. 3124 or visit www.
friendsofmonroviapubliclibrary.org 

Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 
536 service events, resulting in 81 investigations. Following are the 
last week's highlighted issues and events:

Residential Burglary

On October 29 at 1:42 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 
block of Beechworth Avenue on the report of a burglary. The 
victim left his garage door open. The suspect took gardening 
equipment from inside and then fled the area. 

Bear Incident

On October 30 at 3:12 a.m., an officer responded to the 1000 block 
of Norumbega regarding a bear incident. The bear had entered the 
detached garage of a residence and forced entry into a refrigerator. 
The bear took meat out of the refrigerator and left the location. 

Grand Theft Auto Recovery 

On October 31 at 4:39 a.m., an officer was patrolling in the 
500 block of Sherman when he observed a suspicious vehicle 
occupied by two subjects. The officer ran the vehicle's license 
plate and discovered it was reported stolen out of San Dimas. 
The officer arrested the person in the driver's seat and completed 
an identification card on the passenger. It was later determined 
the suspect had rented the vehicle and did not return it as agreed 
upon. The owner then reported it stolen.

Driving Under the Influence 

On November 2 at 2:11 a.m., an officer responded to the report 
of a suspicious vehicle driving around the area of Bradbury and 
Royal Oaks. The officer located and stopped a vehicle for traffic 
violations that matched the description of the vehicle. The driver 
was determined to be driving under the influence and was too 
impaired to drive a motor vehicle safely. The driver was arrested 
and taken into custody. 

Robbery / Witness Intimidation / Drug Activity 

On November 2 at 6:32 p.m., the victim of a strong-arm robbery 
that occurred on Wednesday, October 27, called police. He 
reported that he just seen the two suspects, who are known gang 
members, on Duarte Road. He said they were threatening and 
following him as he was walking down Duarte Road. Officers 
responded and conducted an area search for the suspects. They 
located four juveniles at an elementary school in Arcadia. One of 
the juveniles was wanted for the strong arm robbery, and was also 
found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was arrested 
for suspicion of robbery, possession of methamphetamine and 
witness intimidation. A second juvenile suspect was arrested for 
witness intimidation. The third juvenile attempted to run from 
officers, and the forth was found to be in possession of marijuana; 
both were arrested. The juvenile wanted in the robbery was 
booked and taken to Eastlake Juvenile Hall. The other three were 
cited and later released to their parents at the station. 

Vehicle Burglary

On October 3 at 9:08 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported 
at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. The suspect 
smashed the window of the car and took items that were left 
visible from outside the vehicle.

Vehicle Burglary

On October 3 at 10:17 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported that 
occurred during the evening hours of October 2. The crime 
occurred in the 200 block of North Primrose.

Hillside Wilderness Preserve and Hillside Recreation Area Resource Management Plan: 

Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

 The City of Monrovia, as the Lead Agency 
under the California Environmental Quality 
Act (CEQA), will prepare a Draft Environmental 
Impact Report (EIR) for the Wilderness 
Preserve and Hillside Recreation Area Resource 
Management Plan. This Notice was published in 
the Monrovia Weekly on Monday, November 1, 
2010, and noticed to residents within 500 feet of 
the access points. 

 The Monrovia City Council adopted the Hillside 
Wilderness Preserve and Hillside Recreation 
Area Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
on January 20, 2009, to guide the long-term 
management for the Project Area. Subsequently, 
the City Council repealed the original RMP 
to permit additional environmental and 
programmatic review. Since the repeal of the 
original RMP, various recreational and fire-
safety related components have been added to 
the RMP by the City. For this Project, it is the 
intent of the City to evaluate the environmental 
and community impacts of the proposed 
additional Project components and make 
the necessary policy choices to implement a 
complete and final RMP. 

 It is anticipated that the City Council 
will choose from various options ranging 
from elements substantially similar to the 
"minimalist" plan adopted in the original RMP 
to additional uses of the Project Area. Because 
the City is now completing an EIR rather than a 
Mitigated Negative Declaration as completed for 
the initial RMP, which was a "minimalist" plan, 
the City is now considering all potential uses for 
the area to ensure every potential opportunity 
is evaluated. The analysis of various potential 
Project elements does not mean that each or any 
of those elements will be included in the RMP 
that is ultimately adopted, but it does allow the 
City to examine any of those potential uses in 
the environmental review. 

 The City has prepared an Initial Study in 
accordance with Section 15063 of the CEQA 
Guidelines to determine if the Project would 
have significant effects on the environment, 
and to focus the analyses in the Draft EIR on 
those issues determined to have the potential 
for significant effects. As identified in the 
Initial Study, the following environmental 
issues listed will be addressed in the EIR: 
Biological Resources, Hazards (Wildland Fires), 
Public Services (Fire Protection), Noise, and 
Transportation/Traffic. 

 Copies of all relevant material including the 
previously adopted RMP and Initial Study are 
available for review at the following locations:

 Monrovia City hall - 415 South Ivy Avenue 

Monrovia Community Center - 119 West Palm 
Avenue 

Monrovia Public Library - 321 South Myrtle 
Avenue 

City of Monrovia website: www.cityofmonrovia.
org 

Responses and Comments

If you would like to submit written comments 
on the NOP, please send them to:

April L. Soash, Director of Community Services

119 West Palm Avenue

Monrovia, CA 91016

Or via email at asoash@ci.monrovia.ca.us 

 Please be specific in your statements describing 
your environmental concerns. As mandated by 
state law, the public review period for the NOP 
is to occur for at least 30 days. The public review 
period will occur from November 4, 2010 to 
December 10, 2010. Please submit your response 
at the earliest possible date, but not later than 
December 10, 2010.

Public Hearing Set for Dec. 14 

 

November 8, 2010 – The City of Duarte is in 
the process of completing a comprehensive 
review and update of City service charges 
and fees to be presented to the City Council 
for consideration of adoption at a public 
hearing set for Dec. 14. 

Duarte’s last comprehensive service 
charge update was completed in 2005. 
The calculation of services charges is 
based on the actual staff hours, supplies 
and overhead related to the actual service 
provided to the community. State law 
requires that service charges not exceed the 
actual cost of providing services. The list 
of service charges and fees under review 
include such things as rental charges for 
use of the Community Center, garage sale 
permits, dog and cat licenses, document 
copy charges, construction and demolition 
fees, and conditional use permits. 

 Cities may establish charges 
for services through the adoption of 
either ordinances or resolutions. For 
ease of understanding and to enhance 
transparency, Duarte gathers service 
charges into a master schedule and adopts 
them as part of a single resolution process. 
This approach allows charges to be updated 
in a less cumbersome fashion while 
providing the general public opportunities 
through the public hearing process to 
address the council in person as well as to 
submit comments in writing.

 Reductions in traditional tax 
revenues have made cities more dependent 
on service charges for budget balancing. 
The general public typically prefers that 
people pay for the services they receive, 
rather than fund these items through 
higher taxes. When charges reflect actual 
cost, market forces are brought into play, 
making governments operate more like 
businesses. For additional information 
on City service charges, contact the 
City of Duarte Administrative Services 
Department at (626) 357-7931, ext. 211.

Duarte Council to Study City Service Charges

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com