Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 14, 2012

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 14, 2012 

This Week In Monrovia from Mark Alvarado Interim City Manager

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING RECAP

DUARTE: ANNUAL SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENT 
AWARDS PRESENTED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday’s special City Council meeting 
was held to further tackle the issue of dissolving 
our Redevelopment Agency. We are still waiting 
to hear from the League of California Cities 
(“League”) and the California Redevelopment 
Association (“CRA”) representatives on what 
type of new “version” of redevelopment is being 
proposed to the Legislature and the Governor. 
However, in order to comply with the bizarre terms 
and process the State established with the passing 
of the ABX1 26 legislation, all redevelopment 
agencies must be dissolved by February 1, 2012. In 
order to do so, a successor agency must be formed 
to carry out the liquidation of all the former 
Monrovia Redevelopment Agency’s assets and 
obligations. At Wednesday’s meeting, the City 
Council appointed themselves as the successor 
agency, and will now take on the responsibility 
of winding down the former agency’s affairs. In 
the meantime, we’ll continue to keep you posted 
on the status of the League and CRA efforts. We 
shall see…

January 17th City Council Meeting Preview

The January 17 City Council meeting will start 
the new year with the swearing in of new City 
Councilmember Larry Spicer. Congratulations 
and welcome, Larry!

Under Public Hearings, we have one item. PH-1 
is the consideration of the proposed 38th Year 
(FY 2012-2013) Community Development Block 
Grant (CDBG) Program funding allocation. This 
year’s funding represents a 29%, or $100,000, 
reduction of revenue. CDBG handles our code 
enforcement issues, rehabilitation grants for 
neighborhoods, and recreational activities for 
our youth. This public hearing is just to decide 
to accept the funding. The program implications 
of reduced funding will be considered during the 
City’s 2012-13 budget study sessions in the Spring. 
Staff recommends approval.

There are two items under the Redevelopment 
Agency. Are these the last two actions ever taken 
by our Agency?? We hope not! Both items have to 
do with the process of complying with the rules 
of AB X1 26, the dissolution of redevelopment. 
The first report is the approval of the Enforceable 
Obligations Payments Schedule. This updates 
the list of obligations to be paid through June 30, 
2012. It is simply a list to clearly show the State 
what bills the Agency is paying, and is obligated 
to pay. The second item is a declaration (to the 
State) that our Agency has not forgiven any debt, 
nor has had any debt forgiven, in regards to 
financial activities the Agency has undertaken 
in the past. Again, it is more information the 
State is requesting as they prepare to oversee the 
dissolution of redevelopment agencies. Good luck 
State!

We have two items under Administrative 
Reports. The first report, AR-1, is the purchase 
of a portable generator from Precision Electric 
company. Staff has been discussing the feasibility 
of purchasing a permanent generator for City 
Hall. After the windstorm event last month, the 
idea of a portable generator came up. A portable 
generator will allow us the flexibility of powering 
up any of our city facilities, giving us options if 
multiple buildings are without power, and one 
is considered more critical than another. Staff 
is recommending approval of the purchase of 
a portable generator from Precision Electric 
Company in the amount of $25,000.

AR-2 is the roof replacement at the Public 
Works Corporate Yard Garage by Highland 
Roofing company. Also related to the windstorm, 
damage was caused to the roof at the Corporate 
Yard. Repairs are necessary before the heavy 
rainy season hits us. Thank goodness for summer 
weather in December! Staff is recommending 
approval for the replacement of the roof at the 
Corporate Yard Garage by Highland Roofing 
Company in the amount of $29,340. Please feel 
free to contact me if you have any questions about 
an item on the agenda.

By Joan Schmidt

The City of Duarte surely knows how to 
recognize its special people. Prior to the January 
10th City Council Meeting, there was a buffet 
and a room occupied with many residents. I 
asked Council Member Phil Reyes, what was 
going on, and he said, their “Annual Service 
and Achievement Awards”. It was great to stop 
and chat with MANY old friends! Reyna Diaz, 
School Board Member and former integral 
member of the Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Town 
Council was there, but she was representing the 
Duarte Kiwanis Club. Also on hand were Duarte 
Superintendent of Schools Terry Nichols and 
School Board Members Ken Bell and Tom Reyes. 
Honorees brought family members to enjoy 
festivities. Donna Georgino had her son - now a 
grown teenager - but I remembered as a toddler! 
And it was pleasant to see Council Member 
Paras-Caracci’s husband again. (We met several 
months ago at a Scout Eagle Court of Honor.) 

The 2011 Service Awardees included: 5 Years of 
Service: Cecilia Contreras, Clerk Typist, 2006-
2008; Administrative Secretary, 2008-present, 
Community Development. Teresa Renteria, Civil 
Engineering Technician, 2006-2007; Assistant 
Civil Engineer, 2007-present, Community 
Development, and Brian Villalobos, Director of 
Public Safety, 2006-present.

10 Years of Service Honorees included 
Tzeitel Paras-Caracci, City Council Member, 
2001-present; and Patricia Starratt-Thorpe, 
Traffic Safety Commissioner-2002-present.

15 Years of Service Awardees included 
Karen Herrrera, Administrative Assistant, 
Community Services, 1987-1989, Consultant/
City Service Worker, 1/1998-5/1998, Assistant 
to City Manager, 1999-2007. Interim Deputy 
City Manager, 2/2007-11/2007, and Deputy 
City Manager, 2007-present; David Rendon, 
Transit Supervisor, Administrative Services, 
1996-Present, and Kristine Swart, Accounts 
Payable/Computer Operator, Community 
Services, 1996-1997, Accounting Specialist, 
Administrative Services, 1997-present.

Being honored for 20 Years of Service were Cesar 
Monsalve, Recreation Supervisor, 1991-2004, 
Recreation Superintendent, 2004-2011, Interim 
Director of Parks and Recreation, 2011-present, 
and Council Member Phil Reyes, Economic 
Development Commissioner, 1988-1989, City 
Council Member, 1993-present. 

For 30 Years of Service, Neil Bjornsen, Traffic 
Safety Commission, 1981-present and Donna 
Georgino, Senior Recreation Leader, 1981-1982, 
Recreation Supervisor, 1982-1985, Deputy 
Director, 1985-1987, and Director, 1987-2011, 
Parks and Recreation Department. 

Sometimes Award Ceremonies may seem to last 
a long time. This was different. I have never seen 
so much enthusiasm, love and camaraderie as I 
did in the Duarte Community Center. The City 
and its residents are more like a family. I attend 
Arcadia and Monrovia City Council Meetings 
and every member I have met has always been 
warm and friendly to me. But here in Duarte, the 
set-up of its community center/city chambers 
enables more socializing prior to its meetings. 
There’s a long table with agendas, informative 
flyers and there is even coffee / refreshments. It’s 
very conducive to people socializing. The seating 
at Monrovia and Arcadia Chambers seems more 
geared to “Council Meetings”, but Duarte always 
makes me feel like I am at home! Special thanks 
to the Duarte City Council, City Manager Darrell 
George and the City Employee Recognition 
Committee for making this occasion so special!

After the Awards, there were two special 
presentations, The Duarte Youth and Family 
Master Plan report Card and a presentation by 
the Kiwanis Club, which included a short history 
since its inception in 1915. The Key Club was 
established and, I remember 15 years ago, special 
youth members of the Key Club being honored 
for their volunteerism. The latest program is the 
Key Leader and Renee Estephon shared a recent 
weekend workshop she attended because of this 
fine program. Some topics included “How to Build 
Leadership Skills, How to Deal with Problems in 
the Real World, and Pursuit of Excellence. It was 
a most rewarding learning experience for Renee 
and she made several new friends who she will 
keep in touch with via Facebook! Renee was very 
grateful to the Kiwanis Club and Tine Carey for 
this opportunity.


Monrovia Police Blotter

Grand Theft Auto. On January 5 at 7:51 p.m., an 
employee of a business in the 1600 block of South 
Mountain called to report a stolen vehicle. The 
female victim arrived at work, parked and secured 
her vehicle in the parking lot. While on a break at 5 
p.m., she saw her vehicle in the parking lot. At 7:45 
p.m. she went on her lunch break to her vehicle and 
the car was gone. There was no broken glass on the 
ground where the car had been and the victim has 
accounted for all keys to the vehicle. The vehicle is 
a silver four-door, 1998 Honda Civic. The vehicle 
was later recovered by El Monte Police Department. 
Investigation continuing.

 Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under 
the Influence – Suspect Arrested. On January 7 at 
9:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to Myrtle and 
Lemon regarding a non-injury traffic collision. 
Upon arrival of the officers, one of the involved 
parties was leaving the scene in his vehicle, heading 
east on Lemon. The suspect parked in the 100 block 
of East Lemon and ran south on Ivy. The suspect’s 
direction of travel was broadcast and another 
officer in the area located and detained the suspect 
at the corner of Ivy and Colorado. He was positively 
identified as the driver of the suspect vehicle 
by witnesses. Through investigation, officers 
determined the suspect was also driving under the 
influence. He was arrested.

 Mail Tampering. On January 6 at 9:52 a.m., 
mail was stolen from the mailbox at Mayflower and 
Foothill. The mail was found in several different 
locations. Checks had been taken from the 
envelopes and it was later determined that a male 
Hispanic subject had attempted to cash one of the 
checks in Santa Fe Springs. However, the attempt 
was unsuccessful. Investigation continuing.

72-Hour Mental Evaluation. On January 6 at 
10:57 a.m., a male teenager who resides in the 
1200 block of South Sherman was threatening 
suicide while on the phone with his mental health 
counselor. Officers responded and had to make 
forced entry into the residence. The subject was 
taken to a hospital where he was held for mental 
evaluation. His mother was notified.

 Residential Burglary. On January 6 at 8:28 p.m., 
an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block 
of East Los Angeles on the report of a burglary. 
When the officer arrived the female victim told 
him that her son arrived home at 7 p.m. and found 
their computer and some items of jewelry missing. 
Investigation continuing.

 Special Enforcement Team Activity

Felony Warrant / Possession of Methamphetamine 
/ Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect 
Arrested. On January 4, Special Enforcement Team 
officers saw a known subject in the 300 block of South 
Myrtle that they knew had a $100,000 felony warrant 
for his arrest and a suspended driver’s license. As 
the subject started to drive away, he was stopped 
and arrested for the warrant. A vehicle search 
revealed a methamphetamine pipe that contained a 
useable amount of methamphetamine. He was also 
charged with possession of methamphetamine and 
drug paraphernalia. His vehicle was stored.

False Registration Tabs on a Vehicle / Driving 
Without a License. On January 7, during an 
investigation, Special Enforcement Team officers 
stopped a vehicle for numerous Vehicle Code 
violations. The driver was arrested for placing false 
registration tabs on his vehicle’s plates and driving 
without a license. The vehicle was stored.

Interested in Serving your Community?

The Monrovia Arcadia Duarte (MAD)

Town Council is look for you!

The MAD Town Council is committed to helping the unincorporated 
areas of Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte. The Council links County 
Services, Sheriffs Dept., Pamela Park Staff, Cities and the Supervisors 
office to better serve our community. The MAD Town Council is looking 
for interested community members to serve as Board Members. 

Meetings 7pm:

 

 3rd Tuesday of the month 

Pamela Park odd number months

Annunciation Parish Hall even number months

If you are interested or you know someone who would be interested in 
serving our community and lives in the unincorporated part of Monrovia, 
Arcadia, or Duarte please contact: 

Council President David Hall at (626) 616-9332


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