City Council - Regular Meeting

I couldn't do that. But it is people  would come to me when I was doing a teacher before. Yeah. Everyone in my class [laughter] This was so cold. [laughter] We are on. Okay. Good evening everyone and  welcome to our regular meeting of the 77th   uh Monrovia City Council this Tuesday, April  March March 3rd uh 2026. And I'm calling this   meeting to order at 7:35. And our uh invocation  this evening is going to be um from Barbara   Golar followed by the pledge of allegiance  by council member Edward Beldin. Barbara. Um good evening Mayor Chevlin city council and  staff and community. Let us pause for a brief  

moment of reflection. We give thanks for this  gathering, for the opportunity to come together in   service to the city of Monrovia. We are grateful  for those who have accepted the responsibility   to lead, to deliberate, and to make decisions that  shape the daily lives of our community. May wisdom   guide every conversation held in this chamber.  May [snorts] clarity inform every decision. May   integrity anchor every vote. We recognize that  leadership is both an honor and a sacred trust.   Each council member carries the hopes, concerns,  and dreams of a diverse and vibrant city.   May you be strengthened in your role not only  by as policy makers but as listeners. May may   you hear not just the words spoken spoken at  the podium but the quiet voices of those who   may not always know how to speak up. Help us  remember that every resident matters. Every   neighborhood matters. Every generation matters.  May planning the progress reflect the full   tapestry of Monrovia. Its families, its seniors,  its youth, its business owners, its newcomers,   and those rooted, those who roots run deep.  Grant this body the spirit of collaboration   over division, courage over fear, and unity  over misunderstanding. When challenges arise,  

may solutions be guided by fairness, compassion,  and a commitment to the excuse me to the common   goal good. We express sincere appreciation for  the time, energy, and sacrifice required to serve   this comm this city. Strengthen these leaders in  moments of fatigue. Renew their vision when the   work feels heavy. Remind them that their efforts  make a difference in everyday lives of the people   they serve. May this meeting be productive.  May it be respectful. May it move us forward   together. And may the spirit of goodwill and  shared purpose continue to guide the city of   Monrovia now and in the days ahead. Thank you.  Thank you. All right. Please rise and face our   flag. [clears throat] We pledge it. I pray begin.  I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States   of America and to the republic for which it  stands. One nation under God, indivisible,   with liberty and justice for all. Thank you,  Edward. And whereas Okay. And roll call, please. [laughter] Uh, council members Beldin  here, Dr. Kelly, [laughter] Spicer present,   and Mayor Prom Jimenez here, and Mayor Chevlin  here. Thank you very [clears throat] much. Um,   we did not have a closed session this evening,  but we did have a great special study session on  

uh funding various projects, and it was we look  forward to hearing more about how we might be able   to do that. Um, moving on then, our proclamations  for this evening. Uh, [clears throat] PR1 is   proclaiming March 2026 as Red Cross month and we  have Suzanne Dobson here. It will be accepting the   certificate or the proclamation and Mr. Spicer  will be reading it. All right. And whereas   American Red Cross Month is a special time to  honor the kindness of our neighbors who aid   families in need every day in Monrovia across  the United States and around the world. Their   dedication touches millions of lives each year  as they carry out the organization's 145 year   mission of pre preventing and alleviating  suffering. And whereas in the greater St.   Gabriel Valley and St. Gabriel and Pomona valleys.  The contributions of local Red Cross volunteers   give give hope to the most vulnerable in their  darkest hours. And whereas in Monrovia, families   have relied on disaster response volunteers for  comfort and care while coping with home fires,   floods, and many other disasters. And whereas  the Western Los Angeles chapter of volunteers   have supported local families in other ways too,  including supplying local hospitals with blood   and convolescent plasma as a treatment for CO 19.  This lifesaving work is vital to strengthening our   community resilience. And whereas 204 years since  the birth of American Red Cross founder Clara   Barton, we dedicate this month of March to all  those who continue to advance her noble leg legacy  

through their incredible work done to prepare,  respond, and recover. We ask others to join in   their commitment to care for people in need. Now  therefore, I, Becky Chevlin, mayor of the city of   Monrovia, California, along with the entire city  council, do hereby proclaim the month of March   2026 as American Red Cross month. And we encourage  all Monrovians to support this organization and   its noble humanitarian mission dated this third  day of March, 20 26th. Come on up, sir. [laughter] So, Mayor Chevlin and council, thank you on  behalf of the Red Cross for proclaiming March   is Red Cross month. Last year when I stood before  you, we were talking about the devastation of the   eaten fire and everything Red Cross was doing  for families at the time. Red Cross is still   actually working with eaten fire survivors, but  now they're working more by providing long-term   recovery grants to um nonprofits and other  organizations supporting the relief effort there.   In Monrovia specifically over the last year,  Red Cross again supported the fire department's   efforts to install smoke detectors around town  [clears throat] and they provided over 50 smoke   alarms that our C volunteers were able to install  on a very very wet and windy November morning. And   um they've also attended our provi fire prevention  openhouse and provided emergency assistance to two   families that were impacted by home fires.  So they have had boots in the ground both   in Monrovia and in the neighboring community. So  thank you again on behalf of Red Cross for that  

proclamation. Well, you're most welcome and  we'll come down and get a take a photograph. Okay, next up, U PR2 is our  proclaiming March 2026 as women's   history month and um receiving this um  proclamation this evening is Barbara Goer   on behalf of Monrovia Dhy Black Alumni  Association and so Barbara you don't   have to stand there the whole time I read  this if you want you can wait [laughter] whereas women of every race class and ethnic  background have made historic contributions   to the growth and strength of our nation and  our community in countless ways. And whereas   women have played a unique role throughout  the history of the nation by providing the   majority of the volunteer labor force and were  particularly important in the establishment of   early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural  institutions. And whereas women have served   our country courageously in the military. And  whereas women have been leaders not only in   securing their own rights of suffrage, equal  opportunity and representation, but also in   the abolitionist movement, the emancipation  movement, the industrial labor movement, the  

civil rights movement and peace movements, which  create a a more fair and just society for all. And   whereas despite these contributions, the role of  women in history has been [snorts] consistently   overlooked and undervalued in the literature,  leadership, teaching, and study of history.   And it is therefore fitting that we recognize  their numerous accomplishments. Now, therefore,   I, Becky Shavelin, mayor of the city of Monrovia,  California, along with the entire city council, do   hereby proclaim the month of March 2026 as Women's  History Month. dated this third day of March 2026.   And Barbara's going to tell us a little bit about  what um Monrovia Dhorty Black Alumni Association   is doing. They have a they're going to have  a special program talking about in a video of   two very very very special uh ladies which many  organizations in town also had uh a part in the   change makers. I know MOPG, the preservation group  and many many others. But Barbara, yes, thank you   so much. Yes, we're very excited to be able to uh  show this film again. Um the event is March 22nd.   Tell I didn't say what the name was. Go tell what  the name of the movie is. You know what? I always   call it a different name. Well, it's all about the  sisters. the incomparable Jones family because I   always want to call it the Jones sisters, but you  know, it's it it is really more it's about them,   but it's really also about their family. Um  and so really uh super excited. Like uh um the   mayor said, this was an uh originally um show um  shown back in May, I believe. And it was several  

different um nonprofit organizations that really  collaborated to make this to make this happen. And   so, um, we decided, Monrovia Dory, Black Alumni,  decided that that would be an excellent film for   us to be able to show in celebration of Women  History Month. But like I said, it's it's March   22nd, Sunday, March 22nd at Darty Museum from 2  to 4. Um, and really super excited. I was part   I went to I don't know what it's called um at the  high school, the hum. Oh, yeah. come out loud. Um,   and so one of the one of the young ladies that  that started off was the first one to share   uh um her poem was about women. And I was, you  know, still um um trying to get in contact with   her to be able to to to share that as well as some  other ones to to share that. It it was an amazing   poem. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. So anyway, um like I  said, it is Sunday, March 22nd at Dworthy Museum   um from 2 to 4 and it's a great film. I  think you everyone would enjoy and just Yeah,   actually that it went viral for us for K Jim.  It we right now I think it's over 102,000 views.   Yeah. Yeah. So really excited. We'll come down and  okay get a picture. If I can just step I mean just   be down and not step up that would be great. Just  because of the need. Yes, that would be wonderful. We can do that. We can do  that too. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank Thank you very much. Okay. Okay, moving on  to our student government representative report   and student leazison Elise is here this evening  and she will be providing an update on the high   school. Thank you, Mayor Chevlin, council  members and members of the community. Good   evening to you all. As we move further into the  spring term, I'm excited to share updates on the   many activities and accomplishments happening  across our campus. To begin, Renaissance hosted   their annual wakeathon where student groups led by  teachers participated in an overnight event filled   with team challenges and games. It was a fun and  memorable experience that strengthen strengthened   bonds across grade levels. Additionally, our Black  Student Union held a powerful Black History Month   assembly educating our campus on the history  of black suppression, resilience, and unity.   The event encouraged reflection and celebrated  the diversity of our school community. Last week,   we had the opportunity to welcome eighth grade  students from our local middle schools as they   visited the high school. This visit gave them  a chance to tour the campus, meet counselors,   and student leaders, and learn more about  the academic programs, electives, clubs,   and athletics available to them next year. It  was a great opportunity for our current students   to step into leadership roles and help make our  future freshmen feel welcomed and excited about   the transition to high school. In addition,  spring sports are officially underway. We are   looking forward to a competitive and successful  season and encourage the community to come out  

and support our teams. Overall, our leadership  groups and student organizations continue to play   an active role in uplifting and improving our  campus climate. Through athletics, assemblies,   spirit events, and collaborative initiatives,  we are seeing meaningful meaningful efforts   to bring our campus together and create a more  inclusive and engaged school community. Thank   you. Thank you. Great report. And as usual,  you're more than welcome to hang out here,   but we understand if you've got someplace else to  go this evening. We [laughter] will be alone. It   is it'll be a short it should be a shorter meeting  tonight. Um there I don't believe there are any   changes in our order of business. And we'll move  on to our consent calendar which are items CC1   through CC7 which are considered ordinary and  routine in nature and can be entertained and   enacted by one motion unless there's something  that someone needs to pull or has a question. Move   for approval. Thank you. We've got a motion.  Do we have a second? I'll second it. We have   a motion and a second. Then without objection  then so approved. Uh moving on then to public   input. This is the opportunity for the public  to come before us and address the city council   on any item not on our agenda this evening and we  welcome you and we encourage you to come forward   um with your concerns. So with that you will  have three minutes to address our council. Do   we have anyone requesting public comment? We do.  Starting with Sher Lochner. Good evening, Sherry. Good evening, council. My name is Sheri Lochner  and I'm from Monrovia. Regarding the requests I   made at the last council meeting, I would like  to ask more specific questions concerning the  

investigation and report into the circumstances  resulting in the death of Carlos Roberto   Mononttoya Valdez. I understand that because  Senor Valdez's death occurred on the 210 freeway,   the city of Monrovia are waiting a report for from  the CHP. It has been over 6 months and there is   no report. I have read through the city's police  policy document available online from the city's   website regarding the investigation of deaths,  specifically section 329.2.1, 2.1 coroner request   government code 27491 and health and safety  code 102850 direct the coroner to inquire into   and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause  of certain deaths. The coroner shall be called in   any of the following cases, and I'm referring to  letter I. Deaths following an accident or injury,   primary or contributo. This includes deaths known  or suspected as resulting in whole or in part from   or related to accident or injury, either old or  recent. Was the coroner contacted? Has the city   in their capacity requested a report from the  coroner's office? Furthermore, the section of   the police policy titled Enforcement Policy on  Interstate 210 Freeway 440.3 section C states   local law enforcement agencies may investigate  criminal and traffic matters on the interstate   freeway systems. It is the policy of both the  Monrovia Police Department and the CHP that   Monrovia will investigate non-traffic related  criminal matters occurring on the freeway in the   incorporated areas of Monrovia. The circumstances  surrounding the death of Carlos Roberto Mononttoya   Valdez were that he ended up on the freeway as  a result of unlawful ICE actions in the city   of Monrovia at the Monrovia Home Depot. Why has  the city of Monrovia not engaged in investigating  

Senor Valdez's death as per this policy? Another  request that I made at the last council meeting   concerned adopting an ordinance declaring  Monrovia a sanctuary city. There are many cities   in California that are sanctuary cities within  Southern California. of these include Los Angeles,   Long Beach, Palm Springs, Malibu, and Culver City  amongst others. As you would be aware, there is a   state law statewide law SB54 passed in 2017 that  limits local law enforcement from cooperating with   federal immigration authorities. In 2024, the city  of Los Angeles adopted a sanctuary ordinance that   prohibits city resources from being used in  immigration enforcement or to cooperate with   federal immigration agents unless required by  state law. My colleagues and I urge the Monroia   City Council to adopt a sanctuary city ordinance.  as part of this ordinance request that the city   of Monrovia prohibit city employees, including  police officers, from holding jobs with ICE or   other federal immigration departments and restrict  ICE operations on city- owned property. Sher,   can you wrap it up? Thank you for listening.  Very good. Thank you very much. Martha Mack, hello, city council. Good evening. Um,  since the last city council meeting,   three more people have died as a result of  ICE actions. Ruben Ray Martinez, 23 years old,   US Cit citizen, was murdered by ICE on  March 25th, 2025. Sorry, we have found   out about three more people. Um, this story was  covered up and revealed on February 24th, 2026.   Naru Amin Sha Alam, 56-year-old man,  died on February in February 2024   um when US Customs and Border Protection  dropped him off miles away from his home  

in below freezing weather. Alberto Gutierrez,  a resident of Echo Park here in Los Angeles,   was in ICE custody and denied medical attention  on February 27th. [clears throat] That that has brought us to 52 deaths so far. As usual,  I will read the names of the deceased people.   Henry Donado Ree Guen, Sarowat Gazahen Dehene,  Maxim Chernyak, Juan Alexis, Teneo Martinez,   Brian Rio Garson, Non Noak, Nuin, Marie an Blae,  Abelardo Aen, Aenna Delgado, Jesus Molina Vega,   Johnny Noo, Isidro Perez, Tenuanfan, Chao,  Fen, Lorenzo, Antonio Batres Vargas, Oscar   Rasone, Dwarte, Santos, Benz, Reyes, Ismael,  Ayala, Uribe, Norlan, Guusman, Fuentes, Juing,   She Miguel, Anhel, Garcia, Hernandez, Leo, Cruz,  Silva, Hassan, Ali, Mo, Salet, Gab, Gabriel,   Garcia, Azin, Wong, Francisco Gaspar, Andres,  Pete Sumalo, Montejo, Shiraz, Fateal, Satuani,   Jean Wilson, Brutus, Fawad Sed Abdul Kadir, Delvin  Francisco Rodriguez, Nenko Stanniv, Ganchev,   Luis Gustavo, Nunes, Caseres, Luis Beltran,  Jiannis, Cruz, Paradila, Victor Manuel Diaz,   Er Sanchez, Dominguez, Wild Taravishi, Lor Seam,  Alberto Gutierrez, Reyes, Haime Alanise, Garcia,   Carlos, Roberto, Mononttoya, Valdez,  Jose Casto Rivera, Ruben Ray Martinez,  

Sylio Viegas, Gonzalez, Keith Porter Jr.,  Heraldo Lunes, Compost, Renee Nicole Mlin,   Good Alex Jeffrey Prey, and Nuru Amin Sha Alam.  Thank you. Thank you, Dafany Seagala Morphin. Good evening, Daphne. Good evening, Mayor and  Council. My name is Daffhne Sagala Morphin and   I'm excited to reintroduce myself. I am the  new government relations manager for Southern   California Edison taking over. I know you have  not had a permanent government relations manager   in some time but I'm happy to be representing  the city of Monrovia and representing Southern   California Edison. I do come with 10 years of  federal, state and local government experience.   previously doing government affairs for  Warner Brothers and now ready to take my   expertise here at Southern California Edison.  Um it's been a pleasure to already work with   members of your staff and see them here  today and do look forward to working with   you all on projects and bettering Monrovia's  reliability. I also want to take this time   um to welcome you all as council and staff. If  there are any topics or things that you would like   um more information from Edison  or how I can be a better partner,   I truly encourage you all to reach out. I have  shared my card um with the clerk so you all can   get it but do look forward to working with you  all and just wanted to say hello. Thank you.   I I'm sure we'll be in touch. Yes, the team has  been in touch. Thank you so much and Tim Spurer. Good evening Tim. Good evening. Good evening Mayor  um city council and staff. My name is Tim Spurer.   I'm board of director member of the uh Monrovia  Chamber of Commerce here to provide an update.   We are welcoming 10 new members in January and  February. LA Fire Justice, New York Life, uh  

Brett Columbo, Unity Neurobio Behavioral Health,  Apple One, Young Brothers Big City Athletic Club,   Black Cat Fables, Sports Clips, Green Ladder  Roofing, Groundbreaking Design Building,   and Spring Hill Suite. Third, we have 23 re  uh renewing members in January and February.   A reminder of the upcoming events, uh,  business seminar, AI for small business,   on Monday, March 9th, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. in  the Monrovia Public Library community room,   3:21 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovio. Um, RSVP  online, $20 members and $25 for non-members.   networking lunch on Wednesday, March 11th, 12  to 1:30 at uh Max's Mexican Cuisine uh 1101   East Huntington Drive, Monroe Via, California,  91 Oh, we know that RSVP uh online, $30 uh for   members and $35 for non-members. And then a coffee  social on Thursday, March 20 uh 12th. Um 8:30 to   10:00 a.m. at Lead the Way Fitness. Um 232 West  Maple Avenue, RSVP online, free for members and   10 for non-members. Thank you very much. Thank  you. Any others wanting to address the city   council on items not on our agenda? if you can  please come forward and state your name, please. Good evening. I apologize. I came out a little  late. Got out of work. That's okay. Could you   please? I'm Alicia Parardo. I'm a resident of  Monrovia and I'm also a volunteer at the Home  

Depot. Um, I got involved after uh hearing the  incident of Carlos Montoya and the first thing   that I felt it was not in my city and um I went  straight to the uh Home Depot and at that time   they were gathering for to um bring awareness  and ever since then in August I got involved by   volunteering um two hours shift and you know um  Monday through Friday, whatever day that I'm able   to. And at first, some of the workers says, "Well,  what what what what's your purpose here?" And we   tell them, "We're here to advocate. We're here to  help you. We're here to um have our phones ready   to record any unjustice that the ICE come around  and um just for later on um documentation and   keeping them there and also to be an advocate as  these two ladies that un they had the misfortune   of witnessing uh a raid and and during their shift  and um you you don't you know it it's just the   way that they're doing it, the way that they're  coming around and force forcefully attacking. Um,   a lot of them I'm sure there's one that's  a criminal, like they say on TV, criminals,   they're all criminals and this and that. And you  know, just yesterday, uh, today actually morning   that volunteering, two of the day laborers got  offered jobs and they were taking advantage.   The the persons that hired them took them to  the job site. they did roofing work and then   um they were not paid. So, um and and and the  ones that share the the what happened, the event,   they were humble and they were just like, "No,  well, you know what? This happens to us. You know,  

every now and then it it does happen." And we  said, "No, but you know, we we try to help them.   you know, take a picture when you if you're going  to get hired, take a picture of the license so   that we can, you know, help you to be an advocate  if they're doing this. Those two individuals that   took advantage of the day laborers, there might  be doing that around, you know, other sites.   But I'm I'm here to in support of the um memorial  and anything that um that they've done the   research and come stood up here and said read all  the misfortune um the victims that have passed on.   But it it it's sad. It's sad that you know uh I'm  a PBS watcher and I've watched um documentation   of Mussolini and Hitler and it's like this is  happening. this this it it let let us not happen.   You you you are elective and if you have um just  like I am I'm a resident here and I'm speaking   out and I I really never paid attention or um not  not attention but just to come over here that I do   have a voice to come up here and I've always been  an advocate with my own children. and I have three   sons and I've always been a volunteer in PTA and  all that but um and thank you if you could very   much thank you. Anyone else wanting to address  us in public comment? Not seeing anyone. Then we   will um close that portion of our meeting and we  will move on then to reports of the city manager RCM1. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um just a few  updates. One of the items on the on the uh the  

directives log is to consider the council salaries  and an inflationary adjustment. Um this is going   to be shown later on the agenda tonight. do have  a couple additional items we're going to be adding   based on the council retreat a couple weeks  ago. Those will show up on your next directives   update. Um then I would just like to to wrap up  my report. I'd just like to speak to some of the   comments made about the death of Carlos Roberto  Mononttoya Valdez. Um as we've stated before,   um the city has requested information. Um I do  want to highlight a few details about how just   to kind of clear some facts for the council uh  for Miss Lochner. um when on on the date of the   incident of his death when we arrived on scene,  our first responders actually rendered aid to Mr.   Mononttoya on the freeway and we transported him  to the hospital. So typically when um the city   contacts the coroner's office is when a person  is deceased. In this case, we transported him,   we rendered life-saving aid when he was at the  hospital. Um we transferred him to the hospital   and he was alive at that point in time. um and  he died later while in the hospital care. So that   would be the the reason why we did not contact  the coroner. Um the investigation was handled and   coordinated when by [clears throat] the California  Highway Patrol. So our rules uh our personnel,   our Monroia Police Department policy um is is  pretty clear and we share it online how we do   things. But um particularly in this case, the  investigation was handled and coordinated by the   highway patrol. It was not our investigation. So  when an incident happens in the city of Monrovia   on the metro line, it's handled by Metro, which  is LA County. If it happens on the 210 freeway,   it's Highway Patrol. There are times where there  are other law enforcement agency uh agencies, uh   even Pasadena Animal Control provides certain uh  investigations around animal care. So um it's not  

always the case that the city of Monrovia conducts  an investigation. And as we've stated before,   we've requested the information. We'll continue  to make the requests um and we'll share those uh   if we're able to get copies of them. That's my  report. Thank you. Um I will also mention that   today I through my own personal contact with  the um attorney general's office or the state   attorney general that um am I saying the right  the office correctly there? Ron Bont's uh Rob   Bont's office at any rate and asked if they could  please follow up. I had asked before and they said   they brought it to the attention of the chief of  staff and but um I did I did uh ask again. Uh any   other questions of or comments for city manager?  Okay, then we will go ahead and move on to our   um committee, excuse me, to our council member  reports and I'm going to start off with Mr.   Belden. Thank you very much, Madame Mayor. Uh  just a a reminder that this Saturday uh if you   are looking to uh get excited for spring, there's  going to be composta uh at the Monurvy Community   Garden uh where you can get some fresh compost for  your garden. You can also learn a little bit more   about how to take care of that land. And it's also  celebrating the fact that we've been uh really   successful at recycling locally our food waste  and that's what they're using to generate all the   local compost. Um that's food ed of course that's  hosting that with the Monroe city and I'm sure   many of our providers here probably Athens I don't  know if they're supporting as well. Um and uh just   uh a couple of events that had the pleasure to  join folks on um this past Saturday. There's   there's seems like there's a one city one-story  event every day. Uh but there was one Saturday  

hosted by the Monovia Parks Wellness Recreation  Foundation Changemakers was out there as well   um hosting a few other men reads of course. Um so  great opportunity for people to come together and   just have community. So fantastic. [clears throat]  Thanks for that. Um, and as well about a week and   a half ago, uh, some of us were able to join food  ed for the Golden Nomies awards. Uh, and and just   a celebration of the amazing work they've done  in five years. They've grown tremendously and I   think at least five different cities, maybe three  cities, but it seems like five at least. But, uh,   and Gio is doing his best to create a little  competition there, but uh, I think Monrovia,   we won't mention the city other cities up there.  No, but uh, yeah. [laughter] Um, we know which one   they like the best. Um, and and of course, uh,  Tina's retirement, which we all celebrated and   didn't celebrate without tears in our eyes, but,  uh, did celebrate that she's getting a chance to   do a lot of other great things after working here.  Um and we uh joined with Council Member Himenez   or Mayor Prom Himenez um at the uh an event to to  just uh focus on our street fair and get a report   from our uh the company that helps run that and um  there were some members of Motab that were there   along with our community service department folks  and uh just it looks like things are going really   well and all all over. Um, we did ask them to let  us know if there's anything that we're not doing   that we should do more of. Um, so excited there. I  think they are maybe trying to think of if there's   anything else that they want to bring forward for  the next summer, but it looks looks exciting in   general and what they've already got what they're  already doing some and trying to find in some new   um vendors that we don't have currently. Uh, and  as the city's rep and the council's rep on the   clean power alliance, just a quick update for  us. um our participation levels in the city uh  

we're at about 90.2% um and uh and of that group  uh 94% almost 94.5% of our active customers are   using 100% green power. Uh so we're doing a lot  locally to really help reduce our own greenhouse   gas emissions and um which in terms of offsetting  trees is the same equivalent as 127 million trees.   So there you go. All right. Thank you very much,  Councilman Spicer. Um, I don't have a report,   Mayor, but I'd like to um wish the staff a happy  appreciation day. Oh. Oh, and this is in commemor   commemoration of which appreciate is that? Uh  uh I think it's um it's now through the 6th.   Well, it's you get to be appreciated every  day. Challenging my report. Every day.   But staff should be appreciated every  day. Are you challenging my report? No,   I'm not. I just wanted to know what  we're commemorating. That's Oh,   it's just staff appreciation. That's all. All  right. All right. That's all I have. Thank you,   Doc. Dr. Kelly. That was funny. Hello everyone.  Um for my report I want to report that uh 2028 uh   Olympic Games ticketing uh is going is available.  So Southern California residents Los Angeles,   Orange, [snorts] Riverside, San Bernardino,  Ventura counties should register at ticket.l28.org or between January the 14th through March the  18th, 2026 to enter a drawing for an exclusive  

locals pre-sale running from April the 2nd through  the 6th, 2026. Selected residents will receive   email notifications by April 7th to purchase  tickets in early access slots with prices starting   at $28. So, here are some key dates if you want to  begin to write those down. Registration deadline   is March 18th. That's coming up. Locals pre-sale  Southern California is April 2nd through the 6th,   2026. And general sale, drop one is April 9th  through the 19th, 2026. So, begin to get that.   It's going to come up on us really soon. And  uh we're going to have some exciting things   for the city of Monrovia. and uh we all want to  try to get involved as much as we can. I want to   um just congratulate uh Monrovia uh Dherty black  alumni for the wonderful event that took place   on Sunday uh really celebrating the historical  black churches within uh Monrovia community. A   lot of churches such as Second Baptist, such  as Shiloh, uh sec uh First Baptist which is   in Dwardy. Um which one? I'm missing another. Oh,  Bethl. um all of these wonderful contributions and   um council member uh Spicer uh being uh a  member long-standing member, historical member   uh of Second Baptist and all of the contributions  that Second Baptist has uh made. It was really   beautiful um to hear um deep history uh within  our city in building the fabric of our city.   So it it was wonderful to be a part of that and  it was well done and the food was delicious. Um,   again, I was I was getting there. Larry made I  was getting there. He's tooting his own horn. Um,  

Mr. Spicer uh made wonderful I think greens and  Okay. Well, we had some wonderful soul food. We   had greens uh fried chicken, macaroni and cheese.  Some of our uh uh uh staples in soul food and   uh sweet potato sweet potato pie. And we had  Are you getting hungry? Are we getting hungry?   Okay. and and cornbread and just a peach. Okay,  peach cup. Beautiful event. So, congratulations   and uh what rich history we do have. And I got the  opportunity, it was such a blessing. I didn't even   expect it, but I got the opportunity to receive  accommodation from the Los Angeles County Board   of Supervisors. I was nominated by uh Katherine  Barger uh for a black history celebration. Um,   I got a um a beautiful certificate and it says in  recognition of dedicated service to the affairs of   the community and for the civic pride demonstrated  by numerous contributions for the benefit of all   residents of Los Angeles County. It was really  nice. It's really big and it was just a pleasure   to have received that. So, uh, thank you to,  uh, Katherine, uh, Supervisor Katherine Barger   and all of our county supervisors for that  wonderful, uh, recognition. And that's all I   have. Great. Thank you very much, Mayor Proam  Jimenez. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I wanted to   congratulate Monroe Youth Baseball. Monrobi Youth  Baseball celebrated opening day of the season. Um,   it was full of energy, community, food, and of  course the beginning of the baseball season.   But what was the most significant thing there  is you saw the the the school board there, the   city council there, the parents, uh you felt that  shared uh love that we all have for our families,   for our communities. Um and it just was a really  wonderful Monrovia moment. Uh and I want to just  

congratulate them. At the last minute, they had to  literally just like we had to choose a different   location because the look theater closed down.  They had to choose another location because of   the rainstorms. Reg park was not available. So, we  were able uh to get the uh school board to provide   a school for us, a Santa Fe school. So, it was a  wonderful coming together of the community. So,   congratulations Monroe Youth Baseball. And I  also want to say what a special event the Monroe   DHY Black Alumni Association faith that endures  lunchon. It really celebrated the pillars of the   African-American community, the black church,  and it was an afternoon of history, community,   uh, children's art show as well, great food.  Thank you, Larry. [snorts] And inspiration. Well,   one of the things I took from it I thought was  really wonderful was that in the early days,   the the the black churches would give seed money  for another church. Even though it was a different   denomination, it didn't matter. They they heard  another church wanted to start up in a local area   and they would provide the money and the origins  were always humble. They would meet in tents with   a dirt floor and those humble beginnings were  the beginning of the African-American churches   in Monrovia. So congratulations, great lunchon.  I love the topic that was chosen as well of food   edify. Um it was it it was wonderful evening. Um  I learned a lot. For example, I I found out that   uh uh the organization even has a bug budget  where they set money aside for for certain   types of bugs. But the food eds purpose is the  exploration and discovery through cultivation   and healthy ecosystems by education community  partnerships in the San Gabriel Valley. So,   I want to congratulate them on their fifth year  and their accomplishments that they've had. And  

as was mentioned by Councilman Edward Belden,  uh we're both on the um street fair oversight   committee and we uh went over the the history of  the street fair. I think one of the things that   has made Monrovia's downtown so vibrant is the  street fair because it's had a halo effect. people   have come for the street fair on Fridays, but then  they keep coming back because they discover what   a wonderful downtown Monrovia has. So, I think  that's one of the unsung um uh heroes of Monroia's   comeback of its of its renaissance in the downtown  is has been the street fair. So, it's great to see   it progress. Um we've got the most successful  street fair in the San Gabriel Valley and we're   just going to keep making it even better. Um, I  wanted also to say I went to the memorial service   for Gail Montgomery. Um, it was really nice. They  filled the the community center Dalton room. And   this is what I want to say. Nowadays, we all  seem to be in a situation where there's too much   political polit polarization. Either you're on my  side and you're my friend or you think differently   than I do and you're my enemy. Somehow Gail  Montgomery had the ability to disagree with you   but still say I love you and mean it. And I think  that in today's political discourse we could learn   a lot from the model that Gail Montgomery left us.  So um thank you Gail for leaving that to Monrovia   all of Monrovia. And finally uh Tina's retirement  party. [clears throat] It was a celebration but   it was bittersweet. Um I see she's not in the  audience. we're so used to seeing her in all the   council meetings. Um, and she was and [snorts]  is will continue to be an inspiration, I think,  

to the rest of the council. Um, her her ability  to organize a special events, the 4th of July,   um, the Christmas parade, Monrovia days. I  remember coming to walk early in the mornings   at like 5:36 in downtown Monrovia and there  would be Tina because there was going to be   an event at Library Park. Well, the event isn't  going to be till later in the day, like 12 noon,   but she would be there 5:30 in the morning or 6:00  in the morning, just to make sure everything was   done right. Um, she had that sort of passion,  attention to detail. She left a legacy that's   going to endure in Monrovia. So, thank you  to Tina. That's it, Madame Mayor. Thank you.   Thank you very much. And um I'll fill in some  places where some other events happen. But yes,   all the things that have been announced already.  Uh lots of great things going on in in Monrovia.   I will say in terms of Rebecca, she got initiated  this uh on Monday at 7:30 a.m. for the Monrovi   uh community coordinating council. and she she  [clears throat] manned and facilitated our Zoom   meeting for the three people that were online, but  we had 29 in person. So, it was great. We had a   really good crowd. Rebecca did an excellent  job. So, yeah, she was up bright and early   uh to greet us all for our meeting that started  at 7:30 on on Monday. So, we're looking forward   to having her as a part of the the the team for  the coordinating council. Um, and yes, Barbara had   mentioned the hum out loud uh event at the high  school. It was put on by the humanities department   and it was a little bit of um music, a little bit  of poetry uh and performing. They a little tap  

dancing and they had uh preschool kids performing  all the way up to through the grades. And then   um they also had some adults uh Dr. Z was there.  He he participated. Barbara participated. Um,   uh, Selene Lockerby participated. So, it was  really, uh, great and it showed off a lot of   the their talents. And they were also promoting an  upcoming from March 5th to the 7th, I think it is,   the Drowsy Chaperon, which is a a musical  production that the high school is putting on. So,   you can check that out through the the high  school. Um, I did attend a uh strategic planning   event through Foothill Transit that was last  Friday all about um our public transportation   and purchasing and and how we're going to be  financing or hopefully financing through um   monies have come and gone or been taken away and  whatnot, but uh our fuel cell buses that we hope   to continue to promote and things like that uh we  did get a um surprise um grant for $20 million and   it's going to go towards the Bronco Mobility  Hub at Pomona uh college. So, we're really we   I mean we were just flat out shocked that we got  that money. [laughter] So, uh at any rate, that   was a a real gift. Um uh Edward had talked about  uh the compost palooa. Uh if you check out, you   might find online there's a little video of your  mayor standing in a compost bin um uh promoting   the event. But great event and yeah, free compost,  free resources, and um free giveaways at from 9 to  

noon over at the um community garden that is  at the um Mountainside Communion Church. So,   come on out on Saturday at that time. And I  wanted to also mention we talked about Oh, it just   disappeared on me. Um the one city, one story.  And we have one, two, three, four more events   um that u Saturday the 28th being the finale, but  on the 7th will be um po hosted by MAP at Julian   Fischer Park. Saturday the 14th, uh it will be  at Chick-fil-A. Um well, Chick-fil-A is hosting,   but it will be at our Senushi Senishi Park. And on  the 21st, Monrovia Quanis Club at Kuanis Park, and   then the finale will be at Station Square. Um but  um this finale will have different times but the 7   uh 14th and 21st uh they're from 9 to 10 a.m. on  Saturdays and they're a reading and talking about   um the book. On Sunday though, they had a great  event that was at the museum and Edward and I were   there and they were giving a history of uh Canyon  Park, but that was also part of the one city,   one story and making the connection about nature  and and whatnot and had some really interesting uh   statistics and stories about um Canyon Park. So,  that was that was kind of fun. And for all of you,   I'll just say uh good luck and have fun tomorrow  or Thursday for all of you that are going to be   reading uh for Monrovia Reads uh across Monrovia.  So that's always a a great time. And I think Oh,  

and then you mentioned the Black History Lunchon  and that also highlighted all the the kids art   winners and um and their parents were there as  well. So, that was that was a lot of fun and I   think I covered everything I was going to cover  there. And next, our next council meeting is on   the 17th and that's going to be St. Patrick's Day.  So, we'll have to all be remembering to wear our   green that day. Okay. Um, that does it for our um  council member reports and we are moving on then   to AR1. Um that is amendment to Monrovia Municipal  Code section 2.12.030 related to the city council   compensation and that is going to be presented by  Mr. Fe. Yes. Thank you madam mayor. This will be   the final reading of ordinance number 2026-01 as  well as the approval uh consideration of approval   of resolution number 2026-9. Uh for a quick  recap over the last several months uh following   direction from city council um government code  section 36516 allows general law cities like   Monrovia to uh increase council compensation on a  periodic basis. The council has not uh we have not   updated council compensation since 2024 following  a passing of this new law. Um so in 2025 as well   as 2026 the council compensation is allowed to be  adjusted uh for inflation but in no more than 5%   uh for each year. Um based on previous discussions  the city council uh suggested increasing the  

current monthly compensation from $1,275 uh with  an inflationary adjustment for 2025 and 2026.   The new council compensation would be $1,359  per month. Um, and this cannot take effect   until after the municipal election in November  of 2026. So, this adjustment will not affect   this current council, the 77th council. It will be  applicable to the 78th Monrovia City Council. Um,   in past discussions, the council also suggested um  compensating the city clerk and the city treasurer   in the same amount for just consistency purposes.  The resolution 2026-09 would do that. So,   the compensation for all elected officials  at the city would be $1,359 per month. Um,   these numbers will be incorporated into future  budgets. Um, and they will not take effect until   after the November election. Um, so that is  my report this evening. be happy to answer any   questions you might have. Thank you. Any questions  of Mr. Fe? Then do we have a motion? I'd like to   make a motion to adopt ordinance number 2026-01  and adopt resolution number 2026-09. I'll second   it. We have a motion and a second. Can we have a  roll call vote, please? Council members Belden,   yes. Dr. Kelly, yes. Spicer, yes. Mayor Prom  Jimenez, yes. and Mayor Chevlin. Yes. Well,   great. And um I I did want to I forgot one thing  on my announcements before we adjourn our meeting   and that's tomorrow at the um Sanger Valley  Council of Governments, our COG uh homeless   uh meeting. It we are going to have a presentation  by Metro uh public safety and carebased response  

approach and um that will be presented tomorrow.  So, it's be interesting and you don't have to come   in person. You can watch online. It's at 8:30 um  in the morning, but it's at our at the COG offices   there on South um Mayflower. So, that ought to be  interesting as well. So, that does bring us to the   end of our agenda this evening. And I'm excited  to say that we do not have an adjournment that   we are not closing in memory of of anyone.  Had way too many people um passing in the   last month or so. Um at any rate um then our next  scheduled meeting is, as I said earlier, Tuesday,   March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. So wear your green  at 7:30 p.m. here in these council chambers.   So with that it we are adjourning at 8:32. There  you go. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome.