[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6428953,"mediaKeyId","5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c","parentId",5905609,"title","Council approves appointments, board nomination and routine consent items; roll call recorded for water authority nominee and mural contract","audioSeconds",3921,"startMs",2121000,"endMs",6042000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c&start=2121&end=6042","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c/thumbnail_2121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428953/Monrovia/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-appointments-board-nomination-and-routine-consent-items-roll-call-recorded-for-water-authority-nominee-and-mural-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428953-bca47f4ce42e502d9e3eeabd360093b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057048&Signature=Tiva4D05HRGmh0OC9MODKu4eDLca5HQRmfp90IFC6YXOz5joen67SfXVF-P~CSFLJ80Qt-fzd0Pqvh30j2gAhrACg5KhbCUIybZ8u9~tar-6UDGfDRRxcluUg5tMOL4r1qJeM5Qf5pdUECone94a6HeZ63iDBkjjqnnwUNc7lamv0qrdbG7spuWEQooJN0P~kXmg~Plf1gpZpR0UigvB2ww4g8UF-zu3WT7lSukwb42pO1SE1nt84GsLk-ouf7BfTp1zlho5CF~jzxVOhqwgE3Brt6ZBuR4aZHQ~7kA3I~1HaYO3Ek2ZVlzc0Yjxwjb8LDe0qSY3f0xSQ7Zg0m3hXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KGEM-TV","date","2025-10-08T16:39:52Z","article","The Monrovia City Council took several formal actions Oct. 7, including approval of routine consent items, an appointment to a city advisory committee and a roll-call approval of a nomination to the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent calendar (CC1–CC7): Motion made and seconded; consent calendar approved without objection.

- Appointment to Art and Public Places Committee: The council appointed Jocelyn Ferguson to fill the unexpired term ending June 30, 2027. The appointment followed interviews and a committee recommendation; no objection was recorded.

- Resolution 2025-50 (San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority): The council approved a resolution nominating Mayor Robert Gonzales (city of Azusa) to represent cities with prescriptive pumping rights. A motion and second were recorded and the council approved the resolution on a roll-call vote: Belden — yes; Jimenez — yes; Spicer — yes; Dr. Kelly — yes; Shevlin — yes.

- Agreement with artist Trinity Rivard (Satoru Sunishi Park mural): The council approved a contract not to exceed $25,000 by roll call (all members voted yes). See separate article on the mural for design and schedule details.

Why it matters: These routine and administrative approvals move forward advisory-board membership, a regional water authority appointment, and a public-art project tied to a new park.

Ending: The items were approved during the Oct. 7 meeting as part of regular council business. Staff will follow up on appointments, regional board paperwork and contract administration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monrovia City Council | October 7, 2025 | Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Monrovia City Council on Oct. 7 approved routine consent items, appointed Jocelyn Ferguson to an advisory committee and recorded roll-call votes for a regional water authority nominee and a public-art contract.","taxTitle","Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",52085,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428960,"Community presses Monrovia council for permanent memorial and answers after Home Depot ICE raid death",2313,2831000,5144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c&start=2831&end=5144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c/thumbnail_2831000.jpg","/articles/6428960/Monrovia/Los-Angeles-County/California/Community-presses-Monrovia-council-for-permanent-memorial-and-answers-after-Home-Depot-ICE-raid-death","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428960-109c4fed7ebcb36d2189846a1566d16c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057048&Signature=Uwpwdft~QftSVo2Rf9uVtcLLvXYeDWmKdtAOWq~m6kMvNXcxzawci1EvX2IJKRS3aT68OrZy5FYXrmbuv3vlo-FuLRfnT2kDPd52pw310uGoT4l0VmuQgLhDJjtwv12JqqvwCYLqrGh9u1z2TVYfTFnHL8KPNepzZpTRS4esmEtjEp31NFKS3b6nOCGTwKRhJ65BC3~h8UvX7q3Jp9SZNGceRQxQC1wnP0J2tOuFXPppbPrXpASoISDOTa8Vx6jR09rnFk0vyL-o05HcNJZJwfuXWO8zVvwU5WM2onqgZNPx01xIoa7LcHPT9m9lsjEPkaptWZl1uvBWJj-MeYhT~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community members used the Oct. 7 public comment period at the Monrovia City Council meeting to press for a permanent memorial and transparency after the Aug. 14 death of Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez in connection with an immigration enforcement action at the Monrovia Home Depot.

Organizers and residents described Montoya as a day laborer and community member, and called for the city to publicly recognize his life and to seek the full investigative record. “We would like to see a permanent memorial for Roberto Carlos Montoya so that he can be remembered with dignity and respect that he deserves,” said organizer Marcello (public commenter).

Several speakers said they witnessed or documented recent enforcement activity at the Home Depot and expressed concern about tactics and lack of accountability. Sherry Lochner, a longtime Monrovia resident, said activists had reinstalled a memorial multiple times after it was removed and said, “We were unable to accurately document. And as a result, we cannot confirm how many men were in fact kidnapped.”

The Immigration Resource Center of the San Gabriel Valley (IRC) also spoke. Anna (IRC) described partnerships the IRC has formed with neighboring cities to provide legal services and said the IRC “continue[s] to support a permanent memorial for Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez” and is “eager to collaborate and partner in order to make this a reality.”

Why it matters: Commenters framed the event as both a human-rights concern and a public-safety/transparency issue. Several speakers asked the council to denounce ICE raids locally, secure a permanent memorial at an appropriate site and press investigators for a public report into Montoya’s death.

City and council reaction: City Manager Dylan Feek said the city is communicating with neighboring jurisdictions and law-enforcement partners and noted that the California Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation. Councilmember Edward Belden asked for a letter to the governor and attorney general requesting the status of the investigation and an estimated timeline for a final report. “If they have no information, can they please give us also an a possible timeline as to when we might be getting some information?” Belden asked.

Next steps: Several community groups announced a vigil for Oct. 10 at the Monrovia Home Depot. Council members expressed general sympathy and asked staff to follow up with law-enforcement partners about the status of the CHP investigation and the possibility of a permanent memorial; no binding action to create a memorial was taken at the meeting.

Ending: The council heard multiple public appeals for memorialization and transparency; staffers said they would seek updates from the investigating agency and the council indicated support for follow-up. Community organizers said they will continue to press for a permanent site and a public accounting of the circumstances that led to Montoya’s death.","Multiple speakers urged the Monrovia City Council to support a permanent memorial and demand investigation materials after the death of Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez during an ICE action near Monrovia Home Depot; city leaders said they are seeking information and discussed contacting state investigators.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428963,"Residents raise legal and affordability concerns about proposed citywide assessment district",262,2557000,2819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c&start=2557&end=2819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c/thumbnail_2557000.jpg","/articles/6428963/Monrovia/Los-Angeles-County/California/Residents-raise-legal-and-affordability-concerns-about-proposed-citywide-assessment-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428963-d52511a663a2cb0fc31cfb906f6cf908/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057048&Signature=fc2yb7-sJ7jLTd9KvnY6V4by~kc79wudNQCojKiJ1bOuigN0DaaUVsL58tVleITJwDQuiHsIQ2VOeAnSSorBkOvfOMUd5Gr7QQm19vKVEuBAGbASPQgSz05dzzeOiWAGe50M87ivDiaRFlz3SdTVNMlOuqlhQy8jkrepgEYir40ne5KcAyrxHhNes1wPTVdrOcLTtpG4Ex2TTJPJ13bVm2Hvf6WdPD-A4SYACWdCqUnAYOdfQw2VExnAxiacy1LBHHZWSBY-V9L59~MpySFTvVm--8HAiryqZluEwuACZT8OM04tg32hzZh9fDxycfxfE5YP3NCkPkCcouRQXJLN6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A string of public commenters at the Monrovia City Council meeting on Oct. 7 urged the council to reconsider a proposed citywide assessment district that would raise property assessments to fund maintenance for street lighting, traffic signals, street trees, landscaping and parks.

Resident Michael Johnson told the council the proposal likely violates state constitutional limits on assessments. “The state constitution is very clear. Property assessments can only be used for improvements that provide particular benefit to lands and buildings and not a general benefit to the public,” Johnson said, citing Proposition 218 and a court case referenced in the engineer’s report.

Why it matters: The city’s engineer’s report calculates a general-benefit share and a special-benefit share to set assessment amounts. Johnson argued the report’s methods do not demonstrate the constitutionally required “special benefit” to specific parcels and objected to the report’s use of pass-through traffic as a measure of general benefit.

City response and next steps: City Manager Dylan Feek (city manager) told the council the city is distributing information about the district and encouraged residents to contact staff with questions. “There is a lot of misinformation in his comments that were made publicly here tonight,” Feek said. He said the city crafted the proposal “according to state law and consultation with [the] city attorney’s office and NBS,” the firm that prepared the engineer’s report, and posted materials online.

No formal legislative action on the district was taken at the meeting. The council approved routine consent items and continued other business; staff said they were making information publicly available and responding to inquiries from residents.

Details from public comment: Johnson said the assessment increases would be large for some property owners—he said single-family parcels could see increases of $300–$400 per year and some multifamily parcels “thousands of dollars,” language he attributed to the engineer’s calculations. He also said the engineer’s method arbitrarily reduced a general-benefit measure by 50 percent and that similar assessments have been overturned in court.

What the city says is next: City staff said they will continue outreach and provide detailed responses to public questions. The mailed ballot for the proposed assessment district must be received by the city by 6 p.m. on Nov. 18, staff reminded residents; the city is also planning informational materials and responses to one-on-one inquiries.

Ending: Residents and the city differ on legal interpretation and on whether the proposal adequately demonstrates parcel-specific benefits. The council did not vote on establishing the district at the Oct. 7 meeting; the city manager said staff will continue to answer questions and provide documentation to interested property owners.","At the Oct. 7 Monrovia City Council meeting, residents criticized a proposed citywide assessment district and the engineer's report that would raise property assessments; city staff said materials are available and that the proposal was crafted to comply with state law.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428954,"Council approves $25,000 contract for Sunishi Park mural honoring Japanese American history",689,6177000,6866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c&start=6177&end=6866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c/thumbnail_6177000.jpg","/articles/6428954/Monrovia/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-25000-contract-for-Sunishi-Park-mural-honoring-Japanese-American-history","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428954-cb11b7654ab9b25ee0e0e1f2825e5ec6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057048&Signature=dRk0vv~rEVuWobnuPmt9th3uiExdl~LKX9OOJu80HJDGZoHHFNYUnzyKJCWgXV1VHfXZwQbsJEW4KjlMhk4VYhhHWF0h51T6ajIVQVG~1AzQDO4MVXdoPIy4QEqnWqXZVHbVG4SHSz7NHk4NV0tTVCdsUJ4nAZGD0kxSFrFOZ3aiV8E-Ol8fc7q9K6a6gU85UraqHg5y6DtpS9Ee4SqXNq4igINdeLsD94CFwtAzjqcYWIva2xvj~MlAbMoudDtVFVan3P5AgbmUgHrewZ75Yigkkmn6YAYcZZloG1-h-f2b07mTKZoIDnmjnhce1TfDAefD1CJhIl~wY8H-T405ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monrovia City Council approved an agreement Oct. 7 with artist Trinity Rivard for a mural at the new Satoru Sunishi Park, authorizing work up to $25,000.

The mural will run roughly 102 linear feet along a park wall and depicts scenes from Satoru Sunishi’s life: early years working on farms, a family portrait, mon (family crest), Route 66 imagery, a Heart Mountain internment reference and a haiku by Satoru that will be included in granite or other permanent material in the park.

Why it matters: The mural was commissioned to honor Satoru Sunishi, recognize the area’s agricultural history and acknowledge internment-era history. Sunishi family members reviewed and approved the design and asked for the family mon to be incorporated; city staff incorporated the request.

Design and process: City staff launched a request for proposals July 7 and received 18 proposals; 16 were complete, five finalists were selected, and the selection committee recommended Trinity Rivard. Staff presented photos of the park’s construction progress and said the artist and family will travel to Monrovia in November to finalize the work. The artist plans to be in Monrovia for about two weeks during the Thanksgiving period to complete the mural and align the unveiling with the park opening, which staff estimated could occur in December pending final site work.

Council action: Councilmember motion and second were recorded and the item passed on a roll call vote with all members voting yes.

Ending: The mural contract advances the Sunishi Park project toward opening; staff will finalize installation details and interpretive signage to explain the imagery, including the Heart Mountain reference and the Sunishi haiku.","The council approved an agreement with artist Trinity Rivard for a 102-foot mural at Satoru Sunishi Park, incorporating Sunishi family imagery, Route 66 homage, and Heart Mountain internment references; the artist is scheduled to complete the work in November/December.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428958,"City staff recommends pausing Station Square farmers market; relaunch planned spring 2026",298,4468000,4766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c&start=4468&end=4766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905609-03cbae68343652bb16ea80e5bc1b214c/thumbnail_4468000.jpg","/articles/6428958/Monrovia/Los-Angeles-County/California/City-staff-recommends-pausing-Station-Square-farmers-market-relaunch-planned-spring-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428958-f921b54f2a0be2ec7fbff7e60ec26f15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057048&Signature=fZ4Zkkqwj9nifT82JqYav4GGfzjSccoAuO9tIWaAdKW1UjI9oHhLsmrtr8qI~s1oeNnPlRAjSG~iF566P9HCyS0KD3VAlLuGYb5NzPRNVkMOl16slTrbUifrYLyr7-eJ3LSkEOHRqfCQTzAFM33tp0p-w7aP7lUYoYMwSvt1w9N8c5gyyPd6M4cIABnL3LbH0-bhrFMKyyBiVIPePhNGXTVA1067IHskqdgoOGZUFswDUDOQLbVI9I4QcPZXKOe-AGOkY9zMVjckuwRqLDjqcDEIOBipUJN40R0XZflz0BMRdmnWx4TMc9dhLuzGlyGuQU3cuZMxJWAaihmBpJV5bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff recommended the Monrovia City Council pause the Station Square Saturday morning farmers market and relaunch it in spring 2026 after low attendance and vendor staffing problems.

Tina Cherry, a city staff member, told the council the market launched in June 2024 and began strongly but that average shoppers have fallen to roughly 65 per week with some days as low as three. Staff recommended a final market on Oct. 18 and a relaunch on April 18, 2026, to take advantage of spring produce availability and to allow nearby construction at Station Square to finish.

Why it matters: The market was intended to serve Station Square residents and Old Town shoppers. Staff cited seasonal performance, ongoing construction in the Station Square area, and vendors’ difficulty finding employees (some cited immigration-enforcement concerns) as reasons for the pause.

Council discussion: Councilmembers asked whether a six-month pause would be sufficient and whether waiting a full year would yield better results. Staff and the market operator recommended a spring restart because produce and weather are more favorable then; staff noted the Gold Line extension and upcoming certificates of occupancy for Station Square buildings could bring new residents and increased market traffic.

Next steps: Staff recommended approving a final market on Oct. 18 and a relaunch April 18, 2026, and said they would continue to monitor conditions and report back. No formal binding action was recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the staff recommendation.

Ending: The council signaled support for pausing and relaunching the market while asking staff to continue outreach to ensure a stronger relaunch in spring 2026.","After average weekly attendance fell and vendors reported difficulty staffing booths, staff recommended pausing the Saturday Station Square farmers market this winter and relaunching April 18, 2026; council members discussed timing and monitoring construction and Gold Line effects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves appointments, board nomination and routine consent items; roll call recorded for water authority nominee and mural contract

Community presses Monrovia council for permanent memorial and answers after Home Depot ICE raid death

Residents raise legal and affordability concerns about proposed citywide assessment district

Council approves $25,000 contract for Sunishi Park mural honoring Japanese American history

City staff recommends pausing Station Square farmers market; relaunch planned spring 2026