By Susan Motander
As has become customary, the Monrovia City Council and the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education meet on Monday to discuss matters of mutual interest. After reviewing the results of the Monrovia Day events and awarding trophies to the winning parade entries, the two groups then heard a report on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program and then moved on to a discussion of the city’s proposal to make Ivy and Primrose one-way streets.
The city reported that the festivities around Monrovia Day actually made a profit this year. According to the report from Monrovia city staff, the sales of ride-tickets and wristbands were far greater than anticipated and that as a result a profit of approximately $15,000 was shown for the event. According to City Manager Oliver Chi, these funds will be used as “seed money” for next year’s Monrovia Day.
After a recap of the SRO program by Chief of Police Alan Sanvictores, a general discussion of the program was held by the members of the two governing bodies. Ed Gilliland, vice president of the Board suggested that the contract for the program no longer be on a year to year basis, but rather become a three-year contract. It was the consensus of both groups that this be done on future contracts.
The final item on the agenda of the two groups was the proposal by city staff that Ivy Avenue be changed to a single northbound lane from the 210 Freeway to Lime Avenue, and that Primrose Avenue be switched to a single southbound lane in the same area. This would allow for a protected two-way bike lane on each street as well as parking on both sides of the street.
Concerns were voiced by various Board members about the impact of the change on schools, especially Clifton Middle School. Ultimately Gilliland suggested that the city hold meetings with the parents at the schools that might be impacted by the proposed change. Chi agreed to the suggestion.
