Future location of Satoru Tsuneishi Park (Photos – monroviaca.gov)
At its most recent meeting on April 15, 2025, the Monrovia City Council discussed issues ranging from public recreation to campaign finance reform.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
Highlights included approving a major contract for a new park honoring a local trailblazer and considering new limits on campaign contributions in city elections.
Public Comment
Public comment was largely focused on calls for the City Council to upgrade the Monrovia High School pool and implement dual-use programs that would allow the community to access the facility for local aquatics activities.
The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District also spoke during public comment, promoting their upcoming Waterfest event, scheduled for May 3 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. In addition, they highlighted several free services available to Monrovia residents, including in-person and online landscaping workshops. They also offer rebates for replacing grass with drought-tolerant landscaping, as well as for upgrading indoor and outdoor water fixtures to more efficient models.
Council Approves $838,000 Park Contract Despite Bid Protest
The Council approved an $838,000 construction contract for a new park, despite a protest from a competing bidder. The total cost is expected to come in just over $1.45 million—well within the $1.6 million budget allocated for the project.
Earthscape Landscape Inc., the second-lowest bidder, filed a protest alleging that RG General Engineering, the selected contractor, lacked proper permits. However, the Council rejected the claim and followed City staff’s recommendation to proceed.
The new park will be named Satoru Tsuneishi Park, honoring a prominent Monrovian who became the first Asian American to graduate from Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School. Satoru Tsuneishi was incarcerated during World War II at the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming. He later became an award-winning haiku poet, writing under the pen name Shisei.
Located on Huntington Drive, the park will span 8,600 square feet, featuring:
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Over 1,900 square feet of playground space
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1,300 square feet of turf
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4,517 square feet of drought-tolerant landscaping
Council Advances Campaign Finance Reform
The Council also agreed to move forward with a proposal to reduce the maximum campaign contributions allowed for candidates running for city office. Under the proposed amendment, the individual donation limit would be lowered from $5,900 to either $1,000 or $500—a final amount is still under consideration.
In addition, the changes would close existing loopholes. For example, they would prohibit the reimbursement of donations, a practice where a business owner might give money to employees to donate on their behalf—effectively skirting contribution limits.
If adopted, the changes would mark a significant step toward tightening local election rules and promoting transparency.
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