Vigil at Home Depot Monrovia, Friday, August 15, 2025 (File Photo – Adele Andrade-Stadler)
Monrovia City Hall was packed Tuesday night as residents gathered for a lively City Council meeting filled with spirited public comments and important city updates.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
Community members spoke passionately on a variety of issues—from urgent safety concerns at local intersections, to calls for a memorial honoring a day laborer who tragically died fleeing an ICE operation. Others offered creative ideas for how the city might use newly purchased property funded by Measure K.
The evening also featured lighthearted moments, including the presentation of Monrovia’s Pet of the Month, alongside practical updates on the 2025-2026 city budget and progress reports from council members on ongoing projects.
Nala Named Monrovia’s Pet of the Month
The meeting opened with the Pasadena Humane “Pet of the Month” presentation, honoring Nala the dog as Monrovia’s latest furry ambassador. Kevin McManus, Pasadena Humane’s Public Relations & Communications Manager, highlighted the shelter’s “Seniors for Seniors” program, which allows older residents to adopt select dogs at no cost. He also announced a special adoption fee discount: from October 24th to 31st, adoption fees for dogs will be reduced to just $31, a significant drop from the usual rate.
Consent Calendar Approved Unanimously
The Council unanimously approved the Consent Calendar, which included several routine items:
- CC-1: Adoption of minutes from the October 7, 2025, Regular and Special Meetings.
- CC-2: Approval of Payroll No. 21 totaling $838,442 and Warrant Registers dated October 9 and 16, 2025, totaling $2,829,844.
- CC-3: Authorization of a Consultant Services Agreement with Arroyo Background Investigations for on-call employment background checks through June 30, 2028, with optional extensions.
- CC-4: Approval to purchase two 2025 Ford Explorer Police Utility Vehicles and related equipment from Dana Safety Supply for an amount not to exceed $191,306, with an additional $15,306 appropriated to the Police Department Vehicle Replacement Fund.
Public Input Brings Urgent Concerns
During public comment, residents raised a range of concerns. One speaker urged the city to improve safety at the intersection of West Duarte Road and 8th Street, where a young woman recently lost her life in a tragic traffic accident. Another resident called on the council to create a permanent memorial for Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old day laborer from Guatemala who passed away on August 1, 2025, after fleeing an ICE operation near Monrovia’s Home Depot.
Council Provides Project Updates
The council reviewed the latest City Council Directives Update, tracking ongoing projects and requests from previous meetings. Progress was reported on several recent initiatives, including sharing proclamations for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Make a Difference Day, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month across city facilities. City staff confirmed that a letter concerning the death investigation of Roberto Carlos Montoya, requested by Councilmember Edward Belden, is being drafted for submission to the Governor and State Attorney General. Other pending directives include exploring a local entrepreneurship partnership with Monrovia Unified School District and planning a future “Coffee & Chat” community event with the council.
Meeting Adjourns With a Moment of Remembrance
The meeting adjourned in memory of Mai Thi Men, the mother-in-law of Planning Commissioner Mike Vachani, honoring her many contributions to the Monrovia community.
> Watch the full Monrovia City Council Meeting from October 21, 2025, below:
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