Honoring Sandy Burud, Monrovia’s 2026 Older American of the Year, shown center with the Monrovia City Council (Photo – cityofmonrovia)
The Monrovia City Council opened its regular meeting on a warm, celebratory note, recognizing Zion Patrick Smith, the newborn grandson of Councilmember Dr. Tamala Kelly and her husband, William. Zion arrived on April 2, 2026, and the room shared in the joy of welcoming the city’s newest community member.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
The evening moved into a trio of meaningful proclamations, designating May 2026 as Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, each highlighting a different facet of the community’s diversity and well‑being.
All six routine consent items were approved without discussion. These included minutes from the April 21 regular meeting; Payroll No. 9 in the net amount of $878,131.39; and warrant registers from April 23 ($466,458.52) and April 30 ($237,548.01).
The council also approved a $30,000 agreement with Care Solace, Inc. to continue providing on‑call mental health care coordination through June 30, 2027. Members then adopted Resolution No. 2026‑19, updating the city’s federally required Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, a key document guiding Monrovia’s emergency preparedness efforts.
Rounding out the consent calendar was an extension of the water quality analysis contract with Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC through FY 2026–27, not to exceed $235,000. The council also adopted Resolution No. 2026‑17, formalizing the city’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, Bicycle Master Plan Update, and Vision Zero Goal under the federally funded Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
Three staff presentations added depth to the evening. City Manager Dylan Feik shared a City Council Directives Update; Recreation Supervisor Tiffany Petersen highlighted recent progress in the SPOT (Special Programs and Outreach for Teens) Program; and Deputy Public Works Director Victoria Rocha offered a Broadband Assessment Overview, outlining the city’s ongoing work to improve digital access.
Administrative Services Director Rae Bowman presented the mid‑year budget update for FY 2025–26, with the council recommending adoption of Resolution No. 2026‑18.
The meeting closed on a reflective note, adjourning in memory of Luciano Scorcia, grandfather of Lucke Bernacki, a Community Services Administrative Assistant with the city. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
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