A sample of the approved large-scale mural at Satoru Tsuneishi Park (Photos – City of Monrovia, Graphics Dept.)
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Monrovia City Council convened for a brisk meeting that covered a broad agenda, including public-safety investments, infrastructure completions, and community art initiatives.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
In just over an hour, Council members unanimously approved all consent-calendar items and authorized the city’s newest public art installation at Satoru Tsuneishi Park.
Residents Voice Outrage Over ICE Presence
Public comment was dominated by residents urging the Council to acknowledge the presence of ICE in Monrovia and to establish a permanent memorial for Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, who tragically died during an ICE operation at Home Depot on August 15, 2025. Many speakers called on the Council to take meaningful action, warning that silence on the issue would equate to complicity.
Strengthening Emergency Preparedness
The city’s fire response capacity received a major boost with Council approval of an agreement to assign a Type 1 fire engine to Monrovia through 2035. The state-owned engine will be housed and staffed by the Monrovia Fire Department, while the state will retain responsibility for major maintenance and replacement.
City staff highlighted that this partnership ensures local readiness for regional mutual-aid responses at minimal cost to the city. When Monrovia personnel are deployed for state emergencies, expenses are reimbursed under existing aid agreements.
Art in the Park
The meeting’s featured item was the approval of a not-to-exceed $25,000 agreement with local artist Trinity Rivard to design and paint a large-scale mural at Satoru Tsuneishi Park, located at 1111 Encino Avenue.
The mural will cover approximately 100 feet of block wall and celebrate Monrovia’s Asian-American heritage, Historic Route 66, and Satoru Tsuneishi’s legacy as a community leader. Funding will come from Measure K (Keep Monrovia Revenues Local).
Councilmembers praised the proposal’s focus on inclusion and authenticity. Minor adjustments will ensure correct Japanese characters, add the Tsuneishi family crest, brighten the depiction of Monrovia High School, and streamline duplicate figures.
Routine Approvals Keep City Operations on Track
Council approved payroll totaling $844,108.05 and three warrant registers dated September 18 ($948,932.51), September 25 ($537,029.03), and October 2 ($694,036.16).
Other unanimous consent items included:
- Ordinance 2025-09, finalizing a new Density Bonus chapter in the zoning code to align with state housing mandates.
- A contract with Willdan Engineering to administer the Community Development Block Grant Residential Rehabilitation Program through October 31, 2026, with two one-year extensions.
- Acceptance and close-out of the Canyon Park Infrastructure Improvements Project, releasing retention funds to contractor Pokrajac Corporation and marking completion of significant post-storm repair work.
Council and Staff Updates
City Manager Dylan Feik presented the latest Directives Tracker, detailing completed and ongoing initiatives. Staff also reported progress on the Farmers Market at Station Square concept, which remains under review for location and vendor participation.
The Council appointed Joselyn Ferguson to the Art in Public Places Committee, with a term through June 30, 2027, and adopted a resolution re-nominating a representative to the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority board.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
City Council meetings are held at 415 S. Ivy Avenue on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Sessions are broadcast live on KGEM (Spectrum 99) and streamed on YouTube for later viewing.
> Watch the full Oct. 7, 2025, Monrovia City Council meeting here:
Leave a Reply