Monterey Park · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monterey Park public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Tree Planting and Urban Forest Management
Commissioner Emily Chu wants the commission to discuss the city's tree canopy cover at a future meeting. Tree canopy affects shade, heat, and neighborhood livability.
Condominium conversion at 141 Casuda Canyon Drive
An existing four-unit apartment building could be converted into four individually owned condos. That could mean the current rental units become owner-occupied, and it adds to the small supply of for-sale housing in the city.
New public GIS Hub for city information
The city launched an online mapping hub where residents can look up street sweeping schedules, their assigned schools, and every active capital project on an interactive map. Council wants translation tools and social media promotion so more people actually use it.
New school resource officer and wellness dog
The PD introduced Officer Danny Ramirez, the city's first dedicated school resource officer, covering 13 schools across four districts, plus a wellness dog funded by an $11,394 grant. Council members framed the role as relationship-building, not discipline.
Police fleet replacement and zero-emission transition
Leasing 25 vehicles, mostly replacements, moves the city fleet toward EVs and hybrids — part of the sustainability plan's push to cut emissions by 2045.
Emergency preparedness and Everbridge alerts
The Fire Department urged residents to sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts ahead of the October 15 Great Shakeout drill, and showcased new grant-funded Emergency Operations Center upgrades.
Adaptive Traffic Signal Project Bid Rejection
All four bids for the adaptive traffic control system were rejected — the low bidder pulled out and the rest came in over budget. The project will need to be rebid.
Garfield Avenue speeding and safety
A resident reported repeated car crashes and speeding on Garfield Avenue and asked for warning signs, reflective striping, and buffer markings. Staff will follow up.
Mark Keppel Dream Center Funding Cuts
Student leaders asked the city for help after their Dream Center's main funder, the AYC, cut support. The center runs cultural events, anti-bullying trainings, immigrant parent resources, and a food and clothing pantry. Council members pledged to explore partnerships and financial help.
Illegal dumping and bulky item outreach
Public Works is rolling out a new campaign to teach residents that bulky item pickups are free and how to schedule them, plus multilingual no-dumping signage for hotspot areas like Monterey Pass Road.
Central Air Monitoring Systems
New Youth Commissioner Upton Ta-Beadle asked the commission to look into central air monitoring systems for a future meeting. This could shape how the city tracks air quality and protects residents' health.
Celadon mixed-use project finalized
The seven-story, 169-unit project with retail at Garvey and Garfield cleared its final adoption, bringing $400,000 in contributions to the city's affordable housing and parks funds.
Langley Senior Center Support
The Friends of the Seniors returned to active duty with a $29,510 gift for new furniture, exercise bikes and games at Langley Center, backed by a $600,000 endowment left by longtime director Beth Ryan.
Bus Line 70 Dedicated Bus Lane (SGV Forward)
Monterey Park is part of a joint effort with Rosemead, El Monte and South El Monte, coordinated through the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. This meeting was supposed to be a community briefing on it, but it fell apart when too few council members showed up.
Short-Term Rental Regulation Update
About 230 short-term rentals operate without city permits out of roughly 290 advertised online. The council wants annual permits, limits per owner, a citywide cap, and stricter enforcement before the 2028 Olympics squeeze the housing market.
Sewer rehabilitation contract award
The city awarded a $1.9 million contract to Ramona, Inc. to rehab sewer lines — routine infrastructure work funded through the capital improvement program.
CDBG and HOME Grant Funding for 2026-27
The city will get about $873,000 in federal grants for housing, public improvements, small business grants, and fair housing services — the council approved the plan sending it to HUD.
2025 Urban Water Management Plan adoption
The council adopted the state-required water plan showing the city has enough supply through 2050 and stays eligible for water grants. Stage 2 watering restrictions remain in place.
City Council leadership transition
Henry Lo takes over as mayor for a second time and Jose Sanchez becomes Mayor Pro Tem, under the council's standard rotation policy. Expect continuity on existing priorities like housing, small business support, and Olympics preparations.
Gun violence prevention legacy
The council passed a Gun Violence Awareness Month resolution while police reported one gun violence restraining order issued since 2016 and reviewed new 2026 state laws on firearm storage, Glock sales, and background checks.
City Council Candidate
Henry Lo takes over as mayor for a second time and Jose Sanchez becomes Mayor Pro Tem, under the council's standard rotation policy. Expect continuity on existing priorities like housing, small business support, and Olympics preparations.
Link Shuttle Discontinuation
The Link, connecting Civic Center and Cal State LA, ends July 1 due to low ridership; riders can use Spirit Bus Route 5 along the same corridor.
Fireworks Safety and Brushfire Preparedness
The Fire Department announced its first brushfire preparedness workshop on June 29 and reminded residents of fireworks rules: legal only July 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., from four permitted vendors, with fines up to $5,000 for illegal fireworks.
Proposed 40-Unit Apartment at Hellman and Harding
Residents Doris Ho and L.S. Szeto raised traffic, fire-access, and utility concerns about a proposed five-story, 40-unit apartment building at Hellman and Harding avenues, urging the city to scrutinize the project. The item was not on the agenda.
Commission on Aging leadership election
The commission was scheduled to pick its Chair and Vice-Chair for the next year. These leaders shape how the commission advocates for Monterey Park's older residents.
Atlantic Square Revitalization
Dozens of new restaurants and shops opened in the last nine months, and the ABC Cafe Shopping Center completed a major remodel after fire damage. The city hosted its first shopping center round table and first Atlantic Times Square tree lighting.
Street Rehabilitation Contract Increase
Old water lines failed during repaving on Mira Valle, Grandridge Place, and Keller Avenue, forcing emergency repairs and a $445,665 contract increase with Onyx Paving. The project covers residential streets between Atlantic and Garfield.
Street lighting and landscaping assessment unchanged since 1996
The renewal keeps the assessment flat, but it raises only about $1.02 million against $2.4 million in costs — the general fund subsidizes $1.4 million a year. Council members flagged the 30-year gap as a sustainability issue.
Citywide Maintenance District No. 93-1 Renewal
The annual assessment for street lighting and landscaping was renewed for another year — at the same flat rate set in 1996. It raises about $1 million against $2.4 million in annual costs, so the general fund subsidizes roughly $1.4 million.
Two New Police Officer Positions
The budget adds two sworn officers: one as a school resource officer with a comfort dog, and one for the homeless/mental health outreach team. Staff said they've been conservative on hiring and consider these critical.
Vagabond Drive Rezoning Dispute
Property owner Nancy Nguyen asked the council to help reverse a 2020 rezoning that changed her Vagabond Drive land from residential to commercial without her notice, killing her nearly-approved home project. The mayor said the city likely can't undo it without going back to the voters, and staff will keep working with her.
Courtyard Marriott Overflow Parking and Traffic
Residents near the Marriott complained that convention traffic (like Pokemon card events) clogs neighborhood parking from morning to night. The mayor said the big convention series has ended, and staff is talking with the hotel about parking fixes and possible permit parking options.
Nuisance Abatement at 509 W. Andrix Street
After years of neighbor complaints and a January city cleanup of a blighted property, the council placed a lien on the parcel to recoup abatement costs. Code enforcement is also connecting the owners with behavioral health services through Chinatown Service Center.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Regulation
Multiple speakers asked the city to research and potentially ban standalone battery energy storage facilities, citing fire risks like the Vernon battery leak and Altadena wildfire concerns. The council directed staff to study what the city can do within state law.
Street sweeping services contract
After rejecting bids last year over cost spikes, the city locked in a five-year, roughly $1.1 million-a-year street sweeping deal with CMAX Commercial Services starting July 1.
Closed Session Anticipated Litigation
The City Council met behind closed doors with legal counsel to discuss potential legal claims or exposure involving the city.
City Manager Contract and Performance Evaluation
Inez Alvarez, city manager since November 2023, got a three-year extension at $315,731.60 base salary — about $1.04 million total. All five council members praised her leadership and accessibility.
Butterfly Garden Program in City Parks
The commission approved a new program to establish butterfly gardens in local city parks, boosting native plants and pollinators. This initiative enhances green spaces and provides educational opportunities for residents and families.
Citywide tennis and pickleball court resurfacing
Monterey Park is resurfacing courts at every city park, funded by Los Angeles County Measure A. Barnes Park, George Elder Park, Garvey Ranch Park, Sequoia Park, and Sunny Slope Park are done; Highlands Park and Bella Vista are next. It's a win for the city's big pickleball and tennis communities.
988 Suicide Crisis Line Signage
A newer resident asked the city to post more 988 crisis line signs around the community, citing rising local suicide rates. The mayor said the city has been promoting mental health resources and will continue.
Tree City USA and Earth Week Free Transit
The council proclaimed its first Arbor Day, applied for Tree City USA recognition, and made Spirit Bus and Transit Express rides free April 20-24 for Earth Week. Council Member Wong also floated raising Transit Express fares to manage heavy demand.
Completed Capital Projects
Public Works wrapped up about 13 projects worth $9.5 million — including 10-plus miles of road resurfacing and the Emerson sewer line — mostly under budget, with 23 more in progress.
2026 Weed Abatement Program
The county flagged 1,614 parcels for weeds, brush or rubbish as potential fire hazards. After a protest hearing with no speakers, the council adopted the abatement resolution; property owners on the list face a $59.07 county inspection fee.
Splash Pad Planning
The winning pool design doesn't include a splash pad, which families (and absent Council Member Sanchez) wanted. The council directed staff to look for splash pad locations around the city, possibly as a faster standalone project.
Solar, EV charging and electrical improvements project
A $17.6 million contract with Johnson Controls for solar panels, battery storage and EV chargers at city facilities was tabled before any vote. It would cut an estimated 1,101 metric tons of CO2 annually and be financed through a lease.
Police Taser replacement
The police department is replacing its aging X26P Tasers with new Axon Taser 10 devices at a cost of about $602,000, since the old units have failed and can no longer be repaired.
Garvey Reservoir Rehabilitation Project
MWD is replacing the reservoir's 1999 cover and liner and strengthening the outlet tower, with construction from spring 2026 through 2028. City water service won't be disrupted, but truck traffic will be routed on Orange, Graves and Garfield avenues.
Sierra Vista Park Tongva-themed playground
The city is replacing its oldest playground with a first-of-its-kind Gabrielino Tongva-themed play structure, developed with the tribe, including native plants and a tribal artist mural.
SGVMWD water conservation grants
The council let the City Manager apply for and manage water district grant money, including for a smart irrigation controller retrofit project in the business district.
Public Safety Incident
A horrific mass shooting at a Lunar New Year event in Monterey Park has left the community devastated. This tragedy has brought public safety concerns to the forefront, prompting urgent discussions about how to prevent future violence.