City of Monterey Park to Assist Restaurants with Fast-tracked Outdoor Dining Permits

Program allows the expansion of dining into public rights-of-way including sidewalks and public parking lots and to receive approval within two to three business days

Effective July16, the City of Monterey Park’s Economic Development Department is facilitating and accelerating a new Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit program to assist restaurants in transiting to, or expanding outdoor dining areas.

Restaurants can now obtain a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit to use public rights-of-way including sidewalks and public parking lots and receive approval quickly, within two to three business days.

Restaurants may also use private property, such as parking lots, for outdoor dining. The Outdoor Dining Permit application can be used for either public or private property permit requests. For information and to view the Operational Conditions & Requirements for the program please visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/econdev.

This program is part of the City’s Business Recovery Program and allows expanded outdoor dining for restaurants citywide. The City will waive fees for outdoor dining permits and substantially shorten the application processing time to help restaurants in Monterey Park get back on their feet and sustain their business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library Launches New and Improved Online Catalog

New “Ask a Librarian” two-way text service for library questions also available

On July 16 the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library invites residents to explore the new and improved online library catalog at https://library.montereypark.ca.gov.

The new online library catalog powered by Biblionix’s Apollo software offers additional features and functionality and is mobile responsive for seamless display on any device.

New features include:

• Professional and reader reviews, book excerpts, and read-alike recommendations from Content Café to help readers pick their next great read.
• Kids Catalog to allow for quick and easy browsing by popular subjects and series for young readers.
• Accelerated Reader™ points/level data and Lexile® measures included in the catalog to make searching by reading level easier.
• Book Lists for targeted recommendations from library staff members.

Log into your account at https://library.montereypark.ca.gov to sign up for optional features such as:

• Reserve Express™: Subscribe to your favorite authors and check out their newest books when they arrive at the library.
• Reading History: Save and view up to five years of checkout history to keep track of your reading, listening and viewing.
• Advanced Notifications: Choose to receive text messages when reserve items are available for pick up or checked out items are about to be due.

Text a Librarian

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is also excited to announce the launch of “Ask a Librarian” two-way text service with Gabbie®. Text the Library at 626-283-6062 during open hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for information about your account, questions about books or programs, or assistance with library services.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is the City’s public library located at 318 South Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. For more City of Monterey Park news and information, please visit the City website at www.montereypark.ca.gov.

Regional COVID Fund Offers Grants and Loans for Small Businesses and Non-profits

On July 20 $3 million in grants are available at $5,000 and $15,000 to micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits located in Monterey Park and all of Los Angeles County through the LA Regional COVID Fund. The portal for Round 2 will be open July 20-24, 2020. This is a grant, not a loan, so funds do not have to be repaid. To learn more about the program, visit LA Regional COVID Fund.

The LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund is administered by LISC LA – a non-profit community development financial institution that works with residents and partners to build inclusive communities of opportunity across the region. The County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles, in partnership with institutional and corporate philanthropy, have come together to create the LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

In addition to grants, the fund will deploy flexible loans and micro-loans to micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profits across the LA region in fall 2020.

The LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund partners with community organizations to provide free coaching and one-on-one technical assistance to all applicants seeking support before, during and after grant and loan submission.

For more LA Regional COVID Fund information, please visit https://www.lacovidfund.org/.

City of Monterey Park Offers Multiple Ways to Connect and Stay Informed During the COVID-19 Crisis

On July 24 the City of Monterey Park offers a variety of ways for residents and constituents to keep in touch or obtain information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates specific to COVID-19 may be found at www.MontereyPark.ca.gov/Coronavirus.

Social Media

Facebook:

· City of Monterey Park

· Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

Twitter:

· Citywide @CityofMPK

· Fire @MontereyParkFD

· Library @MontereyParkLib

· Police @MontereyParkPD

· Recreation @MontereyParkRec

Instagram:

· Citywide @cityofmontereypark

· Fire @montereyparkfd

· Police @montereypark_pd

Nixle emergency alerts:

· City of Monterey Park Fire Department

· Monterey Park Police Department

YouTube: @MontParkTV

Email Subscriptions:

• E-newsletter (semimonthly): subscribe.
• Citywide news releases/news flashes: subscribe.
• City council and city commission agenda subscriptions: subscribe.

Phone and Email

While most city facilities are closed to the general public due to COVID-19, city staff continue to be available by phone and email. Constituents may:

• Utilize any previously established phone or email, or use the contact info on an official bill or correspondence.
• Find a department or staff member using the website staff directory, or search www.MontereyPark.ca.gov for the desired information.
• Call 626-307-1458 for an automated receptionist.

GoMPK Phone and Web Browser App

Use the phone or web app to report issues such as potholes, graffiti, sidewalk repairs, private property maintenance issues, park facilities, water wasters and more.

• Phone: download from your phone’s App Store or Google Play.
• Web browser: visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/GoMPK.

For more information, please visit www.MontereyPark.ca.gov or call 626-307-1458. Monterey Park City Hall hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m-4:30 p.m.

Register Now for New Online ESL and Citizenship Preparation Classes at the MPK Bruggemeyer Library

On August 10 registration for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library’s fall semester of Online ESL & Citizenship Preparation Classes is now open. With this interactive approach, students can continue learning and growing while socially distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students attend class on their smartphone, iPad, laptop or computer from home or any place with an internet connection.

There is a class for every level of learner: Beginning Literacy, Beginning Low ESL, Beginning High ESL, Intermediate Low ESL, Intermediate High ESL, Advanced ESL and Advanced Conversation, as well as Citizenship Preparation Class.

Literacy classes give students access to social interaction, conversation and skill building in vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing classes. Staff is available to help students learn how to access the online class via Zoom online video conferencing.

Our teachers warmly welcome new and returning students with understanding and encouragement. Find out more at www.montereypark.ca.gov/literacy.

About Literacy at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

Our Literacy and Citizenship Department provides a multi-dimensional English as a Second Language & Citizenship Preparation Program through seven levels of English Language learning classes, Citizenship Preparation Class, Claremont Colleges Partnership Citizenship Coaching and One-to-One Citizenship Interview Coaching for students with 12 hours of LAMP attendance and a scheduled Naturalization Interview.

For more information, please contact the LAMP Literacy office at 626-307-1251 or lamp@montereypark.ca.gov. The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is the city’s public library located at 318 South Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. For more City of Monterey Park news and information, please visit www.montereypark.ca.gov.

Monterey Park Police Department DUI Checkpoint August 24

Monterey Park Police Department will hold a DUI checkpoint on Monday, August 24, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within Monterey Park limits.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

With the easing of stay-at-home restrictions and more bars and restaurants being allowed to open for outdoor dining, the Monterey Park Police Department is committed to keeping the public safe.

“The safety of our community is and always will be our mission,” Police Chief Kelly Gordon said. “We are still out there in the middle of a pandemic because driving under the influence is still dangerous and puts a further strain on critical resources.”

Monterey Park Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or operating heavy machinery, which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.