Monterey Park City Council Stands in Solidarity with Lahaina, Maui, in the Aftermath of Devastating Fires

On August 17, The City Council of Monterey Park extends its heartfelt condolences to the community of Lahaina, Maui, as they grapple with the aftermath of the recent devastating fires.

The destructive fires have left a profound impact on Lahaina and its residents, displacing families, destroying homes, and causing immeasurable loss. As a community that understands the resilience needed to recover from such disasters, we stand together with Lahaina, Maui to offer our support.

Mayor Jose Sanchez expresses his deep empathy, stating, “In times of hardship, it is crucial for communities to come together. The people of Monterey Park understand the pain that comes with such devastating events, and we stand by our friends in Lahaina, offering our unwavering support as they rebuild and heal.”

Understanding the vital need for assistance, the City Council recommends contributions to reputable aid and relief organizations that are actively involved in helping Lahaina recover from this tragedy.

• The American Red Cross provides emergency shelter, food, and supplies to communities

affected by disasters.

• The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.

• The Maui United Way says all donations will “provide direct relief to families and nonprofits

directly affected” by the wildfires, offering a place to donate and apply for help on its website.

City Council Approves Ordinances Prohibiting Firearms on City Property and Requiring Safe Storage

The Monterey Park City Council, upholding its commitment to fostering a safer community, has passed a series of ordinances aimed at enhancing gun safety and supporting sensible regulations on firearms within the city. This action reflects the Council’s commitment to promoting public safety and responsible gun ownership.

At the August 16, 2023 City Council meeting under items 2-A and 2-B, the council members endorsed ordinances prohibiting the presence of firearms on city-owned property and requiring the safe storage of firearms within residences.

Additionally, during the meeting, Monterey Park elected officials unanimously endorsed a pledge that affirms their dedication to taking all legal actions within their authority to help reduce the incidents of gun violence. The pledge acknowledges the balance between preserving the Constitutional rights of responsible citizens to own firearms and the obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

The pledge, signed by each elected official of the City of Monterey Park, expresses the Council’s determination to work toward federal and state solutions aimed at preventing individuals such as criminals, domestic abusers, and those facing mental health or substance abuse crises from accessing firearms. These measures are intended to contribute to a safer environment for all residents.

“We believe that these measures strike a balance between Constitutional rights and our obligation to promote the well-being of our community,” remarked Mayor Jose Sanchez. “By advocating for responsible gun ownership and proper storage, we take significant steps towards reducing gun violence.”

Monterey Park Residents and Business Owners Encouraged to Sign Up for CERT Classes

The City of Monterey Park is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Course.

CERT is a program that educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that might impact their area and trains residents on basic disaster response skills. When a disaster such as a major earthquake strikes, emergency responders are generally focused on the most critical emergencies. Therefore, it’s important for residents to have the ability to help themselves, their families and community around them leading up to and following a disaster.

The training is free to Monterey Park residents and business owners, however pre-registration is required as the class size is limited to 20 participants. Class will be held on three consecutive Saturdays – October 28, November 4, and November 11. The class will meet at 9:00 a.m. and last until 4:30 p.m. at the Monterey Park Emergency Operations Center located at 329 West Newmark Avenue.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to learn life-saving skills and basic disaster preparedness for the hazards that might impact the area,” said Captain Justin Birrell, Monterey Park CERT Coordinator.

Through classroom and hands-on experience participants in the CERT training will learn about disaster preparedness and basic response related to fire safety, disaster medical operations and light search and rescue. The course will culminate in a CERT drill, putting what participants have learned into practice.

There is no previous experience needed to participate in the training. Classes will be a combination of hands-on experience as well as lecture style, and they are designed to offer students decision-making and practical skills needed to safely assist families, neighbors and coworkers in the event of an emergency or disaster.

To register, please fill out and submit the application. You will be contacted to confirm your attendance in the class. For additional information, email Captain Birrell.

Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library Expanding Services to Include Mondays

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is pleased to announce that, beginning September 11, 2023, Mondays will be added as an additional full day of service and the Library will be open six days per week to the public. The Library’s new hours will be Monday and Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

During the Library’s recent strategic planning process, community members reaffirmed that their top priority was more hours. One of the Library’s strategic imperatives is to improve access, making it easier and more convenient for everyone to use the Library and take advantage of the services and resources that it has to offer.

“The support of the Monterey Park City Council and Library Board of Trustees was integral to expanding the Library’s days of service and highlights their recognition of the Library as an essential community resource,” says Interim City Librarian Kristin Olivarez. “The Library is proud to be able to address the community’s need by expanding its hours.”

“With an added day of service each week, it will be easier than ever to access the rich variety of resources available at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library,” adds Library Board of Trustees President Travis Kaya. “We are grateful to the Library staff for their continued efforts to make the Library accessible to all in our community.”

The community is invited to celebrate the expansion of service hours with the Library on Monday, September 18. A brief ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the front entrance of the Library, followed by a reception and light refreshments in the Friends Room.

By Economic Development Division Staff

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has unveiled an exciting opportunity for small business contractors to enhance their competitive bidding capacity through the Small Contractor Boot Camp.

This four-session program, explicitly designed for small contractors, aims to equip them with the necessary skills to successfully navigate the BuildLACCD Program’s demanding landscape.

The BuildLACCD Program, with a $14.9 billion budget, has embarked on a mission to modernize and renovate projects across its nine esteemed colleges, which includes the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) in Monterey Park. With a solid commitment to local, small, emerging, and disabled veteran (LSEDV) participation, the Board of Trustees has set an ambitious goal of 30% LSEDV engagement for all BuildLACCD contracts. Moreover, the District actively encourages the involvement of minority, women, and LGBTQ-owned businesses, thus creating a more inclusive ecosystem.

The Small Contractor Boot Camp will be held over four highly-curated sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October 5 to 12, 2023. These sessions will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom webinar, ensuring easy accessibility for participants.

Boot camp participants will undergo a comprehensive curriculum, including:

1. Qualifying for Pre-Qualified Service: Understanding the essential prequalification process for the BuildLACCD Program’s Pre-Qualified Service Provider (PQSP) bench.

2. Bonding & Certification: Delving into complexities of bonding, certification, and regulatory requirements.

3. Access to Capital: Exploring avenues to secure necessary funding for projects.

4. Estimating & Scheduling: Mastering the art of accurate project estimation and efficient scheduling.

5. Safety & Sustainability: Incorporating safety protocols and sustainable practices into construction projects.

6. Labor Compliance & Project Labor Agreement (PLA): Navigating labor compliance intricacies and understanding the Project Labor Agreement.

7. Local Worker Hire Program: Exploring opportunities to engage local talent and contribute to the community.

“By providing this invaluable training, we believe the LACCD is fostering a more resilient and dynamic business landscape within the contractor community,” stated Joseph Torres, Monterey Park Economic Development Manager. “The Small Contractor Boot Camp is not just about honing skills but also about empowering local businesses to seize the opportunities presented by the BuildLACCD Program.”

Jairi Sanchez with BuildLACCD, the contact person for inquiries or additional information, can be reached at (323) 819-4905 or via email at Jairi.Sanchez@build-laccd.org. More information is also available at www.build-laccd.org.

The Small Contractor Boot Camp presents a significant leap forward for small business contractors in Monterey Park and other cities, positioning them for success within the BuildLACCD Program and beyond. As the program rolls out in the coming months, it promises to reshape the construction landscape in the region by nurturing capable and confident contractors ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

For further information and assistance, please call the City of Monterey Park Economic Development Division at (626) 307-1385.

Residents Encouraged to Take Proactive Measures to Prevent Mosquito-Borne Illness

The City of Monterey Park encourages residents to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their families from mosquitos and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. With recent rains, Los Angeles County has seen an increase in mosquito activity and the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed its first detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) this year in the City of Monterey Park from a mosquito sample collected on Sept. 6, 2023. There are no current active cases of WNV in humans in Monterey Park.

WNV is a mosquito-borne disease that is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito, but can be prevented with simple precautions. One in five persons infected with the virus will exhibit mild to moderate symptoms that can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea or a skin rash. Severe cases are rare but can lead to paralysis or even death. It’s important to note that there is currently no cure or human vaccine for WNV.

Public health agencies detect the endemic virus every year in Los Angeles County which is found naturally in city environments. The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District uses routine traps to collect samples of mosquitoes that are then tested for mosquito-borne diseases. Dead birds, which can carry the virus, are also submitted for testing.

To help mitigate the risk of WNV transmission, residents are encouraged to take proactive measures to safeguard themselves. The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District recommends the following preventative measures:

• Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for over a week.
• Ensure that swimming pools, spas and ponds are properly maintained.
• Change the water in pet dishes, birdbaths and other small containers weekly.
• Wear insect repellent when outdoors where mosquitoes may be present.
• Report neglected (green) swimming pools in your neighborhood to your vector control district.

For more information regarding WNV, residents can visit the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District website and read the latest newsletter.