What Will 2011 Have in Store for Monrovia?

Everyone always seems to agree that the next year will be filled with "challenges and opportunities." But what are city, school and business leaders in Monrovia expecting in the coming year, and how do they plan to accomplish their goals? 

As 2010 ends, with all the uncertainty that looms around us all, these are questions that we certainly ask ourselves, so lets find out what Monrovia's leaders think?

What are your hopes for the city for the coming year? 

Everyone seemed to have the same variation on the economic theme.

“I hope we can see an end to the economic downturn that we have experienced for the last few years and start to see some positive numbers again,” Councilman Joe Garcia said. “I am also hopeful that we can continue to bring forth ideas as a community to enhance the quality of life we currently enjoy here.”

Many of the city’s business owners were even more upbeat.

“This next year will be a great opportunity for small business,” Pam Fitzpatrick, co-owner of the  . “The way people do business has changed back to  more community based shopping.” 

What do you want to accomplish? 

For business people, the answer was fairly predictable. “I want to remain in business!,” Lisa Barrios of said. “Things seem to be improving, let’s hope they keep up.”

School’s Chief spoke more in terms of continuing efforts, rather than a new resolution. “We want to do the very best to meet the needs of every child, everyday,” Wagner said. 

Local politicos have a few specifics in mind. An oft mentioned item is not only completion of the , but landing the site of the maintenance yard. 

“The Gold Line means major economic pluses for our community including the development of ,” said Mayor Mary Ann Lutz. “The success of the Gold Line and Station Square means jobs, retail, housing and transpiration for the entire community.”

“I hope we can balance all of the needs and wants of a community that loves Monrovia and everything we have to offer,” added Garcia.

Councilman Tom Adams had a broader view of what he feels the city needs to do in 2011.

“Doing more with less and making sure that our communities needs are met is paramount," Adams said. "Cities really have two things, our people and our infrastructure. We need to insure that both are cared for well to continue to serve the needs of Monrovians without asking more from them.”

What are the biggest challenges we as a city will face in 2011?

This was of course the area that most people had at the top of their minds. 

“I think that fiscal responsibility will be the most important thing we look at next year. It is always high on our list for good reason,” Adams said. “With the federal government, state government and county government basically broke it is more important than ever to keep our collective eyes on the fiscal side of local government.”

Lutz had very specific challenges in mind. In regards to the city budget, she cited two. 

“The first is to continue to put money in our reserve fund and the second is to continue to put money into our capital improvement fund, Lutz said. “Particularly with the uncertainty of the budget from the state of California it is essential that we keep our reserve funds healthy.”

In addition, Lutz cited the need for the city to and to work harder on keeping businesses in town. 

A large concern, not only for Monrovia, but for cities everywhere, is the issue of employee benefits, which remains a contentious one for the city.  

“A major challenge in 2011 will be to rein in the expenses of employee benefits. We will be working with our employee associations to reach agreements that include increasing employees’ share of pension and medical costs.  We will also be introducing a two-tiered system for benefits that we hope to have agreed upon with our associations.”

Garcia also brought up the often thorny relationship between the state government and the cities. 

“We will continue to face challenges with balancing our budget without having the state find another excuse to borrow or just take a portion of our revenues to offset their shortfalls,” Garcia said. “We as a city will continue to do more for our residents with less, but I hope we don’t experience anymore financial hits to our coffers.

Trying to put a more positive light on the up coming year and it’s hopes and challenges was Councilwoman Becky Shevlin.

 “In spite of these very challenging economic times, we have much to be thankful for as we prepare to celebrate the city’s 125th anniversary this coming May, 2011,” Shevlin said. “As we celebrate and in the years ahead, it is my hope that we will continue to cherish and preserve our past and our strong sense of community while also being able to look forward and being prepared to move ahead in positive and innovative ways that will assure that we as a city will grow and prosper.”