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Public speakers urge Monrovia to act on immigrant deaths and raise concerns about proposed housing project under SB79
Summary
Public commenters at the May 19 council meeting praised City of Hope’s transplant milestone, urged the council to seek reports and a sanctuary-city ordinance in response to deaths linked to ICE actions, and raised parking and distance-to-transit concerns about a proposed development the planning commission discussed under SB79.
Multiple public commenters addressed the Monrovia City Council May 19, highlighting both community institutions and calls for policy action on immigration and housing.
Victor (identified as manager of government and community relations for City of Hope) described City of Hope’s 50th anniversary of bone-marrow transplant services, recent reunions of transplant survivors and the institution’s local research and treatment presence. Councilmembers responded with personal remarks and encouragement for donor registration.
Resident Sheri Lochner urged continued council advocacy on behalf of day laborers and immigrants, said the tally of people who have died in ICE custody or following ICE actions has risen since her last report, and asked council to pursue an investigative report into a named case, adopt an ordinance declaring Monrovia a sanctuary city, and establish a permanent memorial for a specific victim (Carlos Roberto Mononttoya Valdez).
Martha Mack read dozens of names of people who died in ICE custody or as a result of ICE actions. The reading aimed to keep the issue on the public record and to highlight continued advocacy.
In a separate public comment, Heidi Holden described concerns from a recent planning-commission meeting about a draft development (identified as 222 East Cypress). She questioned whether the property qualifies for SB79's “near transit” provisions given what she described as a distance of more than a half-mile to the Metro station, and raised worries about parking if the site were to expand beyond the 14 units currently proposed.
City staff invited Holden to follow up with the planning director for detailed project information. Council did not take formal action on these public comments at the meeting.
Next steps: Staff offered to provide requested investigative material where appropriate and planning staff offered follow-up meetings to clarify SB79 applicability and project specifics.
