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Monrovia approves 2026 salary ordinance; sewer department details FEMA reimbursement and equipment concerns
Summary
Council adopted the 2026 salary ordinance, tabled an amendment to the sewer‑territory ordinance, and received a detailed sewer department briefing about flow increases, grinder‑pump quotes, groundwater infiltration and a wiring issue that left two blowers without backup power. Police and emergency reimbursements from FEMA are pending at the state level.
The Monrovia Town Council voted to adopt the 2026 salary ordinance after a short discussion of funding allocations and position pay sources, and tabled an amendment to the town's sewer‑territory ordinance pending clarification about deputy limits.
During the salary discussion council members asked whether certain positions (for example the CCA administrator) should have pay split differently between general and wastewater funds; one member noted the ordinance shows a split of 75% general and 25% wastewater for that position and asked why it was not 50/50. After questions and clarification, a motion to adopt the salary ordinance as presented was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
On the sewer‑territory amendment, councilmembers debated an ordinance change intended to remove the data‑center area from the sewer territory map so the town can continue negotiations with the state regulatory body. Concerns surfaced that the draft ordinance lists 'up to two deputies' while the town currently employs three. Citing that discrepancy, a motion to table the amendment until the language could be clarified passed by voice vote.
The council then heard an extensive operations briefing from the sewer supervisor (introduced in the meeting as Sean). He reported December flow figures and said the treatment plant ran near capacity during the month. He also reviewed spare‑parts status, grinder‑pump quotes received from vendors and a recent incident when strong winds damaged Homestead lift‑station doors and control circuitry. On emergency‑reimbursement, the police department and emergency staff explained that federal FEMA approval has occurred and "the money is already sitting at the state," and the town is awaiting the state's release of funds.
Sean also raised a technical concern about the new lab/blower wiring: "Only one of the three blowers is actually wired to where it will run off the generator," he told the council, explaining that if blower No. 1 were to fail during a power outage the remaining blowers would not automatically run on backup power without further configuration or rewiring. Council asked staff to follow up with the engineering contractor and require written confirmation of corrective work.
What happens next: the sewer‑territory ordinance will be returned to staff for clarification before another vote; staff will continue to seek final documentation from the state on FEMA reimbursement and follow up with the engineering contractor on blower wiring and any missing components from the plant upgrade.
