Monrovia : Night Parking Ban Repealed

The Monrovia City Council has voted to repeal a controversial ban on overnight parking on city streets amid indications that members may again decide to hold a special election on the issue. In March the council had voted to hold a special election but later reversed itself after both proponents and opponents of the ban, which has never been enforced, objected to the cost and accused members of not being courageous enough to make a decision.

After a stormy public hearing in April, the council instructed city staff members to prepare a compromise ordinance requiring residents to park on alternate sides of the street on street-sweeping days. But that decision did not stop residents from criticizing council members, prompting Councilman Bob Bartlett to say he might resign because he objected to being called arrogant and dictatorial.

After city staff members issued a preliminary report stating that the cost of signs for the new ordinance might run as high as $100,000, council members Mary Wilcox and John Nobrega said they favored a special election. Bartlett, who was absent from that meeting, had said earlier that he was in favor of an election if residents wanted it. The council must make a decision by Aug. 5 if the parking issue is to go on the November ballot.