I hope you all enjoy this week's edition of Monroe This Week which features details on:

• The bird flu outbreak
• Serving on a City board
• The East County Cold Weather Shelters
• The Living Christmas Tree program
• A summary of the December 12 City Council meeting

Please reach out to me with what may be on your mind about and for Monroe. I can be contacted at GThomas@MonroeWA.gov.

Yours in Service,

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas 

BIRD FLU UPDATE

The last potential case of bird flu was reported on Nov. 27, and it appears the outbreak at Lake Tye has passed. However, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recommends keeping the warnings in place through the winter due to outbreaks in other areas of Snohomish County and the potential of infected birds migrating to the Lake Tye area.

For more information, click here or call WDFW at (360) 902-2200 with questions.

SERVE ON A CITY BOARD

We are actively recruiting for a member to serve on the LEOFF 1 Disability Board.

The purpose of the LEOFF-1 Board is to authorize the payments for LEOFF 1 member health benefit claims.

For more information on the duties of each board or commission, please visit our Boards, Commissions, and Committees page. To apply, please visit our Boards, Commissions, and Committees vacancies page.

EAST COUNTY COLD WEATHER SHELTERS

Don't forget, the East County Cold Weather Shelters are open now until Mar. 15, whenever the temperatures are forecasted to go below 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The Monroe shelter is located at the Monroe United Methodist Church, 342 S Lewis St. The Snohomish shelter is located at the Snohomish Evangelical Free Church, 210 Avenue B. For more information, click here.

LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE PROGRAM

There’s still time to decide on a Christmas tree and how about a living tree? If you purchase a living tree in a container, you can donate it to a local Monroe city park so that everyone can enjoy it for years to come.

You may find suitable living Christmas trees for sale at the following local Monroe businesses:

Fred Meyer: 18805 US2 (360) 805-1996

Lowes: 19393 Tjerne Pl SE. (360) 365-4060

Pine Creek Farms and Nursery: 23225 Sofie Rd. (360) 863-8866

West Coast Nursery: 18720 WA-203 (360) 794-5457

Woods Creek Nursery: 21008 Woods Creek Rd. (360) 794-6823

DECEMBER 12 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

The City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The following items were discussed and acted upon during the meeting:

Special Order of Business:

• Council voted to limit oral public comment to in-person comment only for all City public meetings including City Council and all boards, commissions until further notice.

Announcements/Presentations:

• Myself and the Council recognized Ed Davis, Councilmember, for his years of service as his final term, after twelve years on Council, ends December 31, 2023.
• Joe Neigel, Director of Prevention Services at Monroe School District, provided a presentation to summarize what the Monroe Community Coalition is, the work they do and to give an update on their program since the last report.

Consent Agenda – Items considered routine and approved by one vote:

• Accounts Payable claims through 12/6/2023
• November 2023 Payroll claims
• Accept the Madison Combined Sewer Separation Project, M2018-0013, and begin the 45-Day Lien Period; and authorize release of retainage bond upon filing of Notice of Completion and receipt of State of Washington releases.
• Biosolids Transport and Utilization Contract with Boulder Park Inc; authorize the Mayor to sign the contract 2023-106 thereto
• Adopt Ordinance 004/2023 approving a Small Annexation Transition and Waiver Agreement with Waste Management of Washington, Inc., establishing the contractual parameters governing solid waste collection services within the Woodlands Annexation area pursuant to RCW 35A.14.900
• Accept grant funds from the Washington State Department of Ecology in the amount of $130,000 to assist in the implementation of the City's Phase II Municipal Stormwater General Permit.
• Authorize the Mayor to sign the Consultant Agreements with GeoTest Services Inc No. 2023-109 and Terraphase Engineering Inc No. 2023-110 for 2024 Geotechnical Services
• Authorize the Mayor to sign the Consultant Agreement No. 2023-112 with Harmsen, LLC, and the Consultant Agreement No. 2023-111 with David Evans & Associates, Inc. for 2024 Surveying Services
• Approve Resolution No. 2023-018, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Washington, Amending the City of Monroe Master Fee Schedule, and Fees, Fines, Penalties, Interest, and Charges to be Effective for January 1, 2024
• Authorize the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Snohomish County for Law Enforcement Embedded Social Worker Services
• Approve the acquisition of real property interests in support of the 147th Signal Project; confirming the Mayor's signing of the right-of-way deed, easements, and associated documentation for the 147th Signal Project
• Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Service Agreement with Del Sol Cleaning Services for 2024 Janitorial Services
• Accept $592,192.00 in funding of WA Dept. of Commerce Emergency Housing Funds (EHF) through Snohomish County Human Services Department to implement an East County Motel Voucher program in partnership with Volunteers of America Western Washington.
• Approve the change of scope request for Beck's Place to adjust the timeline and budget line litem amounts of their award.
• Authorize the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Teamsters Union representing the Clerical workers (Attachment 1) for the modification of Article 6.2.8 cash payment upon termination of the CBA.

New Business – reviewed, discussed and approved the following new items:

Council confirmed the Mayor’s appointments and reappointments to various boards/commissions/committees as follows: 

• James Harrigan to Community Human Services Advisory Board, Position 6, with a term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027.
• Janelle Drews to Economic Development Advisory Board, Position 2, a term expiring December 31, 2024, effective immediately.
• Jeff Mirisola to Ethics Board, Position 4, with a term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026.
• Lauren Vasatka to Ethics Board, Position 5, with a term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026.
• Lisa Brown to Park Board, Position 7, a term expiring December 31, 2025, effective immediately.
• Carla Lowe to Planning Commission, Position 1, with a term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.
• Melanie Lockhart to Planning Commission, Position 6, with a term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027.
• Bob Patrino to Planning Commission, Position 7, with a term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027.
• Joshua Watts to Salary Commission, Position 2, a term expiring December 31, 2025, effective immediately.

Mayor/Administrative Reports:

• City Administrator Deborah Knight Deborah requested a motion to cancel the January 2, 2024 meetings. Council voted to cancel the January 2, 2024 Study Session and Public Safety Committee meetings. Deborah also thanked Councilmember Ed Davis for his years of service as a Councilmember.

Staff Reports:

• Clerk/Records
• Parks & Recreation
• Human Services

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format; members of the public may participate in Monroe City Council meetings either in-person at our temporary location (Monroe School District Administration Building, 14692 179th Ave SE) or remotely via the Zoom remote meeting platform. Participation information will be posted with the Jan. 9 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.