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

• Catch basin inspections
• The opportunity to serve on a City board or commission
• Seasonal positions
• MSD opening their facilities to the public
• The 'All In For Kids' auction
• Volunteers needed at the food bank
• A summary of the Feb. 20 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 

CATCH BASIN INSPECTIONS COMMENCE

This month, Public Works crews started their annual inspections on the City’s nearly 3,400 stormwater catch basins. Inspections and maintenance of the stormwater system are vital components of ensuring it functions properly, leading to less flooding during the rainy season. It also minimizes harmful pollutants from entering our local waterways. To learn more about Monroe’s stormwater management program, please visit our website.

"IMAGINE MONROE" AS A LEOFF-1 BOARD MEMBER OR CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONER

The City of Monroe is fortunate to have community members serve on its boards, commissions, and committees. These volunteers show they care about Monroe by working with others and sharing their insights about issues in the community. From our park and trail system, to economic development policies and more, these insights are ultimately shared with myself and the City Council for policy, priority, and budgetary consideration. Monroe’s appointed representatives are compassionate and thoughtful in the work they do and committed to Monroe’s Vision Statement.

Two boards with current vacancies include the LEOFF-1 Diasbility Board and Civil Service Commission.

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

The purpose of the Civil Service Commission is to assure that police officers are recruited through open competition, are hired and promoted on the basis of merit, and are demoted, suspended, or discharged for cause. It oversees civil service examinations and certifies eligibility lists.

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.

CITY RECRUITING FOR SEASONAL POSITIONS

The City is recruiting for seasonal positions in the Parks and Recreation Department. These positions may last for up to 4 months, and the pay rate is $22 - $26 per hour, depending on experience. Typical duties include maintaining grounds and facilities to include mowing, raking, weeding, and janitorial duties. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. These positions require the use of City vehicles; individuals must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record. For more information and to apply, please visit the City's website.

La Ciudad de Monroe desea contratar personal para varios puestos de trabajo de temporada en el Departamento de Parques (Parks). La duración de los contratos de los puestos de trabajo podría ser de hasta quatro 4 meses. El pago por hora es de US$22-26 dependiendo del nivel de experiencia. Las funciones típicas para los puestos de trabajo en el Departamento de Parques incluyen el mantenimiento de los terrenos e instalaciones, incluyendo cortar el pasto, rastrillar, desherbar y realizar servicios de limpieza. Requisitos mínimos: Debe tener por lo menos 18 años de edad. Estos puestos de trabajo requieren el uso de vehículos del municipio. Los candidatos deberán poseer una licencia válida de conducir del Estado de Washington y tener un expediente de conducción aceptable. Para obtener más información y para presentar una solicitud de trabajo, por favor visite el sitio web de la Ciudad.

MSD OPENS FACILITIES TO THE PUBLIC

During Superintendent Woodward's initial 100 days, community feedback highlighted a desire for access to district outdoor recreational facilities such as tracks, fields, and tennis courts. In response to these requests, the track and all-weather fields at Park Place Middle School are now open for community use during non-school, daylight hours. I’d like to thank Superintendent Woodward and the School District for helping to increase recreational use within our community. I invite you all to check out these beautiful facilities. Read the full article here.

MONROE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION 'ALL IN FOR KIDS' AUCTION

Join the Monroe Public Schools Foundation for their annual All In For Kids Auction. The virtual auction starts Friday, Mar. 15 at 10:00 a.m. and will close Sunday, Mar. 17 at 9:00 p.m. Admittance is free and you will only be charged if you are a winning bidder. There’s truly something for everyone at this auction. Excursions, packages, memberships, local restaurants, sporting events, merchandise, gift cards and so much more.

Funds raised support staff grants, scholarships, emergency needs, basic student support, and much more. This auction directly funds these goals. I invite everyone to join in on the virtual auction, have some fun, and let's come together to support Monroe's students and educators. Let the bidding begin!

SKY VALLEY FOOD BANK LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Sky Valley Food Bank is gearing up to reopen their doors to their brand new Market! They are currently taking applications for new volunteers. If you would like to help them distribute over one million pounds of food to our community this year, please fill out one of their applications and email it to jen@svfoodbank.org.

FEBRUARY 20 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

The City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, February 20. The following items were discussed and acted upon during the meeting:

Announcements/Presentations:

• Jen Willey and Julia White, with Jay Ray, presented the branding project process to date and the chosen concept for the City’s new brand and logo. They explained what the next steps are in developing that concept and received feedback from Council
• Patrick Doherty, Economic Development Coordinator, reviewed the 2023 Economic Development Report

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

• January 2024 Payroll Claims
• Accounts Payable claims through February 4, 2024
• City Council meeting minutes of January 23, 2024 and January 30, 2024
• Authorize the Mayor to sign the Interagency agreement with the Snohomish County Health Department for Naloxone Distribution
• Authorize the Mayor to sign the First Responders Flex Fund Contract with Snohomish County Human Services
• The amended Mobile Mental Health Dispatch and Services Contract Amendment to also include the Department of Commerce (DOC) Appropriations Funding
• The lodging tax award recommendations as provided by the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC); authorize the Mayor to execute contracts with the recipients; and expressly authorize further minor revisions as deemed necessary or appropriate
• The Food Bank's Change of Scope Request
• Adopt Resolution 2024-003 adopting the “Incurring expenses while conducting City Business finance policy No. 2024-003”
• Authorize vacant full time equivalent GIS Specialist position to be reallocated as Public Works Department Maintenance Worker II position and; Authorize additional contract GIS services through Association of Washington Cities GIS consortium program in an amount not to exceed $28,761 for the 2023-2024 budget cycle

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

• Confirm the Mayor's appointment of Anjum Tareen to the Economic Development Advisory Board, Position 6, a term expiring December 31, 2026, effective immediately
• Set February 27, 2024, for an initial meeting with the initiating parties of the Monroe 30 annexation in accordance with RCW 35A.14.120 to evaluate the proposed annexation and determine whether to accept, reject, or modify the annexation boundary
• Accept as first reading Ordinance No. 001/2024, amending the 2019 Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to incorporate the Washington State Department of Ecology changes to the SMP for the final approval/certification of Monroe's SMP; adopting supporting legislative findings; providing for severability; and establishing an effective date
• Approve the Emergency Housing Fund (EHF) Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) Motel Voucher Program Contract with Snohomish County (Contract #2024-011)

Staff Reports:

• Finance
• Parks

Mayor/City Administrator Reports:

• City Administrator Deborah Knight reviewed State transportation budget proposals for SR 522 projects
• I reported on recent community events that I have attended

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27. 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 Feb. 27 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.