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

• The local recognition of Building Safety Month
• A new playground coming to Blueberry Park
• The 2024 Spring Cleanup Event tomorrow
• The new 'Lake Tye Challenge'
• A Rain Barrel Painting Workshop
• A new edition of the Sky & Sno Adventure Guide

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 

CITY RECOGNIZES MAY AS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

As I mentioned in a recent edition of Monroe This Week, the theme of Building Safety Month 2024 is “Mission Possible”. The International Code Council (ICC) has designated each week of May as a different building safety theme to help raise awareness. This week, they're highlighting "Preparing a Building Safety Plan" which talks about things we can do at home to stay safe. Their website dives into everything from fire, water, and electrical safety and disaster preparedness.

Recently, I issued a Proclamation recognizing the month of May as Building Safety Month. I encourage you to read the full text of the Proclamation and check out the ICC's resources for the week.

A NEW PLAYGROUND AT BLUEBERRY PARK

Installation of new playground equipment and rubberized surfacing at Blueberry Park will begin this month with a completion date of June 2024. For the safety of the public, the City will close the park area and install construction fencing between the park and the sidewalk. We will announce when the project is complete and can be safely reopened to the public. Stay tuned for a future ribbon-cutting ceremony date announcement! Thank you for your continued patience during the construction of the stormwater improvement project and installation of the new playground.  

The design of the playground was developed around input from neighborhood residents in our community with the goal of providing the most requested play opportunities at the site. The playground will be 50% larger and provide more play opportunities than the previous play facility. This project was funded through City of Monroe Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds as well as a $100,000 Snohomish County Grant award. For questions please contact bswanson@monroewa.gov.

REMINDER: 2024 SPRING CLEANUP EVENT TOMORROW

Republic Services' Annual Community Cleanup Event will take place tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Monroe Speedway in the north grandstand lot. This event is free to Republic Services’ residential customers within city-limits. Mailers containing details on the event have been sent out and should be brought along as proof of residency. The following types of materials are accepted:

• Regular household trash (must be bagged)
• Furniture
• Scrap metal

For more information related to solid waste and recycling collections services, please visit our website.

LAKE TYE CHALLENGE COMING SOON

Calling all avid runners! The City is welcoming a new event to Lake Tye called the Lake Tye Challenge on Saturday, June 8. This is a 12-hour, 6-hour, and 3-hour ultramarathon. Participants can choose any one of the timed races and run as many laps as possible within that timeframe. Learn more here.

RAIN BARREL PAINTING WORKSHOP NEXT MONTH

The City of Monroe and Snohomish Conservation District are partnering to host a Rain Barrel Painting Workshop at Sky River Park on Saturday, June 8, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Rain barrels collect and store rainwater from rooftops and can be used for watering lawns, gardens, or indoor plants. It’s a great way to conserve water and its free for use in your landscape! Tips for set up, maintenance, and long-term care for your rain barrel will be provided. Create a work of art to decorate your yard just in time for the dry season! Rain barrels and painting supplies will be provided free of cost for participants, but space is limited. To learn more and reserve a spot, register here today.

NEW EDITION OF SKY & SNO ADVENTURE GUIDE

A visitor’s guide to fun in the Skykomish & Snohomish River Valleys. From national wakeboard and wakesurf competitions, to film festivals and logging shows. This issue is not only a comprehensive guide to events in our region but also introduces visitors to the history of our area and to photo-worthy locations you won’t want to miss. Plus, learn about pet-friendly stops for those traveling with your fur-family.



Grab a hard copy at the Monroe, Lake Stevens, or Sky Valley Visitor Centers, or, read online here.

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 14. 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 May 14 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.