Since 1960, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored National Public Works Week. Monroe is among many jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada to use this week to energize and educate the public on the importance of public works to their daily lives. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, I was pleased to Proclaim May 19-25 as “Public Works Week,” reflecting APWA’s theme for this year - “Advancing Quality of Life for All.” Designing, planning, and safely maintaining transportation systems, water quality, and city facilities are core functions of our Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments. Our responsibilities advance the quality of life for those who live, work, and visit here.

Another important Proclamation I issued was to recognize “National Police Week” (May 12-18) in honor of fallen law enforcement officers across the United States. In 2023 alone, communities across our nation lost 224 officers. This designated week makes me grateful for the men and women who serve and protect people and places in our community every minute of the day and every day of the week and frequently in dangerous and challenging conditions. They too enhance our quality of life.

Thank you for reading this edition of Monroe This Week. Please contact me at GThomas@monroewa.gov with what’s on your mind about Monroe.

Yours in Service,

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas 

WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS 

The City Council confirmed the appointments of one new Park Board member and three new members to the Community Human Services Advisory Board (CHSAB). We welcome Abdul Salama to the Park Board (Position No. 3) and Quinn Jay (Position No. 4), Eric Britt (Position No. 5) and Michael Gore (Position No. 7) to CHSAB.

The Park Board serves primarily as an advisory body to the City Council on planning, policy, budget and other programmatic matters related to parks and recreation issues. The CHSAB advises the Mayor and City Council on work program, policy issues, and related budget issues. Additionally, the CHSAB provides nonbinding recommendations on how to assist community members experiencing homelessness, who are at risk of becoming homeless or who are experiencing poverty or are adversely impacted by a crisis.

Monroe is fortunate to have community members serve on advisory boards, commissions, and committees. Vacancies occur throughout the year. Please consider volunteering your talent and time. Check out current opportunities on our Boards & Commissions Vacancies webpage.  

REGISTRATION STILL OPEN FOR "FLAGS OF OUR FALLEN 5K" TOMORROW

Be a part of this special event! You still can register for the Flags for our Fallen 5k Run/Walk at Lake Tye Park. Day of registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The event begins at 9 a.m. Event info can be found at www.monroe5k.com, This event remembers and honors the lives of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The event also raises funds to help local veterans in need. Many thanks to The Ward Roney Jr. VFW Post 7511 and its Auxiliary for positively impact the Monroe community.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OPEN FOR COMMENT

This week the Community Development Department released the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for its 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. Comments on the DSEIS are due to the Department by 4:30 p.m. on June 14, 2024 and can be submitted:

• Online at https://comment-tracker.esassoc.com/monroe/index.html 
• In-person at the June 5 Public Open House & Community Meeting, Monroe School District Administrative Office and Community Center, 14692 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272
• Emailed to PlanUpdate@monroewa.gov
• Mailed to City of Monroe, Community Development Department, 14841 179^th Avenue SE, Suite 320, Monroe, WA 98272



We are updating our Comprehensive Plan as required by the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) which mandates us, and other jurisdictions, plan for growth in our population, housing, and job allocations for a 20-year horizon. Monroe is planning for an additional 4,603 people, 2,324 jobs, and 2,216 housing units by 2044.

What’s also important about the update is that it sets the framework and describes actionable steps for making the community’s vision, Imagine Monroe, a reality.

The Draft SEIS studies two land use and growth alternatives with Monroe’s Urban Growth Area, including the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action. The DSEIS document is available on the city's website or can be viewed in-person at the Monroe Public Library (1070 Village Way) or Monroe City Hall (14841 179^th Avenue SE, Suite 320). To track the progress of this update, visit Monroe2044.com. 

UNPERMITTED TEMPORARY SIGN CLEAN UP PLANNED FOR JUNE 5

We understand the importance that a sign may have for a business wanting to attract customers, homeowner hosting a yard sale or real estate agent directing people to property for sale. The City’s sign code regulates temporary signs such as banners, A-frame, inflatables, stake signs, and directionals. Temporary signs are allowed to be displayed for a duration specified by code. (Monroe Municipal Code Chapter 22.50)

As we do approximately twice a year, city staff will be conducting a large-scale collection of unpermitted temporary signs on Wednesday, June 5. If you currently have a temporary sign that is past its permitted display time or was never permitted by the City, we ask that you remove it and contact us to properly permit it.

Temporary signs do require a permit from the City. There is no fee. Please contact the Community Development Department at 360-863-4501 or email landuse@monroewa.gov to obtain a valid permit. Once approved, the City will provide you with an “expiration date” label that is to be applied to the sign. The permit application can be downloaded from the City’s website.

We appreciate your cooperation in getting the right permit for your signs and displaying them appropriately.

COUNCIL APPROVES UPDATED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY & GUIDEBOOK

The City Council approved updates to the City’s Traffic Calming Policy & Guidebook. The Policy was first approved in 2021 and last year the City Council asked that it be updated. Traffic calming is aimed at improving roadway safety by reducing vehicle speeds. The Guidebook gives the City’s engineering staff a discretionary framework to evaluate and implement traffic calming measures such as education, enforcement, speed radar signs, road/curb markings and speed signs. The newly approved policy allows for more active mitigation than the previous policy. The updated policy provides for additional evaluation criteria and street eligibility requirements.

The City hired a transportation consultant who collected traffic data, identified areas that would benefit from traffic calming enhancements, coordinated a community survey, and recommended updates. The community survey reflected strong support to address intersection/crossing safety, pedestrian/bike safety, speed, and cut-through traffic.



To view the updated Traffic Calming Policy and Guidebook, visit our Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program webpage. 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING FYIs

If you’re wondering what issues, policies, and happenings the Mayor and City Council are involved in, here’s some FYIs (For Your Information).

City Council meetings are scheduled each Tuesday of the month, with study sessions scheduled on the first and third Tuesday and business meetings scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday. The meetings are a hybrid format meaning they are held in-person (Monroe School District Administrative Building, 14692 179th Ave SE, Monroe) and can be accessed via Zoom. Meetings start at 7 p.m. Agendas and staff memos are posted to the Agendas and Meetings portal by the Friday before the Tuesday meeting.

City Council members also serve on legislative committees: Finance and Human Resources, Legislative Affairs, Transportation/Planning, Parks & Recreation and Public Works (also referred to as "P3"), and Public Safety. 

Public comment is always encouraged at City Council business meetings and can be done in-person at the beginning of the meeting. Oral comments are limited to three minutes on topics related to city business. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the City Clerk at cityclerk@monroewa.gov or mailed to City Hall at 14841 179th Ave SE, Suite 320 Monroe WA 98272. Written comments must be received by 4 p.m. the day of the meeting for advanced distribution to City Council. Written comments received at the council meeting will be distributed to Council at the meeting. Pursuant to Council Rules of Procedure, written comments will not be read into the record. Please note that there is no public comment period at legislative committee meetings.

We hope to see you at an upcoming City Council meeting. 

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

Please note that the May 21 Finance/Human Resources Committee and City Council regular business meetings are cancelled as are the May 28 Transportation/Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Public Works Committee and City Council regular business meetings. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2024. To view the meeting agenda, click the button below.