Last month, Monroe turned 120. With a population of 325, Monroe was incorporated on December 20, 1902. Within 7 years, the population increased to over 1,500. Although there was an earlier settlement near the Skykomish River at Park Place, only a general store and a few farms existed. We can thank Henry McClurg, who settled in the area in the 1860s, for our city's name. He was an admirer of President James Monroe, and since the post office at that time would not accept two-word names like "Park Place", Monroe was chosen. Here we are, 120 years later, with a population of almost 20,000 and more houses being built every day. The picture above is Main Street in 1904.



I hope that you enjoy this week's edition featuring a request for proposal for artwork, volunteer advisory board vacancies, a reminder on special event applications, and the return of the Great Junk Hunt next week. Also included are highlights from the Jan. 24 City Council meeting.



I’m always interested in hearing from you. Please reach out to me at [email protected] with your thoughts and ideas.

Yours in Service,

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas 

HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY: CITY HALL ART

The City of Monroe is completing final plans to remodel City Hall. The remodel is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2023 and take around 24 months to complete. While planning for the remodel of City Hall, staff reflected a strong desire to incorporate a piece of art that expresses key attributes about Monroe: its past, present, and future; the character of City Hall and Council Chambers; the city’s diverse population and people with different lived experiences; and new community vision statement Imagine Monroe. The City is requesting proposals from qualified artists or team of artists to provide design and implementation services for artwork in the new Council Chambers. Work will consist of design as well as production of work on-and off-site, which must be executed by experienced artists. 

The request for proposal (RFP) can be found here. Deadline for entries is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2023, with notification of selected artist(s) to occur in mid March. Questions regarding the RFP can be submitted to HR Coordinator Alli Edwards, with “Monroe Artwork” in the subject line, at [email protected]. Completed applications must be submitted to City Clerk Jodi Wycoff by email at [email protected] or by mail to the City of Monroe at 806 W Main St., Monroe, WA 98272.

BRING YOUR TALENTS TO THE CITY: ADVISORY BOARD VACANCIES

The City of Monroe is fortunate to have many residents and business representatives serving on our various boards, commissions and committees. These groups advise myself and the Council on issues important to the community such as land use, economic development, park planning and development, tourism, human services, and police recruitment. There is even a Salary Commission that sets the Mayor’s and Council’s salaries.

We'd love for you to share your talents (and time) with us by serving on one of the following:

• Community Human Services Advisory Board makes policy recommendations on programs and services that support our unhoused populations and those at risk for homelessness, living in poverty and in crisis and marginalized communities. There are currently two vacancies: 1 mid-term vacancy ending Dec. 2025; 1 full term vacancy ending Dec. 2026.
• Economic Development Advisory Board provides input to the Council on the City’s economic development plans and serves as a communication link between the City and the business community. There are two vacancies: one mid-term vacancy ending Dec. 31, 2025; one vacancy full-term term ending Dec. 2026.
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, among other duties, makes recommendations to the Council on the grant applications for tourism and marketing efforts funded by the local lodging tax funds,. There is one mid-term vacancy ending June 2026 to be filled as a “hotelier position.”
• Salary Commission, meets as needed, to set the salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers. There is one vacancy with new term ending Dec. 2025.

Please consider serving your city in these important roles. For more about the duties , please visit our Boards, Commissions, and Committees page. You can apply directly here. For best results and to avoid technical errors, download the document, fill it out, and email it to [email protected].

SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION REMINDER

Monroe is a great place for community events. If you have plans for a fun run, marathon, musical concert or other community event to be held within the City of Monroe, we ask that you submit a Special Event Application 90 days before the date of the event. Be sure to check as soon as possible if the date and location are available. A Special Event Application is required for new and returning events. For more details on the application process, visit our Special Events page or email [email protected]. We look forward to a great season of community events!

THE GREAT JUNK HUNT RETURNS FEB. 3

Speaking of great events, The Great Junk Hunt is a fan favorite. Set your calendars for Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4 and head to the Evergreen State Fair Park. You'll be amazed by the vintage-inspired and home decor vendors. Tickets are on sale now. This is the largest traveling flea market, voted #1 for the best to attend in the U.S. and they're coming to Monroe!

HIGHLIGHTS: JAN. 24 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

The consent agenda is used to streamline council meeting procedures by collecting and grouping routine topics into a single agenda item that can be discussed and approved by one vote. Typically, payroll, meeting minutes and ordinances are approved, and the Mayor is authorized to sign documents, plans and contracts. At the Jan. 24 meeting, the consent agenda included:

• ACH/AP claims through Jan. 13, 2023
• Dec. 2022 payroll
• City Council Meeting Minutes for Jan. 10, 2023
• Authorize Mayor to Sign Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Agreement for Fryelands Boulevard Pedestrian Crossings
• Ordinance No. 001/2023, an Ordinance of the City of Monroe, Washington, Adding a New Chapter 3.27 of the Monroe Municipal Code to Add a Compost Procurement Requirement in Compliance with RCW 43.19A.150
• WA State Department of Commerce Middle Housing Grant 
• Authorize Mayor to Sign Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Agreement for Overlay Grant Award 
• Public Works & Parks Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Authorize Mayor to Sign 2023 Concessionaire Agreement

Agenda items under the New Business portion of the meeting typically involve discussions and initial formal actions by the Mayor and Council. New Business for the Jan. 24 meeting included:

• Initial 2044 Housing Allocation Methodology Options
• Repeal of Ordinance 030/2022B, Adopting Interim Zoning Amendments to Chapter 22.24 Monroe Municipal Code, Tourist Commercial Zoning District

The Council received written reports from the Finance, Community Development, City Clerk/Records, HR/IT, Police, and Public Works departments as well as from the City Administrator and myself.

Public comment is always welcomed at City Council meetings. Time is designated at the beginning of each meeting for the public to address the City Council on any issue related to the City of Monroe; except any quasi-judicial matter subject to a public hearing. Written comments can be emailed to City Clerk Jodi Wycoff at [email protected], and must be received by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Pursuant to Council Rules of Procedure, written comments will not be read into the record and will be forwarded to Councilmembers.

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

The Jan. 31 City Council meeting will be a Special Workshop with the Planning Commission focused on the Comprehensive Plan. The City Council will next meet in a Regular Business Meeting Feb. 7. The meetings will be held in a hybrid format; members of the public may participate in Monroe City Council meetings either in-person at City Hall or remotely via the Zoom remote meeting platform. Participation information will be posted with the Feb. 7 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.