Thank you for reading Monroe This Week.

This week’s edition includes a review of fire evacuation levels, details on the Lake Tye trail closures next week and the construction of the Lakeview Building, recognition and recruitment for the City's Civil Service Commission, a reminder of the last Farmers Market next week, and a summary of the September 20 City Council meeting. 

Please contact me with any and all feedback regarding the articles below. I can be reached at GThomas@MonroeWA.gov.

Yours in Service,

REVIEWING FIRE EVACUATION LEVELS

In response to the Level One evacuation notice that was sent out during the recent brush fire in the North Kelsey area, the Monroe Department of Emergency Management wants to take this opportunity to encourage residents and business owners to review Washington State’s three fire evacuation levels. The levels are similar to a race: Level One means to get ready, Level Two means to get set, and Level Three means it’s time to go.  

• At Level One, fire danger is present in your area. That means you should monitor the news for updates and prepare yourself to evacuate if need be. At this point, you need to consider gathering emergency supplies and personal belongings so you can leave quickly if the situation escalates.

• At Level Two, there is significant fire danger in your area. At this point, you should consider voluntarily gathering your essential belongings and relocate away from the area. However, Evacuation Level 2 is not a mandate and you may remain where you are so long as you’re ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

• At Level Three, fire danger poses an immediate threat to you and your home. You must evacuate and relocate outside of the impacted region as quickly as possible.

Please visit our Emergency Management page for more information on disaster preparedness, how to sign up for Snohomish County alerts, and more. 

LAKE TYE TRAIL CLOSURE NEXT WEEK

Due to construction of the Lakeview Building at the corner of Fryelands Blvd. and US-2, a portion of the Lake Tye trail will be closed Monday, September 26 through Friday, September 30 from 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. For updates on the trail closure, please contact Tom Gathmann at (425) 218-5161 or TGathmann@MonroeWA.gov. If you have questions about the status of the building construction, contact Building Inspector Victoria Forte at (360) 863-4608 or VForte@MonroeWA.gov. Thank you for your understanding.

WHAT IS THE LAKEVIEW BUILDING?

The Lakeview Building is a 126,298 square foot warehouse building, complete with parking and office spaces, that is being built at the intersection of US-2 and Fryelands Blvd. So far, its land use permits have been approved, including site plan review and shoreline development permits, and building permits are in the works.

This new building in the Industrial Transition Zone replaces the Eastside Masonry warehouse that manufactured products like concrete blocks and pavers. Back in the day, it can be remembered as Pan Alaska, where fish and seafood were processed, packaged and shipped. Let's see what the next use will be!

Stay up to date with project applications around the City by clicking here, or contact Senior Planner Anita Marrero at (360) 863-4516 or AMarrero@MonroeWA.gov.

RECOGNIZING OUR CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Earlier this week, Civil Service Commissioner Susan Venegas was presented a Certificate of Recognition for her 4-years of service to the Civil Service Commission at the City of Monroe. Susan’s appointed term will conclude at the end of the year. Her work on the Commission has been steadfast, helping assure that police officers are recruited through open competition, and are hired and promoted on the basis of merit. We are appreciative of Susan and each of our Civil Service Commissioners for their commitments to service and volunteerism. 

The City is now actively recruiting for a commissioner to serve on the Civil Service Commission. If you would like more information on the commission, a summary is located on our website. An application form and explanation of the appointment process is also detailed there. For direct questions about this vacancy or the Civil Service Commission in general, please contact City Clerk Jodi Wycoff at (360) 863-4526 or JWycoff@MonroeWA.gov.

LAST FARMERS MARKET NEXT WEDNESDAY

Celebrate the last Farmers Market of the year at Galaxy Theatres on Wednesday, September 28, from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Featuring a huge lineup of new and returning vendors, it will be a fall-themed market with produce at an all-time high. Head over to the market and shop for fall decor and delicious seasonal bites!

SEPTEMBER 20 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

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

Announcements/Presentations:

• Finance Director Becky Hasart introduced the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) to present the 2021 Fiscal Year and Federal Single Audit Exit. SAO cited a clean report with no instances of management override controls, material weakness, or misstatements. 
• Interim Superintendent Dr. Marci Larsen and Chief Financial Officer Brenda Hunt presented the Monroe School District's Renewal Levy 2022. Dr. Larsen and Ms. Hunt outlined the areas this levy covers, such as athletics and extracurricular activities, additional teachers, school safety and security, student transportation, special education, additional nurses, and counselors and paraeducators, to name a few.

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

• City Council Meeting Minutes for August 23, 2022
• August 2022 payroll claims
• Accounts Payable/ACH payments through September 9, 2022
• Deed of Dedication to add six feet to the right-of-way width to the north side of the alley adjacent to 347 N. Kelsey Street, parcel ID number 00443600200102.
• Updates to the employee handbook including the addition of Imagine Monroe, deleting obsolete processes, authorizing myself and the City Administrator to grant additional exempt leave, and updating policy appendices. Additionally authorizes the update of any necessary language revisions.
• Contract for Indigent Defense Services with Monroe Law, PLLC, and expressly authorize any further minor revisions deemed necessary or appropriate.
• Ordinance No. 024/2022, amending Chapter 22.22 MMC, Downtown Commercial Zoning District, with associated amendments to Chapter 22.12 MMC, Definitions, clarifying the Promenade Planning Area of the Downtown Commercial Zoning District, reinstating the Entertainment uses within the Historic Main and Promenade Planning Areas of the Downtown Commercial Zone, and revising and/or adopting associated definitions for uses within the Downtown Commercial Zoning District.

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

• Authorizing me to sign the Participation Form and Allocation Agreement for the Distributors Washington Settlement.
• Adopting the Recruitment Policy with such minor revisions as deemed necessary.

Mayor/Administrative Reports:

• Management Analyst Rich Huebner reported for City Administrator Deborah Knight reported that:
• Representatives Steele and Goehner are visiting Monroe on October 25, 2022, including attending the Council Meeting.
• Ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for the Chain Lake Road shared path on October 25 at 4:30 p.m.
• The November 1, 2022 Study Session is to be changed to a Business Meeting to accommodate cancelled meetings.
• Council already amended the calendar to designate the November 15 and December 5 Study Sessions as Business Meetings.
• Mayor's Recommended 2023-2024 Budget will be distributed to Councilmembers on Monday, October 3.

• Mayor Pro-Tem Gamble read proclamations for Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month

Staff Reports:

• Economic Development
• Parks

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format; members of the public may participate in Monroe City Council meetings both in-person at City Hall and remotely via the Zoom remote meeting platform. Participation information will be posted with the September 27 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.