This week's edition of Monroe This Week features details on:

• Monroe Police Department partnership with Cribs for Kids®
• How ARP funds will support local partners
• Information on Saturday's Sound Salmon Solutions Restoration Event
• An advertising opportunity to connect with our region's visitors
• Details about the presentation of Steamboats on the Snoqualmie by two local authors

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 

MONROE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AN OFFICIAL 'CRIBS FOR KIDS' PROVIDER

Did you know this week is National Sleep Awareness Week? As a commitment to promoting healthy sleep habits, Monroe Police Department has partnered with Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe sleep environments for infants. Anyone in our community in need of a crib can come to the Police Department to request one and learn more about the program.

By providing safe sleep environments for infants, the hope is to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths and promote healthy sleep habits for our community's youngest members. Please reach out to the Police Department at (360) 794-6300 for more information about 'Cribs for Kids', or to request a crib.

ARP FUNDS WILL SUPPORT LOCAL PARTNERS

In previous editions of Monroe This Week I have shared about how the City of Monroe has been using the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support the needs in our community. Take the Next Step (TTNS) is Monroe’s nonprofit Family Resource Center. They are well known for offering friendship, help, and hope to our neighbors in need.

Throughout the pandemic, TTNS served a crucial role in responding to Monroe residents in crisis and those in marginalized communities. TTNS helped facilitate a series of meetings with our Hispanic neighbors in a place where they were comfortable; St. Mary’s of the Valley. City Staff and I also attended these meetings. We were able to hear about the needs of those in our Spanish-speaking community. Some of the needs discussed were accessing mental health services, sports and activities for their children, and support in starting their own small businesses. TTNS took this information and applied for ARP funds from the City of Monroe and worked with a series of partners to meet each of these needs.

For help starting small businesses, TTNS reached out to a Seattle-based nonprofit partner called “Ventures” who does exactly that. The Ventures Business Program worked with TTNS to host and facilitate a series of classes in Spanish, in which participants learned the ins and out of beginning and maintaining their own successful and sustainable small businesses. This program has produced 8 successful graduates. Program graduates also have the opportunity to apply for startup capital from the ARP funds, to help get their restaurants, catering company, jewelry brands, or consulting service started. I continue to be encouraged by how ARP funds are serving to better opportunities for Monroe residents in need. Thank you TTNS for applying for, and administering these funds.

SATURDAY'S RESTORATION EVENT IN MONROE

In a recent edition of Monroe This Week, I shared information on an upcoming restoration event which has arrived. It's time to get your hands dirty by planting native trees and shrubs for salmon! This Saturday, Sound Salmon Solutions will be digging into a new restoration site near Monroe where they will be planting trees and shrubs to restore riparian habitat along the lower Skykomish River. Then on March 25, they will be placing protective tubes to ensure those trees have a chance to grow without getting chomped by the deer and elk who frequent this area. Both events will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome! By helping to plant and protect these native plants, you will be directly contributing to salmon recovery by restoring vital spawning grounds. With these trees in place, we will be preventing erosion, providing shade, and hiding places for juvenile salmon. These actions maintain the cold, clean, and clear water pacific salmon need to thrive.

To register for the event, please use the following links: March 18 and March 25, or visit Sound Salmon's website here.

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT TO REGION'S VISITORS

I'd like to share an opportunity for local businesses to expand your reach beyond Monroe by advertising in the Sky & Sno Adventure Guide which includes content from Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, and the towns of the Upper Sky Valley. This bi-annual publication is distributed to over 300 locations in North Central Washington and around the Seattle area. Additionally, it is distributed locally throughout the Skykomish Snohomish River Valley.

Katie Higgins, sales director for the publisher, Colibri Northwest, is ready to help you craft an advertising plan to ensure your marketing budget is cost-effective and targeted, and Colibri Northwest designer Jason Becker can help you design your ad at no additional cost.

The next issue of Sky & Sno Adventure Guide is scheduled for May and the deadline to place an advertisement is April 7.

STEAMBOATS ON THE SNOQUALMIE PRESENTATION

Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe Library, local authors Steven Barker and Jack Russell will share the history and importance of steamboats on local rivers. Brought to you by Monroe Historical Society and Museum, the authors will be presenting on their recently published book, 'Steamboats on the Snoqualmie". Don't miss this is a great opportunity to learn about the history of steamboats in our area.

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Study Session on March 21. The meeting 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 March 21 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.