Thank you for reading Monroe This Week.

This week’s edition includes a traffic advisory for the Spartan Trifecta event happening this weekend, details on the celebration of Sergeant Spencer Robinson's upcoming retirement, the City's recruitment efforts for a Senior Engineer, the Parks Department's upcoming launch of their new CivicRec reservation system, the August 17 opening of the fifth round of Working Washington Grants, the Monroe School District's new Kindergarten Jump Start program, and a summary of the August 9 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,

SPARTAN TRIFECTA EVENT TRAFFIC ADVISORY

The Spartan Trifecta Event is happening this weekend, August 13 - 14 at Sky Meadows Park, just outside Monroe on Tester Road. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this event brings in a lot of visitors which may create some traffic.

The Trifecta Weekend gives racers the ability to complete a Sprint 5K, Super 10K, and Beast 21K in just one weekend and qualify for the 2022 Trifecta World Championship in Sparta, Greece. You can learn more about the event here.

CELEBRATING SERGEANT SPENCER ROBINSON

At Tuesday’s City Council Meeting, Chief Jolley recognized Sergeant Spencer Robinson, who is retiring from the Monroe Police Department on August 18. Sergeant Robinson was presented a plaque acknowledging his 17 years of service to the greater Monroe community, where he has served the Police Department as an Officer, Detective, Drug Recognition Expert, SWAT member, and Sergeant. Sergeant Robinson is credited with starting the annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ event, coordinated each December for youth in our community. Sergeant Robinson’s law enforcement service has left a profound impact upon many, and we are thankful for his time serving our community.

CITY RECRUITING FOR A SENIOR ENGINEER

The City of Monroe is currently recruiting for a Senior Engineer. This position will apply professional civil engineering knowledge and skill to a wide variety of public and private public works projects in both the office and field. Assignments are broad in scope and require the use of independent judgment and initiative in making decisions. Incumbents integrate numerous engineering and construction disciplines performing a variety of professional-level engineering tasks including analyzing, researching, planning and designing municipal transportation, drainage, water and wastewater infrastructure. The successful candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field and five years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and a valid Washington State Professional Engineering (PE) License. 

We are also recruiting for a Human Services Coordinator, Lateral Police Officer, and other job opportunities. For more information and to apply, please visit the City's website.

CIVICREC RESERVATION SYSTEM LAUNCHES MONDAY

The City of Monroe's Parks and Recreation Department recently announced the launch of its new picnic shelter reservation system, CivicRec. Starting on Monday, users will be able to browse through the City’s seven available shelters, create accounts, make reservations, and pay online, all within a few easy steps and without having to leave your home. Picnic shelter amenities vary, but can include a charcoal BBQ, picnic tables, electricity, and water access, all perfect for your next celebration.

WORKING WASHINGTON GRANTS ROUND 5 OPEN AUGUST 17

The fifth round of Working Washington Grants will open on Wednesday, August 17. The state legislature allocated $70 million this fifth round. Grants will be issued to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All for-profit and non-profit businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent artists, are encouraged to apply. Informational workshops will be held on the following dates:

August 16 | 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

August 24 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Application deadline is Friday, September 9. The application and award process will be administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Additional information is available at commercegrants.com.

NEW JUMPSTART TO KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

Calling all soon-to-be Kindergarteners! It's not too late to sign up for Kindergarten Jump Start, a free program for incoming Kindergarteners that takes place a few weeks before the school year begins. Students will participate in a variety of math, literacy, and hands-on learning activities, receive opportunities to learn basic daily school routines, and become familiar with school surroundings. All of the Monroe School District's elementary schools offer Jump Start; however, participation is optional for students. Students must be enrolled in the district for the 2022-23 school year to attend.

Jump Start is taking place next week, August 15 - 18 from 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. Parents and guardians will need to drop off and pick up their student each day, as transportation will not be provided. Students will be provided a snack, but meals will not be offered. Learn more and sign your kindergarten student up now here. 

Don't forget! If your student is planning to ride the bus to/from school this year, you must request transportation now in order to be assigned a bus stop. You can do so by following the link here.

AUGUST 9 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

The City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, August 9. The following items were discussed and acted upon during the meeting:

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

• City Council Meeting Minutes for July 26, 2022
• July 2022 Payroll
• Accounts Payable/ACH payments through August 9, 2022
• Award the US-2 Non-Motorized Shared Path Project, M2017-0003, construction contract in the amount of $1,417,920 to Taylor's Excavators Inc

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

• Appointment of Steve Carrier to the Salary Commission, Position 3  
• Appointment of Jennifer Bumpus to the Salary Commission, Position 4 
• First reading of Ordinance No. 022/2022, amending the salary schedule included with the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 to accurately reflect the intended salary wage scale of the Engineering Services Manager
• Proposed amendments to Chapter 22.22 MMC, Downtown Commercial Zoning District, and associated amendments to Chapter 22.12 MMC, Definitions. Amendments will, among other things, clarify certain definitions and re-instate allowance of certain entertainment uses within the Downtown Commercial Zoning District

Mayor/Administrative Reports:

• City Administrator Deborah Knight reported that:
• The August 23 P3 committee meeting will be cancelled and replaced with a Transportation Benefit District Board meeting
• There is no need for an August 30 workshop
• The Swifts Night Out event is August 20 from 4:00 p.m. - dusk
• Gave kudos to Kim Klinkers and Scott Peterson for securing additional grant funding for US-2 path, and Tom Gathmann and Vince Bertrand for assisting the Eagle Meadows Home Owners Association with its stormwater detention facility

• I reported that:
• I have continued to work with staff on the 2023-2024 budget
• I attended National Night Out and a Take the Next Step ceremony on August 2
• There were two recent negative incidents that occurred in the community
• Questions on the proposed rehabilitation clinic in Monroe can be directed to Community Development Director Lance Bailey
• The Purple Heart Day ceremony at the new Unity Flag Plaza was a success
• There are currently openings on Community Human Services Advisory Board (CHSAB) and Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB)
• Myself and staff will bring a proposal to Council to review the number of members on certain boards to facilitate having a quorum and possible code amendments related to board/commission/committee absences and vacancies

Staff Reports:

• Economic Development
• Human Services
• Parks & Recreation
• Police

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Study Session Meeting on Tuesday, August 16, 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 August 16 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.