Thank you for reading Monroe This Week.

This week’s edition includes details on an ARP success story featuring the Monroe Community Senior Center, the second annual Wiggly Walk tomorrow, the Junkin’ & Pumpkins Harvest Market today and tomorrow, the current burn ban, the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA Fall Fun Run, and a summary of the September 27 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,

ARP FUNDS SUPPORT SENIOR RESIDENTS

In recent editions of Monroe This Week, I’ve shared information about American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds and how the City is partnering with local organizations to respond to needs in the community created by the COVID-19 pandemic. I'd like to share this story, from the staff of the Monroe Community Senior Center, of how an ARP award is supporting the mental health of senior residents in our community.

The Senior Center has received $8,400 in total for this program over both rounds of ARP fund distribution. The funding was designated to create free mental health services for seniors aged 60 and older, including members and non-members of the Senior Center. To date, eighteen seniors have utilized this program since it began in March. The program has been completely booked and is scheduled out months in advance. They are partnering with Steve Harper, LMFT of Monroe Counseling. Mr. Harper believes this program gives seniors a chance to feel seen and heard where they often feel invisible. It is helping them integrate back into the community and provides useful perspectives as they navigate this phase of their lives.

The Monroe Community Senior Center is committed to promoting the physical, mental, and emotional health of our community’s seniors. Thank you to the Senior Center for applying for and utilizing these funds to administer this important program. I will share further stories of how ARP funds are impacting our community in future editions of Monroe This Week.

SECOND ANNUAL WIGGLY WALK TOMORROW

Don't forget to grab your furry friends and join the Monroe Chamber of Commerce at the Second Annual Wiggly Walk tomorrow! All well behaved, friendly dogs (and their people) are welcome to walk, wag, shop and eat through Sky River Park from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Wiggly Walk will feature pet friendly vendors, a food truck, doggy kissing booth, costume contest and more; a pet food donation drive benefiting Beck's Place will also be taking place. You won't want to miss out!

JUNKIN' & PUMPKINS MARKET THIS WEEKEND

Although this week concluded the Chamber of Commerce's spectacular farmers market series, there's no need to fret! Both today and tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Pickin' at the Barn promises all your fall market needs. Benefitting the Sky Valley Food Bank, their Junkin' & Pumpkins Harvest Market will be full of amazing vintage, artisan, and boutique finds! It's all things fall just in time to dress your home for the season. Sips, bites, and live music to enjoy as the beautiful autumn season swirls with pumpkin spice and crisp air. Parking is free and if you don't have tickets you can purchase them at the door for just $10. Located at 21708 132nd Street SE.

COMPLETE BURN BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

I want to remind all Monroe residents that due to the continued high fire danger and existing wildland fires within our region, the current outdoor burn ban is to remain in effect until further notice. This restriction bans all outdoor burning in Monroe, including recreational fires. 

Exceptions include charcoal and gas grills. All residential outdoor burn permits, including permits issued by PSCAA (Puget Sound Clean Air Agency) for agricultural burning, are suspended until this ban is lifted. Please visit the SRFR website for updates and more information.

MONROE/SKY VALLEY FAMILY YMCA FALL FUN RUN

Join the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA for their 14th Annual Fall Family Fun Run on October 29 at Skykomish River Park. This event is a great way to celebrate autumn and start a family tradition with a 5K or Miracle Mile. The Miracle Mile honors all Miracle League participants. As mentioned in a previous edition of Monroe This Week, the Miracle League removes barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of one of America’s favorite pastimes. 

Costumes are highly encouraged, but not required – there will be a costume contest and prizes! Register here by October 8 to reserve your race apparel. 

SEPTEMBER 27 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

The City Council met in Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, September 27. 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 September 20, 2022
• Accounts Payable/ACH payments through September 27, 2022
• Resolution No. 2022-016, Updating the City's Procurement Policies and Procedures
• Interagency Agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for Traffic Safety Grant/Target Zero Priorities

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

• My appointment of Brady Welever to the Park Board Position 4 
• First reading of Ordinance No. 025/2022, amending Chapter 10.18. MMC, Motorized Foot Scooters

Mayor/Administrative Reports:

• City Administrator Deborah Knight reported:
• She is thankful for HR Director Ben Warthan and the Senior Leadership Team for covering while she was out of the office
• The City previously issued two Requests for Proposals - one for a communications specialist and one for a government relations firm - and are currently working to schedule interviews with responding firms
• Reminded Councilmembers of the upcoming Council meeting schedule throughout the rest of the year

• I reported on recent meetings and events I have attended as well as upcoming scheduled meetings and events

Staff Reports:

• Finance
• Police
• Community Development
• Public Works Director Jakeh Roberts provided an update on staff efforts related to traffic/speeding issues along 179th Avenue

The City Council will next meet in a Regular Study Session Meeting on Tuesday, October 4. 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 October 4 agenda, which can be accessed by clicking the button below.