Monroe public meetings in 2024

Regular City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council will consider applicants for a vacant council seat, make an appointment, and review several downtown revitalization grant applications. The council will also act on routine items including the auditor's report, fund transfers, and a liquor license renewal.

• Consider applicants for Monroe City Council Member Position
• Downtown Revitalization applications for 110 N. Commerce St., 106 & 108 N. Commerce St., and 108 W. Sherman St. (with Jasper County Facade Improvement Program)
• Resolution accepting Auditors Independent Exam Report for year ending June 30, 2024
• Resolution authorizing transfer of funds within the City of Monroe
• El Maguey Mexican Grill and Bar Inc. Annual Class C Permit renewal

The Monroe City Council appointed Jeff Shannon to fill the vacant council seat, approved two resolutions accepting the state auditor's report and authorizing fund transfers, and moved forward with Veenstra & Kimm's plans for a possible new City Hall building, with a vote planned for November 2025. The council also approved three downtown revitalization applications, terminated Caldwell & Brierly as city attorney effective January 10, 2025, and retained Brick Gentry P.C. All votes were 4-0.

• Appointed Jeff Shannon to open council seat (4-0)
• Approved Resolution No. 30-2024 accepting auditor's report (4-0)
• Approved Resolution No. 31-2024 authorizing fund transfer (4-0)
• Moved forward with Veenstra & Kimm City Hall building plans (4-0)
• Approved $2,100 downtown revitalization application for 110 N. Commerce St. (4-0)
• Approved $6,800 downtown revitalization application for 106 & 108 N. Commerce St. (4-0)
• Approved downtown revitalization application for 108 W. Sherman St. (4-0)
• Terminated Caldwell & Brierly as city attorney, retained Brick Gentry P.C. (4-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council will consider a resolution to hire Police Officer Bradley Sheeder and acknowledge the resignation of Police Officer Brandon Blom. The council will also discuss setting a date for a FY2026 goals session, review the 2019-2039 Comprehensive Plan, and consider requesting proposals for city attorney services. Updates on the City Hall project from Veenstra & Kimm Engineering are on the agenda.

• Resolution to hire Police Officer Bradley Sheeder
• Resignation of Police Officer Brandon Blom
• Discussion on setting date/time for FY2026 goals session and review of Monroe Comprehensive Plan (2019-2039)
• Discussion on taking requests for proposals for City Attorney services
• Update from Veenstra & Kimm Engineering on City Hall project

The Monroe City Council approved the full-time hiring of Officer Bradley Sheeder and accepted the resignation of Sergeant Brandon Blom. The council also set a December 9 workshop to discuss FY2026 goals and the comprehensive plan, and agreed to seek proposals for city attorney services. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved Resolution No. 29-2024 hiring Bradley Sheeder as full-time police officer (4-0)
• Accepted resignation of Sergeant Brandon Blom from the police department (4-0)
• Set December 9, 2024, 5:30 p.m. meeting for FY2026 goals and comprehensive plan discussion
• Agreed to draft a request for proposals for city attorney services

Special City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council is holding a special meeting to consider an appeal notice regarding the removal of a dangerous animal, accept a council member's resignation, and discuss street repairs for The Meadows at Monroe Plat 3. These are the only items on the agenda.

• Consider request for appeal notice received for removal of dangerous animal within the City of Monroe
• Consider resignation of Council Member Jean Goemaat
• Discussion of The Meadows at Monroe Plat 3 street repairs

The Monroe City Council affirmed a 3-day order to remove a dog deemed vicious after two bite incidents, accepting the owner's appeal denial due to his absence. It accepted Council Member Jean Goemaat's resignation. The Council approved a $126,000 street repair on S. Taylor Street, with the city paying I-Pave Construction directly and deducting the same amount from the developer's $250,000 infrastructure reimbursement.

• Affirmed removal of dog Maggie as vicious, 3-day order stands (4-0)
• Accepted resignation of Council Member Jean Goemaat (4-0)
• Approved $126,000 street repair on S. Taylor Street, paid to I-Pave Construction, deducted from developer reimbursement (4-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council will consider a 28E agreement with Marion County to split the estimated $500,000 cost of pavement rehabilitation on County Line Road, approve a new copier for City Hall, and discuss several other items including cemetery mowing bids, a contract renewal for video/social media services, and a stop sign request. The agenda also includes routine consent items, committee reports, and resolutions for the annual urban renewal report and a library board appointment.

• 28E agreement for County Line Road pavement rehabilitation, $500,000 total cost split 50/50 with Marion County
• Approval of new copier for City Hall (quotes from 5 companies)
• Discussion of taking bids for Silent City Cemetery mowing for Spring 2025
• Contract renewal for Hot Sewp Video and Social Media Services at $500 per month
• Request for stop sign on W. North Street

The Monroe City Council approved a 28E agreement with Marion County for the County Line Road pavement rehabilitation project, with costs split 50/50 and estimated at $500,000. They also approved resolutions for the annual urban renewal report and a new library board member, plus several other items including a copier purchase and a contract renewal. A request for a stop sign on W. North Street was tabled pending a police survey.

• Approved Resolution 27-2024 for FY2023-FY2024 Annual Urban Renewal Report (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 28-2024 appointing Kristina Cimaglia to Monroe Library Board (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 29-2024 for 28E Agreement for County Line Road Pavement Rehabilitation Project (4-0)
• Approved purchase of new copier for City Hall from MMIT (4-0)
• Approved contract renewal for Hot Sewp Video and Social Media Services at $500/month (4-0)
• Approved planting of noninvasive trees at Silent City Cemetery pending approvals (4-0)
• Tabled stop sign request on W. North Street pending police survey
• Agreed to take bids for Silent City Cemetery mowing in spring 2025

Regular City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council approved a fee increase for curbside sanitation collection, raising the monthly charge from $19.25 to $20.60. The council also set trick-or-treat night, accepted a library board resignation, and approved personnel policy amendments regarding cell phone reimbursements and vacation carry-over limits.

• Ordinance No. 326: curbside sanitation fee increased from $19.25 to $20.60 per month
• Trick-or-treat night set for October 31, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• Cell phone reimbursement: $40/month for City Administrator, Police Chief, Public Works Director; $25/month for other full-time employees
• Vacation carry-over limited to 80 hours; payouts to max 2 weeks per year
• Homecoming parade route on HWY 14 to close September 26, 2024, 5:50-7:00 p.m.

The council approved the second and third reading of an ordinance amending curbside sanitation fees, set Trick or Treat night, and accepted a library board resignation. Several other items were considered, including a tree planting request and copier purchase, but no final action was recorded for them in the minutes.

• Approved 2nd and 3rd reading of sanitation fee ordinance (Chapter 106.08)
• Set Trick or Treat night
• Accepted resignation of Jeanette Rankin from Monroe Library Board

Regular City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council will consider resolutions and an ordinance affecting fees and services, including a new building permit fee schedule with Jasper County and an increase in curbside sanitation rates. They will also discuss vacation carry-over policy, approve a cell phone reimbursement policy, and consider final payment for the street improvement project.

• Resolution adopting building permit fee schedule with Jasper County
• Ordinance amending sanitation rates to $20.35 per hour plus $0.25 increase
• Approval of Pay Request No. 3 to Grimes Asphalt for $8,638.86 and acceptance of street project
• Discussion on setting annual maximum vacation carry-over and payout policy
• Approval of cell phone reimbursement for full-time employees

The Monroe City Council approved the final pay request for the 2023/2024 Street Improvement Project and accepted the project. It also approved the first reading of an ordinance to increase the monthly curbside sanitation fee from $19.25 to $20.60. Two personnel policy changes—vacation carry-over caps and cell phone reimbursement—were tabled to next month.

• Approved Resolution 25-2024 filing IDOT street financial report (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 26-2024 building permit fee schedule with Jasper County (4-0)
• Approved first reading of ordinance raising sanitation fee to $20.60/month (4-0)
• Approved pay request no. 3 to Grimes Asphalt for $8,638.86 and accepted street project (4-0)
• Granted American Legion road closure for 5K run on Sept 28 (unanimous)
• Tabled vacation carry-over and payout policy change to September
• Tabled cell phone reimbursement policy amendment to next month

Regular City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council will vote on a resolution setting employee wages through June 30, 2025, and consider a rate increase from Midwest Sanitation due to higher landfill tipping fees. They will also review a proposal for professional services for a city hall addition/remodel, discuss whether to regulate temporary storage containers, and consider requests for adult beverages at Old Settlers, TownCloud website services, and employee reimbursements. Several items are discussions only, including cell phone and education reimbursement policies.

• Resolution 24-2024 approving employee wages to June 30, 2025
• Rate increase amendment with Kal Services Inc. DBA Midwest Sanitation (tipping fees at Newton Landfill)
• Veenstra & Kimm proposal for city hall addition/remodel professional services
• Discussion on ordinance or permit fee for temporary storage containers
• Old Settlers request for adult beverages on city square August 2 & 3

The Monroe City Council approved a resolution setting employee wages through June 30, 2025. The council also approved several routine items on the consent agenda, including bills, minutes, and a permit renewal. Other items, such as a rate increase with Midwest Sanitation and a city hall remodel proposal, were considered but no final decisions are recorded in the minutes.

• Approved employee wages resolution through June 30, 2025
• Approved consent agenda including bills, minutes, clerk/treasurer report, and Monroe Foods permit renewal

Special City Council Meeting

The Monroe City Council is holding a special meeting primarily to conduct employee reviews for department heads. The council may enter a closed session for these evaluations, as permitted by Iowa Code, if an employee requests it to protect their reputation. No other business is on the agenda, and public comments are deferred to the July 8 regular meeting.

• Employee review for department heads
• Possible closed session under Iowa Code 21.5 (i)
• Public comments deferred to July 8 regular council meeting

The special meeting was called to order with roll call, and the sole agenda item was an employee review for department heads. The meeting was then adjourned. No substantive decisions were recorded in the minutes.

Regular City Council Meeting

The Council will consider third readings for ordinances regarding water and sewer rate charges. Additional items include a variance request for 120 Dawn Avenue, the adoption of a police officer reserve program, and discussions on temporary storage containers.

• Variance request for accessory building at 120 Dawn Avenue
• Third reading of ordinance amending water rate charges
• Third reading of ordinance amending sewer rate charges
• Resolution to approve the Monroe Police Department Officer Reserve Program
• Discussion regarding temporary storage containers within city limits

The Monroe City Council approved the third reading of ordinances amending water and sewer rate charges, and adopted a resolution establishing a Police Department Officer Reserve Program. The council also approved a variance request at 120 Dawn Avenue to allow an accessory building on a side yard, and added Rachel Purvis to the Monroe Library Board. No other substantive decisions were recorded; the meeting included reports and discussions on old and new business.

• Approved the 3rd reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 92 (water rate charges).
• Approved the 3rd reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 99 (sewer rate charges).
• Adopted a resolution approving the Monroe Police Department Officer Reserve Program.
• Approved the Board of Adjustments recommendation for a variance at 120 Dawn Avenue to allow an accessory building on a side yard.
• Approved a resolution adding Rachel Purvis to the Monroe Library Board.