[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633167,"mediaKeyId","2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7","parentId",2665922,"title","Monroe City Council approves consent items, grants, signage contract and authorizes federal funding requests","audioSeconds",3651,"startMs",467000,"endMs",4118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7&start=467&end=4118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7/thumbnail_467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633167/Monroe-City/Monroe-County/Michigan/Monroe-City-Council-approves-consent-items-grants-signage-contract-and-authorizes-federal-funding-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633167-b626ef36954f248435c599b0edabefa1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775895960&Signature=e1prfrszZlRKJwIrZatON~9AYmYXs9YkfZ-xw~mK9BEfrNPc01kTjBeE1E149-4zJ~oZmPu4UldTYv7LrXGFJ95ceZ8a3wQvDR5OkGWfXdABHxvVTMj3pej-sZfAf1u~~xmJtDkBnZ3EOpPVhkvKQKFM7k-DMJx5eZcTnjWzUAcB8ENoVZlz~6kNogRCcIzXwdvrS1G4Vvn5xkiANam2ud7etr4AZ8WWXWcMHBEqtumr~XYTGTGJHcU4fhqir5Hk8nuFxwJiP~isKy7Iahs0wJOMgvNix187XU3ttRnPjTbxU-UZD64DgoAtu8gOYQzwxByL0SOfqPEISjfvygtLvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe","date","2025-03-18T01:10:52.473Z","article","Monroe City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve the meeting agenda (including a late addition for a closed session regarding pending litigation related to \"Oak Forest\") and to adopt a slate of consent and action items including grant awards, a signage contract, a similar‑use zoning determination and authorization to submit congressional funding requests.

The council approved the consent agenda, accepting the administration's recommendations and authorizing payments totaling $1,775,208.63. Manager Robinson noted the figure as the payment total on the consent list and the roll call recorded unanimous approval.

Council members then approved awards and authorizations brought forward by staff. Councilwoman Jermaine moved to award opioid settlement funds from the national settlement to local agencies, a motion the council approved by roll call. The motion authorized funding agreements and an expenditure increase of $17,280 from the opioid settlement fund to award grants to community organizations listed in the staff packet (motion text named Women Empowering Women and Alice House); the council recorded unanimous affirmative votes.

On land‑use, the council approved a similar‑use determination allowing a driver's‑education academy at 12 West Front Street. The motion, made by Councilman Stringham and supported by Councilman Hader, recorded unanimous approval, allowing the business owner Shannon Evans to operate a program targeted at students ages 14½ to 17 within the CBD zoning designation that the planning commission recommended to council.

Council members voted to award the citywide parks and gateway signage contract to Valley City Sign Company for $230,815, including a 15 percent contingency, and authorized staff to execute the agreement. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call after staff said the bid package produced multiple proposals and Valley City's submission included local municipal references.

The council also authorized staff to submit congressional directed‑spending (community project) requests to members of its federal delegation and to sign necessary paperwork. The administration presented four prioritized projects for submission: (1) realignment of Detroit Avenue for the Battlefield Parkway (a shovel‑ready design project included in the city's capital improvement plan and master plans), (2) additional Meraki and Flock security cameras and a drone for the Public Safety Department, (3) a multi‑use addition at the ALCC to house community uses including space for a boxing club, and (4) additional training equipment for Public Safety. Council approved a resolution supporting requests to Senator Peters and Representative Wahlberg; staff said Senator Slotkin's office would follow with the same requests when its process opened.

Finally, the council approved a memorandum of understanding with Relief of Michigan and the U.S. Forest Service (GLRI) for a water‑quality and urban‑tree planting initiative that includes a three‑year maintenance agreement; staff said the program will identify 75 city locations for plantings in 2025 and complements 125 trees approved in the spring tree purchase in the consent package. The motion passed unanimously.

All council actions recorded in the meeting packet and on the record were approved by roll call with the members present voting yes.

Votes at a glance:
• Addition of closed session on pending litigation (Oak Forest): motion by Councilman Felder; second by Councilman Hayter; roll call: yes (unanimous).
• Consent agenda (payments): motion by Councilman Felder; second by Councilwoman Stillgrave; roll call: yes (unanimous); total payments listed $1,775,208.63.
• Award of opioid settlement agreement funds: motion by Councilwoman Jermaine; seconded; authorized expenditure increase $17,280; grantees named in motion: Women Empowering Women; Alice House; roll call: yes (unanimous).
• Similar‑use determination (D25‑112), 12 West Front Street (driver’s education academy): motion by Councilman Stringham; support by Councilman Hader; roll call: yes (unanimous).
• Citywide parks and gateway signage (Valley City Sign Company): motion by Councilwoman Stillgrave; support by Councilwoman Jermaine; award $230,815 (including contingency); roll call: yes (unanimous).
• Congressional directed‑spending request authorization (four projects prioritized): motion by Councilman Hayter; support by Councilwoman Stringham; resolution adopted to submit requests; roll call: yes (unanimous).
• Memorandum of understanding: U.S. Forest Service GLRI grant for water quality and tree plantings (three‑year maintenance agreement): motion by Councilwoman Jermaine; support by Councilman Hayter; roll call: yes (unanimous).

No formal votes failed or were tabled during the meeting; where staff presented specific dollar amounts or contract totals, those amounts are recorded above and in the council packet. The meeting concluded with the council voting to enter the closed session on Oak Forest litigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Monroe Council Meeting 3-17-25","oneSentenceSummary","Monroe City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve multiple measures including the consent agenda, grant awards from opioid settlement funds, a signage contract and authorization to pursue congressional directed‑spending requests, and to add a closed session on pending litigation related to Oak Forest.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Monroe County, Michigan","taxId",61458,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633160,"City outlines LaPleasance/Jones reconstruction and bike‑path plan; construction targeted for 2026",141,2950000,3091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7&start=2950&end=3091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7/thumbnail_2950000.jpg","/articles/6633160/Monroe-City/Monroe-County/Michigan/City-outlines-LaPleasanceJones-reconstruction-and-bikepath-plan-construction-targeted-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633160-09132eff210e6d7b378347908e2de6a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775895960&Signature=U0snMgK9JZSdVkk85EALKMnfSh9GFIHTSAxmdFxSvM1KRN350Z1C9U7Qrn9M-ek5K3efke9dFX~Xdw1NoQcHhfBjcZ9gOt8CiuMXuTVdrFlGPIIo6-sSauAwec~ompkEdR01mCr2cQVJr-7Stu1xgcw8124ZrPoMLlAZP4-5jRrMBUH3MiCCcvERLEd4EuTEiVoKLahCpASnmDZWZZxDGzv56X5jRvE00bi-Rk5cSiIYgmKxmuY1pNqEytq9tqG~2gtxFEm8ViD8TtG20w68TIiR5UH1zqX9shua7WPvHWVKd0ciqC4jfIi1fo0nut1hZmqwhS5UCv5xMk8O9h9MaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City staff told the council Thursday that the planned reconstruction of Jones Avenue and LaPleasance Road — including sidewalks and on‑street bike lanes — is funded in part with a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant and is targeted for construction in 2026.

Patrick Lewis, Director of Engineering and Public Services, said the project’s first phase received $646,000 in TAP grants and will combine those funds with the city's fiscal‑year 2026 and 2027 Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. Lewis described the city’s estimate for the full phase as approximately $2 million, covering a complete reconstruction of Jones Avenue and LaPleasance up to the Plum Creek bridge, plus sidewalks along sections of Jones Avenue and LaPleasance north from Plum Creek to Seventh Street.

Lewis said the city is working to coordinate with Monroe Charter Township and the Monroe County Road Commission because segments of LaPleasance outside city limits fall under other jurisdictions; those partner decisions will determine later phases beyond the city limits. The city’s target construction window for the city‑controlled portion is spring or summer 2026. Lewis said the city was able to move forward now because it had design and engineering in place and secured TAP funding to supplement STP funds.

A resident who raised the issue in public comment, Nathan Ofril of the Punsos Road area, had asked whether the city could add a bike path on LaPleasance Road because traffic has increased. Council members and staff said the plan addresses sidewalks and bike lanes within the city portions and encouraged inter‑jurisdictional coordination for sections outside city limits.

No construction contract was awarded at the meeting; staff said schedules and funding programming will be refined as design and right‑of‑way steps continue.","City staff described a multi‑phase project to reconstruct Jones Avenue and LaPleasance Road, add sidewalks and on‑street bike lanes, and create a non‑motorized path; construction of the city’s first phase is targeted in 2026 with $646,000 in TAP grant funding and roughly $2 million total project cost cited.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633162,"Public hearing held on Natural Resources Trust Fund application for St. Mary's Park; resident asks for Plum Creek cleanup funding",178,899000,1077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7&start=899&end=1077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665922-2ea141f88815d5f6067acc8e3264f9d7/thumbnail_899000.jpg","/articles/6633162/Monroe-City/Monroe-County/Michigan/Public-hearing-held-on-Natural-Resources-Trust-Fund-application-for-St-Marys-Park-resident-asks-for-Plum-Creek-cleanup-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633162-fdfd26f743625177e55095763ef9afa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775895960&Signature=PqeZ8WErKQ2rO4VLsHV~P26wCjv9UoNKxxE6z6rQMXXJhYUWY55Rk4rSkDyYUKcqPmPElPE2yNRxWSbC4UOijdadHsAwJ54BDz4v~LFxf1OGL3tEj7PqbLDL~A3UxezH4bnc1DWUa20F4J4PX4LZbYMxciCp2SeU7~U2sC-EjDJM7NFaCLhzjI-6XjFAVq7-pwrLcWUGbH4v8ejjCAaXZN0Qe~zqOVTc5dE19WJuIRe6ywtjy8JluibiRdciv7oJH3xSqhY-ouu29m9m5p~2~1dSIyw-Zyy~eL4hJadAHTIm-MHatgKdghR00JGN8I8282h9gIcn-HnrhukZBkf5Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council opened a public hearing and received public comments Thursday on the city's application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for redevelopment of St. Mary's Park.

Manager Robinson told the council the city received a letter from a resident contractor raising concerns about building‑permit fees; staff said the letter was accepted for the record. During the hearing on the Natural Resources Trust Fund application, a resident from 116 Hollywood Drive asked whether a small amount of funding — \"maybe a thousand dollars\" — could be appropriated to remove tires and downed trees from Plum Creek where it runs through city and adjacent township property. The resident said they have previously removed hundreds of tires from the creek but need help with remaining items.

Manager Robinson asked the resident for a map or clear description of the locations to help staff and DPS identify whether the work falls within city jurisdiction and to coordinate cleanups. Robinson also clarified to the council that the trust fund request under consideration is proposed for redevelopment of St. Mary's Park, not a broader watershed program; no public comments were on file in the clerk's office and the hearing was closed after receiving the oral comments.

No decision on the resident's request for Plum Creek funding was made at the meeting; staff invited the resident to provide map detail to the manager so staff can follow up. The Natural Resources Trust Fund hearing was the first of the items required for that application; staff and council noted this is part of the project's grant process.

The meeting packet and clerk's record include the resident letter and the trust fund application materials for public review.","City opened and closed a public hearing on a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund application for redevelopment of St. Mary's Park; one resident urged modest funding to clean tires and debris from Plum Creek within and near city limits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Monroe City Council approves consent items, grants, signage contract and authorizes federal funding requests

City outlines LaPleasance/Jones reconstruction and bike‑path plan; construction targeted for 2026

Public hearing held on Natural Resources Trust Fund application for St. Mary's Park; resident asks for Plum Creek cleanup funding