[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6505744,"mediaKeyId","5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5","parentId",5564507,"title","At a glance: Monroe council actions Aug. 12 — appointments, retreat date, committee rules, developer agreement hearing","audioSeconds",361,"startMs",2808000,"endMs",3169000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5&start=2808&end=3169","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5/thumbnail_2808000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505744/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/At-a-glance-Monroe-council-actions-Aug-12-appointments-retreat-date-committee-rules-developer-agreement-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505744-cf98a8cfb56229ae1a277c9d237457d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775052013&Signature=lZs1F3jUcsvV8EKZBVtftqYejgzP~NFSgw9dnJ3U6Sxfi3hxse3BRpbACX0Uukh8ufhbjzC7pCJ1ksuiYMd5Iaq4YZ4akiweEvjo7SOPuaD3qHj50-j5EU8bzD8m53ly0tm-XBBfFQkzboRIAA42amL2nnymOBMkajCE~hnLE0np5QF7vF-EaHpp6NaGbBisC9KCvQ80FSsrXLElhc21AEVDkTq71bXDs7vEM90ob6rWzlWwVknvEYJ6o6y5P4ikeUm5gkuOmdgwjrdGFVVCQdLeRpxcAK2ez9fFjGHTdCXdmukTt1yQDyRziAUWz3om9yvOrR982xMtYObeXtt-sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe","date","2025-08-12T21:54:03.443Z","article","Monroe City Council on Aug. 12 completed a series of procedural and legislative items, including an appointment to the Citizens Appointment Committee, selection of a retreat date, adoption of a code amendment clarifying council committee roles, and a call for a public hearing on an amended developer agreement. Council also moved planning for the U.S. 250th anniversary celebration to the Sept. 16 retreat and asked staff to contact the county and other municipalities.

Votes and actions at a glance

- Appointment: Council approved the appointment of Council member Gary Anderson to the Citizens Appointment Committee after a motion by Council Member Thompson. The motion carried by voice vote.

- Retreat date: Council scheduled an all‑day planning retreat for Sept. 16 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) in the City Hall Council Chambers and approved a motion to hold a special meeting that day.

- Ordinance: Council adopted an amendment to the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 32, clarifying that city council committees serve as clearing houses to review items and forward recommendations to the full council rather than kill items outright. The amendment clarifies referral and recommendation procedures for advisory committees and council committees.

- Developer agreement: Council approved amendments to an infrastructure developer agreement with Pulte Home Company LLC for the Riverstone Subdivision and called for a public hearing to consider the amended agreement on Sept. 23, 2025. Staff told council the changes clarify that adoption of the agreement does not obligate council to approve future development, and that any future developer connecting to oversized infrastructure would be responsible for its proportional share as specified in the agreement exhibit.

- 250th anniversary planning: Council voted to move discussion and implementation planning for the 250th anniversary weekend (July 2026) to the Sept. 16 retreat and asked staff to contact the county and other municipalities about partnering and coordination.

Ending: Several items were procedural in nature; the public hearing for the Pulte developer agreement is scheduled for Sept. 23, and council will revisit transportation and the 250th celebration in more detail at the Sept. 16 retreat.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Strategic Planning Meeting of August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved several procedural and appointment items, set a Sept. 16 retreat, adopted an ordinance clarifying council committee roles, called a public hearing on an amended developer agreement for Sept. 23 and moved discussion of the 250th anniversary celebration to the retreat.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Union County, North Carolina","taxId",55173,"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},6505748,"Monroe adopts downtown mural ordinance and guidelines for private and public murals",545,1391000,1936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5&start=1391&end=1936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5/thumbnail_1391000.jpg","/articles/6505748/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Monroe-adopts-downtown-mural-ordinance-and-guidelines-for-private-and-public-murals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505748-038b737dd2a99b437a7bc04098c87fd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775052013&Signature=UJjRSGdd309iDjSsRzhsmb7YVUKhbLN~AvEZwzSZKBLhrMVdfSNay0ArZvBcIaXa70A01b53neAVoTI6HHvtSH3FLs5A1WUrz-rKzCTKxOdzorDtzrYB14YvvWOXgYgmbe444-tq9yhJywyddnii-6OZ3no6OGkbYIo9PmYzBfTxlXLPtK8MV0smwUhcS1LSe2LwRaHr~V4IVj0Ahcifb-kb5KMXJwMc6jnK5o0rteSfxWcDio12DdIXhHJUDIP7ACNst9KpV3RlsG6oI8fh5OedwiBJdOrTbRh0w-6LoUet1XraDVrkVYHo0h8imnIStd-cBjLYJutZLZm204GNdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council on Aug. 12 approved a mural ordinance and a set of guidelines to govern private and public murals in the downtown district.

Donna O’Keefe, downtown manager, told council staff revised the ordinance after council did not adopt it in April and prepared accompanying guidelines at council’s request. The guidelines establish separate processes for private murals—where a private property owner applies online and the Downtown Advisory Board scores proposals using a standardized five‑point system—and for public murals, which the staff described as following a nine‑step process that begins with a call for walls and ends with securing easements from property owners for public art.

O’Keefe said private mural applicants must provide detailed materials, including images of the existing building and a minimum of six examples of the artist’s prior work. The Downtown Advisory Board will score private‑property proposals; projects must reach a minimum threshold to proceed to a public hearing before council. O’Keefe said all murals will come to city council for final approval after public review.

Council members asked about whether the city regulates paint colors on private buildings and about the balance between protecting downtown historic character and allowing artistic expression. Staff clarified public hearings will be part of the approval process and that historic‑context criteria and design review will apply in the downtown district.

Ending: Council approved the ordinance (Title 15 Chapter 160 Section 160.4) and the accompanying guidelines by voice vote; staff will implement the application and review process described in the guidelines.","Council approved a mural ordinance (Title 15, Chapter 160, Section 160.4) and accompanying guidelines that set application, public‑review and approval processes for private and public murals in downtown Monroe.",{"_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},6505753,"Monroe to study on‑demand microtransit; staff directed to explore county partnerships ahead of retreat",1198,188000,1386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5&start=188&end=1386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6505753/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Monroe-to-study-ondemand-microtransit-staff-directed-to-explore-county-partnerships-ahead-of-retreat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505753-f865436f142d9daf2aa0bf0b243d63d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775052013&Signature=JvOPkdz-MurH-vNLF5CJzXz2hNn8aJwIXxhoQG~GDB1hLDdjXeDPPSv7iMbR0zzshLbgssrOrhAhDVCfmSqim3L2opwOT~HNHY4TjZnK5araHJC3PVl3eUKxrackE5y5-wCwmXprqJEa5XaroAOwVjQQ5zbI9DmTXCLpmdiuhVwr5~pFDnM86n1mCByKHkP2HcP0g9OmUg5UUK8Uz3tEGR2saq077hDFYu~6F-1oenhs7bfuhlJ7GHiCLl9jWktyDTNgnHkbqUrLAcDP4nXOiPhmP9EnWZtaMB9NJNjiA1RUg-x4NgBSDL9VXXXL7isjOW6WKeHNIcYS4zan218qDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented on on‑demand microtransit on Aug. 12 and council unanimously agreed to continue work through a feasibility and outreach process, with more discussion at the council’s Sept. 16 retreat.

Lisa Stauwinder, director of Planning and Development, told the council the city’s transportation staff researched microtransit models, benefits and challenges and reviewed programs in North Carolina. Stauwinder said microtransit uses small vans or shuttles with dynamic routing and scheduling to match real‑time rider demand and that many North Carolina programs relied on state and federal grants and on turnkey vendor models.

Stauwinder told council a typical feasibility study examines market and service analysis, funding mechanisms, capital and operating costs, public and stakeholder engagement and procurement recommendations. She said the city’s on‑call transportation consultant estimated a feasibility study would cost between $120,000 and $165,000 depending on scope.

Council members discussed local workforce transportation needs and existing paratransit services provided at the county level. Several members suggested the study should explore partnerships with Union County and other municipalities and consider hybrid models that support both paratransit and workforce routes.

Council voted to place a fuller discussion on the Sept. 16 retreat agenda and to direct staff to reach out to Union County and neighboring municipalities to seek potential partnerships and information before the retreat. Stauwinder reminded council the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) has a discretionary planning fund with a call that opens in August and a deadline of Oct. 31; CRTPO awards funds in February and release funding in summer 2026. Stauwinder said CRTPO grants are reimbursable and typically require a 20% local match.

Ending: Council did not authorize immediate procurement; instead it directed staff outreach and scheduled a comprehensive retreat discussion in September to decide whether to pursue a feasibility study and potential grant funding.","Council heard a presentation from planning staff about on‑demand microtransit, heard feasibility and funding considerations, and voted to discuss the item at its Sept. 16 retreat while asking staff to reach out to Union County and other municipalities about partnerships.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505757,"Monroe approves $6.9 million advanced metering system contract with WESCO; budget ordinance adopted",877,3186000,4063000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5&start=3186&end=4063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564507-6d0aa215e467b4121763b06c7fb47be5/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6505757/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Monroe-approves-69-million-advanced-metering-system-contract-with-WESCO-budget-ordinance-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505757-b8b8d3b62b0ded81968796c35d2c4014/orig.mp4?Expires=1775052013&Signature=cnUw3-OG-05CEWxQwvxxKM4~~45ehQxhSmwOrGHtgUh1U5y6pDc1uLCtf8pLV8IRmWMl6yoFeZKAw804uwHlEDh6QA~SlbjrvOIS49dIc4WqI9pY1XlLRMGL-bF9M1wgORd1mHCY8igzowSrw4b6NTpHuqihSLo7XePmZXtLn87pGXjN3wheagybq2W38nXlswK~g2DLbvxuWa7Zz-eTvCLrFvHIO0-T1AygMvy1B708nn9E-p3uaM0w8hwIizcRhheQqpIqVXILKfpCsbGnKNgvluBxntKQkHcU5gbn53mC3j5dsIyFf2WXN1ixVaxQkuhCCSUKjRPoFXF3ljaaoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council on Aug. 12 approved contracts with WESCO Distribution Inc. to install an advanced metering infrastructure system for electric and natural gas service and adopted budget ordinance B O 2025-16 to fund the project.

City General Manager of Energy Services and Water Resources Rob Miller told council the contract price for the system is $6,901,203 and that the proposal covers hardware, a meter data management system and a customer engagement portal. Miller said the city expects roughly $22.52 million in benefits over 20 years and estimated a payback period of less than eight years. He also said the system’s annual operating cost over 20 years is materially less than $100,000 per year.

Miller said the package includes replacement or retrofit of about 13,500 electric meters and communications modules for roughly 14,000 gas meters, deployment of approximately 30 data-collection units on city assets, head-end software on-premises and the customer portal. He told council the city will phase in water meters later as replacements or developer installs occur.

Council voted to award two contracts—one for system development and software and a separate construction-style contract for meter installation that requires bonding—and to authorize the city manager to execute the agreements.

Why it matters: City staff said the AMI system will provide near-real-time meter reads, automated customer notifications, improved outage and leak detection, fewer truck rolls and new data for system planning. Miller said the project can be cash-funded from enterprise fund balance and will not require a utility rate increase.

The project schedule presented to council calls for an initial deployment and system testing in a pilot area by December 2026 and full system deployment completed by September 2028.

Council discussion and next steps: Council asked whether the project is funded from tax revenues; Miller answered it will be paid from enterprise funds. Staff will return final contract documents for the city manager’s signature and begin the pilot deployment and system testing as scheduled.

Ending: Council approved the contracts and the budget ordinance by voice vote; the record shows council asked staff to proceed with contract execution and the phased roll-out plan as described by Miller.","Monroe City Council voted to award AMI contracts to WESCO Distribution Inc., adopt a budget ordinance to fund the project from utility enterprise funds and authorize the city manager to execute contracts. Staff said the system is expected to pay back in under eight years and will be phased in through 2028.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: Monroe council actions Aug. 12 — appointments, retreat date, committee rules, developer agreement hearing

Monroe adopts downtown mural ordinance and guidelines for private and public murals

Monroe to study on‑demand microtransit; staff directed to explore county partnerships ahead of retreat

Monroe approves $6.9 million advanced metering system contract with WESCO; budget ordinance adopted