Council adopts resolution to hire Barrett Paving for 2025 resurfacing; East Avenue resurfacing debated

The Monroe City Council voted to adopt Resolution 18-2025 authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Barrett Paving Materials Inc. for the city's 2025 pavement resurfacing and striping program.

Councilmembers asked whether the resurfacing work on East Avenue would conflict with a planned downtown master plan rebuild. Council members were told that the public works committee reviewed the options and recommended resurfacing East Avenue now because the downtown master plan had not been scheduled for immediate implementation and a full rebuild timed to the master plan would be substantially more expensive.

Staff told the council that East Avenue is a major thoroughfare in need of resurfacing because of its current condition. On Main Street, staff said the plan is to mill and pave a continuous section from Mason Avenue to Carson Road so the pavement is one continuous layer rather than leaving joints that can accelerate deterioration. A council member asked who initially paid for the expansion in front of the Marathon gas station; staff said that was paid by the developer.

The council carried the resolution on a roll-call vote. During the roll call the council recorded affirmative votes from Dr. Clark, Mr. Graves, Mr. Hagedorn, Ms. McElfresh and Mr. Wagner; the mayor and one councilmember were excused from the meeting.

The resolution text as read in the meeting authorizes the city manager to execute an agreement by and between the City of Monroe and Barrett Paving Materials Incorporated for the 2025 pavement resurfacing and striping program. The contract amount was not specified aloud during the reading or discussion.