Council adopts rewrite of chapter 32; council and staff set rules for committee structure and several advisory committees

Monroe City Council voted June 10 to adopt an ordinance that revises Chapter 32 of the city code, establishing a formal framework for boards, commissions and advisory committees while leaving specific committee duties and membership for later action.

City staff presented the draft rewrite of Chapter 32 and explained the intention was to provide a procedural and organizational framework for advisory and ad hoc committees rather than to dismantle existing groups. Terry Sholler, who presented the item, said the rewrite “puts that framework in the ordinance, but it really doesn't do much with the committees themselves. It leaves them intact the way they were.”

Council considered several specific committee requests during discussion of the rewrite. Members voted to:

• Table an ordinance to add a downtown murals section (Chapter 160, section 160.04) so staff could finish proposed policies and procedures and return in July;

• Keep a council member seat on the Parks & Recreation Commission after council members argued that having an elected official on the commission improved accountability and helped advance projects; and

• Convert the Animal Welfare Committee into a permanent citizen‑led advisory committee, while keeping current committee members in place temporarily and referring formal appointments to the Citizens’ Appointment Committee.

Council also discussed the proposed Community Development Advisory Committee language in Chapter 32, with council members expressing concern that the definition was overly broad and might duplicate planning board responsibilities. Staff recommended removing or delaying creation of that committee language and said any future committees could be added as needs arise.

The ordinance rewrite was adopted with amendments reflecting the council’s votes on individual committees. Council directed staff to provide a list of existing committee members to the Citizens’ Appointment Committee so those seats could be formalized through the regular appointment process. Council and staff also discussed whether non‑residents could serve in ex officio roles; staff said they would research and return with clarification.

No numeric roll call was recorded in the transcript; votes were taken by voice/hand and motions passed as described on the record.

Council members asked to retain opportunities for public comment at individual advisory committee meetings where appropriate and clarified that legal staff need not attend all advisory meetings unless legal advice is required or a council member is on the committee.

The ordinance and committee decisions take effect immediately for administrative transition; staff will return with refined membership rules, residency clarification and staggered appointment procedures.