It is that time of year again when Monroe residents are reminded that as property owners they are responsible for trees on or overhanging the city streets.  City ordinances states that branches need to be at least fifteen (15) feet above the surface of the street and eight (8) feet above any sidewalk.   With the winter months fast approaching weight on branches from heavy snow fall could cause a traffic hazard.   The Monroe Public Works Department will be putting door hangers on doors notifying property owners in violation.

The city tree ordinance can be seen at www.MonroeIA.com Chapter 151.  If you have questions, please feel free to call City Hall at 259-2319.

Again this year, the City of Altoona will spray Monroe for mosquitoes this summer.  The spraying will take place during the months of June, July, and August.  The City of Monroe feels that mosquito control and your safety are important.  While many citizens want the City to spray, others may not.  If you do not want the City to spray your area for mosquitoes, or would like to be contacted prior to the spraying, please call City Hall at 259-2319.  All spraying takes place after dark.  The following dates for sprayings will be: June 23rd, July 28th, August 25th, and September 22nd.  In case of rain mosquito spraying will take place on the following night.

Some helpful hints to limit mosquitoes in your yard are:

1. Get rid of old tires, cans, buckets or anything that holds water.
2. Fill or drain any low places in your yard.
3. Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of weeds and trash.
4. Cover trash containers to keep rainwater out.
5. Empty wading pools at least once a week.
6. Change water in birdbaths weekly.
7. Keep grass short and shrubbery well trimmed.
8. Inspect all window and door screens to make sure they’re “bug tight”.
9. Stay indoors at times when mosquitoes are most prevalent: morning, dust and early evening.
10. Use insect repellants.

For more information you may log onto www.epa.gov or contact City Hall.

The City of Monroe is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Public Works Director.  Position is responsible for the overall operations of the public works department, including water/waste water systems, streets, parks, city building maintenance, planning, and budgeting.  Job description and application is available at www.MonroeIA.com or at Monroe City Hall.  Starting salary range $50,000-$52,000.  Application and Resume can be mailed to the City of Monroe, 206 West Sherman Street; PO Box 370, Monroe, Iowa 50170.  Application must be received by March 11, 2016 at 1:00 pm.   AA/ EOE/ ADA

The City of Monroe is accepting bids for the solid waste and recycling contracts beginning July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2023.  Specifications of the contract may be obtained at the Monroe City Hall or via the attached document below.  All bids must be received by 1:00pm on April 8th, 2016.  The contract will be awarded at the April 11, 2016 council meeting.  References and proof of insurance will be required.  For more information, please contact Monroe City Hall at 641-259-2319.  The City Council reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.

2016 Sanitation Contract Res List

As I write my final “Memos from the Mayor” I look back over the past 20 years that I have had the privilege to serve in city government.  I am reminded of a great quote from Theodore Roosevelt:

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Excerpt from the speech “Citizenship in a Republic”
delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910

I want to thank all of the kind citizens who allowed me to be “the man in the arena” for these past 20 years on the council and as mayor.  There are many projects, votes and proposals that I am proud of and of course, some I would like to have back, but overall it was a great experience.  I am so honored to have been given this opportunity.  In serving in local government, my goal was always to continue to make our community a better place for all who live here.  I hope that through my actions, stances and deeds I was able to help play a small part in a positive way upon our community and its citizens.

I would also like to thank all of the city employees for their years of service.  Although there were times when we might have disagreed about how to handle a situation, I do appreciate the efforts put forward in making this community run as smoothly as possible.  I know for a fact, I would not be able to perform your tasks with any comparable positive results.

I would like to thank my wife Stacey and my children  Brooke and Brody for allowing me to put effort into something I believe in, and putting them on the backburner at times.  Soon, I’m sure they will get sick of me not going to a few meetings a month and encourage me to find something else to keep me busy.

As a bit of parting advice to the mayor and council I would just remind them that they serve at the pleasure of the people and they are the representatives of the people.  That being said, I encourage the citizens to stay engaged in their local government and help it to better reflect the direction in which they want  to proceed.

With some effort and dedication on the part of the elected officials,  Monroe’s future  will continue to shine brightly.  There are many projects that can move forward over the next few years: monthly water billing, street improvements, trail head for the bike trail, more growth and development in the Meadows, more property cleanups, etc.  It could and should be a very productive time in our city’s history.

I would like to wish Terry Buckingham, Monroe’s Public Works Director a long and happy retirement!  He is retiring in April 2016 after nearly 30 years of service.  Although I am happy for him, I am concerned for Monroe as his will be very large shoes to fill.  Over the years, he has been so instrumental on so many projects that people just take for granted.  His knowledge, demeanor and abilities will be greatly missed.  I have truly enjoyed getting to know and work with him the past 20 years and I consider him not only a valuable asset to our community but also a friend.  Enjoy the time off, you have earned it!

Finally, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Thanks again,

Mayor Briles

Rabies shots must be current.  Charges for the license are as follows:
Altered Animal – $10.00
Unaltered Animal – $20.00

Licenses not purchased by April 1, 2015 will be subject to an extra $10.00 fee.

If your animal is captured at large, there is a $25.00 charge for recovery.  If the animal is not licensed, $50.00 plus license fee will be charged.

Iowa’s sTEP (special Traffic Enforcement Program) invites statewide participation by all law enforcement in Iowa in a cooperative “high visibility” traffic enforcement effort coordinated around a holiday.  There are 5 enforcement events ranging from 4 to 14 days and two of the waves are in connection with national campaigns. These events call for heightened traffic enforcement for all traffic violations with the main effort to raise awareness in safety belt use as the best means of protection in the case of a motor vehicle collision.

Click below for the sTEP calendar with specific effective dates for the program.

sTEP Calendar

Newton Landfill will accept household hazardous waste products free of charge from April 1^st to October 31^st each year.  Residents with old paint cans etc. are encouraged to take them to the landfill.  Hours of operation are: Monday – Friday  7:30 am to 3:15 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:45 am.  Questions contact the Newton Landfill at  641-792-3866. 

City hall will be closed Monday, September 7th for Labor Day.