2024 Re-elect Mayor Daniel Sheets
Prioritizing Monroe’s Infrastructure Upgrades & Maintenance, Public Safety, Promoting Businesses, Embracing Community, and Improving Quality of Life.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT
$1.3 Million For
Monroe's Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Video Courtesy of KVAL.com - Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Monroe celebrates state funding for water infrastructure upgrades
Updated Wed, September 6th 2023 at 5:21 PM
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MONROE, Ore. — The City of Monroe was at a crossroads. Facing an aging water infrastructure and a regulatory oversight, the city had to make upgrades to its system, but securing the funds isn’t an easy task.
“It’s a small town, and we just do not want folks to be burdened by a system that is already being paid for,” City Administrator Steve Martinenko said.
Being paid for by a 14-year-old bond that originally built an infrastructure that is now outdated. The Oregon Health Authority made recommendations to address high concentrations of organics in the city’s water, which is largely pulled from the Long Tom River.
Furthermore, the computer system needs updates.
“Many of the parts that we have are simply obsolete,” Martinenko said. “A few of them I cannot get anywhere off the regular market. I have to go to secondary market sources to get it so it’s becoming very problematic for the city to maintain the system without making those necessary upgrades.”
From City of Monroe, Oregon
Press Release,
Dated September 1, 2023:
City of Monroe to Receive $1.3 Million for Water Infrastructure Upgrades
On June 20, 2023, Mayor Dan Sheets and the City of Monroe received word from Rep. David Gomberg that a $1.3 million appropriation had been included in a late-session House bill to help upgrade Monroe’s water infrastructure including a clarifier to pre-filter the City’s water supply and replacement of the aging computer automation system which dates back to 2001.
Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis), who added Monroe to his district representation just this calendar year, worked with Mayor Sheets and City Administrator Steve Martinenko to include Monroe’s water infrastructure upgrade project into House Bill 5506. Gomberg attended a legislative town hall at the Monroe Community Library on February 4, 2023. After the town hall, Mayor Sheets and City Administrator Martinenko worked closely with Rep. Gomberg to identify the City of Monroe’s water infrastructure needs.
“At about the same time, I was asked to coordinate this rural economic development group — this was both Democrats and Republicans working together on priorities for rural Oregon — and we actually put together a package of nine different bills dealing with everything from meat inspection to seafood to outdoor recreation. One of the parts of that package was a series of infrastructure improvements in communities in different parts of the state,” Gomberg said.
It’s that part of the appropriation package in which Gomberg pushed for the Monroe project.
The bill advanced from the Capital Construction Subcommittee to the Ways and Means Committee, and Mayor Sheets went to the State Capitol, in Salem, to testify in front of the committee on May 5, 2023.
Mayor Sheets provide the following testimony to the Ways and Means Committee: “For the record, my name is Dan Sheets and I’m the Mayor of the City of Monroe. We’ve been working with Rep. Gomberg to secure $1.3 million dollars in lottery bond funding to help resolve issues with our water treatment facility.
Monroe has a population of 723, yet we have full municipal water facilities including water treatment and waste lagoons. These are expensive to operate for a small community but are necessary for the health and safety of our community.
On June 20, 2023, Mayor Dan Sheets and the City of Monroe received word from Rep. David Gomberg that a $1.3 million appropriation had been included in a late-session House bill to help upgrade Monroe’s water infrastructure including a clarifier to pre-filter the City’s water supply and replacement of the aging computer automation system which dates back to 2001.
Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis), who added Monroe to his district representation just this calendar year, worked with Mayor Sheets and City Administrator Steve Martinenko to include Monroe’s water infrastructure upgrade project into House Bill 5506. Gomberg attended a legislative town hall at the Monroe Community Library on February 4, 2023. After the town hall, Mayor Sheets and City Administrator Martinenko worked closely with Rep. Gomberg to identify the City of Monroe’s water infrastructure needs.
“At about the same time, I was asked to coordinate this rural economic development group — this was both Democrats and Republicans working together on priorities for rural Oregon — and we actually put together a package of nine different bills dealing with everything from meat inspection to seafood to outdoor recreation. One of the parts of that package was a series of infrastructure improvements in communities in different parts of the state,” Gomberg said.
It’s that part of the appropriation package in which Gomberg pushed for the Monroe project.
The bill advanced from the Capital Construction Subcommittee to the Ways and Means Committee, and Mayor Sheets went to the State Capitol, in Salem, to testify in front of the committee on May 5, 2023.
Mayor Sheets provide the following testimony to the Ways and Means Committee: “For the record, my name is Dan Sheets and I’m the Mayor of the City of Monroe. We’ve been working with Rep. Gomberg to secure $1.3 million dollars in lottery bond funding to help resolve issues with our water treatment facility.
Monroe has a population of 723, yet we have full municipal water facilities including water treatment and waste lagoons. These are expensive to operate for a small community but are necessary for the health and safety of our community.
The Long Tom River, where our city draws its water from, has high concentrations of organics that the current water filters cannot remove.
The City of Monroe is seeking funds to fulfill OHA recommendations for our water infrastructure, including a clarifier to pre-filter our water supply and replace aging control computers.
However, with the City still paying on the original bond for the initial construction of the water plant, a new bond would simply be an unfeasible fiscal burden for our residents to bear.
We need clean water in Monroe, and we urge this committee’s support of our community. Thank you for taking the time to hear our request, and thank you for your consideration.”
Rep. Gomberg anticipated the bill would pass both the House and Senate. On August 15, 2023, the bill was automatically signed into law by Governor Kotek.The $1.3 million influx won’t cover the entire cost of upgrades to the City of Monroe’s water infrastructure, however it’s a great start. “It’s the first time in the City of Monroe’s history, we’ve successfully teamed up with our state representative to seek and secure significant funding to make critical upgrades to the City’s water plant to satisfy OHA recommendations,” Mayor Sheets said.
“We anticipate the City of Monroe will receive the $1.3 million funds this Fall. In the meantime, we’ve started the process of requesting bids on the clarifier and updated computer automation components for the water plant. Installation of both the clarifier and computer automation could begin as soon as this Fall or early Winter,” said City Administrator Martinenko.
The City is also working with Senator Merkley’s office on a $2.3 million federal appropriation that will provide additional funding for remaining upgrades to the water plant, so the City can continue to grow and supply clean drinking water to Monroe’s residents.
We look forward to celebrating this incredible accomplishment in September. “Rep. Gomberg plans to attend our First Responders Appreciation Event at the Monroe City Park on Saturday, September 9, 2023 starting at 12 Noon. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend and thank our elected officials for their hard work to secure this funding for Monroe,” said Mayor Sheets.
The City of Monroe is seeking funds to fulfill OHA recommendations for our water infrastructure, including a clarifier to pre-filter our water supply and replace aging control computers.
However, with the City still paying on the original bond for the initial construction of the water plant, a new bond would simply be an unfeasible fiscal burden for our residents to bear.
We need clean water in Monroe, and we urge this committee’s support of our community. Thank you for taking the time to hear our request, and thank you for your consideration.”
Rep. Gomberg anticipated the bill would pass both the House and Senate. On August 15, 2023, the bill was automatically signed into law by Governor Kotek.The $1.3 million influx won’t cover the entire cost of upgrades to the City of Monroe’s water infrastructure, however it’s a great start. “It’s the first time in the City of Monroe’s history, we’ve successfully teamed up with our state representative to seek and secure significant funding to make critical upgrades to the City’s water plant to satisfy OHA recommendations,” Mayor Sheets said.
“We anticipate the City of Monroe will receive the $1.3 million funds this Fall. In the meantime, we’ve started the process of requesting bids on the clarifier and updated computer automation components for the water plant. Installation of both the clarifier and computer automation could begin as soon as this Fall or early Winter,” said City Administrator Martinenko.
The City is also working with Senator Merkley’s office on a $2.3 million federal appropriation that will provide additional funding for remaining upgrades to the water plant, so the City can continue to grow and supply clean drinking water to Monroe’s residents.
We look forward to celebrating this incredible accomplishment in September. “Rep. Gomberg plans to attend our First Responders Appreciation Event at the Monroe City Park on Saturday, September 9, 2023 starting at 12 Noon. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend and thank our elected officials for their hard work to secure this funding for Monroe,” said Mayor Sheets.
Press contact:
Address
City of Monroe
664 Commercial St.
Monroe, OR 97456
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- Continued partnership with Oregon Health Authority to monitor the Disinfection by-Products (DBPs) issue in the City’s water.
- Awarded $20,000 SIPP grant from Business Oregon to develop an effective plan with solutions to assist in remediating the City water’s DBP issue.
- Initiated engineering study using Business Oregon grant to identify solutions and costs to eliminate DBPs in the City’s water distribution system.
- Identified immediate repairs to water plant due to deferred maintenance.
- Implemented plan to make $300,000 in immediate repairs using funds from sales of surplus property.
- Identified additional, long-term repairs and upgrades to the City’s infrastructure.
- Initiated conversations with local legislators, including the Benton County Commissioners, on funding options for long-term infrastructure repairs and upgrades.
- Met and participated in a roundtable discussion with Congressman Peter DeFazio on available funding to repair and upgrade the City’s 100-year-old infrastructure.
- Met with the Oregon Legislature’s House Water Committee on the challenges the City is experiencing with current water infrastructure issues and funding for long-term repairs and upgrades.
- Organized and co-hosted an event with the Rural Engagement Project at Monroe’s City Park with the Benton County Commissioners, Oregon House District 23 Representative Anna Scharf, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Representatives from the Governor’s Office, Oregon’s Department of Environment Quality, Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Business Oregon where we toured the water plant and shared first-hand knowledge of the City’s water infrastructure challenges.
- Approved and signed a new law enforcement agreement with Benton County Sheriff’s Office to provide community policing, a consistent law enforcement presence, responsiveness, communication, and consistent reporting.
- Completed Safe Routes to School protected crosswalk and paved path from Orchard Street to Monroe Grade School.
- Awarded $10,000 grant from Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments to create Monroe’s first economic development plan.
- Partnered with the City’s Economic Development Committee and Economic Development Consultant Mary Bosch on Monroe’s first economic development plan.
- Completed Monroe’s first economic development plan.
- Implemented economic development plan to partner with local business owners, Business Association of Monroe, and Oregon RAIN, on local business map, branding/identity, and tourism marketing plan.
- Safeguard our reputation as a fiscally responsible city government that is accountable to the citizens of Monroe.
- Prioritized fiscal accountability by establishing a City budget that uses accounting software instead of manual entry spreadsheets.
- Created an enterprise fund for the water plant to accurately track revenue and expenses for easier reporting and transparency.
- Adopted balanced budgets in fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 with no utility increases as recommended by the Budget Committee.
- Maximized city management transparency and opportunities for public input with City meetings being available in-person and via Zoom.
- Established a positive, productive working environment where every City Councilor has respect for one another, respect for the validity of their different opinions, respect for the process, and respect for the community that we serve.
- No new lawsuits filed against the City of Monroe after taking office in January 2021.
- Completed and opened the City Park’s new covered picnic area and restrooms (i.e., park structure).
- Hired volunteer park hosts to manage and maintain the city park including the new park structure.
- Organized and hosted the first and second city-sponsored outdoor events, the City Park Reopening Celebration and Halloween Spooktacular, since the pandemic began in March 2020.
- Collaborated with Monroe Rural Fire Protection District and the Monroe Community Library on the Holiday Gathering before and during the Monroe Light Parade.
- Organized and hosted the second annual Monroe Festival with the Monroe Festival Subcommittee.
- Collaborated on the construction of the new City Park’s Community Garden with the Community Engagement Subcommittee.
- Facilitated build of the third Habitat for Humanity home in Monroe and 27th home in the tri-county area.
- Partnered with South Benton Food Pantry to organize and collect Monroe Food Drive in the month of November.
- Streamlined process and conditions of use to rent City of Monroe facilities, including the Monroe Community Library, Monroe Community Center, and Monroe City Park, so all city and community members can use these facilities in a fair, equitable, and consistent manner which benefits our city and community.
- Implemented new job descriptions and pay scales for all City employees with a recommendation from the Human Resources Committee.
- Hired a City Administrator to manage the day-to-day City operations.
- Hired an Administrative Specialist and an Accounting Specialist to staff City Hall.
- Hired a part-time Facilities Coordinator to manage and maintain the varies City buildings and facilities.
- Hired a temporary employee to scan and digitalize all City documentation.
- Codified City ordinances with a recommendation for the Ordinance & City Policy Ad-Hoc Committee.
- Interviewed and approved the City of Monroe’s third Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) participant for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
- Approved and created a new Economic Development Committee; appointed 12 members to created Monroe’s new Economic Development plan.
- Approved and created a new 1135 Grant Project Ad-Hoc Committee; appointed 8 members to review recommendations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the 1135 Habitat Restoration Grant involving the Monroe Drop Structure and City Park property.
COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ONGOING PROJECTS
| Accomplishment / On Going Projects | Other Info | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Tomorrow, Our Vision and Aspirations | Approved March 2018 | |
| Comprehensive Plan Update | 2020-2040 | Approved August 26, 2019 |
| Buildable Lands Inventory | 2020-2040 | Approved August 26, 2019 |
| Housing Needs Analysis (2020-2040) | 2020-2040 | Approved August 26, 2019 |
| Economic Assessment (2020-2040) | 2020-2040 | Approved August 26, 2019 |
| Field Guide to Long Range Planning | Approved August 26, 2019 | |
| Monroe Transportation System Plan (TSP) | Approved 2019 | |
| Red Hills Subdivision | New Housing Development | Approved February 2018 |
| Dollar General | New Business Development | Approved August 2017 opened August 2018 |
| Long Timbers Brewing Company | New Business Development | Approved August 2020 opening in 2021 |
| Monroe Arts Association | New Business Development | Approved August 2017 opened June 2019 |
| Monroe Zoning Map & Comprehensive Plan Maps and Charts | Review and update current zoning | Approved August 2020 opening in 202 |
| Monroe Development Code | Review and update current land-use code | 2020 ongoing project |
| System Development Charges (SDC) | City Council and Planning Commission working together to update SDCs | 2020 ongoing project |
