Monroe council sets rates for EMS, FD services; rec park rental

Monroe City Council prepared for several public hearings along with setting fees for city services at its regular monthly meeting Monday. The council also approved requests for upcoming city events including Bike Night and Old Settlers.

Areas for public hearings included entering into a general obligation sewer improvement loan and disbursement agreement and to borrow money in a principal amount not to exceed $2.5 million, sewer revenue loan and disbursement agreement and to borrow money in principal amount not to exceed $1.55 million and a general obligation street improvement loan agreement and to borrow money in a principal amount not to exceed $255,000.

Under items approved by the council, the new fees to be charged by the Monroe Fire and Rescue Department were updated. The fees fall into several categories including the department’s response to a scene of a vehicle fire where fire suppression equipment is used, basic life support, advanced life support and mileage assessed.

If the department responds to a vehicle fire and fire suppression equipment is used, a minimum fee of $100 will be assessed. For ambulance rates, basic life support is set at $620, advanced life support is $736, advanced life support 2 at $1,065 and mileage is $13.50 per loaded mile.

The Newton Fire Department will continue to administer all billing functions associated with Monroe Ambulance services.

The rental fee rates for tournament ball at the Monroe Recreation Park were also set by council. A $250 per day fee will be charged for tournament ball play at the park while a $300 per day fee will be charged for lighted tournament ball play.

For scoreboard usage, $50 per day will be charged. To use the concession stand, an additional fee of $250 per weekend for tournament ball will be assessed.

A request from CJ’s Bar and Grill to close Marion Street by the bar during Monroe Bike Night was approved by the council. CJ’s owner Carolyn Daniels said the events will once again be the second Saturday of the month starting in May and run through September.

“It will close from 4 to 11 p.m.,” Daniels said.

The council also approved the Monroe Old Settlers Celebration Committee to allow adult beverages on the city square June 22 and Aug. 2 and 3. Councilwoman Jean Goemaat was the lone no vote in the 4-1 count.

“I have a lot of people complain to me about that,” Goemaat said.

The car show and barbecue will be June 22 while Old Settlers is planned for Aug. 2 and 3.

In other business:

The council approved moving forward with hiring summer part-time help for public works.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com