Monroe sets public hearing for bicycle, pedestrian trail advisory committee

The city of Monroe is moving towards establishing a permanent bicycle and pedestrian trail advisory committee.

At its meeting last Monday, the Monroe City Council unanimously approved a first reading of an ordinance that would establish the committee as well as a public hearing and second reading for its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5.

The establishment of the advisory committee was part of the recommendations included in the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan. Per the proposed ordinance, the committee would be tasked with "promoting and protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare by providing for the promotion of an interconnected network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the City of Monroe."

The committee would promote awareness of bicycle and walking facilities and opportunities within the city, review all street and trunk line projects to ensure bicycle and pedestrian plans are coordinated, review and encourage amenities such as wayfinding maps, bike racks, benches, bicycle repair stations, and promote Monroe as a bicycle and pedestrian hub, consider and recommend regulations to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, and monitor the implementation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan.

"The recommendation is for five members serving staggered, three-year terms," said city manager Vince Pastue. "(Of those five members) a minimum of three must be residents of the city of Monroe."

Although not written into the proposed ordinance, a suggestion was for a member of the Trail Advisory Committee to also serve on the Traffic and Safety Committee due to the shared goals of both bodies.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe sets public hearing for bicycle, pedestrian trail committee