Since two of the seven council members were excused from the meeting, four of the five had to approve the legislation since that’s a majority of the seven. It failed 3-2.
After the meeting, there was confusion among city staff members regarding the future of the ordinance. They didn’t know if the ordinance could be placed back on the agenda for the next council meeting, Feb. 11, and if so, how many members would have to approve the legislation.
After the ordinance was rejected, several people representing NVR quickly left council chambers, and when asked if they had any comments by this news agency, they all said “no comment.”
Monroe’s Director of Development Tom Smith said he was “caught off guard” by the no votes.
The legislation was approved by Funk, Vice Mayor Christina McElfresh and council member John Centers. Council members Tom Hagedorn and Michael Graves voted against the measure.
Dr. Kelly Clark and Ben Wagner were excused from the meeting.
Hagedorn said he didn’t feel the development was “a good fit for the area.”
He said residents have expressed concerns about excessive traffic in that area.
Graves said he was bothered by the potential parking issues in the development and the cost of the city building a proposed bridge.
Funk said he looks forward to talking to Hagedorn and Graves about why they rejected the legislation.
“If there is a very good reason, I want to know,” said Funk, adding the plan was recommended by staff and Planning Commission. “I have to defer to the council members who voted no.”
Funk added that he wants to see “a successful project there.”
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