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Phased removal of Square meters resubmitted
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MONROE - A Monroe city committee is making a second attempt to have parking meters removed from the Square in phases rather than all at once.

The City of Monroe Public Safety Committee on Monday passed a motion to recommend the Monroe City Council vote to remove the meters as streetscape work on the Square progresses, rather than at one time.

The committee on March 2 passed a resolution directing the city's Street Department to remove the meters in stages, coinciding with the work progression.

But the council objected the following evening, noting it had passed a resolution Feb. 18 with the understanding meters would be "removed together" at the same time.

Alderman Mark Coplien said he would agree with the committee action if there was a public safety issue, but "it's got to come back to council," he said. "It cannot be done at the committee level."

The council resolution gave authorization "for the removal of the parking meters in the 1000 block of 16th and 17th Avenues and the 1600 blocks of 10th and 11th Streets."

It also resolved that the removal would "take effect when actual work begins on the downtown streetscape project, on or about April 15, 2009, with all other parking meters to remain in effect until further action was taken."

In answer to the council's objection, Alderman Charles Koch, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said the committee would rescind the motion and further discuss the parking issue.