The Monroe City Council held its regular meeting on December 10, 2024, where several key agenda items were addressed, including the approval of the consent agenda and a public comment period.

The meeting commenced with a motion to approve the consent agenda, which was seconded and passed unanimously. Following this, Mayor Long opened the public comment period, outlining the rules for participation. Each speaker was allotted two minutes, with additional time granted for representatives of larger groups.

The first speaker, Michelle Ball, expressed gratitude for those honored during the meeting and shared a heartfelt message in the spirit of Christmas. She emphasized the importance of protecting children in the community, reflecting on her previous comments made over the past two years regarding this issue. Ball criticized the council for not engaging with her on this topic and highlighted her concerns about the perceived lack of action regarding community safety and the protection of innocence.

Ball referenced historical and biblical examples to underscore her points, urging the council to reconsider their decisions, particularly regarding a past censure of the mayor related to a proclamation of life and the handling of all-age drag shows. She concluded her remarks with a plea for courage from the council to prioritize the protection of children.

The meeting then transitioned into the public hearing period, with the mayor reiterating the guidelines for speakers to ensure a respectful and orderly discussion.

Overall, the meeting highlighted ongoing community concerns about child safety and the council's responsiveness to public sentiment, setting the stage for future discussions on these critical issues.