Feilberg earns key to the city

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas and Monroe City Administrator Gene Brazel presented Public Works Director Brad Feilberg with a "key to the cityGÇ¥ during a recent council meeting, in recognition of his 30 years of employment with the City of Monroe.

"We have among us an employee that has done a phenomenal job for the city, especially within the last year,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "Thank you for all of your dedication to the city and for all of your hard work.GÇ¥

Brazel offered a few words, as well.-á

"Brad and I have worked together since "85,GÇ¥ Brazel said. "My success has been because of Brad.GÇ¥-á

Both Thomas and Brazel agreed that Feilberg has helped the city successfully navigate staffing shortfalls by always being willing to fill in the gaps. Whether they were down a finance director, human resource manager or community development director, Feilberg has consistently provided support wherever it was needed. -á -á

"Whatever the position was, Brad was always there,GÇ¥ Brazel said. "While we don't have an assistant city administrator here, Brad fills that role for me on a daily basis. I just appreciate you, and all you've done for the community.GÇ¥

Feilberg began his career with the City of Monroe as a civil engineer intern on May 28, 1985. Initially, his primary responsibilities were to complete a street sign inventory and a sewer manhole inventory. The manhole inventory necessitated a brief visit inside each manhole to take measurements and check for evidence of surcharging, which can occur when pipes are overloaded.-á -á -á

A licensed professional engineer and associate emergency manager, Feilberg holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in emergency and disaster management. During his employment with the city, he's worn numerous hats, including assistant city engineer, city engineer, engineering director and operations director.-á

He served as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for Monroe Fire District No. 3 from 1987 to 1999. During that time, he was instrumental in getting a bond initiative on the ballot and, after it passed, remained engaged in the process, designing and helping to facilitate the construction of both of Monroe's fire stations.

"During his time with our department, he was as dedicated as he has been throughout his career at the City of Monroe,GÇ¥ said District No. 3 Chief Jamie Silva. -á

Feilberg has utilized his emergency management expertise in several different ways, including as a community emergency response team (CERT) instructor and penning the city's formal emergency management plan, which was completed in 2005.

In addition to being involved in a multitude of capital facilities projects across the city ' including water and sewer line replacements, three new water reservoirs and several wastewater treatment plant upgrades ' Feilberg helped with the design and construction of the police station and helped design and oversee numerous remodel projects at Monroe City Hall.

He was directly involved in the Tester Road roundabout project, which was constructed in 2001. The two-lane roundabout at the base of SR 522 at West Main and Tester Road was Washington state's first multi-lane roundabout. He has also helped on countless other transportation projects, including the North Kelsey extension from U.S. 2 to Chain Lake Road and the Chain Lake Road realignment project. He is currently engaged in the Main Street Plaza project and the Tjerne Place extension. -á

He assisted on the design of both Sky River Park and Lake Tye Park and helped design the pedestrian bridge that traverses from Lewis Street Park to Al Borlin Park.

Feilberg is involved in almost all of Monroe's community events. Each year, he sets up an emergency management booth at Monroe's National Night Out event and is a steady presence at other community events, including the Monroe Swift Night Out, the Fair Days Parade and Light Up Monroe.-á

"Every major community event, such as the Fair Days Parade, Brad is the one who designs the traffic plan and many times is the one in the field marking out where all the signs and traffic cones are to be placed,GÇ¥ Brazel said.-á

Feilberg also has a role during the city's annual budgeting process, helping to calculate revenues and expenditures and engaging in long-term forecasting. Additionally, he's been involved in both commercial and residential developments throughout the city.-á

"Brad is the person in charge of addressing each home in Monroe as they are constructed. This includes coming up with street names based on historical research of the city,GÇ¥ Brazel explained. "The final approval is done by the council, but it's Brad who has come up with the names.

"Pretty much every job at the city Brad has performed ' short of being a police officer,GÇ¥ he continued.-á -á

In addition to the ceremonial key, Feilberg received a certificate of recognition from Brazel and Thomas.