Monticello City Council Highlights - July 26, 2021

MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS"City

July 26, 2021

EDA Annual Update

Economic Development Manager Jim Thares presented the annual Economic Development department update.

"EDA“The 2020-2021 workplans included six components: downtown redevelopment was the top goal or priority for the EDA. Promoting industrial and commercial development was the second priority, housing development was third. The IEDC’s priorities were labor force development and business retention and expansion. In 2020 the CARES Act came to the city and money was provided to the EDA and that’s where the COVID-19 emergency response efforts were established,” said Thares.

He then elaborated further explaining that Block 52 was the top priority of the Downtown Redevelopment work plan as well as the Façade Improvement Program. One highlight was that the façade improvements to the Agosto building were completed in late 2020, with three new applications submitted this spring/summer, all of which are on Block 35.

According to Thares, there were 38 EDA CARES Act grants approved for $5,000 each. Eight additional City CARES Act grants were also approved for restaurants and microbreweries in the community.

Riverfest Recap

Riverfest 2021 was a huge success according to Riverfest City Liaison Tom Pawelk.

“Overall, it was a good turnout. Second highest gross sales that the Riverfest committee has ever seen, so that’s pretty good. Record beer sales… and duck adoptions were basically sold out, so that’s 5,000 ducks sold,” said Pawelk.

The first night [Thursday] kicked off at Pioneer Park, with a Monticello firefighter showing up strong for a second year in a row and winning the pie eating contest. Mayor Hilgart teased that may only be because he’s “not invited back” to the pie eating contest after winning twice.

“Friday night, the talent show had 22 acts and we followed it up with a wonderful fireworks display, sponsored by the City of Monticello. The Lions Bean Bag tournament on Saturday had 49 entries,” said Pawelk.

Pawelk added that while Sunday’s parade was shorter than past years, with no royalty candidates or visiting royalty; the shorter parade might have been preferable given the heat. He joked that the kids didn’t seem to mind because they still got plenty of candy.

Online Building Permits

City of Monticello is now offering online building permits for permits that do not require a plan review. Visit our website to check it out! 

Council Approval

  • Council approved Special Event Permit
    • City Council approved a Special Event Permit and temporary liquor license for the Rotary’s Taste of the Towns event. The event will be held on Thursday, September 16 in the commuter lot on Deegan Ave. 

  • Council approved new restrooms for Ellison Park
    • City Council approved the purchase of modular restrooms to replace the existing restrooms at Ellison Park. The project will also include ADA improvements in the area around the bathroom.
  • Council approved proceeding with bids for DMV relocation
    • City Council approved notifying the State of Minnesota of intent to move the DMV from its current location to the Prairie Center building at 118 W. 6th Street. Council also approved proceeding with bids for the improvements necessary to remodel the first floor of the building for the DMV. City Council will consider officially ordering the improvements at a future meeting.

WATCH A CITY MEETING

Citizens are welcome to attend City Council, Planning Commission, and Economic Development Authority meetings, but we understand that attending in person is not always an option. As an alternative, we offer the following options to stay engaged with your local government:

  • Meetings are broadcast live on cable channel 12 (FiberNet and TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers).
  • Meetings are streamed live online. View the live stream on the Monticello Live Stream website.
  • Meetings recordings are available online to watch when it's convenient for you. View the meeting recordings on the Monticello Live Stream website.
  • Meetings are rebroadcast throughout the week on cable channel 12 (FiberNet & TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers).

 

Sep 26

[ARCHIVED] City Council Highlights - September 23, 2024

The original item was published from September 26, 2024 10:39 AM to September 26, 2024 2:41 PM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 23, 2024. Below are the highlights from the meeting.

To view the agenda, and minutes when available, visit the Agenda Center.

To watch the recorded meeting, stream it online or tune in on cable channel 12 (FiberNet & TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers). The rebroadcast schedule is available here.

Public Service Announcements

Vacancy on Planning Commission

The City is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission reviews proposed development plans and advises the City Council on all local development. It meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Monticello Community Center. Interested individuals may apply online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/monticello

Absentee Voting

Absentee Voting began Friday, September 20, for the 2024 General Election. Monticello residents may vote at City Hall during business hours or request a ballot by mail. Direct Balloting begins October 18. At that time, voters may cast their ballots directly into the ballot counter.

For more election information: https://www.ci.monticello.mn.us/286/Elections

City Council Decisions

Accepting Donation from Cargill and Hi-Way Liquors Fire Department Fundraiser

The City Council accepted a donation of $1,500 from Cargill to be allocated to the Monticello Community Center’s Romp and Stomp Indoor Play Area. Thank you to Cargill for your contributions!

A fundraiser was held at Hi-Way Liquors for the Monticello Fire Department. The department received a total of $3,200 in cash donations. Thank you to those that shopped at Hi-Way Liquors and contributed to the fundraiser!

Council Sets Truth-In-Taxation Public Hearing

Cities with a population over 500 are required by state statute to hold a Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing at which next year’s proposed levy and budget are discussed. Residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions about the levy and budget at the hearing scheduled for the regular City Council meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024.  Following the public hearing, the City Council will adopt the final 2025 property tax levy and budget.

Residents will receive a Truth-in-Taxation Notice from Wright County. The notice will show the proposed tax amounts for 2025 based on preliminary local government budgets and assessed market values. The Truth-in-Taxation process is designed to enhance transparency and involvement in the local government budgeting process.

To learn more about the City of Monticello’s budget process, how the levy is determined, and what property taxes are used for, visit the City’s website.

Approval of Conditional Use Permit for New Restaurant

A Conditional Use Permit was approved for a Wendy’s restaurant with a drive-thu. The restaurant will be located at 261 Highland Way, near Home Depot, PetSmart, and Marshalls. It will neighbor RiverWood Bank to the east.

"Wendy's

Approval of HRA Levy and Preliminary EDA 2025 Budget

The City Council approved the EDA’s preliminary Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levy of $499,000 and accepted the preliminary 2025 EDA budget of $532,000.

Funds received from the HRA levy are used for housing and redevelopment purposes throughout the city. The HRA levy is limited to 0.0185% of the City’s taxable market value. The EDA recommended keeping consistency with the limit for 2025. The proposed 2025 HRA levy will have a 10.6% increase compared to the 2024 levy of $451,000. The HRA levy will be listed as a separate tax levy on the Truth-in-Taxation statements sent to property owners.

The EDA’s preliminary budget of $532,000 is an increase of $33,000 compared to 2024. The increase is attributable to cost of living wage adjustments for staff, the addition of a dedicated support position, and support for redevelopment activities. There are several ongoing projects that will carry over into 2025, including Block 34 and downtown redevelopment, marketing of City/EDA-owned downtown properties, the Downtown Façade Improvement Program, and future land acquisition for local development.

Final adoption of the HRA levy will occur after the Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing on December 9, 2024.

Approval of 2025 City Preliminary Tax Levy

The City is required to certify a preliminary levy to the County Auditor/Treasurer by September 30 each year. The City Council approved the city’s 2025 preliminary levy with an increase of 8%.

The impact of the proposed levy on individual properties will be listed on the Truth-in-Taxation statements to property owners in November. The notice will show the property’s market value, homestead exclusion, taxable market value, and property classification. It will apply the proposed tax information for each applicable jurisdiction to the taxable market value.

The final property tax levy can be lower, but not higher, than the preliminary property tax levy. Final adoption of the City’s levy will occur after the Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing on December 9, 2024.

The presentations on the preliminary levies can be watched online here.

Tag(s): Tax Levy, Property Tax, Meeting, City Council Highlights, City Council, 2025 Levy