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).

 

Feb 25

[ARCHIVED] City Council Highlights February 23

The original item was published from February 25, 2026 10:01 AM to February 25, 2026 10:01 AM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026.  

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), channel 997 (TDS) or channel 180 (Charter). The rebroadcast schedule is available here.  

Council Highlights provide a summary of key agenda items and decisions made by the City Council. This overview may not reflect all topics discussed or actions taken during the meeting. For complete details, refer to the meeting agenda. Official minutes are published once approved. 

Public Service Announcements 

Spring Egg Dive 

Registration opens for the Spring Egg Dive Thursday, March 5 at 6 a.m. Registration is required, and capacity is limited. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, March 27 across three different sessions. The Egg Dive costs $10 for MCC members and $18 for non-members. Visit the City website for registration and details. 

Spring Tree Sale 

The City’s Spring Tree Sale began on February 5. Trees cost $50 each, and quantities are limited. There are eight varieties available for purchase. Orders may be placed in person at City Hall, online, or by mail. Orders are due by Monday, April 20. For more information, visit the City website. 

GLOW Fest Parade 

Get ready to Glow! MontiArts’ annual GlowFest is scheduled for Saturday, February 28. 

Join us for a parade and celebration featuring glowing creatures, illuminated signs, fun wearables, and more! The parade kicks off at the Monticello Community Center at 7 p.m. and follows Walnut Street to a Glow Party in West Bridge Park.  

City Council Decisions 

Twin Pines Preliminary and Final Plat and Development Contract 

City Council approved the plat and Planned United Development for Twin Pines First Addition along with the associated development contract. Twin Pines is a 96-unit multi-family residential development located on a site along School Boulevard. The project was originally approved in 2022, but the approvals lapsed before construction occurred. Under new ownership, the applicants reapplied for the necessary project approvals to move forward. Following a discussion about vehicle access, traffic circulation on the site, and the proximity of the power line easement, the project was approved. 

Musical Garden Donation  

The Council approved a Resolution accepting a donation of $32,378 from the Monticello Rotary Club for a Musical Garden project at Ellison Park. The installation, which will consist of six permanent outdoor musical instruments, will be completed no later than June 30, 2026. Its location will be ADA accessible, and it is designed to be used by people of all ages and abilities.  

The donation is grant funded through Rotary District 5950. There is no City expenditure for the project, instead staff will support the project through site preparation and installation. 

Splash Pad 

City Council approved the 2026 Operating Agreement between the City of Monticello and the YMCA of the North to share use and staffing of the YMCA Camp Manitou splash pad, recreation pool, pool deck, locker rooms, restrooms and parking lot during designated summer public swim periods. This summer, public swim will occur on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. MCC and YMCA of the North members can access the pool and splash pad for free, while other guests will be charged a daily fee. In 2025, this arrangement generated over $4,000 in revenue for the MCC and provides MCC members with recreational value at times when the MCC is closed. 

Moose Sherritt Ice Rink Operating Agreement 

City Council approved a collaboration between the City of Monticello and Independent School District 882 to provide open skate sessions at Moose Sherritt Ice Arena. These sessions allow MCC members to use the otherwise private ice arena without extra charge as part of their membership. Other members of the public can utilize the ice rink as well for a fee. The District will offer these open skate sessions an average of four times per month.  

Contract with Hakanson Anderson for 2026 Street Improvement Project 

City Council approved a contract with Hakanson Anderson for engineering services for the 2026 Street Improvement Project. This year’s project is a mill and overlay in the River Mill neighborhood. River Mill was identified for improvements because of its age and condition.  

Awarding Contract to Knife River Corporation 

Council adopted a Resolution awarding the contract for the Monticello Public Library Site Improvements to Knife River Corporation – North Central. The project is fully grant-funded and will upgrade the HVAC system, install a fire monitoring system and complete site improvements in and around the parking lot, including ADA upgrades. 

The upgrades support the Monticello 2040 Comprehensive Plan by installing ADA upgrades, helping improve pedestrian infrastructure, and supporting access to public facilities like the library. The project is expected to be completed this spring.  

Presentation of Data Center Ordinance for Future Consideration 

The City of Monticello has been working on a zoning ordinance to regulate data center development for more than six months. Earlier in February, the Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance and recommended approval with one revision to the text. Following the Commission’s recommendation, the ordinance moved to the City Council for additional review and consideration of whether to adopt it into the City Code.  

City Council has played an active role in the development of the ordinance through a series of joint workshops. Now they are undertaking further analysis of how the ordinance is intended to function and the specific details included. The Council has authority to direct additional changes to the draft before voting on whether to adopt it at a future meeting.  

At the Council meeting, staff provided an overview of the ordinance before yielding to the Council for their deliberation. The Council identified parts of the ordinance where they would like to see additional analysis and options for potential revision. They requested the ordinance be on the March 9 City Council agenda for discussion again; they will not vote on the ordinance at that meeting. 

Tag(s): Twin Pines, Street Improvement Project, Splash Pad, Public Library Site Improvements, Ordinance, Musical Garden, Moose Sherritt, Data Center