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).

 

Mar 27

[ARCHIVED] Council Highlights March 23, 2026

The original item was published from March 27, 2026 9:29 AM to March 27, 2026 9:29 AM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, March 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 Tree Sale 

Don’t miss your chance to plant some roots in Monticello! The Spring Tree sale continues through Monday, April 20. Trees cost $50 each, and quantities are limited. Firefall Maples have sold out, but seven other varieties are available for purchase. Orders may be placed in person at City Hall, online, or by mail. For more information, visit the Spring Tree Sale page. 

Food Drive  

The City of Monticello is collecting non-perishable food items for the Monticello Help Center through March 31. Drop off locations include City Hall, the Monticello Community Center, Hi-Way Liquors and the DMV. Boxed sides/pasta, canned food, sugar, cooking oil and hygiene products are especially needed. 

Water Tower Cleaning 

The City’s Water Department will complete the annual maintenance of the water towers beginning March 30. One tower will be cleaned each week. Residents in the area may notice a drop in water pressure and water discoloration while the work is being completed. 

Climbing Wall and Family Swim & Slide Extended Hours 

Spring break is here for local schools! From Saturday, March 28th, until Saturday, April 4, the MCC will be offering extended climbing wall and Family Swim and Slide hours daily. For exact hours, visit the MCC website. The climbing wall and swim & slide are included with MCC memberships or with the purchase of a facility day pass. 

Special Meeting Update 

A City Council Workshop to discuss the Data Center Ordinance has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 5 p.m. in the Mississippi Room at the Monticello Community Center. The workshop is an open meeting, and members of the public are welcome to attend and observe the discussion. 

City Council Decisions 

Donations 

Council accepted donations of $250 from Country Financial for Farmers Market Music, $300 from Vital Roots Fitness for Farmers Market Power of Produce and $500 from Xcel Energy for Heritage Day. These sponsorships and others make annual events in Monticello possible and promote community in the city. 

Loan and Business Subsidy for L&L Homestyle Café 

Council authorized a $65,000 Greater Monticello Enterprise Fund (GMEF) Loan to Sperr Properties, LLC and L&L Homestyle Café, LLC, and a Business Subsidy Agreement to help finance equipment purchases and interior property improvements at L&L Homestyle Café. The estimated total project investment of $833,712.  

The request was first put forward to the EDA by Larry Sperr, representing the property ownership group and café. The funding acted as gap financing, allowing the café to reopen sooner and undergoing clean-up and renovation activity of the interior and façade.  

East Bridge Park 

Council approved a contract with Bolton and Menk Inc. to provide engineering services for the East Bridge Park Sidewalk Improvements Project. The project will involve the construction of an ADA compliant pathway/sidewalk connecting River Street, east of Trunk Highway 25 (TH 25), to the sidewalk improvements completed as part of the Downtown Roadway and Pedestrian Improvements Project. It will also involve extending and improving existing sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure around the area. 

Funding for the project was provided through MnDOT’s Local Partnership Program (LPP). A request for proposal was issued to Bolton and Menk, Inc., because of the City’s prior history working with the firm on the Master Plan for East Bridge Park, leading to minimized need for coordination with another engineering firm. 

The 2026 Capital Project Fund budget includes $150,000 for this project, and the Capital Improvement Plan includes another $150,000 earmarked for construction of the project in 2027. Out of this $300,000 total cost, $100,000 will be offset with the MnDOT LPP grant revenue. 

Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) 

Council authorized the submission of a drinking water revolving loan fund application to the MPFA for the construction of a new water treatment facility. The overall project cost is estimated to be $45 million. The City received $11 million in funding from the 2023 state bonding bill for the construction of a water treatment facility. This low-interest loan would balance the project cost.   

The anticipated interest rate on a PFA loan for Monticello is 2.5% to 3.0%, whereas a recent projection of other lease revenue bonds estimated an average coupon of 4.3%. 

 Staff will continue to pursue additional funding requests for the project as they become available. State and Federal level requests have already been submitted requesting additional funding. 

Tag(s): Water Treatment Plant, L&L Homestyle Café, East Bridge Park, Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Application