The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025.
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
Wright County CSAH 75 Pavement Preservation Project
Wright County will begin pavement preservation work on County Highway 75 on September 10, and is expected to be completed on Friday, September 12. Work will take place between Otter Creek and Riverview Drive/Fenning Avenue.
The roadway will remain open, but minor traffic delays are possible. Please plan accordingly. As always, stay alert and drive safely through work zones.
Note: Due to equipment issues on Wednesday, September 10, the work will be rescheduled.
Channel Change for TDS customers
TDS will be moving their public access channels to a new block for better alignment in their TV programming. The City of Monticello currently broadcasts live and recorded meetings on TDS cable channel 12. Starting Wednesday, TDS customers will be able to find the City of Monticello on Channel 997.
Monticello Farmers Market
The Monticello Farmers Market’s fall hours are now in effect, from 3:30 to 6:30 every Thursday through September 25. This week’s market is a special 55+ Day, sponsored by CentraCare. Shoppers aged 55 and older can get $4 in market tokens at the info booth to spend on fresh produce.
Department Updates
Construction Update
- School Boulevard Improvement Project: Construction is still ongoing. Crews are working on final restoration and landscaping in the project area with plans to pave the remaining work site on Friday, September 12, and possibly into Saturday, September 13. School Boulevard is scheduled to be open next week.
Data Center Ordinance Update
The City Administrator provided an update to the City Council regarding the data center proposals by private developers and the proposed draft ordinance to define and regulate data center land uses within the City.
These are two parallel processes happening at the same time, though no formal development applications have been submitted to the City for a data center development.
Key points include:
- The ordinance process is a separate process from the proposed concepts for data center development.
- A comprehensive plan amendment earlier this year better defined data centers and limited them to light industrial park areas. In addition, the comprehensive plan requires review of site impacts, utility and electric service demands, fiscal requirements, and assurance that any specific data center project will not limit the City’s future growth.
- The draft ordinance builds on the comprehensive plan amendment, incorporating research and public feedback to guide the land development regulations specific to our community.
- Public feedback is essential to the City’s process. Feedback has been collected through two public hearings and through written comments.
- The City’s goal is to ensure thoughtful planning that aligns with Monticello’s best interests.
The Planning Commission has held two public hearings on a draft ordinance on August 19 and September 2. The City has collected public feedback from the public hearings and written comments. Given the significance of the topic, the draft ordinance has been tabled at this time for further discussion.
The Planning Commission and the City Council will hold a joint work session on Wednesday, September 24, at 5 p.m. to continue reviewing the ordinance and consider the public input received so far. The public is welcome to attend the joint work session to observe the proceedings.
Visit the City’s online streaming platform to watch the update.
City Council Decisions
Grant Received for Monticello Heritage Days 2026
The Initiative Foundation awarded the City of Monticello a $5,000 grant to develop and host a new event called Monticello Heritage Days.
The event intends to celebrate the city’s historical ties to the logging industry with a lumberjack show, live music, food vendors, cultural performances, and an appearance by Paul Bunyan. Stay tuned for details!
Wendy’s Receives Extension
The applicant for the Wendy’s development project requested an extension of their Conditional Use Permit approval as they continue progressing through the land development process. The site is located at 261 Highland Way, on the corner of E 7th Street and Highland Way, east of the National Bank of Commerce.
A building permit has been submitted, and the applicant is actively working through internal construction planning. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026.
The City Council approved the extension for up to one year.
Pathway Management Program: Northwest Monticello Trails
The City’s Pathway Management Program (PMP) guides annual inspections and maintenance planning for over 20+ miles of pathways. The City uses a Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) method to assign a 1 to 10 rating to determine a trail’s overall condition.
Trails within the northwestern quadrant of the City, following West Broadway Street from Control Rod Road to Pinewood Elementary School have been identified for maintenance this year. This includes crack filling, infrared patching, and installation of a Road-Guard micro-surfacing product.
The contract was awarded to MP Asphalt for $42,250. Work is expected to begin on Tuesday, September 9, and is expected to be completed within two to three weeks.
CSAH 39 Utility Extension Project Contract Awarded
A bid opening for the CSAH 39 Utility Extension Project was held on September 4, 2025. Ten bids were received, ranging from $1,246,202.15 to $1,691.046. All bids were below the City engineer’s estimate of $1,753,000. The contract was awarded to Park Construction Company for the lowest bid of $1,246,202.15, contingent on approval from the Minnesota Department of Employment Economic Development (MN-DEED).
At this time, only the watermain will be installed. The City Council directed staff to limit the project scope to preserve the grant funds received. MN-DEED approved the revised project scope.
Construction of the watermain is expected to start in October with completion prior to the grant deadline of June 30, 2026. Trenchless technology will be used to minimize construction impacts, except for an open trench crossing at County Road 39 at Chelsea Road, which will require a one-week detour via Chelsea Road. Shoulder closures are expected during the watermain and hydrant installation.
The project is partially funded by a $1,000,000 Community Energy Transition grant from MN-DEED to extend sewer and water utilities westward and support development. The City’s Strategic Transition Plan identified the Northwest Growth Area as the best opportunity to expand Monticello’s tax base and reduce reliance on the Xcel Nuclear Power Generating Facility.
For project information, visit CSAH 39 Utility Extension.
Wright County Archery Deer Hunt in Monticello-area Parks
Wright County Parks and Recreation proposed a special archery deer hunt to be held in designated Monticello-area parks from October 17 to October 26, 2025.
The hunt will be conducted under strict guidelines by Wright County. Ten hunters will be selected through a lottery system open to Wright County residents beginning September 1 and closing September 21. Selected participants must hold a valid MN DNR archery license, pass a proficiency test, and attend a mandatory pre-hunt meeting. Each hunter will be assigned a specific area within one of three parks: Montissippi County Park, Harry Larson County Park, or Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
The initiative is part of a broader regional effort to manage deer populations in high-density areas and address growing concerns related to public safety, environmental degradation, and property damage. The County’s approach ensures that hunting is conducted responsibly, with an emphasis on safety, transparency, and ecological stewardship.
E-Bike Ordinance Amendment
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) and other micromobility devices have grown in popularity as transportation options. While many are used responsibly, concerns have been raised by residents and the Wright County Sheriff’s Office about unsafe operations, including excessive speeds and property damage.
To address these issues, an ordinance amendment was proposed to update the Recreational Motor Vehicle Ordinance to support responsible use while providing stronger guidance and enforcement against unsafe or destructive behavior.
Minnesota Statute 169.011 defines e-bikes in three classes based on speed and electric assist functionality. The proposed ordinance adopts these classifications and adds definitions for micromobility devices, including skateboards, scooters, Segways, hoverboards, and similar single-rider vehicles.
Under Minnesota Statute 169.022, e-bikes are considered bicycles and may operate similarly, with some restrictions:
- E-bike operator must be at least 15 years old.
- E-bikes or pedal bikes are prohibited from carrying more people than for what it was designed to carry.
- E-bikes are allowed on bicycle trails, although some restrictions may be locally imposed.
The ordinance restricts Class 3 e-bikes (electric-assist up to 28 mph) from operating on trails and shared-use paths with the motor engaged. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed wherever traditional bicycles are permitted.
Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and off-highway motorcycles, regardless of electric motors, are prohibited from public trails, sidewalks, and park areas if they lack functional pedals or cranks to meet the definition of an e-bike.
Golf Course Road Trail Project Contract Awarded
A bid opening for the Golf Course Road Trail Project was held on September 4, 2025. Five bids were received, ranging from $1,801,483.05 to $1,974,386.50. The City Council awarded the bid to Thomas and Sons Constructions, with the lowest bid, contingent on MnDOT review and approval.
The project will install a 10-foot pathway along the north side of Golf Course Road from Elm Street to 7th Street. The project will also include Wright County’s pavement preservation project which includes reclaiming the roadway section and installing curb and gutter along with associated storm sewer along the north side of the roadway. The roadway will be striped to include a center two-way left turn lane. Construction is planned to start in the fall of 2025 or spring of 2026 with final completion in the summer of 2026.
The project is partially funded by an $800,000 Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant. This project extends a pathway in a high priority area identified in the 2019 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan. The extension supports the City’s multimodal goals in the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan by closing a gap in the regional trail system and improving non-motorized access along a collector roadway. It also supports the City’s parks, Trails, and Pathway goals by linking nearby residential areas to existing parks, open spaces, and future trail corridors. In addition, it promotes walkability and safe active transportation for well-connected, livable communities.
For project information, visit Golf Course Road Trail Connection.