The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 22, 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
Last Monticello Farmers Market
The final outdoor market of the season is Thursday, September 25. Join us to shop fresh produce and handmade goods from 3:30 – 6 p.m. in the library parking lot.
Absentee Voting
Absentee (early) voting for the upcoming special election is available to City of Monticello residents at City Hall. Absentee voting is open during regular business hours and includes extended hours on:
- Saturday, November 1: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, November 3: until 5 p.m.
Ballot items include the Monticello School District referendum and the Senate District 29 seat.
Absentee ballots can also be requested online through the Secretary of State website.
Planning Commission and City Council Joint Workshop: Data Center Ordinance
A joint workshop of the Planning Commission and the City Council will be held on Wednesday, September 24, at 5 p.m. in the Monticello Community Center.
The workshop is intended for Council and Commission members to review the draft data center ordinance and consider the public feedback received to date. The public is welcome to attend and observe the discussion. However, there will be no formal public comment period during the workshop.
Following the workshop discussion, City staff will host an informal question & answer session on the draft ordinance. The Q&A is an opportunity for community members to ask questions about the draft ordinance and the City’s land use process.
Hydrant Flushing
Fall hydrant flushing begins Monday, Oct.6.
Every fall, the City flushes its water mains through the fire hydrants to clear the sediment and minerals that settle over time. Staff also verifies the hydrants are in good working order. It’s common to see a drop in water pressure while crews are working in your area. Staff will start on the east side of Monticello and work their way to the west. Flushing is expected to end in mid-November, but timelines are subject to change.
During this time, water may appear yellowish or brownish, though it remains safe to drink. However, it may discolor laundry. We advise waiting to do laundry until water lines run clear. If discoloration lasts longer than two days, please call the Utility Department at (763) 295-3170.
Department Updates
Construction Update
- School Boulevard Improvement Project: The School Boulevard roundabouts are now open to traffic. Striping is scheduled to begin this week or early next week. Minor restoration work will take place over the next few weeks.
- Golf Course Road Trail Project: Construction began Monday, September 22. A detour is in place, going south on Elm Street to 7th Street West. Local traffic may access the closed roadway one-way on Golf Course Road. Visit Golf Course Road Trail Project for information.
City Council Decisions
Donation of Bill and Taffee Fair Portrait by Artist Stan Thorud
A portrait of Billa and Taffee Fair was donated to the City from artist Stan Thorud. The value of the framed portrait includes 42.5 hours of work, with a total value of $1,930.07.
The Fair family has played a large role in Monticello’s civic history, and the portrait is a welcome addition to the City, where it will be displayed in the Monticello Community Center.
Extension for Deephaven Development Improvements
The City Council approved a request from the Deephaven developer to amend the existing development contract. The proposed amendment extends the deadline for completing required improvements to Edmonson Avenue from October 1, 2025, to October 25, 2026. These improvements include a half-street urban section, sidewalks, and pathways along the Deephaven frontage.
The amendment allows the City to retain a $20,000 escrow for a planned playground near the Pointes at Cedar Recreation Area. This extension supports ongoing grant application efforts for additional park enhancements in 2026.
New Location & Building Planned for MN Sports Cards
A new site and building are planned for MN Sports Cards, a current retail shop in Monticello located at 4101 Cedar Street.
The applicant proposes to construct a new retail facility of approximately 4,400 square feet, including parking, on a site located north of Interstate 94, south of 7th Street and west of Highland Way. The existing Planned Unit Development contains Home Depot and Target. The site is east of the future Big Bore restaurant (formerly McDonald’s).
The business will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Cannabis Ordinance Amendment
Following the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Minnesota, the City continues to refine its local ordinances to align with state law and community goals.
At Monday’s meeting, staff proposed further amendments focused on buffer standards and reasonable location restrictions for industrial cannabis-related business uses.
City Council approved the amendment, which includes the following updates:
- Limiting buffer zones to the intersection with I-94 to avoid unnecessarily restricting potential business sites. Buffers remain in place for schools, daycares, and residential treatment facilities, and park amenities used by minors.
- Cannabis-related businesses would be prohibited in both Light (I-1) industrial zones if adjacent to residential districts. Heavy (I-2) industrial sites abutting residential districts were already prohibited. This change aims to protect future residential development as Monticello grows.
Monticello Public Library Site Improvements Project
The City received a $500,000 Community Facility Projects Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education for improvements to the Monticello Public Library. The grant will fund the following library improvements, with no local match anticipated:
- Upgrading the HVAC system controls
- Installing a fire monitoring system
- Completing site improvements, including ADA upgrades and parking lot rehabilitation
A request for proposals was issued for site improvements, including the mill and overlay, spot repair of concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, and replacement of all non-compliant ADA ramps and sidewalk.
The City received three proposals for design and construction engineering services. The City Council awarded the contract to Hakanson Anderson for $32,700. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
Ditch 33 Improvements Project
The City of Monticello is working in partnership with Wright County to address long-standing drainage issues tied to Wright County Ditch 33. Portions of the ditch are in poor condition and contribute to flooding in the area.
To support future development and improve stormwater management, the City and County are planning a shared stormwater outfall to the Mississippi River, eliminating the need for parallel systems. The proposed outlet would be located just east of the Tyler East subdivision.
The project has secured $1.95 million in funding, including:
- $575,000 from the federal PROTECT program (awarded to the City)
- $970,625 from Wright County’s Water Quality grant (awarded to the City)
- $400,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (awarded to Wright county)
A bid opening held on August 7, 2025, resulted in 14 proposals, with the lowest bid coming in at $1.89 million. However, following review by the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP), concerns were raised regarding the required abandonment of a section of Ditch 33. As a result, the City Council approved to reject all bids and rebid the project once those requirements are clarified.
2026 City Preliminary Tax Levy
The City is required to certify a preliminary property tax levy to the County Auditor/Treasurer by September 30 each year. The City Council approved the City’s 2026 preliminary levy with an increase of $1,220,000 (8.64%).
The preliminary levy is proposed at the estimated increase in tax base, resulting in the same tax rate as 2025. Properties will generally see a city tax increase equal to the percentage change in value of their property.
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 8, 2025.
2026 HRA Levy and Preliminary EDA Budget
The City Council approved the EDA’s preliminary Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levy of $504,000 and accepted the preliminary 2026 EDA budget of $590,000.
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 proposed levy will have an increase of $5,000 (1%) over the 2025 levy. The HRA levy will be listed as a separate tax levy on Truth-in-Taxation statements sent to property owners.
The EDA’s preliminary budget of $590,000 is an increase of $58,000 compared to 2025. The increase is attributed to cost of labor adjustments for staff, and continued support for redevelopment activities sin conjunction with ongoing workplan activities. Additional funding from interest earned on investments in the EDA Fund also supports the increase in general fund budget.
Final adoption of the HRA levy and EDA budget will occur after the Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing on December 8, 2025.
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. The City Council set the hearing at Monday’s meeting.
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 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Following the public hearing, the City Council will adopt the final 2026 property tax levy and budget.
Residents will receive a Truth-in-Taxation notice from Wright County in November. The notice will show the proposed tax amounts for 2026 based on preliminary local government levies 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.