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).

 

Nov 14

[ARCHIVED] Council Highlights - November 13, 2023

The original item was published from November 14, 2023 4:10 PM to November 28, 2023 2:42 PM

A Moment of Silence for Bill Fair

Mayor Lloyd Hilgart asked for a moment of silence for former council member and former Mayor Bill Fair, who passed away over the weekend.

“He was instrumental in a lot of things, involved in the community for decades, and this building [the community center] is one of the legacies that he will leave behind. As well as East Bride Park. He spent a lot of time in East Bridge Park, planting flowers, and a lot of other things, so he will be missed,” said Mayor Hilgart

Council gives their liaison updates for various boards, committees, and commissions

  • Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership (CMRP)
    • The City of Monticello is part of CMRP, a partnership of local governments advocating for transportation improvements between Highway 10 and I-94, including Highway 25 and a future river crossing. The group consists of Wright and Sherburne County representatives, local cities, and townships.
    • Mayor Hilgart noted that the CMRP recently started a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study led by Sherburne and Wright Counties. The PEL process is typically used to identify transportation issues, along with environmental concerns, in a corridor or a specific location. We’re hopeful the data will help us prove the need for an additional river crossing as well as other transportation improvements in this important corridor. You can learn more about the PEL Study and provide feedback here.
    • It will be a lengthy process to plan and secure the necessary funding, but we’re working hard to help drive these vital improvements as our area continues to grow.
  • Planning Commission
    • The City is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The Commission reviews proposed plans and advises City Council on all local development. They meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Monticello Community Center. Apply today on the City’s website. 
  • There were also updates from the Industrial and Economic Development Committee (IEDC) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA). Agendas for the EDA, IEDC, Planning Commission and more are also available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website.

Council hears an annual update from the IT Department

Some highlights include the IT and Communications Department’s 2024 Website Audit & Conversion Project. The City recently acquired the domain: monticellomn.gov. Staff will be converting the website and email domains from ci.monticello.mn.us to monticellomn.gov while also auditing the City’s website for broken links, duplicate pages or documents, and addressing user experience to ensure the website is easy for the public to access and navigate.

The IT and Communications departments will also be expanding the City’s Digital Monitor Advertising Program in 2024. This program allows area businesses to advertise their services across the City Campus: throughout the Monticello Community Center, by the entrance of City Hall, inside the DMV building (this building is also the home of the Chamber of Commerce, FiberNet, and MCC's Fitness Classes), and in Hi-Way Liquors. Staff plan on adding two new monitor locations: one inside the City Hall lobby, and one in the MCC’s meeting room hallway.

Council hears a construction update from the Public Works Director/City Engineer

  • Downtown/West Broadway Updates
    • Crews will be shouldering Broadway (CSAH 75) from Elm to the West of the project, putting topsoil or gravel depending on the location.
    • Electricians have been busy reinstalling the existing City streetlights on Broadway. There will be some empty bases, with the installation of the new lights in 2024.
    • Beginning next week (Nov. 20, 2023) Replacing the signal standard (pole) at the corner on the northwest quadrant of Trunk Highway (TH) 25 and Broadway (CSAH). The pole will be moved back from the intersection. There will be another set of closures on West Broadway between Locust and TH 25. During the closure crews will also be filling the medians and sidewalk gaps with gravel for the winter season, with final pavement scheduled for 2024.
  • Pinewood Elementary Safe Routes to School Improvements Project
    • The sidewalk has been installed on Elm Street over the railroad tracks, crews are working to complete signal installation and work this week.
  • Monticello Community Center Entrance Repairs
    • This week crews will be focusing on the framing and doors on the Monticello Community Center's Walnut Street entrance. We apologize for the inconvenience and noise associated with construction, but we’re excited to be moving forward with the repairs. We anticipate the work will be completed by the end of the year. Along with the repairs, there are several modifications for greater accessibility, safety, and maintenance ease.

The City of Monticello, Wright County, and MNDOT have several improvement projects happening this year and in 2024.

To view a list of ongoing and active project in the City of Monticello, visit our website and click on the “Projects” button to learn. You can also sign up for our "Road Closure" Alerts to receive text and email notifications about upcoming closures.

Council approves amendment to the Winter Parking Ordinance Related to Snow Events and the Snowplowing & Ice Removal Policy for the 2023-2024 Snow Season

Beginning November 15 through April 1 there is NO PARKING allowed on city streets from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The overnight parking restriction allows crews to perform snowplow operations efficiently and effectively throughout the winter. In 2022 the City opted to limit on-street parking only during declared snow events but found the consistent nightly restriction was more effective at keeping public streets free of parked cars during snowfalls.

The city will continue to declare snow events as needed outside of the November 15 or April 1 timeline, or if large accumulation requires parking restrictions outside of the standard 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. window. The snow event alerts will include the time frame for no on-street parking, and the news will be communicated in a variety of ways, including the City’s website, opt-in text or email alerts, social media, and local news outlets. You can view the 2023-2024 Snow and Ice Removal Policy on the City’s website.