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).

 

Aug 30

[ARCHIVED] City Council Highlights August 26, 2024

The original item was published from August 30, 2024 11:37 AM to August 30, 2024 11:38 AM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, August 26th, 2024. Below are the highlights from the meeting. 

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

Labor Day Hours

City Hall, Public Works, the DMV, and the Monticello Community Center will close on Monday, September 2, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Hi-way Liquors will be open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

YMCA Camp Manitou Seasonal Amenities

Summer is ending, and unfortunately that means seasonal closures for some outdoor amenities. The last day to “make a splash” with us at the splash pad and pool at the YMCA Camp Manitou at the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park is Monday, September 2.

Monticello Community Center Hours

The Monticello Community Center’s regular hours go into effect on Tuesday, September 3. Regular hours are Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Farmers Market Hours

The Farmers Market has summer hours from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through the month of August. Fall market hours begin in September, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the library parking lot.

Council Liaison Update

Economic Development Authority

Mayor Lloyd Hilgart provided an update from the most recent Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting. The EDA held a public hearing and authorized a façade improvement forgivable loan for Lucille Murray’s Dance Studio. In addition, the EDA approved a GMEF loan for Hair Obsession to support their expansion proposal. The 2025 HRA Special Benefit Property Tax Levy and the EDA General Fund Budget were also approved. Watch the EDA’s meeting from August 14, 2024, online here.

I-94 Coalition

Councilmember Charlotte Gabler provided an update on the I-94 Coalition. The coalition did not hold the regular monthly meeting, but members attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the MnDOT I-94 Gap Project. 

For more information on the project, please visit MnDOT’s website: I-94 Gap – Albertville to Monticello.

Fire Department Annual Update

Fire Chief Mike Mossey provided an annual update which included information on total number of calls, types of calls, truck conditions, public relations, training, emergency management, and upcoming organization changes.

Fire Chief Mossey reported that 2024 has been an average year. From January 1 to August 22, 2024, the Monticello Fire Department has received a total of 269 calls. Fire Chief Mossey provided a breakdown of the calls, reporting 194 calls for service, 39 Duty Officer calls, and 36 interstate calls. In the past year, the Fire Department participated in several successful events, including a golf tournament in June, Riverfest, and high school events. The Fire Department is currently fundraising at Hi-Way Liquors, through Coors Banquet sales and donations.

The Fire Department has a full roster of 30 members. However, there are no reserve members. The department is currently accepting applications for reserve firefighters. This past year has seen one retirement from the department – Captain Shawn Leach, with 28 years of experience in Fire Service. The department will soon see another change, as Mossey is serving in his last term as Fire Chief. He will continue to serve in the department after a new Chief takes over in 2025.

Construction Update

  • Highway 25 Project (MnDOT)
    • The asphalt overlay has been completed on south-bound lanes. MnDOT is expected to shift traffic onto the south-bound lanes in the coming weeks to begin work on the north-bound lanes. Future closures are expected as part of the north-bound paving. Updates will be shared as they are available from MnDOT. For project information and updates, please visit MnDOT’s website.

City Council Decisions

CenterPoint Energy Donation Accepted

The council approved Resolution 2024-73, accepting donations from CenterPoint Energy and the Fire Relief Association.  CenterPoint Energy donated $2,500 for the purchase of an AED for the Parks Department and one portable unit. The Fire Relief Association donated a gear dryer for the Fire Department, in the amount of $3,144.95. Thank you for your contributions to the city.

Joint Powers Agreement Approved

The City Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Monticello and Wright County for the enforcement and regulation of cannabis. As we prepare for businesses receiving state licenses in 2025, the city and county are working together to meet all requirements for those licenses. With the Joint Powers Agreement approved, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office will oversee registration and compliance checks.

Angela Schumann, Community Development Director, gave an update on development of the city’s cannabis ordinance. Staff are currently working to develop the general city code and zoning ordinances to address new legislation. Ordinances will be brought to the Planning Commission and City Council this fall. The city’s moratorium expires January 1, and city ordinances are expected to be in place at that time.

Façade Improvement Loan Agreement Approved

Lucille Murray’s Dance Studio will receive a façade improvement forgivable loan for upgrades to the south, west, and north facades of Lucille Murray’s Dance Studio located at 155 W Broadway. The façade improvement program is made available by the Economic Development Authority as part of revitalization efforts outlined in the Downtown Small Area Plan.  

Haven Ridge West Approvals

The City Council approved several resolutions regarding Haven Ridge West, a new neighborhood planned for single family and attached townhouses. The applicant, Twin Cities Land Development, received approval of a preliminary plat and rezoning to a Planned Unit Development to be done in development stages. The city will continue to work with the developer as they seek approvals for the next phases of the project.

Tag(s): Meeting, City Council Highlights, City Council