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.

“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.

"EDAHe 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).

 

Jan 17

[ARCHIVED] Press Release: Monticello Receives Grant for STICK Program

The original item was published from January 16, 2025 8:05 AM to January 17, 2025 9:20 AM

DATE:            January 16, 2025
                        For Immediate Release

CONTACT:   Stephanie Trottier
                       (763) 271-3202 | Stephanie.Trottier@MonticelloMN.gov

Monticello, MN – The City of Monticello has been awarded an $81,160 grant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to strengthen the City’s urban tree population, with a focus on community engagement and involvement.

The DNR’s Centering Communities in Canopy Solutions grant program aims to increase urban canopies within specific areas, while encouraging community participation in local forestry projects. The grant does not require matching funds, allowing the City to fully dedicate this resource to the maintenance and expansion of the local tree canopy, without requiring the contribution of local funds.

The grant provides essential funding for the City’s continued response to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive insect detected in Monticello in March 2022. The grant will fund the planting of 200 diverse trees in the area east of Highway 25 to County Road 18 along 7th Street East and adjacent cross streets. This initiative will enable Monticello to proactively replant areas affected by EAB, rather than only tree removal, ensuring a balanced distribution of trees throughout the project area. The tree planting will enhance the area by increasing tree cover along the pedestrian trail system and street corridors within the Monticello rights-of-way project area. The benefits will be significant, including improved air quality, reduced heat, increased neighborhood aesthetics and property values, and greater accessibility to nature.

The tree planting will be part of the overall Strengthening Trees through Inclusive Community Knowledge (STICK) program, led by the Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department. Community engagement is at the heart of the STICK program. Starting this spring, the City will connect with residents and hold a series of interactive public workshops led by the Davey Resource Group, an environmental consulting group. The workshops will cover tree care, soil science, and the role of trees in mitigating climate change impacts. 

The program will also feature a collaboration with Monticello High School. The school’s agricultural students will receive specialized training from the Davey Resource Group, preparing them to become effective stewards of their urban forest. They will participate in hands-on learning by fabricating the deep-watering pipes for each tree and planting trees with volunteers mid-April to May 2025. The students will adopt and monitor the trees using the City’s TreeKeeper software. This includes collecting rainfall measurements for adequate watering and assisting with mulching efforts. In the fall, students will return to document tree growth and health metrics.

Tom Pawelk, Parts, Arts, and Recreation Director shares, “Instilling a sense of tree stewardship in children is best achieved through hands-on experiences, such as planting trees. This approach not only teaches them about environmental responsibility but also allows them to make a meaningful contribution to their community. By participating in these activities, kids forge connections with future generations, cultivating a shared sense of purpose that bridges the gap between ages.”

The STICK program’s budget includes contractor costs, outreach and educational materials, supplies and equipment, staff time, and the cost for planting two hundred trees, including site preparation – all eligible grant expenses.

We invite the Monticello community to engage with us in strengthening our community’s trees. There will be opportunities to attend public workshops and to volunteer for tree planting efforts. For updates and volunteer opportunities, information will be available on the City website as planning begins: MonticelloMN.gov. 

The City of Monticello is committed to maintaining and expanding its urban tree canopy to enhance our community’s well-being. We extend our gratitude to the Minnesota DNR for their support in promoting urban forestry.

View the STICK Program Project Area Map

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Tag(s): Strengthening Trees through Inclusive Community Knowledge, Press Release, Parks and Recreation, Monticello, Grant, DNR Grant, Canopy Solutions