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).

 

May 16

[ARCHIVED] Council Highlights May 12, 2025

The original item was published from May 16, 2025 1:10 PM to May 16, 2025 1:11 PM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, May 12, 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

No Mow May

This month is recognized as No Mow May, with a temporary suspension of grass height enforcement through May 31. Participation is voluntary. Weed violations will still be enforced. Residents can also support pollinators by planting native flowers and avoiding pesticides. 

Regular enforcement resumes Thursday, June 1, when grass may not be over 8 inches tall.

Monticello Farmers Market

The 20th season of the Monticello Farmers Market starts this week. Opening day is Thursday, May 15, from 3:30 – 7 p.m. in the Monticello Public Library Parking Lot. 

More information is available on the City website, including the opportunity to sign up for the Farmers Market e-newsletter for a preview of upcoming markets.

Memorial Day

Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day. City Hall, Public Works, the DMV, and the Monticello Community Center will be closed in observance of the holiday. Hi-Way Liquors will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Garbage & recycling collection will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week. The City Council meeting normally held that Monday will be moved to Tuesday, May 27. 

Department Updates

FiberNet

FiberNet provided its quarterly update. The update gave an overview of subscriber counts, finances, and marketing analytics for the quarter.

Finance Department Annual Update

The City’s Assistant Finance Director gave the annual Finance Department update to the Council. The presentation gave an overview of the department’s mission, duties, and practices. The department is continually working to improve internal financial processes to be more efficient. 

The department also discussed the transition to a new garbage and recycling service provider, LRS, starting June 1. The current garbage and recycling rates will not change with the transition. New garbage carts will be delivered to Monticello residents starting May 19. 

Construction Update

  • School Boulevard Improvement Project: The first phase of the project is underway, with the first round of detours in effect as of Monday, May 12. Travelers are encouraged to plan for extra travel time and use the posted detour routes. For more project information and detour maps, please visit MonticelloMN.gov/675.

City Council Decisions

Event Donations

The City Council accepted donations for the following:

  • $500 from the American Legion for the Farmers Market Power of Produce Kids Club
  • $500 from the Monticello Lions for Fireman Tool Wrap for the Monticello Fire Department
  • $700 from Uptown Eye Care for Movie in the Park on August 1 (“A Minecraft Movie”)
  • $100 from Dennie and Judy Suedbeck for flowers at Riverside Cemetery.

Thank you for your donations!

IEDC & EDA Member Appointed

Two new members to City boards were appointed at the meeting:

  • Joe Elam of Commercial Realty Solutions has been appointed to the Industrial and Economic Development Committee (IEDC).  
  • Clint Berglof, Monticello resident and co-owner of a business located in Rogers, has been appointed to the Economic Development Authority (EDA).

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

The annual audit of the City of Monticello is complete. As an organization trusted with responsibly managing public dollars, the City of Monticello is required to have an independent third party conduct an annual audit of its financial statements. The City Council approved the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), completed by the firm Abdo.

In 2023, Monticello’s ACFR received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This was the 15th time the City has received the award. The City intends to submit the 2024 ACFR to the GFOA for grading and comment. 

The ACFR allows credit rating firms to compare the City’s financial position against other cities. This could lead to a better bond rating. In 2023, the City’s bond rating was upgraded to Aa3. 

Ditch 33 Improvements

The City Council approved the plans and specifications, as well as authorization to bid, for the Ditch 33 Improvements Project. This is a joint project with Wright County to construct a new stormwater outfall to the Mississippi River. This project addresses flooding issues caused by the aging County Ditch 33 drainage system, originally built in 1917.

The City of Monticello has acquired the necessary easements, and the proposed new outlet to the Mississippi River will be located just east of the Tyler East subdivision. The project will improve drainage for the eastern portion of the city and support future development.

The project is funded by nearly $2 million in grants from federal, county, and state sources, including:

  • $575,000 from the federal Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program
  • $970,625 from the Wright County Water Quality grant program
  • $400,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2025 and finish in the fall. A temporary detour on CSAH 39 will be in place during construction, pending approval from Monticello Township.  

FiberNet Franchise Agreement

The City Council granted a new 10-year franchise agreement to Monticello FiberNet to construct, operate, and maintain a cable system and provide cable service in the City of Monticello. FiberNet’s current franchise agreement expires in May 2025. The new agreement renews FiberNet’s ability to provide cable service for a new 10-year term. In addition to FiberNet, TDS Telecom and Spectrum (Charter Communications) have franchise agreements with the City. 

PEL Study Letter of Support

Wright and Sherburne Counties are nearing completion of the Highway 25 Area Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. This study was completed to analyze and identify transportation improvements on and around the Highway 25 corridor between Highway 10 and I-94 in Wright and Sherburne Counties, including potential future river crossing locations. The Counties partnered with area communities and state and federal agencies to conduct the study.

At this time, three build alternatives, along with a no-build alternative, have been selected to move forward into the next phase of the environmental process. The three recommended build alternatives include: 

  • Alternative B3: One-Way Pair Highway 25. This alternative would convert Pine Street and Cedar Street into one-way pairs with three-lanes in each direction. A new bridge would be constructed carrying northbound traffic across the Mississippi River.   
  • Alternative D2: 120th Street This alternative would construct a new roadway corridor and interstate interchange on I-94 at 120th Street just northwest of Monticello. This new road would travel south of Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and cross the Mississippi River and connect to Sherburne County CR 11 which would make a connection to US 10. 
  • Alternative D3: Eastern Becker This alternative would construct a new roadway and interstate interchange on I-94 at Aetna Avenue. This roadway would follow Sherburne Avenue and connect to US 10 in Sherburne County.   

The next step is a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study (EIS). This is an extensive environmental review that will take approximately 2 years to complete. The process is expected to determine a single preferred alternative.

To help fund the study, Wright County is applying for $2 million from the Corridors of Commerce program and requested a letter of support from the City. The City Council recognized the importance of the PEL Study in finding viable transportation alternatives for Monticello and the surrounding area and authorized the City Administrator to write a letter of support.

For more information, visit the PEL Study website.

Amendment to Assessment Policy for the Central Community District

The City Council approved an amendment to the Assessment Policy for the waiver of interest for Sewer and Water Availability and Connection and Downtown Parking Fund payments for specific projects within the Central Community District zone which meet the qualifying criteria for business subsidy.

Prior to this amendment, assessment of these charges is required to be paid with interest based on the term of payment at either 5 or 10 years.  The amendment allows the City council to consider a waiver of interest specifically for businesses within the Central Community District zone on assessments for Sewer and Water Availability Connection and Downtown Parking Fund fees. Interest would continue to apply on other applicable assessments, such as street or utility improvements. 

The amendment seeks to support the City’s goals for downtown revitalization. 

Tag(s): PEL Study, Meeting, Farmers Market, Downtown, Construction, City Council Highlights, City Council, Assessment Policy, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, ACFR