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).

 

Jun 26

[ARCHIVED] Council Highlights June 23, 2025

The original item was published from June 26, 2025 7:58 AM to June 26, 2025 7:59 AM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, June 23, 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

4th of July Holiday Hours

City Hall, Public Works, the DMV, and the Monticello Community Center will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Hi-Way Liquors will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Department Updates

Construction Update

School Boulevard Improvement Project: The project is currently in its second phase. Crews installed curb and gutter and paved a few sections of the project area before the recent rain. There was about a week delay due to utility infrastructure needing to be moved. However, crews expect to stay on schedule. Phase 3 is expected to begin July 7. Some sections of the roadway will have a temporary gravel surface. Overnight work is possible. Updated detour and route maps will be provided online at MonticelloMN.gov/675.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update

The City Council received an update on the Emerald Ash Borer response within Monticello. 

So far this summer, Parks staff have marked over 250 trees for removal in the northeast part of Monticello for potential EAB infestation. If residents have any concerns about the health of Ash trees in their yards, they are encouraged to contact the City’s Parks Department for a free consultation. 

Visit the Shade Tree Disease Control Program for more information on tree inspections at the City’s efforts to strengthen our urban canopy.

City Council Decisions

Event Donations

The Council accepted donations for the following:

  • $300 from West Metro Buick GMC and Ampact for the Farmers Market Power of Produce Kids Club.
  • $1,828.80 from Phillips Wine & Spirits for co-sponsorship of an in-store Meet & Greet event with former professional wrestlers Jacques Rougeau and Debra McMichael at Hi-Way Liquors on July 12.
  • $10,000 from Cargill for the Fire Department Special Response Unit (SRU).

Thank you for your donations!

Public Hearing on Vacation of Easement for 85th Avenue Northeast

The City Council will hold a public hearing on July 14, 2025, for the vacation of a permanent easement within the plat of Haven Ridge. The vacation petition was submitted by Haven Ridge L.L.C. City Council must call for a public hearing to consider vacation requests. If approved, the vacated portion will be established as permanent right-of-way on the Haven Ridge West final plat. 

Golf Course Road (CSAH 39) Trail Project Stonebrook Engineering Contract Amendment

The City Council approved an amendment to the contract with Stonebrooke Engineering for the Golf Course Road (CSAH 39) Trail Project. 

In addition to a pathway, the project will include Wright County’s pavement management project. The roadway improvements include reclaiming the roadway, installing curb and gutter, and converting the roadway into a 3-lane section with a center two-way left turn lane. The 3-lane section requires additional right-of-way acquisition, and the roadway improvements require more design and construction management outside of the project’s original scope.

The amendment to the Stonebrooke Engineering contract addresses additional costs for these services. Wright County will reimburse the City 11% of the cost for their portion of the project’s engineering services. The remaining portion will be paid from the Capital Projects Fund. 

Construction Manager at Risk Contracted for Water Treatment Plant

Rice Lake Construction Group has been selected to provide Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Preconstruction Services for the new Monticello Water Treatment Plant. 

Using a CMAR method can expedite project delivery, identify cost-saving measures, and enhance quality control for the project. A CMAR also provides additional coordination during the design phase with the design consultant, AE2S. This current contract is for preconstruction services. As the project proceeds to future phases, the City Council will be asked to consider amending the contract to include additional CMAR responsibilities during bidding and construction.

A CMAR is selected based on qualifications (rather than solely the lowest bid). The Rice Lake Construction Group was selected following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, staff recommendation, proposal review, and an interview by City Council and staff. 

AE2S Engineering was contracted to design the new facility and is currently at the 30% design phase. Design is expected to be completed in spring 2026. Construction is anticipated to begin in early summer 2026, with substantial completion estimated for late summer 2028.

City Comment on MOAA Rezoning Request

The Monticello Orderly Annexation Area (MOAA) Board received an application for a 20.15-acre parcel in the northwest portion of the MOAA to be rezoned from General Agriculture (GA) to Agricultural/Residential (A/R) and subdivided into two 10-acre parcels. The parcel is located along 127th Street NE, just to the southeast of I-94, and near the 120th Street I-94 overpass. 

The MOAA Board has zoning authority within the MOAA and considers rezoning requests under the Monticello Orderly Annexation Agreement. Under the terms of the current annexation agreement between the City of Monticello and Monticello Township, the City and Township each have 30 days to review the request and provide a formal comment to the MOAA Board on the matter.

City staff did not recommend approving the rezoning and subdivision requests. The Wright County Land Use Plan, Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan, and the MOAA formation and purpose do not support the rezoning and subdivision. The creation of rural residential parcels is opposed to the City’s land use goals. The direction for this parcel includes potential interstate freeway access and development as Employment Campus industrial land. 

The City Council voted 3-1 to recommend the MOAA Board deny the zoning request. 

Public Downtown Shared Use Parking Lot Expansion

The City Council approved a contract with Bolton and Menk, Inc. for engineering services for the expansion of a public downtown shared use parking lot. 

As part of the Downtown Roadway and Pedestrian Improvements Project, the City acquired property at 200 West River Street to support the future expansion of the public parking lot off Walnut Street, between River Street and Broadway Street. With recent activity in the Downtown area and the increased use of nearby amenities, including West Bridge Park, it was proposed to complete the first phase of the parking lot expansion later this year or in 2026.

The expansion will connect the existing parking lot north towards Rier Street, providing a secondary River Street access point for the lot. 

The project is expected to be bid this summer with an opening in August. The total project cost of $140,000 will be funded through revenue collected by the DMV.

Tag(s): Water Treatment Plant, Parking, Meeting, Emerald Ash Borer, EAB, Downtown, City Council Highlights, City Council