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 26

[ARCHIVED] City Council Highlights August 25, 2025

The original item was published from August 26, 2025 4:27 PM to August 27, 2025 2:51 PM

The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, August 25, 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

Special Primary Election Day

The Special Primary Election will be held Tuesday, August 26. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. City of Monticello residents may visit the Elections webpage to find their polling place and other election information.

Labor Day Hours

City Hall, Public Works, the DMV, and the Monticello Community Center will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day. Hi-Way Liquors will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

MCC Regular Hours

The MCC’s summer hours end after Labor Day. Beginning Tuesday, September 2, the MCC will be open for its regular hours:

  • Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sundays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Farmers Market

The Monticello Farmers Market will switch to its fall hours in September. The market will be open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Library Parking Lot starting September 4. The last outdoor market of the season is September 25.  

Department Updates

Construction Update

  • School Boulevard Improvement Project: Construction continues to progress on the Edmonson Avenue Roundabout. Curb concrete work is wrapping up, with the first two asphalt lifts scheduled for next week. The roundabout is expected to open to traffic in about three weeks, following landscaping and site restoration. Weather delays pushed the overall completion timeline.

City Council Decisions

Lease Renewed for MontiArts Garage

Since 2018, MontiArts has used the “Garage” at 349 West Broadway, as a project workspace and informal pop-up venue for activities. The space is leased by the City of Monticello Economic Development Authority to the Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department for MontiArts’ use. The agreement supports one of the goals of MontiArts: to bring creative activity to underutilized spaces otherwise waiting for a redevelopment opportunity.

The lease, originally set to expire on August 31, 2025, has been extended through August 31, 2027.

Various Amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance

The City Council approved updates to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to align with the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan. 

These amendments clarify language to ensure consistent code application and reduce interpretation errors. Over six months, staff identified areas needing improvement, including outdated language, grammatical issues, and evolving development trends.

View the Ordinance 855 agenda item.

Block 35 Shared Dumpster Management

The City Council directed staff to update the shared dumpster enclosures in Downtown’s Block 35 [RL2] and for the City to assume responsibility for managing the trash removal services. Block 35 is home to local businesses such as Hair Obsession Salon, Belde Chiropractic, Hammer’s Hair Lounge, Brand-New Nails & Alterations, Liquor Lounge, and Clancy’s Outdoors.

The dumpsters serve both residential and commercial tenants and are centrally located with screening to support a clean, welcoming Downtown.

Previously, tenants contracted directly with the service provider. To improve maintenance and security, the City will now oversee the service. A change to the fee schedule has been approved, allowing the identified residents to sign an agreement with the City at rates for the shared dumpster service.

Parks Turf Conversion and Hardwood Seeding Project

The Parks Department will be working with Minnesota Native Landscapes to begin work on three new sites: Groveland Park, County Road 75, and the Fenning Avenue Roundabout.

Groveland Park will receive about 2.5 acres of direct hardwood seeding, while a small section along County Road 75 and the Fenning Avenue Roundabout will undergo prairie conversion. 

Replacing turf grass with native plantings reduces maintenance costs and environmental impact. Turf requires more water, pesticides, and staff time, while offering no habitat for pollinators, birds, or wildlife. Native prairies and hardwoods support biodiversity and sustainability.

The project is funded by a $16,000 Wright County Aggregate Tax Fund Grant and $4,621.25 from the Parks Department’s operating budget. The department anticipates annual savings of $500 to $1,000.

This initiative supports the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan, which prioritizes a diverse and environmentally responsible park system for our community.

Visit Parks Turf Conversion for more information.

Public Hearings

Vacation of a permanent easement for 85th Street NE Haven Ridge Plat

The City Council tabled the request for a permanent easement for the Haven Ridge Plat. The proposed developer/applicant continues to work through matters related to the final plat and proposed development of Haven Ridge West. At the time the Haven Ridge West final plat consideration progresses, action to call for a new public hearing will be brought forward, including a new notice of the hearing according to statutory requirements.

Tag(s): special primary election, school boulevard, prairie, parks department, parks, native planting, montiarts, hardwood, construction