Monticello City Council Highlights - July 26, 2021

MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

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).

 

Nov 17

[ARCHIVED] Data Center Ordinance Update #5 - November 17, 2025

The original item was published from November 17, 2025 11:46 AM to November 17, 2025 11:50 AM

Over the past two months, the Planning Commission and City Council have held joint workshops to further review the proposed city ordinance for data centers and technology campuses in Monticello. These sessions followed public hearings in August and September and focused on incorporating public feedback on the previous draft ordinance into a new draft.

Earlier in 2025, the City reviewed the Monticello 2040 Vision Plan related to data center land uses. The Monticello 2040 Vision Plan was amended to allow data centers only in Light Industrial Park (LIP) areas. It requires a review of site impacts, utility and electric service demands, and assurance that any specific development project will not limit the City’s future growth.

While the comprehensive plan provides broad guidance for land use policy, it is the zoning ordinance and other City codes that are the regulatory tools used to implement the land use policy.

At the November 10 joint workshop, officials reviewed the latest draft of the ordinance, which now includes feedback from the public, the Planning Commission, and the City Council. Meeting materials are available online.

The ordinance would require a data center proposal to apply for a rezoning to a Data Center Planned Unit District (DCPUD). A DCPUD includes standards for items such as utilities, building height and setbacks, noise and lighting, landscaping and screening, and other requirements. These requirements help the City to evaluate and manage the potential impacts of any future development application. Developers will be responsible for providing detailed information during the application review process specific to each project.

The Planning Commission has called for a public hearing on the revised ordinance for December 2, 2025. 

As a reminder, the ordinance does not approve any specific project. Instead, it sets the rules and review process the City will use to evaluate any future data center development applications that may be received. If adopted, all data center projects will be subject to the City’s formal land use review process, including submission of a detailed application and review for compliance with City ordinances and regulations. 

Prior to the December 2 public hearing, City staff will host an informal question and answer session on the data center ordinance on November 20, from 3:30 - 6 p.m., in the Academy Room of the Monticello City Hall.

Additional Resources: 

Tag(s): update, planning commission, ordinance, monticello, data center ordinance, data center, city council