The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025. Below are the highlights of the meeting.
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
Spring Hydrant Flushing
Spring hydrant flushing begins the week of April 14. Flushing takes about 5-6 weeks as staff work to clear the water mains of sediment and minerals that settle over time.
Residents in the area may notice water discoloration while the work is being completed. While this water is safe for drinking, it may discolor laundry, so we suggest residents hold off from doing laundry until water lines run clear. If discoloration lasts longer than two days, please call the City’s Utility Department at 763-295-3170.
Read the Blog: “Why do we Flush Hydrants & Clean the Water Towers?”
Hi-Way Liquors Spring Wine Sale
Hi-Way Liquors is offering their Spring Wine Sale through Saturday, April 19. Shop from their selection and save 30% off all wine.
Easter Sunday
On Sunday, April 20, Hi-Way Liquors and the Monticello Community Center will be closed in observance of Easter. All City offices will be open for regular business hours Friday, April 18. Hi-Way Liquors, the Monticello Community Center and the DMV will be open for regular hours on Saturday, April 19.
Spring Tree Sale
The City’s Spring Tree Sale is still open. Orders are due Thursday, April 24. Choose from 7 types of trees, priced at $50 each. Orders may be placed online, by mail, or at City Hall.
Order pickup is Saturday, April 26, from 8-11 a.m. at the Park Barn, 303 West 6th Street. See Spring Tree Sale for more information.
Farmers Market Spring Preview
There will be a special spring preview of the outdoor Farmers Market season on Saturday, April 26, at the MCC. The preview gives you a chance to shop early from vendors who will be participating in the outdoor market season. The outdoor Farmers Market season begins May 15.
Spring Cleanup at Riverside Cemetery
Spring cleanup at Riverside Cemetery will take place the week of April 28. We request that items be removed before cleanup begins. Belongings left on the ground will be collected and taken to Public Works for a holding period, after which unclaimed items will be disposed of. The City will not accept liability for items that are removed. Once cleanup is complete, arrangements may be placed in the cemetery.
2025 Arbor Day Proclamation
Monticello Mayor Lloyd Hilgart proclaimed April 25, 2025, as Arbor Day in the City of Monticello. The purpose of the holiday is to recognize the importance of trees in our environment. Trees can reduce the erosion of topsoil, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, and provide wildlife habitats. They also play a role in increasing property values, enhancing the economic vitality of business areas, and beautifying our community.
In honor of Arbor Day, the Monticello Parks, Arts, & Recreation Department is giving away free Spruce Tree seedlings at the Monticello Community Center on April 25.
City Council Decisions
Donations Accepted for Community Events
The City Council formally accepted donations from several local businesses to support community events:
- Liberty Bank donation of $3,000 for the Music on the Mississippi concert series.
- CentraCare donated $1,000 to the Farmers Market 55+ program initiative.
- TDS Telecom donated $2,00 for various events, including the Farmers Market 2025 Power of Produce Kids Club, two bikes for Walk & Roll, the Bubble & Foam Party, and Movies in the park.
Thank you, donors, for supporting our community events!
Amendment to Planned Unit Development (PUD) Process Approved
The City Council approved an amendment to the City’s zoning ordinance to further clarify and improve the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process, following amendments made in 2024. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 1 and recommended approval of the new amendment. The amendment seeks to make the development process more consistent and efficient for both the City and applicants.
In Monticello, the PUD process is used as a tool to encourage quality development, ensure compatibility with surrounding areas, and support the City’s vision for long-term growth. PUDs are a type of development and zoning tool that allows for more flexible and innovative land use than what is typically permitted under other zoning designations. A PUD allows the developer and the City to create an agreed upon plan for a project area or neighborhood, which may differ from standard zoning rules (such as setbacks and lot sizes). A master plan outlines how the land will be used and developed over time, often in multiple phases. Although PUDs allow different approaches to development, the City considers how the proposed plans align with the community’s goals and long-term planning, as indicated in the Monticello 2040 Comprehensive Plan + Vision.
This approval follows amendments made in 2024 that clarified the process for phased PUD projects and allowed applicants to rezone a project area during the initial development stage PUD. This provided the city with zoning control at an earlier point in the PUD process. City staff proposed follow-up amendments to those regulations, after evaluation of recent PUD projects. This new amendment will:
- Clarify procedures for two types of phased PUD projects, those with complete plans submitted upfront and those with conceptual master plans that evolve over time.
- Allow projects with full development plans submitted at the beginning to move directly to final approval, streamlining the process.
- Align the PUD timeline with other development procedures, such as platting.
- Remove outdated or unnecessary language to improve clarity and consistency.
Golf Course Road (CSAH 39) Trail Update
The City of Monticello has been working towards the construction of a trail along Golf Course Road (CSAH 39) from Elm Street to 7th Street. As directed by the City Council, staff and project consultants have continued good-faith acquisitions with property owners for right-of-way to construct the trail.
Tentative agreements have been made with four of five parcels. During negotiations for one of the properties, it was determined that the property would have additional landscaping and electrical impacts that weren’t fully considered in the appraisals. This resulted in an additional amount of $7,000, with a total price of $29,000 for the property. The City Council approved the settlement at the meeting.
The project schedule anticipates completion of the construction in 2025 in coordination with Wright County’s planned pavement preservation project. For updates, visit Golf Course Road Trail Connection.
Downtown Roadway & Pedestrian Project Change Order
The City Council approved a change order for the Downtown Roadway and Pedestrian Project. The final punch list items are expected to wrap up this summer.
The change order includes:
- Repair existing water service curb stops along Broadway Street.
- Complete grading work, sawcut, concrete removals, and aggregate base for the transformers required for the overhead power to underground conversation project.
- Install bollards around transformers in the alley between 106 Walnut Street and 155 Broadway Street West, as required by Xcel Energy.
- Install Filter Pave material in gaps between blocks and concrete walk edges and in block gaps to prevent weeds and debris from collecting between the spaces.
- Furnish and install anti-slip topcoat to all filter pave areas to add traction during wet and frozen conditions.
- Furnish and install 3 bronze steel poles and concrete foundations for wayfinding signs.
Annexation Petition Acknowledged
The City of Monticello received five petitions for annexation related to a proposed data center development by Monticello Tech LLC. All five petitions were signed by the current property owners and represent 15 total parcels within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area. The parcels are located south on 85th Street and east of TH 25.
The City Council acknowledged receipt of the petition at the meeting, but did not act on the annexation. Acknowledgement allows City staff to review and process the annexation request in accordance with the Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation with Monticello Township. This includes a review of required land use requests and any required environmental reviews. A resolution for the annexation of the parcels will be brought back to the Council for future consideration.