The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, April 28, 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
Spring Leaf Pickup
Spring Leaf Pickup is Saturday, May 3, 2025. This is a free service for City of Monticello residents. Please have bagged leaves curbside by 7 a.m. on May 3.
We will only pick up leaves, no yard waste, and they must be in compostable bags. Plastic bags labeled ASTM D6400 or compostable paper bags qualify. Leaves in regular bags will not be picked up. Questions? Call Public Works at 763-295-3170
School Boulevard Project
Work on the School Boulevard Improvement Project is expected to begin the week of May 5, 2025. This project will replace two all-way stop-controlled intersections on School Boulevard, at Cedar Street and Edmonson Avenue, with single-lane roundabouts to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Project Area: School Boulevard from Highway 25 to Country Lane
- Timeline: Construction is anticipated to start the week of May 5, with substantial completion expected by September 2025.
For up-to-date information and more details, visit: MonticelloMN.gov/675.
Department Updates
Wright County Sheriff’s Office
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office provided their quarterly update to the City Council. Watch the update online.
City Council Decisions
Central Minnesota Arts Board Grant for Community Mosaic Project
The City Council accepted a $8,000 grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) to support a community mosaic project in downtown Monticello through MontiArts. The project, led by mosaic artist Sue Seeger, will build new mosaic art, facilitating skills development and community engagement during the creation process. The project aims to further establish MontiArts as a center for hands-on, community-created public art.
The project will include three phases from spring/early summer 2025 to winter 2026. More information and participation opportunities will be communication through MontiArts: MontiArts.com.
Alternative Urban Areawide Review for Proposed Data Center
The City Council approved the preparation of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) Scoping Document for the proposed 550-acre technology campus south of 85th Street and east of TH 25 within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area. The data center development is proposed by Monticello Tech LLC.
An AUAR is a study document that evaluates the environmental impacts of future development, and opportunities to manage and mitigate those impacts. AUARs assist cities in local planning and zoning decisions. The State of Minnesota requires preparation of an environmental review, such as an AUAR, in certain cases. The proposed Monticello Tech LLC technology campus meets the mandatory requirements for an environmental review, including an initial AUAR scoping document.
The scoping document includes a public notification and review period.
Kimley Horn, an engineering and design consultant, will prepare the AUAR, including the scoping document. WSB, the City’s designated environmental review consultant, will coordinate and review the AUAR documents, including regulatory tasks in support of state law and the City’s requirements and goals.
Final PUD Approved for Meadowbrook Single-Family Residential Development
A new single-family residential development received final City Council approval. The Meadowbrook development is located east of Edmonson Avenue NE, west of the Hunters Crossing subdivision. This area was previously preliminary platted as part of the Hunters Crossing subdivision, but approval expired since that time.
Overall, the project proposes 180 single-family units, including 107 detached single-family lots and 73 attached single-family (townhome) lots. The project is proposed to be developed in three phases over an estimated 6-year period.
No Mow May
The City Council suspended nuisance enforcement for grass lengths in recognition of “No Mow May” for this year. This applies only to grass lengths. Enforcement for weeds is still in effect. Weeds are defined within the code as “any noxious or poisonous vegetation such as poison ragweed or other poisonous plants, or any weed, grass, brush, or plants which are a fire hazard or otherwise detrimental to the health or appearance of the neighborhood.”
Allowing grass to grow provides essential early-season habitat for pollinators, which are vital to our food systems and natural ecosystems. Participation is voluntary. Residents can also support pollinators by planting native flowers and avoiding pesticides.
City crews will continue mowing in key areas like around rental structures, in the parks, and around City buildings for safety and accessibility. Regular enforcement resumes Thursday, June 1, when grass may not be over 8 inches tall. Learn more at MonticelloMN.gov/348.
Want to go beyond May? Consider creating a Managed Natural Landscape. These intentionally planned yards use native or non-native wildflowers, ferns, shrubs or trees to support pollinators, reduce the use of herbicides, and provide a cost-effective landscaping alternative. While no permit is required, we do ask that property owners submit a plan for managed natural landscape installations. MonticelloMN.gov/646.
Tree Planting and Maintenance Ordinance Amendment for Tree Canopy Management
An ordinance amendment regarding tree planting and maintenance was approved at the meeting with a 4-1 vote, with Council member Christianson voting no.
The amendments seek to support the City’s Tree Canopy Management Program. The City utilized a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to hire Davey Resource Group to complete a community tree inventory, canopy assessment report, ordinance review and revision, updated tree manual, and an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management plant. The comprehensive tree inventory determined that more than 26% of boulevard trees and 17% of trees on public land are ash trees, which are susceptible to EAB.
The ordinance amendment portion of the program revises the definitions of certain tree designations within the City Code, provides a list of prohibited tree species, adds minor updates to outline tree care guidelines, and details the tree abatement process on private property. The amendments also incentivize tree replacements on private property by encouraging owners to contact the City Forester for diseased tree inspections. The City will offer two replacement trees during the annual spring tree sale. Homeowners will then be required to schedule a final inspection with the City Forester to confirm planting and ensure the health of the new trees.
The remaining amendments related to the City’s Subdivision and Zoning ordinances. The changes relate to landscaping and screening requirements and enhanced tree protection for existing tree canopy during development.