The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, August 11, 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
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR)
The City of Monticello has initiated an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (or AUAR) process for a proposed 550-acre technology campus by Monticello Tech LLC, located south of 85th Street and east of Highway 25 within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area.
An AUAR is a study document that evaluates the environmental impacts of future development, and opportunities to manage and mitigate those impacts.
The AUAR Scoping Document is available on the City website at MonticelloMN.gov/712. The public comment period for the Scoping Document is open through September 4, 2025.
MnDOT Hwy 25 Monticello to Big Lake Public Survey
On August 4, MnDOT held a Public Open House for the Highway 25 Monticello to Big Lake Study. Those who were unable to attend may provide feedback through an online survey on MnDOT’s project website by September 5.
Department Updates
Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department Update
The City’s Parks, Arts, and Recreation Director provided an annual department update. Highlights include:
- The department’s commitment to environmental stewardship, responsiveness, resourcefulness, recreation, and creative placemaking.
- The Parks department maintains 30 parks and miles of trails within the City. They continue to integrate smart park technology for irrigation, lighting, and security improvements. They are also focused on environmental education and native landscape initiatives.
- The Parks system relies on community volunteers and partnerships for events like cleanups, plantings, and community beautification projects.
- MontiArts saw a leadership transition in 2025. They continue to see high attendance in their classes, with students from around the region. Notable projects in the last year include Glow Fest 2024, mosaic projects, and the new mural in the MCC – “A Sunday Morning Along the Bank of the Big Muddy” by Aryn Lill.
- The department’s recreation opportunities focused on community events, the Monticello Farmers Market, and fitness and athletic opportunities.
- The Monticello Community Center saw an increase in membership sales. Swim lessons have seen a growing demand, as well as event space rentals.
- The department successfully secured multiple grants to support community arts, recreation, and park development throughout the past year and continues to seek other funding support to enhance the programs and amenities offered to the public.
City Council Decisions
Tax Abatement Agreement with Monticello Hospitality Group, LLC
The City Council approved an amendment to the tax abatement agreement with Monticello Hospitality Group, LLC, the developer of the Fairfield by Marriot Hotel.
The amendment allows the City to hold future tax abatement funds (expected in 2027 through 2029) as cash security to meet landscaping guarantee requirements, instead of the standard bank-issued Letter of Credit. This ensures that if the required landscaping fails within a year, and it is not fixed by the developer, the City can use the funds to replace the landscaping per the approved site plans by hiring a third-party company.
Extension Granted for Haven Ridge West Application
A 6-month application extension was granted to Twin Cities Land Development, the applicant for the plat and PUD of Haven Ridge West. This extension allows the developer more time to finalize details around the plat’s configuration and ownership of the project.
Originally approved on August 26, 2024, the preliminary plat’s approval was set to expire on August 21, 2025. The developer met the required deadline to submit the final plat and PUD materials in April 2025, staying within the 360-day submission window following preliminary plat approval according to Monticello’s Subdivision Ordinance.
Under state law, the City must act within 60 days of receiving a complete final plat application and within 120 days for the Development and Final Stage PUD. Twin Cities Land Development requested an extension to this timeline.
Haven Ridge West will bring 298 new single-family homes to Monticello, offering a variety of lot sizes and home styles. Infrastructure plans also include a new roundabout at the intersection of Fallon Avenue and 85th Street.
CSAH 39 West Utility Project Updates
The CSAH 39 West Utility Extension Project was originally intended to extend water and sewer utilities west along CSAH 39 from the Otter Creek Industrial Park on Chelsea Road to approximately 2000’ west of Chelsea Road. However, following a preliminary cost estimate, the City Council revised the project scope and proceed with only the watermain installation at this time.
The watermain will be installed within the existing right-of-way along Chelsea Road and County Road 39 using trenchless technology to minimize construction impacts. However, an open trench crossing at County Road 39 will require an approximate one-week detour via Chelsea Road. The rest of the project will involve shoulder closures during watermain and hydrant installation.
The project includes the expansion of a stormwater pond in the Otter Creek Industrial Park near Karlsburger Foods. To meet current stormwater regulations, a new outlet to the nearby County Ditch will be constructed, requiring the acquisition of permanent and temporary easements for the connection.
The City Council approved the project plans and specifications, authorized the bid opening, and approved the easement acquisitions at the meeting. Construction of the watermain extension is expected to start in October 2025 and be completed before the grant deadline of June 30, 2026.
This initiative is supported by a $1 million Community Energy Transition (CET) grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN-DEED), aimed at promoting development in the Northwest Growth Area. This region offers the city its best opportunity to expand the tax base and reduce reliance on the Xcel nuclear power generating facility. The CET grant program was established by the Minnesota legislature to assist communities hosting large electric generating facilities as they prepare for the economic impacts of possible future plant closures.
Waste Water Treatment Plant Roofing Project
Several roofs at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) are leaking and require replacement due to age-related wear and tear. The roofs will be removed and replaced.
Bid documents were prepared for roof replacement at eight of the buildings at the WWTP, with three additional buildings listed as alternates to keep the project within budget. The roof of the administration building was damaged in a hailstorm in 2024 and will be replaced in a separate project.
Insurance will not cover the cost of this project, as the damage is due to normal aging. Sealed bids were solicited, and six bids were received. The City Council awarded the bid to Refresh Exteriors, LLC, which provided the lowest bid.