The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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), channel 997 (TDS) or channel 180 (Charter). The rebroadcast schedule is available here.
Council Highlights provide a summary of key agenda items and decisions made by the City Council. This overview may not reflect all topics discussed or actions taken during the meeting. For complete details, refer to the meeting agenda. Official minutes are published once approved.
Public Service Announcements
Spring Tree Sale
Don’t miss your chance to plant some roots in Monticello! The Spring Tree sale continues through Monday, April 20. Trees cost $50 each, and quantities are limited. Firefall Maples have sold out, but seven other varieties are available for purchase. Orders may be placed in person at City Hall, online, or by mail. For more information, visit the Spring Tree Sale page.
Food Drive
The City of Monticello is collecting non-perishable food items for the Monticello Help Center through March 31. Drop off locations include City Hall, the Monticello Community Center, Hi-Way Liquors and the DMV. Boxed sides/pasta, canned food, sugar, cooking oil and hygiene products are especially needed.
Water Tower Cleaning
The City’s Water Department will complete the annual maintenance of the water towers beginning March 30. One tower will be cleaned each week. Residents in the area may notice a drop in water pressure and water discoloration while the work is being completed.
Climbing Wall and Family Swim & Slide Extended Hours
Spring break is here for local schools! From Saturday, March 28th, until Saturday, April 4, the MCC will be offering extended climbing wall and Family Swim and Slide hours daily. For exact hours, visit the MCC website. The climbing wall and swim & slide are included with MCC memberships or with the purchase of a facility day pass.
Special Meeting Update
A City Council Workshop to discuss the Data Center Ordinance has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 5 p.m. in the Mississippi Room at the Monticello Community Center. The workshop is an open meeting, and members of the public are welcome to attend and observe the discussion.
City Council Decisions
Donations
Council accepted donations of $250 from Country Financial for Farmers Market Music, $300 from Vital Roots Fitness for Farmers Market Power of Produce and $500 from Xcel Energy for Heritage Day. These sponsorships and others make annual events in Monticello possible and promote community in the city.
Loan and Business Subsidy for L&L Homestyle Café
Council authorized a $65,000 Greater Monticello Enterprise Fund (GMEF) Loan to Sperr Properties, LLC and L&L Homestyle Café, LLC, and a Business Subsidy Agreement to help finance equipment purchases and interior property improvements at L&L Homestyle Café. The estimated total project investment of $833,712.
The request was first put forward to the EDA by Larry Sperr, representing the property ownership group and café. The funding acted as gap financing, allowing the café to reopen sooner and undergoing clean-up and renovation activity of the interior and façade.
East Bridge Park
Council approved a contract with Bolton and Menk Inc. to provide engineering services for the East Bridge Park Sidewalk Improvements Project. The project will involve the construction of an ADA compliant pathway/sidewalk connecting River Street, east of Trunk Highway 25 (TH 25), to the sidewalk improvements completed as part of the Downtown Roadway and Pedestrian Improvements Project. It will also involve extending and improving existing sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure around the area.
Funding for the project was provided through MnDOT’s Local Partnership Program (LPP). A request for proposal was issued to Bolton and Menk, Inc., because of the City’s prior history working with the firm on the Master Plan for East Bridge Park, leading to minimized need for coordination with another engineering firm.
The 2026 Capital Project Fund budget includes $150,000 for this project, and the Capital Improvement Plan includes another $150,000 earmarked for construction of the project in 2027. Out of this $300,000 total cost, $100,000 will be offset with the MnDOT LPP grant revenue.
Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA)
Council authorized the submission of a drinking water revolving loan fund application to the MPFA for the construction of a new water treatment facility. The overall project cost is estimated to be $45 million. The City received $11 million in funding from the 2023 state bonding bill for the construction of a water treatment facility. This low-interest loan would balance the project cost.
The anticipated interest rate on a PFA loan for Monticello is 2.5% to 3.0%, whereas a recent projection of other lease revenue bonds estimated an average coupon of 4.3%.
Staff will continue to pursue additional funding requests for the project as they become available. State and Federal level requests have already been submitted requesting additional funding.