The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, November 25, 2024. Below are the highlights from 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
Winter Coat Drive
There are 5 days left to participate in the city’s Winter Coat Drive. Donate new or gently used winter coats & accessories at a drop-off location by November 30. Locations include City Hall, the Community Center, the DMV, and Hi-Way Liquors.
Upcoming Holiday Closures
On Thursday, November 28, all City locations will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
On Friday, November 29, City Hall and Public Works will remain closed. Hi-Way Liquors, the Monticello Community Center, and the Monticello DMV will be open their standard hours on Friday.
Department Updates
Wright County Sheriff’s Office Quarterly Update
WCSO provided a quarterly update at the meeting.
- Motor Vehicle Crashes have seen an increase in the last quarter (July – September).
- Monticello currently has 60 hours per day of Patrol coverage, meaning there is at least 1 Deputy assigned to Monticello at all times of a given day, but usually 2-3.
- WCSO’s Monticello Deputy Team is involved in various city events, including Monticello Heart Strong, construction projects, Parks & Recreation programs, Monticello Rental Connections, and more.
- Highlights were given for the specialty divisions: Criminal Investigation, Special Investigation, Major Crimes, Computer Forensics, and School Resource Officer.
- Parking restrictions are enforced by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
Library Update
The annual Great River Regional Library – Monticello update was given at the meeting by Marla Scherber, Library Services Coordinator.
- In 2024, a little over 108,000 items were checked out.
- The library has 95,674 active cardholders.
- 2024 Programs and Events include the Summer Reading Program, Winter Reading Program, Crafts & Creations, ProCRAFTinators, Senior Center & Community Center collaborations, and Therapy Animal Visits by Stanley, the horse, and two dogs, Willow & Desi. The library also hosts a STEM program, fundraisers, plays, and musicians.
- The library was closed from October 28 – November 11 for interior work, including new carpets and fresh paint.
- Join the library for the Grand Re-Opening on December 14th at 10 a.m.
Construction Update
Walnut & Broadway Street Intersection Update
Temporary delineators were placed at the intersection of Broadway and Walnut to close the intersection, preventing left turns and crossings. This was done as a precautionary measure[GU1] to enhance safety due to an increase in accidents at the intersection.
With the completion of the Highway 25 Bridge Project, the temporary closure will be removed in the coming weeks. After removal, the City will continue to monitor traffic activity at the intersection. The additional data will assist in determining if any future traffic control measures need to be considered or implemented for safety.
City Council Decisions
Digital Advertising Program for Downtown Area Businesses for 2025
The City Council approved a one-time waiver of the fees for the Digital Monitor Advertising Program at City Hall for Downtown area businesses. This waiver program seeks to acknowledge the disruption of the Downtown construction projects from 2023 to 2024 and thank the area businesses for their patience during that time. The program will waive the $1,500 annual fee to for a 15-second still or motion advertisement from January – December 2025 on the City’s digital monitors.
City staff will conduct outreach to eligible businesses, which are located within the area from Linn Street to Cedar Street and 3rd Street to River Street, as detailed on the item’s supporting map.
For more information on the City’s advertising options, see Advertise with Us.
Local Sales and Use Tax Ordinance for Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park
The City Council adopted an ordinance for a Local Sales and Use Tax for Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park, following its approval on Election Day. The MN Department of Revenue (MNDOR) requires cities to pass an ordinance imposing the tax for the approved project. The City of Monticello must then notify MNDOR a minimum of 90 days before enacting the sales tax. Monticello’s local sales tax is expected to begin April 1, 2025.
For more information, please visit Local Option Sales Tax.
Broadway Plaza Commercial Development
A mixed commercial development is proposed on East Broadway Street that will include a hotel, meeting/event center, restaurant complex and museum facility, referred to as Broadway Plaza. The City Council approved applications for annexation, final plat and development contract, and rezoning to a Planned Unit Development.
The property is currently within Monticello Township and the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area (MOAA). The Council approved the annexation petition, which is part of the process for parcels to become part of the city boundary if within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area.
Read more about the MOAA from the October 14 City Council Highlights.
To learn more about the proposed development, see the item in the agenda packet.
CSAH 39 West Utility Extension
The City received a $1 million Community Energy Transition (CET) grant through MN DEED for the extension of sewer and water utility to the west along CSAH 39. This will extend water and sewer utilities with the goal of reaching the first large developable property west along CSAH 39. During installation of the sewer, the tree line on the south side of the county road adjacent to Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park will be disturbed. Staff proposed to grade the section as a gravel pathway trail.
At the same time, the City will incorporate the expansion of a regional stormwater pond within the Otter Creek Industrial Park. This expansion is required before the City can allow future development in a portion of the industrial park as well as parcels north of Chelsea Road.
City Council approved a contract amendment for engineering services on this project and approved a contract to complete geotechnical evaluations, including soil samples, for design and construction to begin.
For more project information, see CSAH 39 West Utility Extension.
Cannabis Land Use and Special Events Ordinances
City Council approved amendments to the City Code, applying local regulations and zoning code for Cannabis land uses. The City currently has an interim ordinance in place prohibiting cannabis business operations until January 1, 2025. The new ordinances will be in effect once the interim ordinance expires.
The State of Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is responsible for the regulation of the cannabis and hemp consumer industry in Minnesota, including licensure. Cities may adopt restrictions on the time, place, and manner of the operation of cannabis businesses locally, as well as limit the number of retail businesses operating in the community through retail registration ordinances. The City will participate in a joint powers agreement with Wright County for regulation and enforcement.
The City council held public workshops, as well as joint meetings with the Planning Commission regarding the development of the local regulations. The Parks, Arts, and Recreation Commission also reviewed and provided input on the ordinances. A public hearing was held at a regular Planning Commission meeting on November 4, 2024.
The City’s adopted ordinances detail the required standards for cannabis business land use, special events, and retail registration. General land use regulations include minimum buffers between cannabis businesses and schools, parks, childcares, and residential treatment facilities. It also includes restrictions on odors, outdoor storage, and other zoning district conditions. For special events, cannabis event organizers must obtain a permit from the City and Wright County. The County will oversee the retail registration process. Based on Monticello’s population, a minimum of 2 retail cannabis business registrations must be allowed, per state statute, provided that the County does not reach its required registration number first. Medical retailers and lower-potency hemp edible retailers are not subject to the registration limit. Retail registration will require compliance with County requirements, as well as the City Code.
Read the ordinances here: Item 4A. Cannabis Zoning Regulations.
School Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project
At the meeting, the City Council approved the plans, specifications, and authorization to bid the School Boulevard Intersection Improvements Project.
There are two roundabouts planned along School Boulevard: one at the intersection with Edmonson Avenue and the other at the intersection with Cedar Street. Both intersections are currently controlled with 4-way stop signs. The project seeks to replace the 4-way stops with roundabouts for greater safety and efficiency, based on The Pointes at Cedar Master Plan. A feasibility report found that the improvements are necessary, cost-effective, and will benefit the properties that are proposed to be assessed for the improvements.
At the City Council’s November 12 meeting, Council approved a resolution ordering the improvements for the School Boulevard Intersection Improvements Project, following a public hearing.