Monticello City Council Highlights - July 26, 2021

MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTSCity of Monticello

July 26, 2021

EDA Annual Update

Economic Development Manager Jim Thares presented the annual Economic Development department update.

EDA ANNUAL UPDATE: Presentation intro slide“The 2020-2021 workplans included six components: downtown redevelopment was the top goal or priority for the EDA. Promoting industrial and commercial development was the second priority, housing development was third. The IEDC’s priorities were labor force development and business retention and expansion. In 2020 the CARES Act came to the city and money was provided to the EDA and that’s where the COVID-19 emergency response efforts were established,” said Thares.

He then elaborated further explaining that Block 52 was the top priority of the Downtown Redevelopment work plan as well as the Façade Improvement Program. One highlight was that the façade improvements to the Agosto building were completed in late 2020, with three new applications submitted this spring/summer, all of which are on Block 35.

According to Thares, there were 38 EDA CARES Act grants approved for $5,000 each. Eight additional City CARES Act grants were also approved for restaurants and microbreweries in the community.

Riverfest Recap

Riverfest 2021 was a huge success according to Riverfest City Liaison Tom Pawelk.

“Overall, it was a good turnout. Second highest gross sales that the Riverfest committee has ever seen, so that’s pretty good. Record beer sales… and duck adoptions were basically sold out, so that’s 5,000 ducks sold,” said Pawelk.

The first night [Thursday] kicked off at Pioneer Park, with a Monticello firefighter showing up strong for a second year in a row and winning the pie eating contest. Mayor Hilgart teased that may only be because he’s “not invited back” to the pie eating contest after winning twice.

“Friday night, the talent show had 22 acts and we followed it up with a wonderful fireworks display, sponsored by the City of Monticello. The Lions Bean Bag tournament on Saturday had 49 entries,” said Pawelk.

Pawelk added that while Sunday’s parade was shorter than past years, with no royalty candidates or visiting royalty; the shorter parade might have been preferable given the heat. He joked that the kids didn’t seem to mind because they still got plenty of candy.

Online Building Permits

City of Monticello is now offering online building permits for permits that do not require a plan review. Visit our website to check it out! 

Council Approval

  • Council approved Special Event Permit
    • City Council approved a Special Event Permit and temporary liquor license for the Rotary’s Taste of the Towns event. The event will be held on Thursday, September 16 in the commuter lot on Deegan Ave. 

  • Council approved new restrooms for Ellison Park
    • City Council approved the purchase of modular restrooms to replace the existing restrooms at Ellison Park. The project will also include ADA improvements in the area around the bathroom.
  • Council approved proceeding with bids for DMV relocation
    • City Council approved notifying the State of Minnesota of intent to move the DMV from its current location to the Prairie Center building at 118 W. 6th Street. Council also approved proceeding with bids for the improvements necessary to remodel the first floor of the building for the DMV. City Council will consider officially ordering the improvements at a future meeting.

WATCH A CITY MEETING

Citizens are welcome to attend City Council, Planning Commission, and Economic Development Authority meetings, but we understand that attending in person is not always an option. As an alternative, we offer the following options to stay engaged with your local government:

  • Meetings are broadcast live on cable channel 12 (FiberNet and TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers).
  • Meetings are streamed live online. View the live stream on the Monticello Live Stream website.
  • Meetings recordings are available online to watch when it's convenient for you. View the meeting recordings on the Monticello Live Stream website.
  • Meetings are rebroadcast throughout the week on cable channel 12 (FiberNet & TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers).

 

Apr 12

[ARCHIVED] City Council Highlights - April 10, 2023

The original item was published from April 12, 2023 1:45 PM to April 12, 2023 1:46 PM

City Council Highlights -  April 10, 2023


On Monday, April 10 Mayor Lloyd Hilgart made a proclamation declaring Friday, April 28 as Arbor Day in the City of Monticello. The City has several programs and events tied to Arbor Day.

Arbor Day and the City’s Tree Program

Back by popular demand: we will be hosting our Arbor Day Giveaway for its second year. Join us Friday, April 28 at the Monticello Community Center. We will be giving out free spruce tree seedlings to plant as a family (until we're out of seedlings)! Visit the our website for more information.

The Arbor Day Giveaway event was developed in 2022 after Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in Monticello. The seedlings are given away and can be planted and nurtured by local families throughout our community, supplementing our region’s canopy.

In addition to the Arbor Day Giveaway, the City also has our annual Spring Tree Sale. This sale was created as part of our Shade Tree Disease Program. In an effort to maintain the vitality of our community's urban forest, trees are sold at a discounted/bulk rate to residents. This helps supplement our environment and replace the many trees lost each year to infectious diseases such as Bur Oak Blight, Dutch Elm Disease, and Emerald Ash Borer.

Pinewood Elementary Safe Routes to School Project

City Council also approved Resolution 2023-33; approving the plans, specifications, and the advertisement of bids for the Pinewood Elementary Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Project. The improvements in the project include the following:

  • Install sidewalk to the East side of Elm Street between 6th Street and Broadway
  • Install sidewalk on 6th Street from Elm to existing sidewalk near Vine.
  • Install sidewalk on 4th Street from Elm to existing sidewalk at Minnesota.
  • Add enhanced pedestrian crossing at 3rd Street and Elm Street 

To learn more about the Pinewood Elementary SRTS Project, and to view a project map, visit the our website.

To view the full agenda from Monday’s meeting, and each resolution’s related documents, visit our website and click on the “Agendas & Minutes” button. Agendas are posted on the Thursday before Council Meetings to give Council and the public time to review.

Watch a City Meeting

Citizens are welcome to attend City Council, Planning Commission, and Economic Development Authority meetings, but we understand that attending in person is not always an option. As an alternative, we offer the following options to stay engaged with your local government:

  • Meetings are broadcast live on cable channel 12 (FiberNet and TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers).
  • Meetings are streamed live online. View the live stream on the Monticello Live Stream website.
  • Meeting recordings are available online to watch when it's convenient for you. View the meeting recordings on the Monticello Live Stream website.
  • Meetings are rebroadcast throughout the week on cable channel 12 (FiberNet & TDS subscribers) or channel 180 (Charter subscribers).