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1. What do I need a building permit for?

A building permit is required for:

• The construction, repair, improvement, moving or demolition of any structure.
• Remodeling projects involving structural construction work
• In-ground sprinkler systems
• All detached accessory structures exceeding 200 square feet
• Retaining walls over 4 feet in height, as measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall

A building permit is not required for the following:

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as storage sheds, playhouses or similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet
• Fences 7 feet in height or under
• Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet, 9 inches
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall
• Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below
• Painting, papering and similar finish work
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall when projecting not more than 54 inches
• Prefabricated swimming pools where the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons

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1. Is there a 10 day grace period for the renewal of your tabs?

No, your renewal notice states that your tabs are due on the last day of the month. You can get a ticket on the 1st day of the following month (Minnesota Statue 168.017 Subdivision 2).

2. What does it cost to transfer my vehicle's title?

The cost varies based on the vehicle.

3. Do I need to show you my insurance information for registration/transfers?

Yes, we need your insurance company name, policy number and expiration date of the policy. It's a law that you must have your insurance information in your vehicle.

4. I do not have my renewal notice, how can I buy my tabs?

If you are the registered owner or the spouse of the owner, you only need to bring in your vehicle's plate number and we can print your bill at the office. You will need to bring in your driver's license too.

5. Can I buy someone else's registration?

Due to data privacy laws, you will either need the renewal notice or a written permission note. The note must indicate the year, make, plate and insurance information. The note must be signed by the owner. If more than one owner, only one signature is required. The owner must indicate who they are giving permission to, their driver’s license number and telephone number.

If you are a spouse not on the title without the renewal form, you must have the same address.

6. My tabs were due three months ago, can I pay for pro-rated tabs?

No, state law says if you drive your car one day of the year, you must pay the full year's registration.

7. I lost the title to the car I sold. Can I transfer it to my buyer anyway?

No, the state will not recognize a transfer until it is done on the title. You must first apply for a duplicate title. Once you receive it, all parties must sign in the appropriate places.

8. I just received a lien release card in the mail for the vehicle I paid off. What do I do with it?

You should bring the lien card into our office, along with your title, and we will send both into the state. You will receive a clean title back. There is a fee of $11 to do this.

9. I just moved into Minnesota. What do I need to get Minnesota plates?

You will need either your out-of-state title or registration. If you have a loan on your vehicle, you will also need your loan and insurance information.

10. At what age can you be listed on a title?

For passenger vehicles, you must be 17 and have a valid driver's license. You will want to check with your insurance company, as some insurance companies will not insure a vehicle if a minor is listed on the title.

11. What is the State's Driver Vehicle Services website?

Visit Minnesota's Driver Vehicle Services website.

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1. Why does the City need drainage and utility easements?

Drainage and utility easements allow the City of Monticello and utility companies (i.e. gas, phone, and electric) to access a portion of each property for the purpose of providing services and adequate draining.

2. What is prohibited within drainage and utility easements?

Modifying ground elevations or grade within any drainage and utility easement is not allowed. Easements are used to direct stormwater runoff away from other homes and into ponds and storage areas before entering the city's storm sewer system. Even slight modifications in grade can cause significant changes in drainage patterns.

The following permanent infrastructure is prohibited:

• Concrete or bituminous walks
• Landscaping
• Patios or decks
• Storage Sheds
• Swimming Pools
• Underground sprinkler systems

3. What if permanent infrastructure has already been installed within a drainage and utility easement?

Monticello will work with property owners in certain circumstances to allow permanent infrastructure within a drainage and utility easement. In such a case, a property owner signs an encroachment agreement acknowledging the city may need to complete future work within the easement area which may cause the infrastructure to be damaged or removed. The property owner is responsible for any repairs or replacement.

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1. What are conservation easements used for?

Conservation easements are primarily used to protect clean water resources, including stormwater ponds and water infiltration areas. They also provide a waterfowl habitat and prevent waterfowl from entering your lawn.

2. Who owns the conservation easement area?

The areas are primarily owned by the underlying property owner, however, conservation easements restrict real estate development, commercial and industrial uses, and certain other activities.

3. What is prohibited within a conservation easement?

• Applying chemicals for destruction or slowing of vegetation, including herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, and pet waste
• Conducting activities detrimental to the preservation of scenic beauty, vegetation, and wildlife in the easement area
• Constructing, installing or maintaining anything made by people, including but not limited to buildings, structures, walkways, clothes line poles, fire pits, and playground equipment
• Cutting or removing trees or other vegetation, except for: diseased trees or trees removed to allow sunlight to penetrate limited areas of easement
• Depositing of waste or debris including grass clippings, leaves, and pet waste
• Excavating or filling within the easement area
• Outside storage of any kind
• Removing, damaging, destroying, or defacing any monuments or markers placed to identify the easement area

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1. Why does the City need drainage and utility easements?

Drainage and Utility Easements allow the City of Monticello and utility companies (i.e. gas, phone, and electric) to access a portion of each property for the purpose of providing utilities and for providing adequate draining.

2. What is prohibited within drainage and utility easements?

Modifying ground elevations or grades within any Drainage and Utility Easement is not allowed. Easements are used to direct stormwater runoff away from other homes and into ponds and storage areas before entering the City's storm sewer system. Even slight modifications in grade can cause significant changes in drainage patterns.

The following permanent infrastructure is prohibited;

• Concrete or bituminous walks
• Landscaping
• Patios or decks
• Storage sheds
• Swimming pools
• Underground sprinkler systems

3. What if permanent infrastructure has already been installed within a drainage and utility easement?

The City of Monticello will work with property owners in certain circumstances to allow permanent infrastructure within a drainage and utility easement. In such a case, a property owner signs an encroachment agreement acknowledging that in the future the city may need to complete work within the easement area that may cause the infrastructure to be damaged or removed, and the property owner is responsible for any repairs or replacement.

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1. What is a local option sales tax?

A local option sales tax (L.O.S.T.) is simply a sales tax that is collected within the geographic boundaries of a city or county. Local option sales taxes apply to the same items and services as the general state sales tax. Items exempt from regular state sales tax are also exempt from the local option sales tax including many essential items such as groceries, prescription and over-the-counter medications, baby products and clothing.  Complete list of non-taxable items from Minnesota Department of Revenue.

2. What can receipt of local option sales tax funds be used for?

Local governments in Minnesota use the local option sales tax to fund capital projects such as public buildings, libraries, parks, and other amenities.

3. Can any city create a local option sales tax?

Yes and no. Cities can explore creating and collecting L.O.S.T. but the process to do so is defined by state law. Before L.O.S.T. can be collected, it must receive approval from the state legislature, the local governing body (i.e. the City Council or County Board of Commissioners), AND the voters via a ballot referendum. 

4. What does Monticello want to fund using a sales tax?

Monticello’s City Council has identified two large-scale projects that they feel have a regional significance to our area: The Pointes at Cedar, and the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park and Athletic Complex. The City has identified the local option sales tax as a way to alleviate the financial costs on local taxpayers and utilize the many visitors we have engaging, shopping and recreating within our community.

5. How much would the local option sales tax be and how long would it be in effect?

The proposed L.O.S.T would be one-half of one percent (0.5%), or $.50 on every $100 of taxable purchases for 20 years. This would generate an estimated $30 million in funding. State law requires the tax to automatically sunset once funds required for the projects are collected, or the proposed 20 years (pending approved legislation), whichever occurs first.

6. What happens if the local option sales tax is not supported by voters?

Both projects are already included in The Monticello 2040 Community Vision + Comprehensive Plan, and are included in the City's annual budgeting process. If the voters do not support the local option sales tax, City Council will continue to plan and budget for the two proposed projects utilizing the City's existing financial resources.

7. What is the estimated timeline for the local option sales tax?

The L.O.S.T. will be considered by the State Legislature during its session in 2023. If approved, the City Council would adopt a resolution accepting the new law, and there will be questions on the ballot, one for each proposed project, at the next general election of the city, which is in November 2024. If approved by the voters, the City Council would pass an ordinance imposing the tax and notify the Minnesota Department of Revenue at least 90 days prior to the calendar quarter in which the tax will begin to be collected.

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1. Why does the City trim trees?

The City trims trees for more reasons than you may think:

• Life cycle trimming to promote good health
• Insect and disease control
• Removal of potential safety hazards
• Vehicle and pedestrian clearances as identified by regulations
• Reduce storm damage from high winds, snow and freezing rain
• Clearances for street signs, street lights, utilities and buildings

2. Why does the tree look so different after trimming?

After being trimmed, a tree might look rather bare. Trees are typically trimmed high to provide for public safety. Don't worry, it will begin to look normal during the next growing season with a healthier and more attractive form and structure.

3. What is the appropriate tree clearance?

The Boulevard Tree Trimming page shows the appropriate tree clearance over streets and sidewalks.

4. When is the best time to trim trees?

Summer months and late winter or dormant season is the "best" time to prune.

During the late winter months (February and March), harmful pathogens are at a minimum, mostly inactive; therefore, this is a safe pruning environment from that standpoint. During this season, deciduous trees have hardened off and when the growing season begins the wounds will be sealed and the callusing process will begin.

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1. What is the city doing to reduce manganese in drinking water?

City staff are working with the Minnesota Department of Health and other experts to pursue effective short and long-term options to reduce manganese levels. The city has already taken initial steps to reduce manganese in drinking water by limiting the use of wells with higher levels. In addition, a water treatment facility is in the City's Capital Improvement Plan as a future project. Staff is researching the best timing and financing for this infrastructure improvement.

2. What can homeowners do to reduce manganese?

There are several options for filtering manganese out of your drinking water. Certain types of home water treatment devices remove or reduce manganese:

• A carbon filter
• Distilled water or a distillation system
• A reverse osmosis water system
• A water filtration system
• A water softener

Helpful information about these options is available in this Minnesota Department of Health Handout (PDF).

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1. How do I report a street light out?

Streetlights in Monticello are either owned by Xcel Energy or Wright Hennepin Electric. If you notice a streetlight out in your neighborhood, please notify your electric service provider of the problem. 

• Xcel Energy Streetlight Division: 800-960-6235
• Wright Hennepin Electric Streetlight Division: 763-477-3000

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1. What is Tritium?

Tritium (H-3) is a weakly radioactive isotope of the element hydrogen that occurs both naturally and during the operation of nuclear power plants. Tritium has a half-life of 12.3 years and emits a weak beta particle. The most common form of tritium is in water, since tritium and normal hydrogen react with oxygen in the same way to form water. Tritium replaces one of the stable hydrogens in the water molecule, H2O, and creates tritiated water, which is colorless and odorless.

Tritium can be found in self-luminescent devices, such as exit signs in buildings, aircraft dials, gauges, luminous paints, and wristwatches. It is also used in life science research and in studies investigating the safety of potential new drugs. Click here for more information from the EPA.

2. Does this affect Monticello’s drinking water?

The public water system operated by the City of Monticello has been unaffected by the leak at the Monticello Xcel Energy Facility. 

The source for the City of Monticello municipal water system is from five deep wells located east of State Highway 25. As part of the City’s wellhead protection plan, the areas of influence for the city’s wells and the flow path for the corresponding aquifer have been modeled.  

The area where the leak occurred is outside of this wellhead protection area and outside of the area where modeling showed our wells draw. Xcel Energy has their own monitoring wells that are separate from the City of Monticello’s water system. The Xcel system is where the contamination was detected.

We’re committed to providing information and answering any questions as more information continues to become available.

3. Is the City testing our Municipal Water System?

In March the City of Monticello submitted water samples from our municipal wells to a private vendor to test for tritium. The results confirm the city drinking water supply is safe and well below the EPA's drinking water standards for tritium levels.

City officials continue to be confident in the scientific analysis by federal and state agencies that show the tritiated water plume has not left the Xcel Energy site and has not impacted the safety of Monticello’s public water system. However, city leaders want to ensure the public feels the same confidence in their drinking water.

The tritium-related health limit established by the Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water is 20,000 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). The highest sample result from Monticello’s municipal wells was 209 pCi/L, the lowest was 33.9 pCi/L. All results were well below the EPA's tritium-related health limit. These results support state agency assertions that the plume has not migrated off-site or impacted municipal drinking water.

Tritium is a naturally occurring form of hydrogen that is produced in the upper atmosphere. According to the EPA, "Levels of naturally occurring tritium in the atmosphere produced by cosmic rays are constant." As a result, low levels of tritium are commonly found in drinking water. Tritium levels in drinking water are also commonly used in science to date the age of the water in aquifers.

With the confirmation provided by the test results, we hope the public feels reassured knowing the municipal water tested far below the risk level set by the EPA. The safety of Monticello’s residents will continue to be our number one priority. City leaders will continue to share information as it becomes available.

4. Who can I contact for more information about the leak at Xcel?

We understand the notification from Xcel Energy and the State of Minnesota may cause public concern. We encourage members of the public to use the resources and contact button on Xcel Energy's website for questions about the leak and the plant. While our local leaders continue to monitor the situation, the response and containment of the leak are being managed by agencies of the State of Minnesota and Xcel Energy. 

The public water system operated by the City of Monticello has been unaffected by the leak at Xcel. We’re committed to providing information and answering any questions as more information continues to become available.

If there is any impact to our drinking water supply or infrastructure, we will immediately notify the public with assistance from coordinating state agencies. For immediate text and email alerts in the event of future public safety messages, residents can subscribe to our City Alerts Program.

Additional Contact Information

• For residents that have concerns about private wells, contact Jennifer Weier at MN Department of Health (Jennifer.weier@state.mn.us or 651-201-3658) 
• For residents with general questions, contact Steve Mikkelson at MPCA (stephen.mikkelson@state.mn.us or 218-316-3887)

5. How did the leak at the Xcel Monticello Plant happen?

Xcel Energy identified the source of the leak as a water pipe running between two buildings. To contain the leak, the facility is diverting the water to an in-plant water treatment system, preventing additional water from leaving the plant, and will install a permanent solution in the spring of 2023. A thorough inspection was conducted of all piping in all locations where a leak could occur, to verify that no other area of the facility was facing this issue. The company will also be examining the one pipe that did leak in a laboratory to better understand why this happened. These findings will help Xcel Energy ensure it does not encounter the same issue moving forward.

6. How is the leak at Xcel Monticello Plant being managed?

Xcel Energy notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as well as the state when the leak was confirmed. The company has since coordinated regularly with regulators as the company has been pumping, storing, treating and reusing the leaked water.

Xcel Energy has indicated that ongoing monitoring from over two dozen on-site monitoring wells confirms that the leaked water is fully contained on-site and has not been detected beyond the facility or in any local drinking water. State agencies continue to monitor Xcel Energy’s remediation work to ensure the continued safety of the local community and surrounding environment.

The company has constructed new monitoring and recovery wells and has increased the frequency of measurements from its network of over two-dozen groundwater monitoring wells to enhance its monitoring and recovery efforts. Large storage tanks are also likely to be constructed on-site to store recovered water until it can be treated and reused.

The federal and state regulating agencies determine the appropriate governmental responses to incidents at the Xcel nuclear plant, including any emergency response, remedial actions and public information and media releases. If there is any impact to our drinking water supply or infrastructure, we will immediately notify the public with assistance from these agencies. For now, we will continue to advocate for our community and participate in the response as appropriate at the city-level.

7. How do I test my private well for Tritium?

According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) there is no evidence at this time to indicate impacts or risk to private wells in the vicinity of the plant. The plume has not migrated off the site. There are no private wells located in the direction of groundwater flow between the plume and the Mississippi River. MDH does not have plans to test private wells at this time but will continue to monitor water sources and evaluate the situation.

If you would like to test your private well water for tritium

As a private well owner, you are responsible for regularly testing the water you use for cooking and drinking to make sure it is safe. MDH recommends that you test your well water for several contaminants. While MDH has not issued a recommendation for private well owners to test for tritium in response to the recent release at the Monticello plant, we want to make sure well owners have information about the issue and considerations.

• Learn more about general testing recommendations here: Well Testing, Results, and Options.
• MDH has no evidence at this time to indicate impacts or risk to private wells in the vicinity of the plant. The plume has not migrated off the site. If you would like information about well testing and tritium, please see Testing Your Private Well Water for Tritium (PDF).

8. Where can I find additional resources?

For more information click on the following links:

• Xcel Energy: Press Release, March 16, 2023
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Press Release, March 16, 2023
• Xcel Energy: Press Release, March 22, 2023
• Xcel Energy: Monticello Community Update: March 31, 2023
• Xcel Energy: Monticello Resource Page
• Minnesota Department of Health: Resource Page - Monticello Tritium Leak
• Minnesota Department of Health: Testing Your Private Well for Tritium
• U.S. Dept of Health: Xcel Energy Tritium Leak Resources
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Groundwater Contamination (Tritium) at Nuclear Plants
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Backgrounder on Tritium, Radiation Protection Limits, and Drinking Water Standards

9. What are the next steps?

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is leading and coordinating the State of Minnesota’s oversight of the Xcel Monticello Plant tritium release. The MPCA, along with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), continues to review and assess Xcel’s actions to contain and prevent tritiated groundwater from discharging into the Mississippi River.

Each agency has specific roles. The MPCA provides input on the storage and management of tritiated water on the Xcel site and expediates any permit requests. MDH assesses the tritium release’s risk to human health and provides public updates regarding the risk. The DNR assesses ecological risks due to tritium concentrations and prepared to conduct fish and wildlife sampling, if needed.

Next Steps 

The State continues to monitor and oversee Xcel’s activities to contain the tritium release and assess any potential impacts of tritium discharging to the Mississippi River. In addition, the State is reviewing permitting requests for storing the tritium groundwater. The MPCA and other state agencies will continue to provide timely public updates as significant developments in the monitoring and cleanup occur.