Council Highlights 7_26

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.

“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.

EDA ANNUAL UPDATE: Presentation intro slideHe 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).

 

Mar 30

[ARCHIVED] Press Release: Monticello Awarded MnDOT Safe Routes to School 2022 Grant - March 30, 2022

The original item was published from March 30, 2022 11:57 AM to March 30, 2022 12:05 PM

DATE:           March 17, 2022

                      For Immediate Release

CONTACT:  Rachel Leonard

                      (763) 295-2711 | rachel.leonard@ci.monticello.mn.us

Monticello Awarded MnDOT Safe Routes to School 2022 Grant

Monticello, MN – The City of Monticello and the Monticello School District have been awarded a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Safe Routes to School 2022 Infrastructure Grant.

The Monticello School District and the City of Monticello adopted their jointly prepared Safe Routes to School Plan in 2019. The plan strives to make it safer and easier for students to walk and bicycle to school, with an added benefits of increasing physical activity and overall community health. Text says: Safe Routes to School. A plan to make walking and biking to school a safe, fun activity.

Monticello's Safe Routes to School Plan includes 13 high-priority improvements; two that directly impact the Monticello Middle School, five that directly impact Pinewood Elementary, and six that affect a combination of Monticello High School, Little Mountain Elementary, and Eastview Education Center. The adopted plan makes Monticello eligible to apply for infrastructure grants to complete the identified improvements.

The funding will be used for safety improvements near Pinewood Elementary School, including an enhanced pedestrian crossing at 3rd Street and Elm Street, upgrades to ADA compliant ramps at 4 intersections along Elm Street, and additional sidewalk on the east side of Elm Street between Broadway Street and 6th Street. Other sidewalk gaps will be completed on 4th Street between Elm Street and Minnesota Street and on 6th street between Elm Street and Minnesota Street. These items were listed as high priority projects in the recently completed safe routes to school study.   

This year, MnDOT will provide $8.2 million in grants to 179 schools around the state through its Minnesota Safe Routes to School program, funding sidewalks, trails and crossings, and programs across the state. 

To learn more about the Monticello plan, please visit our project page.