Monticello City Council Highlights - July 26, 2021

MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

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. 6^th 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).

Jul 14

[ARCHIVED] The Pointes at Cedar Project Updates - March 2022

The original item was published from April 13, 2022 8:11 AM to July 14, 2022 3:10 PM

The Pointes at Cedar Project Updates: March 2022

The Pointes at Cedar is intended to be an all-season destination featuring a mix of housing, commercial business, and public amenities where you can live, work, and play. During the past few months City Staff have been busy gathering residents' feedback about how The Pointes’ public spaces should look and feel. We kicked off our public engagement with an idea board at the MonticellGLOW parade and the Indoor Farmers Market. We have an online survey circulating on our social media platforms and our website. We're still gathering that information and look forward to hearing more of your ideas this spring and summer.

On-Site Activity

At the center of plans for The Pointes at Cedar is a public lake surrounded by pathways and small parklets. If you drive by The Pointes area today, you will see equipment removing material for creation of the lake.

Within the next few weeks, signage at key points in the project area will arrive. Anyone curious about the project will be able to use the QR code on the signs to learn more! The “What’s The Pointe?” blog on the City’s website also features current information on the project.

Zoning Work Group

The Zoning Work Group is charged with supporting the development of a zoning ordinance specific to The Pointes at Cedar. Zoning provides the standards for the types of uses and site design that will occur in the project area. The Zoning Ordinance Work Group includes a City Council, Planning Commission, and PARC representative. All of the board representatives are also Monticello residents. A property owner from The Pointes area is also a member of the group.

The Work Group has been instrumental in helping to shape the draft framework for the Pointes at Cedar District (PCD) zoning ordinance. The draft ordinance provides both the process for developing within The Pointes area, as well as the applicable site standards. The Zoning Work Group provided guidance for representative images to guide potential developers in their project design.

The Work Group is scheduled to meet on April 5 at 5 p.m. to review the revised draft ordinance language. Draft ordinance language for the new zoning district will be presented to the Planning Commission at their next meeting on April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Monticello Community Center.

The Compass Committee

The Compass Committee is helping to create and guide the public spaces at the center of The Pointes. The Committee is made up of a cross-section of Monticello community members.

The Compass Committee met on February 16 with their focus of discussion being winter-focused visual aesthetics and activities within the public spaces of The Pointes at Cedar. An important aspect of The Pointes at Cedar is that it be a place to visit throughout the seasons. The Committee was tasked with identifying items that would act as a visual draw during the cold winter months to The Pointes and further emphasize the uniqueness of the project.

The Compass Committee plans to meet again on April 20 at 5 p.m. in the Monticello Community Center to focus on warm weather amenities and activities.

When Can I Participate?

Your next chance to provide ideas for spring and summer amenities at The Pointes will come in May at the upcoming Arbor Day Giveaway event at the MCC. Watch for more details on this event on the City’s social media and blog!

Board & Commission Updates

Following the joint City Council and Planning Commission on February 14, staff completed a draft Pointes at Cedar (PCD) zoning ordinance. Review of the draft ordinance was tabled from the regular March Planning Commission meeting and rescheduled for the April 5 meeting to allow further staff review and completion. The full staff report and draft ordinance is available on the Planning Commission’s April agenda page.

General Project Updates

City staff and project consultants WSB (consultant for the grading, park & open space, and landscaping) and NAC (consultant for The Pointes Small Area Plan and The Pointes Zoning Ordinance) meet each month to work through a variety of planning and design topics related to the next phase of work on The Pointes. The joint meetings allow for communication on the work of the Compass Committee and Zoning Work Group.

In late March, the staff and consultant team discussed expanding the public engagement calendar for feedback on the project and working through project schedule adjustments. Discussions on utility coordination throughout the project area was also discussed, including those utilities which may require relocation with closure of a portion of Dundas Road.

Tag(s): What's the Pointe, The Pointes at Cedar, The Pointes, Small Area Plan, Project Planning, Planning, Monticello 2040, Monti2040, Economic Development, Development, City Planning