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.

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).

 

Aug 08

[ARCHIVED] City Council Highlights - August 8, 2022

The original item was published from August 8, 2022 7:16 PM to August 16, 2022 2:58 PM

August 2022 Construction Updates

There are several projects and improvements being made throughout the City. Here are a few updates and changes happening in Monticello this month!

Street and Sidewalk Improvements Project

The contractor has been working on replacing sections of curb and sidewalk ramps, throughout the Street and Sidewalk Improvements project areas. The contractor began paving the roads on August 4, 2022 and is scheduled to wrap up this week. No on-street parking will be available during the days of milling and paving, please follow the signs posted in the areas of the project.

The contractor is also starting on the removals for the sidewalk sections of the project and installing the new sidewalk once grading is complete. The sidewalk on Walnut & 4th Street around the Cargill Campus will begin next week.

7th Street East Pavement Overlay Project

The 7th Street East pavement overlay project is scheduled to begin this week, August 10 and 11.

Weather permitting, the schedule for the project is as follows: the east bound lane will be closed on Wednesday, August 10 and the westbound lane will be closed Thursday, August 11.

There will be signage, barricades, and cones throughout the project. Please follow the posted signs and use caution when driving through construction zones. The detour will be Cedar to 4th Street to Washington and vice versa. The project is scheduled to wrap up by the end of the week. 

Monticello Library Roof Improvements2022 Library Roof Replacement

The replacement of the library roof began last week (Aug. 1, 2022)! The book drive on the south side and parking spots on the east side of the building have been closed off for construction vehicles and materials.

The Monticello Farmers Market and the Library will remain open. Construction is expected to last about 2 weeks.

Downtown Monticello Improvements and Projects

The City of Monticello is preparing for the reconstruction of a portion of Walnut and River Streets in downtown Monticello, known as the Downtown Roadway and Pedestrian Improvements Project.

Additionally, a private developer is also completing site preparation at the northwest corner of Pine Street (Highway 25) and Broadway (County Road 39) as part of a new mixed-use project on that corner. Work on these two projects is expected to begin in August and continue through 2023. The intent is to coordinate these two projects (the private redevelopment and the public infrastructure) so the outcome is well integrated and construction disruption is minimized.

Over the coming weeks, there will be several contractors on the site completing various components of these projects. The City has contracted with Bolton & Menk to complete a downtown parking study and traffic study. You may also notice some more movement around the EDA-owned building on Block 52. The developer will be starting to do environmental assessments this week.

Xcel Energy has started to relocate their lines surrounding Block 52, once the new lines are installed and operational, they will start to remove overhead lines on a portion of the Block 52 redevelopment area. Other utility companies are working with the City on their relocation plans, but do not have set dates yet.2022 MCC Desk Progress Collage

Visit us at Music on the Mississippi, August 17 at West Bridge Park to learn more about the Downtown Roadway and Pedestrian Improvements Project and talk with project staff.

MCC’s Guest Services Desk Improvements

The Monticello Community Center’s Guest Services desk is getting a new look and some new tech! The old counters and cupboards will be removed, and the menu boards will be replaced with digital display options. This will make it easier for staff to make menu edits and price changes. We can't wait to serve you our new fresh menu items when our remodel is complete!