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).

 

Oct 05

[ARCHIVED] Press Release: Monticello, Let’s Chalk

The original item was published from October 5, 2022 4:47 PM to October 5, 2022 4:49 PM

DATE:           October 3, 2022

                      For Immediate Release

CONTACT:  Haley Foster

                      (763) 295-2711 | Haley.Foster@ci.monticello.mn.us


Let’s Chalk Brings Street Art to Downtown Monticello


What:              Monticello, Let’s Chalk! Watch artists turn the streets of Monticello into art. The event will feature street art, entertainment, food, and fun for the whole family!

When:             Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:            Downtown Monticello, Walnut Street & 3rd Street
 

Monticello, MN – Let’s Chalk is a brand-new two-day street art festival with entertainment, food, and family fun. This free event will feature bright, bold, and even 3D art from professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts from across the globe. Join us on Saturday and Sunday to watch the masterpieces take shape in the heart of downtown Monticello. 

Recent revitalization projects focused on creating spaces for people to gather, and the City’s investment in a local arts program unleashed creative energy across the core of the community. Building on the addition of murals, sculptures, community art builds, and local art shows, this year the City of Monticello invited famed artist Shawn McCann to organize Let’s Chalk – a fall festival turning our downtown roadways into canvasses of art. 

Lets Chalk 2022McCann is the co-founder of Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes, a festival drawing annual attendance of 40,000 people, and has founded 6 other street art festivals in the Midwest. He’s been part of festivals around the world and is bringing together more than a dozen fellow artists for the event. Included in the line-up is Nate Baranowski, one of the top 3D artists in the world. In addition to offering a chance for the public to watch these incredible professionals create in their city, Let’s Chalk will also give local amateurs the opportunity to work alongside and learn from those with more experience in the art form. We still have a few spots available for amateur artists! Amateurs will be able to hone their craft while getting real time experience with the pros! If you're interested in participating as an amateur artist, please email arts@ci.monticello.mn.us.

Along with seeing the chalk art come to life, festival participants will be able to enjoy food and beverages from local businesses and organizations, listen to local musicians, and explore the art installations throughout the downtown. There will also be family-friendly activities, including chalk fun for kids to draw their own masterpieces. 

The City of Monticello is incredibly grateful for the contributions from local business sponsors who made this event possible. With their generous donations, the City can bring the community together without using public funds for the event. Thank you for investing in the power of art for our community!