DATE:           March 14, 2023
                      For Immediate Release

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

City Council Approves ‘No Mow May’

Monticello, MN – On Monday, March 13 City Council approved ‘No Mow May’ in Monticello. For the second consecutive year, the City will suspend nuisance enforcement on grass lengths during the month of May. 

No Mow May is a conservation initiative recommended by the Minnesota DNR. The goal is to allow grass to grow unmown during the month, creating habitat and forage for early season pollinators. Pollinators play a critical role in our food supply and keeping our natural resources healthy.

Residents are encouraged to suspend mowing for the month, but it is not required. There are other ways you can help Minnesota’s pollinators if you want to continue to mow. The public can also plant bee flowers and native plants as well as keep plants pesticide free.

During the month of May, City staff will continue mowing around rental structures in the parks, and around City buildings to ensure accessibility.  We’re excited to participate in No Mow May in other ways, like adding native prairie grasses and wildflowers throughout our parks system.

If residents plan on participating, please note that enforcement will resume Thursday, June 1. At that time, all lawns must be maintained per the City’s Code (grass cannot be over 8 inches). We recommend giving yourself a few days to safely manage your lawn. Here are a couple of tips from the University of Minnesota for mowing long grass:

• Adjust your mower to the highest setting, you will have to make more than one pass over the grass.
• After you have reduced the grass height to a more manageable length, change the mower setting by reducing the height of the blade, before making a second pass.
• Do not cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time in a single mowing. This helps prevent root stress and promotes a healthy lawn.

For more information visit the City’s website or check out the University of Minnesota’s Bee Lab for other actions you can take to help our local pollinators.

DATE:           November 18, 2022

                      For Immediate Release

CONTACT:  Rachel Leonard

                      (763) 295-2711 | Rachel.Leonard@ci.monticello.mn.us

City Council Appoints Lee Martie to Vacant Seat

Monticello, MN – The Monticello City Council has voted on its newest member! At the regular meeting on Monday, November 14, the City Council appointed Lee Martie to fill the current vacant seat. Martie will serve the remainder of Jim Davidson’s term. Mr. Davidson resigned from the City Council in October due to relocation.

Martie was a City Council candidate in the most recent election, and he was also a finalist to fill a vacant seat on the Council in February 2021. He will be sworn in at the next City Council meeting on November 28, and his term will expire on December 31, 2024.

Martie is a long-time Monticello resident and a graduate of Monticello High school. After leaving briefly for college and law school, he returned to the community as he started his career as an attorney.

Please join us in welcoming Lee to the City Council!

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 & 4^th Street around the Cargill Campus will begin next week.

7^th Street East Pavement Overlay Project

The 7^th 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 4^th Street to Washington and vice versa. The project is scheduled to wrap up by the end of the week. 

Monticello Library Roof Improvements

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.

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!