EDA Agenda - 11/12/2025 (Workshop)AGENDA
WORKSHOP - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – 5:00 p.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners: President Steve Johnson, Vice President Jon Morphew, Treasurer Hali Sittig,
Rick Barger, Clinton Berglof, Councilmember Tracy Hinz, Mayor Lloyd Hilgart
Staff: Executive Director Jim Thares, Rachel Leonard, Angela Schumann,
Tyler Bevier
1. Call to order
2. Roll Call
3. Downtown Visioning & Planning - Block 34-Cedar Fair Small Area Study Discussion –
Andrew Dresdner and Mike Thompson, Bolton & Menk
4. Adjournment
EDA Agenda: 11/12/25
3. Consideration of Downtown Visioning & Planning - Block 34-Cedar Fair Small Area
Study Discussion, Andrew Dresdner and Mike Thompson, Bolton & Menk
Prepared by:
Economic Development Manager
Meeting Date:
11/12/25
☐ Regular Agenda Item
☒ Workshop Agenda Item
Reviewed by:
Community Development Director,
Finance Director, Community &
Economic Development Coordinator
Approved by:
City Administrator
ACTION REQUESTED
Motion as determined by the EDA.
REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND
Following the September 24, 2025 EDA meeting, staff have been discussing the concept of a
small area study similar to the 2017 Downtown Small Area Study though with more focus on
the east side of MN-TH#25 and specifically Block 34 and the Cedar Fair site, both of which the
EDA either owns fully or has significant ownership. Staff shared the EDA’s discussion notes
from the September meeting with the Bolton & Menk Community Planners to provide them
with a sense of the EDA’s viewpoints about the potential next downtown redevelopment
options.
At this Workshop meeting, the consultants have been asked to present additional core
downtown information, recent changes and expected new trends outlining next steps to craft a
common vision and plan of action related to future realistic redevelopment opportunities. The
link to the meeting materials from the September 24, 2025, EDA meeting is included here:
https://www.monticellomn.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1360?fileID=22876
I. Budget Impact: The budget impact from the consideration of the appropriate planning
and/or action processes for this area is minimal at this juncture. If the EDA authorizes a
new Small Area Study Plan soon, those costs will be incurred in the first or second quarter
of 2026.
II. Staff Workload Impact: City staff involved in this consideration include the Community
Development Director, Community Economic Development Coordinator, Economic
Development Manager and the City Engineer. At this point in time no other staff are
required to complete the initial work tasks in this effort. Depending on EDA direction,
additional staff or consultants may be needed to complete the planning and/or action steps.
EDA Agenda: 11/12/25
III. Comprehensive Plan Impact: The 2017 Downtown Small Area Plan is an adopted appendix
of the 2040 Vision + Plan. The Small Area Plan “envisions a Downtown that is lively
throughout the day and into the evening, 12 months of the year. A downtown that serves
many purposes for many people – including dining, recreation, celebrating, gathering,
shopping and living.” The current Plan is already 8 years old and may need additive
supplementary information to further support the original plan concepts or adjust it based
on the factors noted above and the current and emerging transportation, land use,
development and societal trends.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff are asking for the EDA to provide feedback to the Bolton & Menk Planners identify
planning and/or action steps (tasks). The goal of this effort is to bring a follow up scope of work
for a small area plan that spells out a development-redevelopment vision, concept, and
timeline for downtown and more specifically Block 34 and the Cedar Street sites to serve as a
framework and guide key redevelopment next steps.
SUPPORTING DATA
N/A