Monticello lifts fire bans and moves to require resident planning commissioners

The Monticello City Council lifted all fire bans on Sept. 22, after Volunteer Fire Chief Jonathan Nielson asked for their removal following recent rainstorms, according to the council's adopted minutes. The minutes say the council concurred and voted to lift the bans. ^[1]

At its Sept. 8 meeting, the council directed city staff to change the rules for its advisory boards. Staff were told to ask for letters of interest in October for Planning Commission openings and to require Planning Commission members to live in the city. The council also set a requirement that three of five Parks and Beautification Committee members live within city limits, set three-year terms across committees, and dropped the dedicated committee secretary in favor of a chair, vice chair and administrative representative. ^[2]

City Manager Kaeden Kulow presented updated bylaws for the Airport Committee, the Recreation Advisory Committee and the Parks and Beautification Committee on Sept. 22. Ordinance 2026-04, which was on the council's Oct. 13 agenda for a public hearing and a vote, would set a Planning Commission of three permanent Monticello residents paid $40 for each meeting attended, up to $600 a year. The council may appoint its own members to the commission. ^[1][3]

The council also canceled its Oct. 27 meeting by unanimous vote on Sept. 8. ^[2]

On Sept. 22 the council deferred Resolution 2026-11, an interlocal agreement under which Monticello would provide building inspection services to the Town of Bluff. Kulow recommended waiting until Bluff approves the measure. He had presented the draft on Sept. 8, when the council said it would return for a vote once both parties settled the terms. ^[1][2]

Kulow reported that applications for $5.3 million in USDA funds for the Spring Creek project had entered their final stages, and he said he would send pipeline designs to the council. He also reported a bid of under $5,000 to replace Center Street light bulbs, with a shielding requirement for property lights, and gave the council a list of requirements for pickleball courts. ^[1]

The council recognized Fred Burnet for his service on the airport committee. Kulow said the appointments of Burnet and Charles Boyd were due for renewal in 2019, but the dates were overlooked because of administrative turnover. Burnet declined reappointment, and staff were waiting to hear whether Boyd wanted to continue. ^[1]

On Sept. 8, the council also directed staff to draft updated policy language and signage for the landfill saying that people who scavenge there do so at their own risk. ^[2]