City Council Minutes 01-27-2025 WorkshopMINUTES
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Monday, January 27, 2025 — 5:30 p.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Charlotte Gabler, Tracy Hinz, and Lee Martie
Absent: None
Staff: Rachel Leonard, Jennifer Schreiber, Matt Leonard, Sarah Rathlisberger, Angela
Schumann, Tom Pawelk, Stephanie Trottier
1. Call to Order
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart called the workshop to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Golf Course Road Trail Right-of-way Contingency Planning
Matt Leonard, Public Works Director/City Engineer, gave an overview of the Golf Course
Road Trail Right-of-way project which extends from Elm Street to 7th Street. The City
was awarded a $800,000 Transportation Alternatives grant. As part of the grant, federal
funding requires that the right-of-way needed for the trail project be acquired by June 1,
2025. The City hired consultants to assist with obtaining right-of-way from the property
owners of the five needed properties. To date, they have not reached an agreement
with any property owner.
Mr. Leonard noted that another way to meet the deadline requirement is to take the
right-of-way by eminent domain. If the City Council would choose to explore this route,
they would need to start the quick -take process now. He mentioned that the City could
still work to obtain good -faith acquisitions to avoid the use of quick -take, but it would
be in place as a contingency plan.
The City Council had some discussion. Mayor Hilgart questioned why the path was
located on the north side of the road and not the south side. Matt Leonard responded
that the costs for the right-of-way acquisition on the south side of the road would be
much higher. Councilmember Christianson inquired about extending the path past 7th
Street. Matt Leonard noted that there was discussion about extending to Chelsea, but it
isn't a part of this grant.
Councilmember Hinz expressed that she was unsure of her support for the project and
was against the taking of property for the project. Councilmember Gabler concurred.
Mayor Hilgart added that he supported the project but also was not in favor of
condemnation.
City Council Workshop Minutes —January 27, 2025
Following discussion, there was a consensus of Councilmember that staff should obtain
good -faith acquisition for right-of-way, but they would not support process of eminent
domain. MNDOT should be notified by March whether the City is moving forward with
the project or if they are releasing the funding back to MNDOT for reallocation.
3. Refuse Contract Discussion
Matt Leonard gave a brief recap of the City's current Solid Waste & Recycling Contract
with Waste Management which expires May 31, 2025. The contract is automatically
renewed for a 12-month term with a minimum increase of 2% and maximum increase of
4%. Either party can give 60-day notice. The rates for 2025 are $10.55 (refuse) and $5.75
(recycling). Compared to other cities, Monticello has low rates.
Staff relayed to City Council that they have options: allow current contract to
automatically renew for 12 months; negotiate with Waste Management for a contract
extension; or release a Request for Proposals for solid waste and recycling collection.
There was discussion between the City Council and staff. Sarah Rathlisberger noted that
there were problems when Waste Management bought Advance Disposal. However,
over the last couple of years, the system seems to be working well and there are far
fewer complaints and/or issues.
Mayor Hilgart noted that there was a company from St. Cloud that was interested in
submitting a proposal for the contract. He is concerned that the City could possibly get a
cheaper or better proposal. Matt Leonard agreed that the City could possibly do better,
but that their current rate is good. He also noted that the City could proceed to
negotiate with Waste Management in the hopes of obtaining a competitive rate.
Additionally, staff commented that there is value in customer service and switching out
to a new company has some disadvantages.
After some discussion, the City Council came to a consensus to direct staff to negotiate
with Waste Management and if unsuccessful to proceed with releasing Request for
Proposals.
4. Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
1 a
Recorder: Jennifer Schreiber
Attest:
City Council Workshop Minutes —January 27, 2025