City Council Minutes 01-27-2025MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 27, 2025 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Tracy Hinz, Charlotte Gabler, and Lee Martie
Absent: None
1. General Business
A. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Hilgart called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the agenda with the amendment to
move item 21 to the Regular Agenda. Councilmember Hinz seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Special Meeting Minutes from January 13, 2025
• Regular Meeting Minutes from January 13, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve of the meeting minutes.
Councilmember Martie seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
None.
E. Public Service Announcements
The following public announcements were noted:
• Trailer Registration at DMV
• Spring Tree Sale
• Indoor Farmers Market — February 8
F. Council Liaison Updates
• 1-94 Coalition — Councilmember Gabler commented on the meeting held January
16, 2025. At this meeting the coalition reviewed the financials and invoices for
the 2025 dues. They were provided state and federal updates and project
updates.
• Economic Development Authority (EDA) — Councilmember Hinz gave an update
of the meeting held January 22, 2025. At this meeting, the EDA authorized a
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Master Development format and process related to Block 34 redevelopment
plans.
• Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership (CMRP) — Mayor Hilgart
commented on the meeting held January 23, 2025. He noted that the group
approved Articles of Incorporation for the new nonprofit, appointed new officers
for the partnership, and discussed Phase II of the environmental study.
• Parks, Arts, and Recreation Commission (PARC) — Councilmember Gabler gave
an update on the meeting held January 23, 2025. There was an individual who
requested an update on pickle ball courts at this meeting. Tom Pawelk, Parks &
Recreation Director, responded that these will be discussed as a part of the
Bertram Chain of Lakes Athletic Park improvements that will be funded by the
sales tax.
The commission approval the Rotary's musical garden project in Ellison Park and
also prioritized a list of parks projects for 2025.
The commission acknowledged the new MontiArts Director Erica Witzmann.
There was discussion on the Monticello Community Center 25t" Anniversary and
the upcoming Monticello Glow Parade.
G. Department Updates
• DMV Update — Carolyn Granger, Deputy Registrar Manager, was in attendance
with two staff members to present their annual report. The staff members
assisting with the presentation were Amanda Erickson and Jaclyn Super. Ms.
Granger noted that this is the first year they reached over $1 million in revenue.
• Hi -Way Liquor Update — Assistant Manager Mike Fischbach presented the liquor
store's 2024 annual update.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Councilmember Hinz to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
Gabler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
A. Consideration of approving the payment of bills. Action taken: Approved the bill
and purchase card registers for a total of $900,157.06.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the hire for Hi -Way Liquor and termination for
Monticello Community Center.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property. Action
taken: No report this cycle.
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D. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-09 joining the Coalition of Greater
MN Cities. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2025-09 joining the Coalition of
Greater MN Cities.
E. Consideration of renewing membership in the 1-94 West Corridor Coalition for
2025 in the amount of $7,415.50. Action taken: Approved renewal of
membership in the 1-94 West Corridor Coalition.
Consideration of approving a request for Conditional Use Permit for proposed
Vehicle Sales and Rental Use in a B-3 (Highway Business) District. Applicant:
Mohammad Awad. Action taken: Approved the Conditional Use Permit for a
proposed Vehicle Sales and Rental Use in a B-3 (Highway Business) District at
216 Sandberg Road, subject to the conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings
in Resolution PC-2025-02.
G. Consideration of approving an application for a temporary gambling permit for a
raffle to be conducted by the Wright County Pheasants Forever, on March 29,
2025, at the Monticello Community Center. Action taken: The temporary
gambling permit was approved.
H. Consideration of approving a contract with All Seasons Garage Door for the
replacement of a garage door at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount
of $30,315. Action taken: Approved the contract with All Season Garage Door
for $30,315.
Consideration of approving a Therapeutic Massage Enterprise license for
Breanna Kramber to be located within Amelia Grace Salon at 543 Walnut Street.
Action taken: Approved the Therapeutic Massage Enterprise license for
Breanna Kramber for business location of 543 Walnut Street.
3. Public Hearings
A. Public Hearing on Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-11 approving
amendments to the Revenue Notes (Swan River Montessori Charter School
Proiect), Series 2017A and Series 2017B, and authorizing the reissuance thereof
Sarah Rathlisberger, Finance Director, presented the agenda item and noted that
Swan River Montessori Charter school requested amendments to their revenue
notes, Series 2017. SRCS Building Company was the lessor to Swan River through
Sherburne State Bank. The borrower requested certain amendments which
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included an interest adjustment in the borrower's repayment to Sherburne State
Bank. The amendments are considered a "reissuance" under the Tax Code.
These conduit revenue bonds do not constitute a general or moral obligation of
the City and are not secured or payable from any property or assets of the City.
There is no impact to the City and the City will pay no costs associated with the
amendment.
Mayor Hilgart opened the public hearing. There was no public testimony. Mayor
Hilgart closed the public hearing.
There was minimal discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to adopt Resolution 2025-11 approving
amendments to the Revenue Notes (Swan River Montessori Charter School
Project), Series 2017A and Series 2017E and authorizing the reissuance thereof.
Councilmember Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution was adopted.
4. Regular Agenda:
4A. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-10 for public right-of-way acquisition
for the Golf Course Road Trail Project (Moved from 21)
Matt Leonard, Public Works Director/City Engineer, gave a brief overview of the
project, which was also discussed at the special meeting prior to the regular
meeting. As part of the project, the City must acquire right-of-way. The
resolution presented would allow the City to begin the condemnation process or
taking of the property. The reason for this is that the City must have right-of-way
secured by June 1, a requirement of the Federal Government. Passing this
resolution to start the eminent domain process would meet the 90-day
requirement.
The City is in contract with Evergreen Land Services to secure right-of-way from
the proposed five properties. They noted that they have received responses
from two that were somewhat favorable. Appraisals were recently completed
and formal offers to purchase the rights -of -way are being sent to the property
owners.
Mr. Leonard noted there are other options besides eminent domain. The City
could further negotiate with property owners to obtain the rights -of -way. If
unsuccessful, the grant dollars could be turned back to MNDOT to reallocate the
funds within the district.
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The City Council discussed the options. The Mayor noted that the consensus of
the City Council at the special meeting was to proceed with the Golf Course Road
Trail Project if staff and Evergreen Land Services could obtain the needed right-
of-way by agreement. There wasn't support to take the property via eminent
domain.
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to adopt Resolution 2025-10 for public right-
of-way acquisition for the Golf Course Road Trail Project with good faith
acquisition of right-of-way. Councilmember Martie seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was realized by City Council and staff that the motion was passed in error. The
resolution that was adopted was for condemnation, which was not the desire of
the City Council.
Motion by Councilmember Christianson to reconsider the motion to adopt
Resolution 2025-10 for public right-of-way acquisition for the Golf Course Road
Trail Project with good faith acquisition of right-of-way. Councilmember Hinz
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The original motion by Councilmember Gabler, seconded by Councilmember
Martie, was brought back to the table for adoption. Motion to adopt
Resolution 2025-10 for public right-of-way acquisition for the Golf Course Road
Trail Project with good faith acquisition of right-of-way. Motion failed 0-5.
Motion by Councilmember Christianson to direct staff to negotiate with
property owners a good faith right-of-way acquisition for the Golf Course Road
Trail Project. Councilmember Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
5. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Recorder:
Jennifer Schreib l;
,6
Attest:
City Ac
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