City Council Minutes 04-28-2025MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 28, 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 A, e� nda
Motion by Council Member Martie to approve the agenda. Council Member Hinz
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Special Meeting Minutes from April 14, 2025
• Regular Meeting Minutes from April 14, 2025
Motion by Council Member Hinz to approve both sets of minutes. Council Member
Martie seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
None.
E. Public Service Announcements
Jennifer Schreiber, City Clerk, noted the following public announcements:
• Riverside Cemetery clean-up week of April 28.
• Leaf Pick-up on May 3
Matt Leonard, Public Works Director/City Engineer, gave a construction update and
noted that the School Boulevard project begins on May 5, 2025.
F. Council Liaison Updates
• 1-94 Coalition — Council Member Gabler noted that at the last meeting the group
received a finance update and an update on federal projects. They also discussed
the State's Corridors of Commerce projects.
• Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission (PARC) — Councilmember Gabler gave
an update on the meeting held on April 24. The commission reviewed the
following items: a revised park dedication for Haven Ridge West subdivision; a
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revised park dedication for Meadowbrook residential subdivision; and a
comprehensive tree canopy ordinance.
G. Department Updates
• Wright County Sheriff's Office Quarterly Update - Lieutenant Jeff McMackins
was present to present the Sheriff's Office 2025 first quarter report.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Council Member Martie to approve the Consent Agenda excluding items I
and J. Council Member Christianson 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 $717,.132.53.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the hires for the Monticello Community Center and
Parks Department and terminations for the Monticello Community Center.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property. Action
taken: No report this cycle.
D. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-27 accepting a grant from the Central
Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) in the amount of $8,000 for a community mosaic
project. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2025-27 accepting the grant.
Consideration of approving a Special Event Permit allowing the use of Ellison
Park and related assistance for Art in the Park/Taste of Monticello on Saturday,
July 12, 2025. Action taken: Approved the event permit for Art in the Park.
Consideration of approving a Special Event Permit allowing the use of West
Bridge Park, closing of West River Street and related assistance and approving a
temporary liquor license for the VFW Post 8731 for Party in the Park on July 10,
2024. Applicant: Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Action taken:
Approved the event permit for Party in the Park contingent on site
coordination with City departments and notification of adjacent property
owners by the permit holder.
G. Consideration of approving a Special Event Permit allowing the use of West
Bridge Park and the closing of the parking lot and West River Street for the
Young Professional Back Yard BBQ Bag Tournament on June 12, 2025. Applicant:
Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Action taken: Approved the
event permit for the Young Professionals Back Yard BBQ bag tournament.
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H. Consideration of approving a five-year lease agreement with the Monticello
Chamber of Commerce and Industry for an office suite in the DMV building
located at 118 West 61" Street. Action taken: Approved the lease between the
City of Monticello and Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
I. Consideration of authorizing the purchase of two 2025 Ford F-350s from Midway
Ford and truck accessories from North Central Upfitting & Iron Valley Truck
Equipment for a total of $145,916.62 plus applicable license and registration
fees. Action taken: ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
Consideration of authorizing the purchase of a 2025 F-350 from Midway Ford
and a service body from Twin Star Equipment for a total amount of $68,785 plus
license and registration fees. Action taken: ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE
CONSENT AGENDA.
K. Consideration of authorizing Kimley Horn to prepare a draft Alternative Urban
Areawide Review order and scoping document and to conduct an Alternative
Urban Areawide Review as related to a proposed 550-acre technology campus
proposed by Monticello Tech LLC. Action taken: Authorized Kimley Horn to
prepare a draft AUAR and scoping document and to conduct an AUAR as
related to a proposed 550-acre technology campus proposed by Monticello
Tech LLC.
L. Consideration of approving a proposal from WSB for review and regulatory
coordination for the Alternative Urban Areawide Review scoping document and
Alternative Urban Areawide Review processes as related to a proposed 550-acre
technology campus and approving an escrow agreement with Monticello Tech
LLC for related expenses. Action taken: Approved the proposal from WSB for
review and regulatory coordination for the AUAR scoping document and
processes as related to a proposed 550-acre technology campus and approved
an escrow agreement with Monticello Tech LLS for related expenses.
M. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-28 approving a Final Stage Planned
Unit Development for Meadowbrook, and Resolution 2025-29 approving a Final
Plat and Development Agreement for Meadowbrook, a single-family residential
development including attached and detached units. Applicant: JBP Land, LLC.
Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2025-28 approving a Final Stage PUD for the
area to be platted as Meadowbrook, based on findings in said resolution and
subject to the conditions of Exhibit Z and adopted Resolution 2025-29
approving the Final Plat for Meadowbrook, subject to the findings in said
resolution and contingent on the conditions of Exhibit Z, and approved the
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Development Agreement for Meadowbrook, authorized the Mayor and City
Administrator to execute said Agreement, and further authorized the Mayor
and City Administrator to negotiate and specify final changes or amendments
necessary to more fully execute the intention of the City Council with respect
to the proposed project.
N. Consideration of suspending nuisance enforcement for any violation of City Code
Section 91.04(16)(b)(c) from May 1-31, 2025, in recognition of "No Mow May."
Action taken: Nuisance enforcement was suspended as proposed.
O. Consideration of approving the purchase of a pump from PFC Equipment Inc. for
the Wastewater Treatment Plan in the amount of $29,131.82. Action taken:
Approved the purchase of a pump from PFC Equipment Inc.
2A. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion
Consideration of authorizing the purchase of two 2025 Ford F-350s from Midway
Ford and truck accessories from North Central Upfitting & Iron Valley Truck
Equipment for a total of $145,916.62 plus applicable license and registration
fees.
Council Member Christianson requested clarification on the rationale and
process behind acquiring the two park vehicles, as well as an additional vehicle
for utilities instead of considering alternatives. He also inquired about the choice
of Midway Ford. Tom Pawelk, the Director of Parks, Arts, and Recreation,
addressed the inquiry, explaining that the vehicles are sourced from Midway
Ford due to their inclusion in the state contract, which guarantees the most
competitive pricing. Furthermore, these vehicles are specialized equipment
tailored to meet the department's specific requirements. He provided a
summary of the vehicles being replaced, emphasizing the department's
preference for a uniform fleet of the same brand to simplify maintenance and
supply management.
Council Member Christianson questioned the decision not to purchase used
vehicles. Mr. Pawelk clarified that while used trucks might be available, they
would have been customized for previous owners, making them unsuitable for
the City's needs. Retrofitting such vehicles would incur additional costs and
require significant staff resources. Moreover, these used trucks might not be in
optimal conditions and could have diminished resale value.
Council Member Christianson noted the large cost of the vehicles but
appreciated the response by staff.
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Council Member Christianson moved to approve the purchase of two 2025
Ford F-350s from Midway Ford and truck accessories from North Central
Upfitting & Iron Valley Truck Equipment for a total of $145,916.62 plus
applicable license and registration fees. Council Member Hinz seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
J. Consideration of authorizing the purchase of a 2025 F-350 from Midway Ford
and a service body from Twin Star Equipment for a total amount of $68,785 plus
license and registration fees.
Council Member Christianson had the same question for 2J and 21. Matt Leonard
responded that he concurs with Mr. Pawelk's response in 21. Mr. Leonard added
that the department he has experience with buying used equipment and it
typically doesn't work out well and the purchaser may be unaware of issues the
equipment had. Sometimes, after fixing items and retrofitting them, they end up
being the most expensive items in the fleet.
Mr. Leonard noted that state contracting price was the lowest quote.
Council Member Christianson moved to approve the purchase of a 2025 F-350
from Midway Ford and a service body from Twin Star Equipment for a total
amount of $68,785 plus license and registration fees. Council Member Martie
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Public Hearings
4. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 847 amending the Monticello Citv Code,
Title IX: General Regulations, Chapter 92: Property Maintenance, Title XV: Land
Usage, Chapter 152: Subdivision, and Chapter 153: Zoning Ordinance, and anv
other related sections of subdivision or zoning text necessary as related to
regulations for planting and maintaining trees and tree canopy and adopting
Summary Ordinance 847A for publication and other work products for the Tree
Canopy Management Program
Tom Pawelk gave a brief overview of the item and introduced Gail Nozal, Davey
Resource Group. Ms. Nozal gave a presentation on the City's tree inventory,
analysis and maintenance of inventory, urban tree analysis, and tree canopy
ordinance and tree manual. As part of the presentation, Ms. Nozal noted a
maintenance strategy plan.
Ms. Nozal proceeded to review the proposed ordinance in detail, which amends
sections of the City Code related to general regulations, property maintenance
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and land usage. Amendments were made, but not limited to definitions, trees
planted in public spaces, trees in new subdivisions, preliminary plat
requirements, abatement or abuse, tree diversity, and tree protection. She also
discussed the tree manual designed to be a user-friendly guide for residents.
Council Member Christianson expressed concerned about the ordinance's
impact on property owners, feeling it grants the City excessive authority over the
property.
Council Member Christianson had questions relating to property owners,
development of lots, specifically lots that can be subdivided. He requested
clarification on who is subject to the ordinance. Angela Schumann, Community
Development Director, responded that the existing exemption applies to single
family lots with detached structure that cannot be further subdivided.
exemption applies only to lots that cannot be subdivided. However, large lots in
certain zoning districts, that can be subdivided, are subject to the ordinance.
Council Member Christianson further questioned how the ordinance would
impact a large lot that is subject to the ordinance when the owner wants to build
a detached accessory structure on the lot. Ms. Schumann noted the property
could remove 50% of the total significant tree cover. Any more than that would
be subject to mitigation.
Mr. Christianson indicated he is concerned about the potential implications set
by the City for what can be done on private properties falling under the
"woodland" and "significant tree". For both current property owners and future
annexed properties, Ms. Schumann explained that there is a clear definition of
woodland, and if a property qualifies and is to be developed or subdivided, a
tree inventory is necessary if 50% of the trees are to be removed. She
emphasized that the ordinance aims to safeguard significant healthy trees.
Additionally, there were inquiries about boulevard trees and their removal. Tom
Pawelk informed the Council about the removal process and mentioned that
staff is looking for funding to offset the costs of removing diseased trees. Council
Member Christianson acknowledged the staffs dedication to this ordinance,
recognizing their good intentions, but he remains doubtful about many of the
proposed changes.
There were also questions on boulevard trees and abatement of trees. Tom
Pawelk addressed the Council on the process of removal and added that staff is
seeking funding to help mitigate the costs associated with the removal of
diseased trees.
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Council Member Christianson noted staffs' time and commitment spent on this
ordinance although well intended, he is skeptical of many of the changes.
Council Member Martie moved to adopt Ordinance 847 amending the
Monticello City Code, Title IX: General Regulations, Chapter 92: Property
Maintenance, Title XV: Land Usage, Chapter 152: Subdivisions, and Chapter
153: Zoning Ordinance, and any other related sections of subdivisions or zoning
text necessary as related to regulations for planting and maintaining trees and
tree canopy, based on findings in Resolution 2025-30 and adopting Summary
Ordinance 847A for publication. Councilmember Gabler seconded the motion.
Motion carried 4-1: Council Member Christianson voted against. Council
Member Christianson is concerned of the impact this ordinance has on
property owners and the authority over property owners the City would have.
5. Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreibe
Attest:
City Administ ator
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