City Council Minutes 06-23-2025MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 23, 2025 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Tracy Hinz, and Lee Martie
Absent: Charlotte Gabler
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 Council Member Martie to approve the agenda. Council Member
Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Special Meeting Minutes from June 9, 2025
• Regular Meeting Minutes from June 9, 2025
Motion by Council Member Martie to approve both sets of minutes. Council
Member Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
• Derek Vetsch, Wright County Commissioner, commented on the State's
legislative session and impact to the county.
• Jay Morrell, Monticello property owner, addressed the City Council regarding
property located at 1201 State Highway 25 South. Mr. Morrell expressed
concern that the property was assessed for delinquent utility bills and that he
wasn't promptly contacted when the bills weren't paid. Sarah Rathlisberger,
Finance Director, acknowledged the bills were being sent to the tenant of the
building at the time of delinquency. To limit issues like this, the City now
requires utility bills to be sent to the property owner as outlined inn an
updated ordinance; however, some existing commercial accounts have
remained in the tenant's name.
Mr. Morrell also expressed frustration that the City continued to allow
service despite the past due balance and accrual of late fees without the
permission of the property owner. He also commented that the late fees
were included in the amount assessed.
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Council Member Martie commented that this appears to be an issue
between a landlord and a tenant. Mayor Hilgart noted that regardless of the
name on the account, the property owner is ultimately responsible for the
property, including any unpaid utility bills or assessments. In addition, the
property owner was sent notice of the assessment hearing on October 24,
2024, as required by state statute.
The City Council made no determination.
E. Public Service Announcements
City Clerk Jennifer Schreiber noted the public service announcement for July 41n
Business Hours.
F. Council Liaison Updates
• Library Board — Council Member Hinz gave an update of the quarterly meeting.
She commented on the great work of the library including circulation numbers
and various library programs. The Library Board had questions of staff regarding
the 'no overnight parking' signs and the installation of LED lighting. These
questions will be forwarded to staff.
• Economic Development Authority — Council Member Hinz gave an update of the
meeting held June 11. The EDA held a workshop before the regular meeting on
options for housing assistance. At the regular meeting, the EDA approved a
marketing sponsorship for the Let's Chalk event.
• Central Mississippi River Partnership (CMRP) — County Commissioner Vetsch
gave an update of the last CMRP meeting. The partnership is preparing to solicit
RFPs for the Tier 1 Environmental around October to parallel potential funding
from the State's Corridors of Commerce funds.
G. Department Updates
• Construction Update — Matt Leonard, Public Works Director/City Engineer, gave
an update on current construction projects.
• Ember Ash Borer (EAB) Update — Parks & Recreation Director Tom Pawelk gave
an update on the status of EAB mitigation process.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Council Member Hinz moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion
was seconded by Council Member Martie. Motion carried unanimously.
A. Consideration of approving the payment of bills. Action taken: Approved the bill
and purchase card registers for a total of 1,754,382.84.
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B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the 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 2025-41 accepting donations of $300 from
Ampact for Farmers Market Power of Produce Kids Club, $1,828.80 from Phillips
Wine & Spirits for co-sponsorship of a signing event on July 12, 2025, and
$10,000 from Cargill for Fire Department Special Response Unit. Action taken:
Adopted the resolution accepting donations.
E. Consideration of approving a temporary gambling permit for the Magic MHS
Touchdown Booster Club on August 23, 2025, at the Monticello Country Club.
Action taken: Approved the temporary gambling permit.
Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-42 calling for a public hearing on a
vacation of easement for 85t" Avenue NE. Action taken: Adopted resolution
setting a public hearing for July 14, 2025.
G. Consideration of a contract amendment with Stonebrook Engineering for the
Golf Course Road (CSAH 39) Trail Project in the amount of $116,000. Action
taken: Approved the contract amendment.
H. Consideration of awarding a contract to Rice Lake Construction Group for
Construction Manager at Risk Preconstruction Services for the Monticello Water
Supply Treatment Plant. Action taken: Awarded the contract to Rice Lake
Construction Group.
I. Consideration of approving a Special Event Permit for Rotary Club of Monticello's
701h Anniversary Event at Ellison Park on June 30, 2025. Action taken: Approved
the special event permit for June 30, 2025.
3. Public Hearing:
4. Regular Agenda:
A. Consideration of City comment on a request for rezoning in the Monticello
Orderly Annexation Area
City Planner Steve Grittman gave an overview of the request to rezone a 20.15
acre parcel from General Agriculture to Agriculture/Residential within the
MOAA. As part of the MOAA agreement the City and Township each have 30
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days to comment. In addition, the applicant proposed to subdivide the property
into two 10-acre parcels as would be allowed by conditional use permit.
Staff expressed that City Council should not recommend approval of the
rezoning as the City's Comprehensive Plan and MOAA formation do not support
the rezoning and subdivision. The direction for the parcel includes potential
interstate freeway access and development as an Employment Campus industrial
land use. The creation of rural residential parcels would be in opposition to the
City's land use goals.
Mayor Hilgart commented that allowing these larger parcels to rezone in this
fashion will set a negative precedent for the City. Council Member Christianson
spoke of the specific parcel and that the MOAA could have discretion when
looking at specific parcels and denying this request could be denying the
property owner the ability to utilize their own property. He noted that it was an
odd parcel that has limited opportunity of being developed and therefore could
be a parcel that could be subdivided. Mayor Hilgart responded that the property
owner bought the parcel knowing their was one building entitlement.
Motion by Council Member Martie to recommend that the Monticello Orderly
Annexation Board deny the request for rezoning the subject parcel within the
Monticello Orderly Annexation Area from General Agriculture to
Agriculture/Residential. Motion was seconded by Mayor Hilgart. Motion
carried 3-1; Council Member Christianson voted against for reasons listed
above.
B. Consideration of approving a contract with Bolton and Menk, Inc. for
engineering services for the expansion of a public downtown shared use parking
lot in the amount of 528,243
Matt Leonard gave a brief overview of the contract with Bolton and Menk, Inc.
for engineering services for the expansion of the shared use parking lot that
exists off Walnut Street between River Street and Broadway north towards River
Street. This expansion provides 17 additional parking spaces downtown. Mr.
Leonard noted that the expansion project includes installation of curb/gutter,
asphalt surfacing and pavement markings, fencing, stormwater, garage removal,
and modifications to the rear deck area.
The project is expected to be bid in August if the City can gain access to remove
the garage at 200 West River Street. If the property owner denies access the
project will take place next year.
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Motion by Council Member Martie to approve a contract with Bolton and
Menk, Inc. for engineering services for the expansion of a public downtown
shared use parking lot in the amount of $28,243. Motion was seconded by
Council Member Christianson. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Recorder:
Jennifer Schreibf
City Administrator
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