City Council Minutes 09-22-2025MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 22, 2025 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Charlotte Gabler, Tracy Hinz, 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 Council Member Christianson to approve the agenda. Council Member
Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Special Meeting Minutes from June 2, 2025
• Special Meeting Minutes from September 8, 2025
• Regular Meeting Minutes from September 8s, 2025
Motion by Council Member Hinz to approve the special meeting minutes and the
regular meeting minutes. Council Member Martie seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
• David Nagel, 5115 87t" Street — Mr. Nagel previously express concerns
regarding his home builder at the September 8 City Council meeting. He
noted that he had not received a response from City staff and inquired about
the status of the matter. Staff explained that a letter had been sent to the
builder, Lennar, and emphasized that the City's authority in the matter is
limited. Mr. Nagel and other concerned residents expressed strong
frustration that no further action had been taken.
Both City Administrator Rachel Leonard and Council Member Christianson
explained that limitations of the City's authority regarding their concerns.
E. Public Service Announcements
City Clerk Jennifer Schreiber noted the following public announcements:
• Farmers Market
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• Absentee Voting
• Joint City Council/Planning Commission Workshop on Data Center
• Hydrant Flushing
F. Council Liaison Updates
• Economic Development Authority— Council Member Hinz gave a brief recap of
the meeting held September 10. The EDA approved a license agreement and a
transfer of EDA funds into the fagade improvement program.
• MOAA —Council Member Mal -tie noted that the board reviewed two
applications: one for a variance and one for a lot combination.
G. Department Updates
• Construction Update — Matt Leonard, Public Works Director/City Engineer, gave
an update on current construction projects.
• Elizabeth Wefel, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities — Ms. Wefel presented
an update on Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities activities, including those
related to the legislature.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Council Member Hinz to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member
Martie 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 $1,974.380.15.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the hires for the Monticello Community Center and
terminations for the Monticello Community Center and Parks Department.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property for the
Public Works Department. Action taken: No report.
D. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-57 accepting a donation from artist
Stan Thorud of a framed and matted portrait of Bill and Taffee Fair, valued at
$1,930.07. Action taken: Adopted the resolution accepting the portrait.
E. Consideration of approving a temporary liquor license for Trinity Lutheran
Church for an event to be held on November 1, 2025, at the church located at
449 West Broadway. Action taken: Approved the temporary liquor license for
Trinity Lutheran Church.
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F. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-58 appointing election judges for the
November 4, 2025, Special Election. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2025-58
appointing election judges.
G. Consideration of approving a special event permit for the Monticello Lions 50
Years of Service Celebration at West Bridge Park on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
Action taken: Approved the special event permit for the Monticello Lions.
H. Consideration of approving a special event permit and charitable gambling
permit for the Chamber of Commerce & Industry for their annual banquet on
December 51 2025. Action taken: Approved the special event permit and
charitable gambling permit for the Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
I. Consideration of setting the Truth -In -Taxation Public Hearing for December 8,
2025. Action taken: The public hearing was set for December 8, 2025.
J. Consideration of approving the first amendment to the Deephaven Development
Contract and Planned Unit Development for extension of completion of public
improvements and playground facilities, and the release of Lot 2, Block 1,
Deephaven 3 from the Deephaven and Deephaven 3 Development Contract.
Action taken: Approved the first amendment to Deephaven Development
Contract and Planned Unit Development for one year as related to completion
of public improvements and playground facilities, contingent on the release of
City -owned Outlot C form any mortgage obligations and assignment of deeds
and financing statements for the parcel and receipt of all required consents to
the agreement, which shall be the responsibility of the developer.
Approved the release of Lot 2, Block 1, Deephaven 3 from the Deephaven
Development Contract.
K. Consideration of approving a partial release of River View Square Development
for Lot 1, Block 2. Action taken: Approved the partial release of River View
Square Development.
Consideration of approving a request for amendment to the Conditional Use
Permit for Planned Unit Development for a Retail Use as a Principal Use in the B-
4, Regional Business District and Conditional Use Permit for Cross Access.
Applicant: Josh laquinto. Action taken: Approved the amendment to the
Conditional Use Permit for Planned Unit Development subject to the
conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings in Resolution PC-2025-33.
M. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 858 amending the Monticello City Code
Title XV, Chapter 153: Zoning, for the regulation of Cannabis related land uses in
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Section 153.091 Use -Specific Standards and adopting Summary Ordinance 858A
for publication. Action Taken: Adopted Ordinance 858 based on findings in said
Resolution PC-2025-34 and Adopting Summary Ordinance 858A for publication.
N. Consideration of approving contract with Hakanson Anderson for engineering
services for the Monticello Public Library Site Improvements Project in the
amount of $32,700. Action taken: Approved the contract with Hakanson
Anderson in the amount of $32,700.
O. Consideration of approving a contract with Huber Technology, Inc. for
maintenance of the screw press at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the
amount of $61,106.54. Action taken: Approved the contract with Huber
Technology, Inc. in the amount of $61,106.54.
3. Public Hearing:
4. Regular Agenda:
A. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-59 approving the City of Monticello
2026 Housing & Development Authority (HRA) special benefit levy of $504,000
and accepting the preliminary 2026 EDA general fund budget of $590,000
Sarah Rathlisberger, Finance Director, presentation information on the HRA
special benefit levy, 2026 EDA budget and the City's Preliminary Tax Levy. The
presentation covered: the difference between levy and a budget, tax base
changes, tax capacity shifts, and the proposed levies and budgets for 2026.
The proposed EDA general fund budget was $590,000, representing a 10.9%
increase over the 2025 budget.
The proposed HRA tax levy was $504,000, representing a 1% increase over the
2025 levy.
The final levy will be adopted along with the final City's levy on December 8,
2025. The City Council must approve or deny the EDA levy. There was minimal
discussion on the item.
Councilmember Gabler moved adoption of Resolution 2025-59 approving the
HRA 2026 special benefit levy of $504,000 and preliminary EDA 2026 budget of
$590,000. Councilmember Martie seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
B. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-60 setting the 2026 City of Monticello
Preliminary Tax Levy
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Sarah Rathlisberger presented the 2026 City of Monticello Preliminary Tax Levy
which must be certified to Wright County on or before September 30, 2025.
Following several City Council budget workshop sessions and guidance from the
City Council, Ms. Rathlisberger proposed a preliminary tax levy of $15,337,000,
representing an 8.6% increase over the 2025 levy.
The final 2026 budget and tax levy are scheduled for adoption at the City Council
meeting on December 8, 2025. There was minimal discussion.
Councilmember Christianson moved adoption of Resolution 2025-60 setting
the 2026 City of Monticello Preliminary Tax Levy which is an 8.6% increase
from 2025. Councilmember Martie seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
C. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-61 rejecting all bids for the Ditch 33
Improvements Project
Matt Leonard presented the item and provided background information on the
project. The project plans were released for bids, and fourteen bids were
received. Mr. Leonard noted that there were concerns identified after the bid
opening regarding a component of the project. Specifically, issues were raised
with the abandonment of a section of Ditch 33, which is required under the
grant agreement but whose scope and potential costs remain unclear. To ensure
proper resolution of the concerns, staff recommended rejecting all bids and re-
bidding the project once the abandonment requirements are clearing defined.
The City Council sought clarification on the project timeline and costs. Mayor
Hilgart asked whether the City was under a specific timeline by Wright County,
and Mr. Leonard noted that it was not. Council Member Gabler asked when the
project could be rebid, and Mr. Leonard responded that spring 2026 is
anticipated. Council Member Hinz inquired about potential cost implications,
and Mr. Leonard noted they would be minimal, primarily for advertisement
expenses for rebidding. Council Member Christianson questioned the potential
costs of not abandoning the ditch, and Mr. Leonard explained that the City
would incur costs associated with purchased easements and loss of grant
funding.
Motion by Council Member Hinz to adopt Resolution 2025-61 rejecting all bids
for the Ditch 33 Improvements Project. Council Member Martie seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Adjournment
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreiber
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Attest:,
City Administrator
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