City Council Minutes 01-26-2026MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 26, 2026 — 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
Councilmember Gabler requested that discussion on residential speed limits be
added to the agenda.
Motion by Councilmember Hinz to approve the agenda with the addition of
discussion on residential speed limits. Councilmember Christianson seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Joint Workshop Minutes from December 15, 2025
• Special Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2026
• Regular Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2026
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the meeting minutes.
Councilmember Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
The following spoke under citizen comments:
Scott Custforth, 8634 Fairhill LN. Mr. Cutsforth requested that the City address a
broken elevator at the Deep Haven Apartments (1255 Edmonson Avenue) and also
expressed concern about potential legal and financial impacts of a proposed data
center. He added that Councilmember Christianson stated that there was a risk of
being sued or putting the City at risk of bankruptcy due to not allowing a data
center.
Councilmember Christianson clarified that his previous comments were intended to
highlight the importance of establishing clear rules for evaluating development
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applications, noting that without such rules, the City could face legal challenges that
limit flexibility and create long-term financial burdens.
Bill Saville, 873 97t" Street NW. Mr. Saville, a retired mechanical engineer, shared
his knowledge of data centers and raised concerns about the proposed location and
timing, citing traffic, power and water usage, and public safety. He noted potential
conflicts with Monticello's long-term infrastructure and suggested the City consider
locally owned, employee -focused business models to support community growth.
Jenna Vandenboom 4414 87t" St. NE. She expressed concern about litigation being
used as a scare tactic to allow data centers and that the City is vulnerable to these
large companies. She also questioned whether a moratorium on the ordinance was
an option.
Holly Newman, 840 Powell Street, Big Lake. Ms. Newman noted that her mom lived
in Monticello and asked whether proposed ordinance is primarily motivated by fear
of a lawsuit and suggested allowing smaller data centers.
Mayor Hilgart responded he his support for the ordinance is based on principle, not
fear of litigation.
Ty Weiss, 714 E. 7t" Street. Ms. Weiss expressed concerns that a proposed data
center could strain the local power supply, especially during extreme weather
events, potentially causing outages for residents while the data center remains
operational using backup power. She also raised concerns about increased electricity
costs due to peak usage and questioned the ability to fully predict or mitigate these
impacts.
E. Public Service Announcements
City Clerk Jennifer Schreiber provided the following public announcement:
DMV Trailer and Motorcycle Registration due in February
F. Council Liaison Updates
Economic Development Authority (EDA) — Councilmember Hinz reported that at
the January 14 EDA meeting, a professional services contract for the downtown
small area proposal was authorized, and a Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan
Program using the State Aid Housing Assistance Fund was approved.
Monticello Orderly Annexation Board (MOAA Board) — Community
Development Director Angela Schumann reported that the group reviewed
ordinance amendments that were presented at the January 26 City Council
meeting. They will not take action on these amendments until a public hearing is
held.
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G. Department Updates
• Wright County Sheriff's Office Quarterly Update — Sergeant McMackins, WCSO,
presented the quarterly update.
• Building Department Update — Chief Building Official Bob Ferguson presented
the annual update of the Building Department.
• Wright County Economic Development Partnership — Partner of the Year
Award. Jim Thares, Economic Development Manager, presented the Partner of
the Year Award that Monticello was awarded from the Wright County Economic
Development Partnership.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember
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 $1,167,609.53.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the hires for the Monticello Community Center (MCC)
and Streets Department and departures for Hi -Way Liquor and MCC.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property. Action
taken: No report.
D. Consideration of approving two applications for two temporary gambling
permits for Parenting With Grace, Inc. for events on March 7, 2026, at the
American Legion, 304 Elm Street, and October 3, 2026, at River City Extreme,
3875 School Blvd. Action taken: Approved both applications.
E. Consideration of approving the appointment of Erin Stein to the Parks, Arts, and
Recreation Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2026. Action taken:
Approved the appointment.
F. Consideration of approving a request for Conditional Use Permit for Auto Repair
— Major and a variance to City Code Section 153.091 Use -Specific Standards for
door opening to service area garage on street frontage, for a project in a B-3
(Highway Business) District. Applicant: Mohammad Awad. Action taken:
Approved the Conditional Use Permit.
G. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2026-03 accepting improvements and
authorizing final payment of $12,319 to Jacon, LLC, for the 2020 Stormwater
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Project. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-03 accepting improvements
and authorizing final payment.
H. Consideration of authorizing the purchase of a 2024 HAMM HD14iVV asphalt
roller for $65,833.83 and declaring the 2002 Stone Wold Pack 3100 roller as
surplus. Action taken: Authorized the purchase.
3. Public Hearing:
4. Regular Agenda:
A. Consideration of approving Resolution 2026-02 adopting the Monticello
Industrial Alternative Urban Areawide Review and adopting the Monticello
Industrial Alternative Urban Areawide Review Mitigation Plan for a 550-acre
industrial development study area including a light industrial scenario and a
technology campus scenario that could include a data center and appurtenant
uses
Community Development Director Angela Schumann provided an overview of
the Monticello Industrial Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) and
Mitigation Plan, noting that it evaluates potential environmental impacts of a
proposed technology campus and light industrial uses in the Monticello Orderly
Annexation Area. She explained that the process included public and agency
review and that adoption of the AUAR and Mitigation Plan will guide future
planning, zoning, and environmental review. The AUAR is valid for five years and
may be amended if development exceeds the scenarios analyzed.
Councilmember Gabler asked about the process if no development occurs within
five years. Ms. Schumann stated the AUAR may be updated if conditions change
or allowed to lapse, particularly if other development plans or significant
changes occur.
Councilmember Hinz questioned the accountability related to the mitigation
plan. Ms. Schumann noted that the AUAR identifies responsible parties for
mitigation measures. As development proposals are reviewed, the City will
ensure the mitigation plan is followed and that all environmental review
requirements are addressed by the appropriate parties.
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to adopt Resolution 2026-02 adopting the
Monticello Industrial Alternative Urban Areawide Review and adopt the
Monticello Industrial Alternative Urban Areawide Review Mitigation Plan for a
550-acre industrial development study area including a light industrial scenario
and a technology campus scenario that could include a data center and
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appurtenant uses. Councilmember Christianson seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
5. Additional Items
Councilmember Gabler requested discussion on lowering residential speed limits, noting
prior consideration in December 2020 and available engineering data for an updated
review. The Council expressed no opposition, though Mayor Hilgart noted potential
enforcement challenges. There was consensus of the City Council for staff to schedule a
workshop to discuss residential speed limits.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Jennifer Schreibei
City Administrator
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