City Council Minutes 02-23-2026 SpecialMINUTES
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, February 23, 2026 — 5:00 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Charlotte Gabler, Kip Christianson, Tracy Hinz, Lee Martie
Absent: None
Staff: Rachel Leonard, Sarah Rathlisberger, Angela Schumann, Matt Leonard, and Tom
Pawelk
1. Call to Order
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. City Council Priorities
City Administrator Rachel Leonard presented an overview of projects and initiatives
planned for 2026, summarizing priorities that were included in the 2026 budget and
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The purpose of the discussion was present the items in
a comprehensive list to allow Council to refine as needed to achieve the overall vision
and goals for the city.
Key projects include the water treatment plant, parking lot improvements at the
Monticello Library, the annual street improvement project, additional phases of the
buildout at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park, and projects on west County
Road 39. In addition to the construction projects, Ms. Leonard noted initiatives that will
require city resources, including administration of the local elections, new programs like
the Home Rehabilitation Program, and the EDA's recent approval of an update to the
Downtown Small Area Plan
Ms. Leonard reported that many major improvements from the 2017 Downtown Plan
have been completed, including the re -centering of Broadway and Walnut Street,
updates to West Bridge Park, and redevelopment of Block 52. She noted the EDA's
recent decision for an updated Plan will focus more on the east side, planning Block 34
redevelopment opportunities, Highway 25 corridor considerations in coordination with
MnDOT, Cedar Fair site redevelopment, and support for small business development
downtown. She added that the water treatment plant project will not include relocating
wells at this time due to budget constraints. Staff will continue to explore potential
funding and timing for relocation in the future.
Additional topics discussed included expanding the parking lot behind Doors of Davlee,
pedestrian improvements under the TH25 bridge between the sides of bridge park, ADA
accessibility for east side pathways, and sidewalk connections. Ms. Leonard emphasized
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — February 23, 2026
that funding decisions involve both new investments and maintaining existing City
assets and infrastructure and stressed the importance of Council input on asset
maintenance and project prioritization.
Ms. Leonard also provided updates on outside funding sources to support City projects.
The City will use the State Housing Aid for a local Home Rehabilitation Program and
awarded grants for Emerald Ash Borer and Bertram improvements. Staff also continue
to pursue additional funding options for existing projects in the CIP, including an effort
to designate The Pointes at Cedar a regional park through Greater MN Parks and Trails.
She noted that projects not identified in the CIP or prioritized would be brought to
Council for consideration before pursuing external funds, as accepting funds can shift
priorities and may require City match contributions.
Council discussion highlighted the need to determine priorities for sustainable park
development and land use planning, with proactive planning for future residential and
industrial development to address infrastructure costs and avoid limiting development
opportunities. Ms. Leonard noted that while the City can address emerging priorities
during the year, doing so may require deprioritizing or removing other work plan items
due to current staff capacity, which is near maximum with ongoing projects including
the water treatment plant, proposed public works facility, Bertram Regional Athletic
Park planning, and data center discussions. She stressed the importance of ongoing
review of priorities and work plan adjustments as needed to maintain service levels and
project progress.
There was minimal discussion by Councilmembers, and no changes were suggested to
the work priorities.
I Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
1
Recorder: Jennifer Schreiber
Attest:
City Administrator
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — February 23, 2026