City Council Minutes 03-09-2026 SpecialMINUTES
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, March 9, 2026 — 5:00 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Charlotte Gabler, Kip Christianson, Lee Martie
Absent: Tracy Hinz
Staff: Rachel Leonard, Sarah Rathlisberger, Angela Schumann, Tom Pawelk, Josh
Berthiaume, Beth Green, Sara Cahill, and Jennifer Schreiber
Other: Hayley Wenda-Zilka (Monti Club JO Volleyball), James Martin (Lacrosse Club), Jon
Salmon (Baseball), Craig Grams (Center Court Club Basketball Association), Luke
Thielen (Great River Soccer Club)
1. Call to Order
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Bertram Chain of Lakes Athletic Park
Park & Recreation Director Tom Pawelk presented an overview of the Bertram Chain of
Lakes Regional Athletic Park, including its vision, completed improvements, updated
feasibility findings, and future development options. The park is a joint effort between
the City of Monticello and Wright County, with the City managing active recreation and
the County managing passive areas. The long-term vision prioritizes community
recreation with tournaments as a secondary use.
Tom Pawelk reviewed the alignment between the 2016 master plan and the 2023 Parks
and Recreation Needs Assessment, noting continued priorities such as field
development, amenities, trail connections, and interest in a potential indoor facility. An
updated draft master plan includes proposed changes such as pickleball courts, a shared
maintenance facility, and a potential indoor recreation facility, pending Council
adoption.
If was further noted, that since 2016, approximately $5.5 million in infrastructure
improvements have been completed. The feasibility report emphasizes continued
investment in core infrastructure to support future phases. Phase One, estimated at
$4.5 million, includes grading, infrastructure, and amenities, with additional phases
adding fields, parking, and expanded features.
Tom Pawelk outlined governance roles and proposed forming an Athletic Park
Subcommittee to guide planning and implementation. Council discussed phasing
strategies, impacts to field availability during construction, and the need to balance
flexibility with permanent facilities.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2026
3.
Discussion included long-term capacity concerns and the potential need for partnerships
to meet growing demand. Council and staff reviewed funding options, including bonding
against the voter -approved sales tax to accelerate development, noting tradeoffs
between faster completion and temporary field closures.
James Martin, Lacrosse Club, expressed support for accelerated development and
emphasized the importance of visible improvements to build community support,
attract sponsorships, and create opportunities for tournaments and economic activity.
Other members of the athletic youth associations noted agreement. The City Council
spoke in support of visible progress of park projects, while emphasizing the need to
balance capital investment with long-term operational costs.
Staff will return with additional analysis comparing phased development and bonding
options, including impacts on funding, timelines, and operations.
Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
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Recorder. Jennifer Sc e
Attest: tte t:
City Administrator
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — March 9, 2026