City Council Minutes 03-23-2026MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, March 23, 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.
Mayor Hilgart addressed concerns about declining public trust in the City Council
and emphasized the need for renewed professionalism, civility, and respectful
dialogue among councilmembers and the public. He proposed directing staff to
prepare a formal Code of Conduct to establish clear expectations for ethical
behavior and meeting decorum. He also reaffirmed a commitment to ensuring all
voices are heard while maintaining orderly meetings focused on constructive
discussion and decisions that serve the best interests of the Monticello community.
B. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Councilmember Hinz to approve the agenda. Councilmember
Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Special Meeting Minutes from February 23, 2026
• Special Meeting Minutes from March 9, 2026
• Regular Meeting Minutes from March 9, 2026
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the minutes with an amendment to
the regular minutes of March 9, 2026. Councilmember Martie seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
The following spoke under citizen comments:
Everett, a young resident, expressed concern that a neighborhood field near
Groveland Park was removed without community input, limiting recreational space
for families. The speaker compared this experience to concerns about proposed data
centers, stating that the community feels unheard.
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Bill Saville, 873 971" Street NW. Mr. Saville expressed his opinion that the proposed
hyperscale data center exceeds typical light industrial impacts, questioned whether
a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was conducted, and suggested rezoning
could bypass stricter oversight. He raised concerns about effects on local
watersheds, including Pelican Lake and the Mississippi River, potential operational
vibrations, and recommended a moratorium for further study of environmental and
community impacts.
Theodore Roberts, 306 West 6t" Street. Mr. Roberts expressed opposition to the
proposed data center, citing risks of Al errors, potential misuse, legal and
infrastructure concerns, and possible conflicts of interest. He noted the community
is pursuing petitions, rather than legal action, to encourage public engagement.
Ben Anderson, 4208 Eakern Circle NE. Mr. Anderson advocated restoring
community trust by proposing to form a charter commission, excluding elected
officials, to draft a Home Rule charter. He noted strong support, having gathered
500 of the 927 required petition signatures.
Scott Cutsforth, 8634 Fairhill Ln. Mr. Cutsforth urged Councilmember Christianson
to recuse himself from votes involving Monticello Tech LLC due to a potential
conflict of interest, noting past recusals of other councilmembers. He also proposed
placing the data center decision on the November ballot to allow residents to vote,
while balancing other priorities like schools and infrastructure.
Hank Van Erp. Mr. Van Erp expressed concerns about reduced property values and
impacts on privacy and character of his property. He asked about potential
annexation and rezoning, and shared details on a liquid -cooled, enclosed data center
system.
Jenna Van Den Boom, 4414 87t" Street NE. Ms. Van Den Boom criticized the City
Council for failing to guide city planning, represent community interests, and protect
public health and safety. She cited concerns over hyperscale data centers, unsafe
drinking water, rising community center costs, and loss of recreational space,
emphasizing community unity in response to perceived neglect and dismissal by city
leadership.
Margaret Sullivan Ms. Sullivan voiced concerns that hyperscale data centers
threaten public safety, water resources, and the electrical grid, and could be
strategic targets. She noted risks from a nearby leaking nuclear reactor, potential
health impacts from noise, vibrations, and pollution, and uncertainty over legal
liability, warning the project could harm the environment, community well-being,
and public trust.
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Holly Newman, 840 Powell Street, Big Lake. Ms. Newman raised concern about the
proposed data centers being only 200 feet from homes, noting risks to privacy and
safety from security cameras, armed guards, and drones. She questioned whether
existing laws could address these risks and suggested locating the facilities farther
from residents.
Jeff O'Neill, 815 River Street West. Mr. O'Neill expressed trust in the City Council
and staff, highlighting their commitment and ethics. He encouraged residents to
voice concerns while focusing on facts, noting that any approval of the data centers
would follow careful evaluation, ordinances, and protective measures.
Arthur Gorr, Buffalo resident. Mr. Gorr highlighted the risks of advanced Al,
including self -improving superintelligent Al, citing expert warnings of potential
catastrophic outcomes. He noted that these risks are relevant to Al data centers and
urged attention to expert research.
Laura Bishop, 8820 Farmstead. Ms. Bishop stressed the importance of civility and
trust in city communication, recommending town halls or open forums for
transparency, two-way dialogue to help restore community confidence in the
council.
E. Public Service Announcements
City Clerk Jennifer Schreiber noted the following public service announcements.
• Data Center Ordinance City Council Workshop
• Spring Tree Sale
• Food Drive
• Water Tower Cleaning
• Climbing Wall and Family Swim & Slide Extended Hours
F. Council Liaison Updates
• Economic Development Authority — Councilmember Hinz noted that at the
March 11, 2026, workshop, members reviewed and approved a forgivable loan
application for fagade improvements at 112 and 114 Broadway. During the
regular meeting, the EDA tabled a public hearing regarding a $250,000 Small
Cities Development loan and business subsidy for Kids Haven Holdings. The EDA
also approved a $65,000 GMEF loan and business subsidy for Spear Properties
LLC and LL Homestyle Cafe.
• Library Board — Councilmember Hinz noted that the board did not have a
quorum, so no official action was taken.
G. Department Updates
City Council Minutes: March 23, 2026 Page 3 1 5
• Construction Update — Public Works Director/City Engineer Matt Leonard gave
an update on current construction projects.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Councilmember Hinz 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 $2,090,594.49.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the terminations for Hi -Way Liquor, Monticello
Community Center, and Parks.
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus City property. Action
taken: No report.
D. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2026-18 accepting donations of $250 from
Country Financial for Farmers Market music, $300 from Vital Roots Fitness for
Farmers Market Power of Produce, and $500 form Xcel Energy for Heritage Dat.
Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-18 accepting the donations.
Consideration of approving an application for a temporary charitable gambling
permit for a raffle to be conducted by Wright County Ducks Unlimited, Chapter
39 on May 4, 2026, at River City Extreme, 3875 School Blvd. Action taken:
Approved the temporary charitable gambling permit for the Wright County
Ducks Unlimited, Chapter 39.
Consideration of approving an application for a temporary charitable gambling
permit for Church of St. Henry for bingo and raffle to be held on September 26,
2026, at the church locate at 1001 E. 71" Street. Action taken: Approved the
temporary charitable gambling permit for Church of St. Henry.
G. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2026-19 authorizing a Greater Monticello
Enterprise Fund (GMEF) Loan to Sperr Properties, LLC and L & L Homestyle Cafe,
LLC in the amount of $65,000 and a Business Subsidy Agreement for interior
improvements and the purchase of restaurant equipment at 154 Broadway.
Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-19 authorizing a Greater Monticello
Enterprise Fund Loan to Sperr Properties, LLC and L & L Homestyle Cafe, LLC.
H. Consideration of approving a contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. to provide
engineering services at a price of $70,628 for the Bridge Park Sidewalk
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Improvements Project. Action taken: Approved the contract with Bolton &
Menk, Inc.
3. Public Hearing:
4. Regular Agenda:
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Jennifer Schreiber
Attest:
City Administrator
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