Loading...
City Council Minutes 05-11-2026MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 11, 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 Motion by Councilmember C. Approval of Meeting Minutes • Special Meeting Minutes from April 27, 2026 • Regular Meeting Minutes from April 27, 2026 Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the meeting minutes. Councilmember Martie seconded the motion. D. Public Service Announcement • City Clerk Jennifer Schreiber noted the following public service announcements: - Outdoor Farmers Market - Memorial Day Hours - Swimming Lessons - Call for Artists for Heritage Day Makers Market • Rachel Leonard noted that the City received the Blazing Star Award for West Bridge Park. E. Citizen Comments The following spoke under citizen comments: • Scott Cutsforth, 8634 Fairhill Lane. Mr. Cutsforth requested clarification regarding the Data Center Planned Unit Development (DCPUD) ordinance language allowing for variance applications and whether an applicant could seek relief from ordinance requirements through that process. City Council Minutes: May 11, 2026 Page 1 1 6 Community Development Director Angela Schumann clarified that the DCPUD ordinance distinguishes itself from a traditional PUD, which typically allows flexibility from code standards. She explained that any deviation from the minimum performance standards of the DCPUD would require a separate variance application. • Jen Van Den Boom, 4414 87th Street NE. Jenna Vanden Boom referenced a recent article regarding concerns raised by a North American grid reliability watchdog about potential impacts of Al data centers on electrical grid stability. She stated that increasing power demands and fluctuations associated with Al operations could increase risks to grid reliability and potential outages if infrastructure and operators are not adequately prepared and encouraged the Council to consider these concerns. • Scott Cutsforth. Mr. Cutsforth apologized to City staff for any perceived disrespect during discussions related to the data center ordinance. He acknowledged that staff have been acting under the direction of the City Council and expressed appreciation for their work. F. Council Liaison Updates • Industrial & Economic Development Committee (IEDC) — Councilmember Gabler noted that the IEDC met and discussed planning for the annual Manufacturers Appreciation Event. The group also received updates from the Wright County Economic Development Partnership and Chamber of Commerce activities, along with economic development updates regarding business retention and expansion visits, prospect activity, the upcoming Planning Commission agenda and recent City Council meeting highlights. • Planning Commission — Councilmember Christianson stated that the Planning Commission held a workshop focused on housing and proposed policy language updates intended to better align the City's vision document with existing ordinances, resulting in progress toward refining the language. During the regular meeting, the Commission conducted public hearings on three items and advanced several land use and reguiding matters for future Council consideration, including land south of Otter Creek Business Park, the planned expansion of Moon Motors, and a reguiding request for a proposed restaurant development. The Commission also approved right-of-way acquisition and land guidance direction related to the Public Works project, appointed Rick to the Downtown Steering Committee, and received updates on ongoing and upcoming projects and initiatives. City Council Minutes: May 11, 2026 Page 2 1 6 G. Department Updates • Fibernet Update — Mark Birkholz, Arvig, presents the 2026 first quarter report. • 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. Approve the payment of bills. Action taken: Approved the bill and purchase card registers for a total of $1,548,742.84. B. Approve the new hires and departures for City departments. Action taken: Approved the hires for Hi -Way Liquor, Monticello Community Center (MCC) and Parks Department and terminations for the MCC. C. Approve the disposal of surplus City property. Action taken: No report this cycle. D. Adopt Resolution 2026-33 accepting donations of $3,000 from Cargill Kitchen Solutions and $500 from Hoglund Body & Equipment for Heritage Day and donations of $100 from Olive White and $200 from Tyler Bevier for Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department for flower planters. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-33 accepting the donations. E. Approve an application for a temporary charitable gambling permit and a temporary liquor license for the Monticello Graduation Party, Inc., organization for an event and raffle to be held on October 10, 2026, at the Monticello Community Center. Action taken: Approved the charitable gambling permit and temporary liquor license for the Monticello Graduation Party, Inc. F. Adopt Resolution 2026-34 approving a gambling premise permit for Monticello Youth Hockey Program to conduct gambling at Boulder Tap House located at 40 Chelsea Road. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-34 approving the gambling premise permit for Monticello Youth Hockey Program. G. Direct the Finance Director to not waive monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statutes for the liability insurance renewal for 2026-2027. Action taken: Directed the Finance Director to not waive monetary limits on municipal tort liability. H. Approve addendum #2 to the professional services contract with Arvig Enterprises, Inc. for management of FiberNet Monticello. Action taken: City Council Minutes: May 11, 2026 Page 3 1 6 Approved addendum #2 to the professional services contract with Arvig Enterprises, Inc. Approve special event permit for Heritage Day on June 13, 2026, and approve a temporary liquor license for the Monticello Lions for the event. Action taken: Approved the special event permit and approved the temporary liquor license for the Monticello Lions for the event. J. Approve the 2026 Athletic Facility Use Agreements for lacrosse, soccer, and baseball associations. Action taken: Approved the 2026 Athletic Facility Use Agreements. K. Approve a license agreement with Daniel and Molly Grue for a fence line within the Otter Creek Road right-of-way along Lots 9 and 10, Block 3, River Terrace. Applicant: City of Monticello. Action taken: Approved the license agreement with Daniel and Molly Grue. Approve a second amendment to the Contract for Private Development with Kid's Haven of Monticello Holdings, LLC and Kid's Haven of Monticello, LLC for a 2.93-acre City owned site. Action taken: Approved the second amendment to the Contract for Private Development with Kid's Haven of Monticello Holdings, LLC and Kid's Haven of Monticello, LLC. M. Adopt Resolution 2026-35 accepting bids and awarding a contract to Omann Brothers Paving Inc. for the 2026 Street Improvement Project in the amount of $795,808.22. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-35 accepting bids and awarding contract to Omann Brothers Paving Inc. 3. Public Hearing: A. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 865 amending the Monticello City Code, Chapter 36 — Fee Schedule by adding fees to various sections City Clerk Jennifer Schreiber presented an ordinance updating the 2026 fee schedule, including new fees for Monticello Community Center west parking lot rental, Community Development escrow fees, liquor license fees for nonprofit/club on -sale licenses, and annexation fees. The changes are intended to better align fees with associated administrative, operational, and service costs and were presented as a public hearing item. Mayor Hilgart opened the public hearing. No one testified. Mayor Hilgart closed the public hearing. Motion by Councilmember to adopt Ordinance 865 amending the Monticello City Code, Chapter 36 — Fee Schedule by adding fees to various sections. City Council Minutes: May 11, 2026 Page 4 1 6 Councilmember Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Regular Agenda: A. Consideration of adopting updated master plan for Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park and accepting the corresponding feasibility report Parks & Recreation Director Tom Pawelk presented an updated master plan and feasibility report for the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park, incorporating the 2023 community needs assessment and current planning efforts. Key updates include redesignating a proposed baseball area for a future indoor multi -purpose facility, converting tennis courts to pickleball, expanding ballfield dimensions for tournament use, and adding a shared maintenance facility. The report outlined completed and ongoing phases of development and noted future Phase IV improvements planned for 2027-2028. Mr. Pawelk noted that the update is a planning tool to guide future development and financing, with no funding decisions requested at this time and the 2016 master plan remaining the primary guiding document. Councilmember Gabler asked whether the proposed parking supply would be sufficient for tournament activity across the whole park. Mr. Pawelk responded that the park includes approximately 1,000 parking stalls, with turnover expected throughout the day during events, reducing peak demand. He also noted that Phase II improvements added a widened two-way service road and a second access point to improve circulation and help address prior parking and traffic concerns near adjacent neighborhoods, including Briarwood. Councilmember Christianson noted the planning document is appropriate for the current horizon but encouraged consideration of long-term utility and infrastructure needs as the park expands, including restroom and concession service capacity. Mr. Pawelk confirmed the site will include two potable wells and a 12-inch DNR irrigation well. Councilmember Christianson further noted the infrastructure lifespan of approximately 15-20 years and encouraged the City to identify future utility corridors and connection points now to minimize disruption to park improvements and landscaping, supporting long-term, coordinated infrastructure planning. There was no further discussion. City Council Minutes: May 11, 2026 Page 5 1 6 Motion by Councilmember Hinz to adopt the updated master plan for Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park and accept the corresponding feasibility report. Councilmember Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Jennifer Schreib Attest: City Administrator City Council Minutes: May 11, 2026 Page 6 1 6