City Council Minutes 06-22-2026MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 22, 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 Hinz to approve the agenda with the amendment to
move 4A to take place before 3A. Councilmember Christianson seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Special Meeting Minutes from June 8, 2026
• Regular Meeting Minutes from June 8, 2026
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the meeting minutes.
Councilmember Martie seconded the motion.
D. Public Service Announcement
• City Administrator Rachel Leonard noted the following announcements:
- Open House on new Water Treatment Facility
- Farmers Market Location Change
- July 41h Holiday Hours
- Riverfest
- MCC Block Party
E. Citizen Comments
The following spoke under citizen comments:
• Paul Lundberg, 4743 Lundberg Drive. Mr. Lumbert addressed the City
Council regarding ongoing neighborhood concerns regarding noise, dust and
debris from the JME Manufacturing facility located near Dundas Road and
Fallon Avenue. He stated that mitigation efforts have not resolved the issue
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and requested that the Council direct staff to reevaluate long-term land use
and zoning protections for the area to better protect nearby residents.
• Don Bellach, 4889 Stoneridge Lane — Mr. Bellach spoke on the ongoing noise
concerns from the industrial property adjacent to the Klein Farms
neighborhood. He stated that the current business operates at various times
throughout the day, including evenings and weekends, and creates disruptive
noise such as screeching, grinding, and metal handling. He noted that
residents have raised concerns with the City and requested that the City take
action.
• Jean Bellach, 4889 Stoneridge Lane — Ms. Bellach addressed the Council
regarding concerns with the industrial property adjacent to her
neighborhood. She stated that residents are impacted by excessive noise,
outdoor storage visible above the privacy fence, overnight semi -truck idling,
bright lights, and black dust accumulating on homes, decks, patios, and
vehicles. She asked whether environmental regulations, noise restrictions, or
law enforcement involvement could help address the ongoing issues.
Community Development Director Angela Schumann responded to the above
comments and stated that the City has been actively researching potential
building, zoning, and general code violations related to the matter. She noted
that the City will follow appropriate enforcement path based on its findings
and the advice of the City Attorney.
• Ben Anderson — Mr. Anderson addressed the Council and apologized to
Councilmember Christianson for comments made at a prior meeting
regarding his absence. Mr. Anderson then referenced a handout related to
Councilmember Christianson's political resume and asked for clarification
regarding a statement about securing a conservative supermajority on the
City Council. He also referenced Minnesota's salary range posting
requirements and expressed concern that Frattalone does not comply with
state law.
F. Council Liaison Updates
• Economic Development Authority (EDA) — Councilmember Hinz noted that the
EDA met on June 10, 2026, and approved a resolution establishing an economic
development tax increment financing district for a parcel in Otter Creek Business
Park.
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• Library Board — Councilmember Hinz gave an update on the meeting held June 9,
2026. She noted that the board discussed its role and membership in comparison
with other libraries in the Great River Regional Library system and recommended
exploring dissolution of the Board, subject to review of any applicable statutory
requirements.
• Industrial and Economic Development Committee (IEDC) — Councilmember
Gabler commented on the meeting held June 2, 2026. Discussion topics included
an overview of the MN legislative session and recent federal Opportunity Zone
legislation. The group also discussed planning for the 2026 Manufacturer's
Appreciation event.
G. Department Updates
• Human Resources Update — Human Resource Manager Tracy Ergen gave a
presentation of human resources activity over the last year.
• 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 $2,013,503.55.
B. Approve the new hires and departures for City departments. Action taken:
Approved the hires the Fire Department and departures for Hi -Way Liquor.
C. Approve the disposal of surplus City property. Action taken: No report this cycle.
D. Adopt Resolution 2026-53 accepting donations of $192.57 from Donna
Dunderson for flowers at East Bridge Park and Riverside Cemetery and $1,500
from Nordic Tap House for Heritage Day event. Action taken: Adopted
Resolution 2026-53 accepting the donations.
E. Approve a special event permit and temporary liquor license for Church of St.
Henry for their annual festival on September 26, 2026. Action taken: Approved
the special event permit and temporary liquor license.
F. Adopt Resolution 2026-54 establishing an Absentee Ballot Board for the 2026
Elections. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-54 establishing the AB Ballot
Board.
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G. Authorize out of state travel for the Human Resources Manager to attend the
2026 NeoGov Ignite conference in Orlando, Florida from 10/21/26 through
10/23/26 at an estimated cost of $2,500. Action taken: Authorized the out of
state travel.
H. Adopt Resolution 2026-55 approving an Administrative Subdivision of PID
155500153300 for right-of-way and other supporting improvements for the
proposed City public works facility. Applicant: City of Monticello. Action taken:
Adopted Resolution 2026-55 approving the Administrative Subdivision.
Approve a request for a Conditional Use Permit for Drive -through services as an
accessory use and a request for a Conditional Use Permit for cross -access in the
B-4: Regional Business District. Applicant: Mark Huonder. Action taken:
Approved the Conditional Use Permits.
Approve the First Amendment to Lease Agreement between the City of
Monticello and Drawers of Davlee, Inc in connection with a lease term extension
for the property located at 200 West River Street. Action taken: Approved the
amendment.
K. Approve an amendment to the agreement between the City of Monticello, Kid's
Haven of Monticello, LLC, and Spirit Master Funding X, LLC; approve a Third
Amendment to the Contract for Private Development with Kid's Haven of
Monticello Holdings, LLC and Kid's Haven of Monticello, LLD; and adopt
Resolution 2026-57 approving the First Amendment to the Development
Contract for Jefferson Commons Fifth Addition. Action taken: Approved the
amendments and adopted Resolution 2026-57.
L. Approve a purchase agreement for the acquisition of property for right-of-way
purposes for the extension of Redford Lane. Action taken: Approved a purchase
agreement and authorized the Mayor and City Administrator to sign final
acquisition documents.
3. Public Hearing:
A. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 870 amending the Monticello City Code,
Title II, Chapter 36: Fee Schedule as related to park dedication fees
Planner Steve Grittman presented proposed amendments to the fee schedule
ordinance to update park dedication requirements. The proposed changes would
move from a primarily per -acre calculation to a per -unit approach to better align
dedication requirements with current development patterns and residential
densities.
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Mayor Hilgart opened the public hearing. No one testified. Mayor Hilgart closed
the public hearing.
There was minimal discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Martie to adopt Ordinance 870 amending the
Monticello City Code, Title II, Chapter 36: Fee Schedule as related to park
dedication fees. Councilmember Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
4. Regular Agenda:
A. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 871 and Resolution 2026-56 amending the
Monticello City Code, Chapter 152: Subdivision Ordinance, Parks, Open Space,
and Public Use, Sections 152.080-152.083 as related to dedication requirements,
including cash dedication requirements
Planner Steve Grittman presented the item on proposed amendments to the
subdivision ordinance and related fee ordinance regarding park dedication
requirements. She noted that based on updated development patterns and
varying residential densities, staff recommended moving from a primarily per -
acre calculation to a per -unit approach to better align park dedication
requirements with the number of residential units being created.
There was minimal discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Martie to adopt Ordinance 871 and Resolution
2026-56. Councilmember Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
4. Consideration of approving the acquisition of PID 155038001110 and granting a
permanent easement for access and management of billboard structures in the
amount of $255,000
Public Works Director/City Engineer Matt Leonard presented the request to
approve acquisition of a parcel north of the future water treatment plant site
near Interstate 94 and Chelsea Road. He explained that the acquisition would
allow the City to construct raw and treated watermain crossings of 1-94 and
would also provide land for potential future water treatment plant expansion
and site circulation.
Mr. Leonard noted that the property owner agreed to sell the parcel while
retaining easements for the existing billboard structures. The City would be
responsible for constructing a 16-foot-wide gravel access drive for billboard
maintenance. The parcel was appraised at $325,000, and the estimated $70,000
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cost of the access drive was deducted from the purchase price, resulting in an
agreement acquisition amount of $255,000.
There was some discussion on the billboards on whether we could charge a
rental fee and who will remove when they are abandoned. Mr. Leonard noted
that the sale of the land was accomplished with them obtaining the easement to
retain the billboards. There would not have been a sale otherwise. The expense
to remove would be the owner of the billboards.
Motion by Councilmember Hinz to authorizing acquisition of said property and
approval of the permanent easement. Councilmember Christianson seconded
the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Other Business
Mayor Hilgart gave a brief recap on Heritage Day and thanked everyone for their work
and donations. He specifically thanked Parks & Recreation Director Tom Pawelk for
organizing the new event.
6. Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Jennifer Schreibe W
f)O �44
Attest:
City Administrator
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