City Council Minutes 08-10-2026MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 10, 2026 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Charlotte Gabler, and Tracy Hinz
Absent: Lee Martie
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. Councilmember
Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
• Regular Meeting minutes of July 13, 2026
• Regular Meeting minutes of July 27, 2026
It was noted that the July 13, 2026 minutes were not uploaded correctly. They will
be brought to the next meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Gabler to approve the July 27, 2026 minutes.
Councilmember Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Public Service Announcement
• City Administrator Rachel Leonard noted the following public
announcements:
- Primary Election
- Downtown Reconnected Open House
- Farmers Market
E. Citizen Comments
• Derek Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong expressed concerns about the loss and
maintenance of green space in the Groveland Park development and the lack
of resident consultation. He also raised concerns about the proposed data
center's water and energy use, grid impacts, and long-term uncertainty, and
encouraged the City to consider pausing the process while additional
information is evaluated.
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City Administrator Rachel Leonard clarified that the natural landscaping at
Groveland Park is part of a City initiative to reduce turf maintenance and
establish native vegetation, supported by a Wright County grant. She also
explained that previously paused data center applications while developing
regulations and now has standards in place addressing location and
development requirements, while continuing to consider information and
experiences from other communities as the current application is reviewed.
• Scott Cutsforth. Mr. Cutsforth expressed concerns about the proposed 226-
unit manufactured home park, citing reported rent increases and ongoing
water quality issues at the company's existing park. He encouraged the City
to address existing water concerns with the property owner before
considering further expansion.
• Monica Primeau. Ms. Primeau expressed concerns about the proposed data
center, including water and energy use, transparency, the unidentified end
user, and the completeness of the application. She also questioned the City's
data center regulations and review process and encouraged the Council
prioritize community protections and resident concerns.
• Lisa Keenan. Ms. Keenan expressed concerns about proposed data center
access and construction activity, including potential use of Davidson Avenue
and impacts from traffic, staging, and parking. She also requested
clarification on property documentation and setback requirements for
nearby agricultural properties in Monticello Township.
F. Council Liaison Updates
• Industrial & Economic Development Committee (IEDC) — Councilmember Gabler
gave a brief overview of the meeting held August 11. She noted that there was
an update on the restructuring of the Wright County Economic Development
Partnership, including staffing, mission, and work plan. Members also discussed
the new luncheon format for the October 21 Manufacturers Appreciation Event.
• Planning Commission — Councilmember Christianson reported that the Planning
Commission denied a variance for a second access on 7th Street, which has been
appealed to the City Council. The Commission also recommended approval of
the Featherstone 7th and 8th Additions preliminary plat and the Kid's Haven
conditional use permit amendment and found the proposed Public Works facility
land acquisition consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
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G. Department Updates
• FiberNet/Arvig Quarterly Update — Mark Birkholz, Arvig, presented Fibernet's
2026 second quarter report.
• Public Works/Engineering Update — Public Works Director/City Engineer Matt
Leonard presented an annual review of the departments.
• 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 $2,201,918.85.
B. Approve the new hires and departures for City departments. Action taken:
Approved the hires for Facilities and terminations for Facilities and Monticello
Community Center.
C. Approve the disposal of surplus City property. Action taken: No report this cycle.
D. Adopt Resolution 2026-71 accepting donations of $5,000 from American Auto
Body of Osseo, Inc., $15,000 from Nordic Taphouse for the Skate Park project
and $1,525 from the Monticello Baseball Association for fence toppers at Xcel
and Hillcrest fields. Action taken: Adopted Resolution 2026-71 accepting the
donations.
E. Approve an application for a temporary gambling permit for a raffle and bingo to
be conducted by the Wright County Ducks Unlimited, Chapter 39 on September
28, 2026, at the American Legion Post 260 located at 304 Elm Street. Action
taken: Approved the temporary gambling permit for the Wright County Ducks
Unlimited, Chapter 39.
Adopt Resolution 2026-72 approving a Final Plat, Development Contract and
Planned Unit Development (PUD) adjustment for Meadowbrook Second
Addition. Applicant: Lucinda Spanier (JPB Land). Action taken: Adopted
Resolution 2026-72 approving the Final Plat, PUD Adjustment and
Development Contract for Meadowbrook Second Addition, subject to findings
in said resolution and contingent on the conditions in Exhibit Z, authorizing the
Mayor and City Clerk to execute said Agreement, and further authorizing the
Mayor and City Clerk to negotiate and specify final changes or amendments
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necessary to more fully execute the intention of the City Council with respect
to the proposed project.
G. Adopt Resolution 2026-73 approving a Final Plat for Redford Crossing, adopt
Resolution 2026-74 Final Stage Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the
Monticello Public Works Facility, and adopt Resolution 2026-75 and Ordinance
874 for rezoning to Monticello Public Works Facility. Action taken: Adopted
Resolution 2026-73 approving a Final Plat for Redford Crossing, subject to the
conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings in said resolution; and adopted
Resolution 2026-74 approving Final Stage Planned Unit Development for the
development and use of the proposed Lot 2, Block 1, and Outlots A and B
Redford Crossing as a Public Works Facility, a Public Building or Use, subject to
the conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings in said resolution; and
Adopted Resolution 2026-75 and Ordinance 874 approving an amendment to
the Monticello Official Zoning Map for Rezoning of the proposed Lot 2, Block 1,
and Outlots A and B, Redford Crossing to Monticello Public Works Facility
Planned Unit Development, subject to the conditions in Exhibit Z and based on
findings in said resolution.
H. Approve a contract amendment with AE2S for engineering services for the water
supply treatment plant in the amount of $142,345. Action taken: Approved a
contract amendment with AE2S in the amount of $142,345.
Approve the acquisition and closing of property for right-of-way purposes for the
extension of Redford Lane for a not -to -exceed amount of $125,000 and
authorize the Finance Director to make necessary payment to facilitate closing.
Action taken: Approved the acquisition and property closing for a not -to -
exceed amount of $125,000 and authorized the Finance Director to make the
necessary payment to facilitate closing.
Approve the acquisition and closing of PID 155038001110 and grant a
permanent easement for access and management of billboard structures for a
not -to -exceed amount of $270,000 and authorize the Finance Director to make
necessary payments to facilitate closing. Action taken: Approved the acquisition
and closing and granted a permanent easement for a not -to -exceed amount of
$270,000 and authorized the Finance Director to make the necessary payments
to facilitate closing.
3. Public Hearing:
4. Regular Agenda:
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5. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Jennifer Schreib r
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Attest:
City Administrator
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