City Council Minutes 08-23-2021 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, August 23, 2021— 4:30 p.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Jim Davidson, Charlotte Gabler (arrived at 6 p.m.), Brian Hudgins,
and Sam Murdoff
Absent: None
Others: Rachel Leonard, Sarah Rathlisberger, Angela Schumann, Matt Leonard, Ron
Hackenmueller, Tom Pawelk, Tracy Ergen, Mike Mossey, Jim Thares, and Jennifer
Schreiber
1. Call to Order
Mayor Hilgart called special meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
2. Budget Review
Sarah Rathlisberger, Finance Director, presented an overview of the proposed 2022
budget during the fourth budget meeting held by City Council. The presentation
included a review of various funds, tax impact, funding sources, and debt. It was noted
that the valuation of Xcel Energy was still an unknown at the time of the meeting.
Ms. Rathlisberger also stated the tax impact of adding an extra $200,000 to the capital
projects fund for items related to the Chelsea Commons project. To accomplish this,
certain items were cut from the General Fund for a total of $109,000. There was also an
additional $6,000 cut from budget with the hiring of new employees starting at lower
pay ranges.
3. Project Discussion — Chelsea Commons and Public Works Facility
Rachel Leonard, City Administrator, gave a brief introduction. Dustin Philips and Tim
Kittela from Kraus Anderson were in attendance to provide an overview of their
assessment of the current Public Works Facility. They completed a Facility Condition
Assessment of the Public Works Facility and Public Works Office, developed a 10 -year
outlook for maintenance of the facilities, and provided detail on the process.
The study showed that upgrades are required for the Public Works Facility that include
the parking lot, fencing, roof improvements, locker rooms, DVAC, and onsite storage. In
addition, it showed that there is a need for a major interior construction upgrade of the
Public Works Office.
There was some discussion among Council regarding upgrading the current facility
versus building a new facility. Councilmember Murdoff questioned the outcome if all
improvements were made to the office and facility. The consultants noted that if all the
improvements were completed over the next ten years, the facility would be back to the
same predicament they are in now. The improvements are simply the past needs that
have neglected.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — August 23, 2021
Staff also noted that even if all the improvements were made, the space still wouldn't
be adequate for the department. There is not enough office space or acreage for
equipment. Mayor Hilgart commented that the Public Works Facility should be located
on 20 acres. Matt Leonard, City Engineer/Public Works Director, concurred and added
that the Public Works Facility should be located on 13 to 20 acres. Councilmember
Gabler questioned if there was a preferred site. Matt Leonard noted that it appears that
the School Boulevard location is the preferred site.
The group then transitioned to discussion on Chelsea Commons. Rachel Leonard
commented on current commitments and costs of the project. The noted item in
question is the excavation of dirt from the site and grading. Mayor Hilgart added that
there is a company requesting to take the dirt at not cost. The issue is the City does not
own the site where the dirt will be extracted. The property is owned by Shawn Weinand.
The dirt will first be removed from his property, and then on the City property once the
sale of the Lundsten property closes. Councilmember Davidson questioned the risk of
moving forward. There is a risk since the sale of the property has not closed. This is
primarily because of a question with the title company on an easement that needs to be
resolved.
There was consensus of the City Council to move forward with planning for extraction of
dirt from the site. In addition, staff was advised to bringing the associated agreements
to the September 13, 2021 City Council meeting.
4. Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Recorder:
Approved:
Jennifer Schreiber'
DUIL
J, - - a - J
Attest:
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — August 23, 2021