The City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026.  

To view the agenda, and minutes when available, visit the Agenda Center. 

To watch the recorded meeting, stream it online or tune in on cable channel 12 (FiberNet), channel 997 (TDS) or channel 180 (Charter). The rebroadcast schedule is available here.  

Council Highlights provide a summary of key agenda items and decisions made by the City Council. This overview may not reflect all topics discussed or actions taken during the meeting. For complete details, refer to the meeting agenda. Official minutes are published once approved. 

Public Service Announcements 

Spring Egg Dive 

Registration for the Spring Egg Dive is now open. Registration is required, and capacity is limited. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, March 27 across three different sessions. The Egg Dive costs $10 for MCC members and $18 for non-members. Visit the City website for registration and details. 

Spring Tree Sale 

The City’s Spring Tree Sale began on February 5. Trees cost $50 each, and quantities are limited. The Firefall Maple variety has sold out; there are still 7 more varieties available for purchase. Orders may be placed in person at City Hall, online, or by mail. Orders are due Monday, April 20 and are filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit the City website. 

Food Drive 

The City of Monticello is collecting non-perishable food items for the Monticello Help Center through March 31. Drop off locations include City Hall, the Monticello Community Center, Hi-Way Liquors, and the DMV. Boxed sides/pasta, canned food, sugar, cooking oil, and hygiene products are especially needed. 

Spring Weight Restrictions 

Spring axle weight restrictions are in effect for the City of Monticello. These restrictions protect roadways during the annual spring thaw, prolonging the life of our roadways. Notice will be provided on the City website when restrictions are no longer in effect. 

Monticello Farmers Market 

The final indoor Farmers Market of this season will take place this Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come enjoy canned goods, baked goods, meats, honey maple syrup, mushrooms, hand-crafted items and live music while catching up with friends. 

Special Meeting Update 

Prior to the regular meeting, the City Council met in a workshop to review a draft of the updated Feasibility Report for the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park. After Monticello voters approved the Local Option Sales Tax for the park, the Council authorized an update to the Report to include updated cost estimates and recommendations for phasing improvements using the tax revenue.  

At the workshop, the Council provided initial feedback, accepted comments from local youth sports associations and requested additional information from staff. The Council consensus was for an additional workshop discussion prior to considering final adoption of the updated Feasibility Report to guide park improvements at a future regular meeting. 

Department Updates 

FiberNet 

FiberNet provided its quarterly update. The update gave an overview of subscriber counts, finances, and marketing analytics for the quarter. 

City Council Decisions 

Donations from the Monticello Lions Club and Liberty Bank 

Council accepted a donation of $1,449 from the Monticello Lions for the Fire Department and a donation of $2,000 from Liberty Bank for Music on the Mississippi. The funds donated to the Fire Department will go toward purchasing a small rescue mannequin, and the funds allocated for Music on the Mississippi will go towards the cost of hiring the bands. 

Beer/Wine Combination On-Sale Liquor License for Big Bore Restaurant 

Council approved a combination on-sale liquor license for Big Bore to allow them to sell strong beer (including craft beer) and other beer and wine products. The upscale fast-casual barbecue restaurant plans to open in mid-April. Mayor Hilgart welcomed Big Boar to the community. 

Congressional Funding Request for the NW Area Sewer Extension Project 

Council approved a resolution authorizing staff to submit a Congressional Funding Request for the Northwest Area Sewer Extension Project. This project would promote development in areas past Otter Creek by providing crucial sanitary sewer service.  

The Funding Request is part of ongoing City efforts to seek outside funding support whenever possible. In this case, the funds would help make the $5.5 million project feasible and would encourage private investment. With this approval, staff will proceed with an application to the 2027 Community Project Funding program for $3 million. 

Intersection Control Evaluation for State Highway 25 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently completed a Trunk Highway 25 Corridor Visioning Study to evaluate conditions between Monticello and Big Lake. As part of the study analysis, MnDOT completed Intersection Control Evaluation Reports at four intersections in Downtown Monticello: 4th Street, 7th Street, Broadway, and the I-94 westbound ramp. The completed reports include data on current conditions, improvement alternatives evaluated in the study, and the final recommended improvements that will be considered in future projects. 

The Council discussed the reports, particularly MnDOT’s recommended improvements at TH25 and 7th Street, before voting 3-1 to authorize staff to sign the reports.  

Special Event Permit for Annual “Breakfast with the Bunny” Event 

Council approved a special event permit for the Swam River Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for use of the Monticello Community Center (MCC) gymnasium for the annual Breakfast with the Bunny community event on March 21, 2026.  

This popular event usually draws 600-800 attendees and benefits the Swan River Montessori Charter School and the Monticello Help Center through fundraising and food donations. 

The City has waived facility rental fees, totaling $1,500, pending a community service project or in-kind support by Swan River’s PTO. 

Contract for Private Development for Kids Haven of Monticello 

City Council approved a Resolution authorizing a Private Development Contract and Business Subsidy for Kids Haven of Monticello. Kids Haven intends to purchase 2.93 acres of a 7.02-acre City-owned site for $250,000 that will be used to develop a new childcare facility in Monticello. 

The City is subsidizing 51% of the appraised value of this purchase because of the benefits of this development for the city. As well as providing needed childcare services, the development will strengthen the local workforce, support local businesses, create local jobs, attract and retain young families, drive long-term economic gains, and support economic development and business recruitment.    

The application for this plat will be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council in April. 

Pickleball Phase of BCOL Improvement Project 

City Council approved the plans for the third phase of the Bertram Chain of Lakes Park Improvements project, which is the construction of pickleball courts. While the original Master Plan adopted in 2016 had allocated space to build tennis courts, pickleball courts were chosen after feedback from the community.  

WSB will continue to design and prepare the plans for the pickleball courts to provide consistency with the rest of the Bertram improvements. As well as the construction of pickleball courts, this phase will include grading and drainage refinements to improve long-term field performance and reduce maintenance needs over time.  

Contractors now have several weeks to review plans for their proposals. Bids will open on April 7; staff will aim to bring a recommended contract award to Council at the April 13, 2026 meeting. 

Minnesota DNR Grant for Vault Restrooms 

Council approved a Resolution to submit an application for a 2026 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant for vault restroom units at the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park. 

Future plans for the park include the construction of a full restroom and utility building, but since the park is in the Township, it is not served by municipal water and sewer. Staff recommended vault restroom units as the most practical and cost-effective way to serve the need for low-maintenance, ADA-accessible facilities without this infrastructure. 

One unit is planned to be placed near the pickleball courts, and two additional units planned near the premier/regular fields to serve tournament and league play attendees. 

The total cost of this project is projected at $229,595, with grant funds and the BCOL Sales Tax Fund supporting the purchase and delivery of the units. 

Continued DCPUD Discussion   

Members of the public addressed Council regarding the proposed Data Center ordinance. City Administrator Rachel Leonard noted staff continue to review Council’s comments from the meeting on February 23 as well as public feedback. Staff also continue to analyze the text internally and revise to best align the ordinance with the guidance given by the City Council. Leonard did not provide an updated version of the ordinance, instead she noted a revised version will be available at an upcoming meeting. Council took no action other than to note they would like to review the future updated version of the ordinance in a workshop with the city attorney in attendance for input.