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Monticello OKs $255,000 purchase for water main crossings, grants billboard easement
Summary
The City Council authorized purchase of parcel PID 155038001110 for $255,000 to support raw and treated watermain crossings of I-94 and future water treatment plant needs; the sale retains billboard easements and requires the City to build a gravel access drive for maintenance.
Public Works Director and City Engineer Matt Leonard told the Monticello City Council on June 22 that the city seeks to acquire parcel PID 155038001110 north of the future water treatment plant site near Interstate 94 and Chelsea Road. The acquisition would allow construction of raw and treated watermain crossings of I‑94 and provide land for potential future plant expansion and circulation.
Leonard said the parcel was appraised at $325,000. The seller negotiated to retain easements for existing billboard structures; the city will be responsible for constructing a 16‑foot‑wide gravel access drive to allow billboard maintenance. Leonard said the estimated cost of that access drive, about $70,000, was deducted from the appraisal value, producing an agreed purchase price of $255,000.
Councilmembers discussed whether the city could charge a rental fee for the billboard easements and who would be responsible for removal when a sign is abandoned. Leonard told the council the sale was structured so the owner retained the billboard easements and that the expense of removal would rest with the billboard owner; he said the sale likely would not have proceeded without the retained easement.
Councilmember Tracy Hinz moved to authorize acquisition of the property and approval of a permanent easement; Councilmember Kip Christianson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The meeting minutes do not record a timeline for closing or which fund(s) will be used to pay the agreed price.
