Sustainability and Resiliency Commission Meeting - April 8, 2026

The Sustainability and Resiliency Commission met on April 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, Room 104, to discuss and vote on a recommendation report regarding a natural gas franchise fee, receive an overview of city programs for pollinators and turfgrass conversion, and hear public comments. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Degerstrom (representing the Zumbro Valley Audubon Society) expressed strong support for increasing native habitats and setting specific goals for habitat recovery. He cited declines: approximately 15% drop in butterfly numbers from a few decades ago, bumblebee species on the path to extinction, bird numbers down about one third since the 1970s with grassland birds dropping more than 50%, and a February 2026 Science Magazine study showing declines accelerating for 63 bird species. He emphasized the need for the city to set goals and develop plans, suggesting a 20-year transition with 35% year-over-year growth in participants, or a 15-year transition starting at 100 participants (0.2% of Rochester's approximately 50,000 households) with 50% growth per year.
• Jim (also from Zumbro Valley Audubon Society) spoke during the open comment period, but no further details were provided in the transcript or minutes.

Discussion Items

• Pollinators and Turfgrass Conversion: Programs Overview (30 minutes): The commission heard from Kayla (Parks Department) and Rachel Strauss (Stormwater Education Coordinator) about city efforts. Parks is converting 6.2 acres of turf to pollinator habitats across four parks (Joyce Park, McQuillen Park, Meadow Park, Meadow Park Estates Park), funded by a grant through a partnership with the Trust for Public Land. Approximately 10 acres of native prairie have been seeded at the KR6 reservoir. The "Slow Mow Summer" program (formerly No Mow May) is promoted to residents, encouraging higher mowing heights and reduced frequency; yard signs are available at City Hall. Residents must still comply with the city's tall grass ordinance (turf under 12 inches) and manage noxious weeds. A 2024 state statute now allows naturally occurring and managed native vegetation on private property without a permit, except for boulevard plantings (which require a free permit). The city's free tree program (U.S. Forest Service grant) offers income-qualified residents in census tracts 1, 2, 3, and 6 free trees; 146 trees are planned for spring 2026, with a goal of over 1,000 trees planted across Rochester between 2025 and 2028 including both private and boulevard trees. Over 2,000 boulevard trees were planted in 2025. Rachel Strauss presented the Rochester Garden Grants (city-funded, up to $1,000, open to residents, schools, and organizations) and the state-level Lawns to Legumes grant (up to $400, residential only, priority for at-risk pollinators). Applications for city grants are open October 1 to December 30 annually. Other stormwater-related projects include the 37th Street Infiltration Basin, Pebble Creek and Kalmar Wet Sedimentation Basin, and a 42-acre Cascade Creek stream realignment and restoration project (design phase, construction likely 2027-2028). The Arbor Day event is scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McQuillen Field Park (with indoor backup at CTC field house); volunteers are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. to help with clean water mini-golf. Over 2,000 attendees are expected.

• Natural Gas Franchise Fee Engagement (45 minutes): The commission reviewed and revised a draft recommendation letter to City Council. The letter emphasizes the need for a stable, equitable, and local funding source to advance sustainability and resilience goals. Staff noted that the engagement process had an unprecedented level of public participation. The commission discussed several changes: reframing the heading from "Need for stable funding" to "Need for investment in community resilience"; highlighting benefits such as stable funding for efficiency programs, reduced long-term natural gas dependence, and support for low- and moderate-income residents; explicitly stating that the fee would assist residents and businesses in reducing energy costs through efficiency; adding information about the community-led Sustainability and Resiliency Task Force and the existing list of unfunded projects; changing a bullet point from "clarity" to "accountability"; and broadening the equity bullet to include homeowners, renters, and businesses proportionate cost distribution. Commissioner comments included support for the letter as a strong foundation and suggestions to focus on benefits, accountability, and tying the fee to the existing sustainability plan and task force work.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Minutes: The March meeting minutes were approved unanimously (7 ayes, 2 absent).
• Approved Natural Gas Franchise Fee Recommendation Report: The commission unanimously approved (7 ayes, 2 absent) the recommendation report to City Council, with the discussed amendments to be incorporated by staff.
• Agenda Order Changed: The commission unanimously approved moving the Pollinators and Turfgrass Conversion item (5.A) before the Natural Gas Franchise Fee item (4.A) to accommodate a guest speaker.
• Adjournment: The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:00 p.m.