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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Rochester City Council Regular Session - April 7, 2025

City Council — Monday, April 7, 2025

BodyRochester, Minnesota

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, April 7, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:54:12

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

1:00

Please rise as you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:03

Recording in progress.

1:14

One nation under God.

1:17

Liberty and Justice for all.

1:24

Welcome everyone to the April 7th, 2025 City Council meeting.

1:30

And we begin every meeting with our open comment period.

1:34

This is an opportunity for anyone from the public to speak on items that we will not be taking a public testimony on during a public hearing later in the agenda.

1:46

Each person has up to two minutes to speak for a total of 20 minutes.

2:03

So please please know that I may need to cut you off.

2:07

Because of the limited time, we want to be sure that others have an opportunity to speak.

2:12

And I'll re I request that each speaker be concise to allow more people to speak.

2:18

Participants are also encouraged to limit comments generally to topics that are within the scope and jurisdiction of the council's ability to affect policy.

2:28

Council members and staff do not respond to your comments during public comment, but will instead follow up on any specific requests you have separately.

2:47

And you will be invited up in the order on which you signed up.

2:52

And so we will start with Carolyn Furle.

3:19

Okay, hello, my name is Catherine Furl, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am serving as a volunteer, helping to promote a worldwide movement called Just Serve.

3:30

Just serve believes in spreading hope, goodness, and unity through the vital role of volunteerism.

3:36

With motivated individuals and communities, we can build united and harmonious societies.

3:49

And in turn, community members can find volunteer opportunities that fit their interests.

4:21

She was enthusiastic about it and created and signed a city volunteer proclamation for the city of Rochester, which was one of the requirements to be a just serve city.

4:30

Rochester became the second city to in Minnesota to receive the Just Serve City Award.

4:35

And tonight we would like to present the award to her.

4:37

This fall we will be nominating Rochester to receive the global just the global Just Serve City Award.

4:44

And hopefully Rochester will become the first city in Minnesota to gain that recognition.

4:48

The qualifications for this award are first to be an active Just Serve City, which just means that we will be posting volunteer opportunities online and on the Just Service website.

5:00

And to post the volunteer, the city's volunteer proclamation in a visible spot, such as City Hall or on the city's website to communicate the city's commitment to volunteerism.

5:08

Second, to encourage unity and city values by supporting diverse groups and their service efforts.

5:14

And lastly, to formally recognize individuals for serving the community, which Mayor Norton does annually.

5:20

Again, we'd like to congratulate Mayor Norton and the City of Rochester for receiving the Just Serve City Award.

5:30

Now we do have Brianna Bly as our next speaker.

5:34

Are you going to speak as well?

5:36

No, I'm just with her.

5:37

Okay, you because you would work.

5:38

You will have two more minutes if you'd like.

5:40

Oh no.

5:41

And then this is the proclamation that uh Mayor Norton signed and presented to us.

5:46

So it's lovely.

5:48

And thanks for all you guys do.

5:50

We appreciate it.

5:50

Thank you for bringing it in.

6:01

Okay.

6:01

Can we have one more round of applause?

6:16

This is our open comment period.

6:18

Those are the two names that I had on my list.

6:20

If there is anyone else who wishes to be heard during open comment period, please step forward and identify yourself and you have 10 two minutes.

6:32

Don't have the normal four minutes, but limited down to two.

6:35

No, it's always two minutes.

6:37

Well, it wasn't until just a couple years ago.

6:40

So but yes, I'm Molly Dennis.

6:44

And I will didn't sign up, but since there's time, I thought I'd come back.

6:47

At the last council meeting, I came up and spoke and asked for some transparency in uh the use of council member time.

6:56

And I have not heard back from a single council member, anyone from that email.

7:01

So I will be posting it on my social media community advocate site.

7:07

So any resident or anyone who wants to visit my social um my community advocate site, I will have that email posted.

7:14

And I hope that some council member will respond and hopefully show transparency in how their hours and how their time is being sped.

7:23

I have received phone calls from residents who have not been able to get a hold of their current council member and have reached out to me.

7:30

I have received emails and correspondence through social media.

7:33

I have been having people come and say, I have not been able to re uh get a hold of my council member.

7:39

Could you please answer this question?

7:40

And so I want to know with your wages of over $54,000 per year, brand new vehicles sitting in the parking lot.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Homelessness███████████████████████████27%

Affordable Housing███████████████15%

Community Engagement████████████12%

Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%

Procedural████████8%

Economic Development██████6%

Public Engagement█████5%

Public Comment███3%

Public Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Rochester City Council Regular Session - April 7, 2025

The Rochester City Council held a regular meeting on April 7, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. The agenda included consent items, a public hearing, reports and recommendations (including bond sale approval, a home ownership program contribution, and a charter agreement for homeless response), and ordinance readings. Key decisions were made on infrastructure contracts, a major land subdivision, and participation in the AnyPath Home collective.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of March 17, 2025.
Approved accounts payable of $22,905,090.45.
Approved a resolution for an annual gambling permit for Byron Youth Football Association at Kahler Inn and Suites (Councilmember Wall voted no on this item).
Accepted donations to the Police Department's Animal Control Shelter.
Approved a Joint Powers Agreement for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force.
Approved the 2025-27 Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME Local 319.
Received and filed the 2024 Ethical Practices Board Annual Report.
Approved an ordinance amendment removing Community Service Officers from Police Department personnel ordinance (first reading).
Authorized bid advertisements for Fire Station 3 Roof Replacement and 2025 Storm Water Catch Basin Rehabilitation.
Awarded contracts: Amano McGann, Inc. ($1,757,714) for parking ramp equipment; Elcor Construction, Inc. ($204,438) for West Transit Village sanitary sewer; Scott Construction, Inc. ($658,327) for 2025 Chip Seal Street Rehabilitation; Bolton & Menk ($102,781) for Quarry Ridge Pond design.
Authorized four City-Owner contracts with professional technical services for Mayo Clinic projects (St. Mary's Campus Parking Ramp, North Parking Structure, Prospect Utility Plant Expansion) and Northbridge Church improvements.
Authorized City-Owner contract for West Transit Village storm water improvements with Kimley-Horn ($94,000).
Authorized City-Owner contracts for Hadley Creek Estates Fifth and Sixth Subdivisions with Widseth Smith Nolting ($183,849).
Extended limited use permits with MnDOT through 2035.
Authorized revocable permits with Mayo Clinic for a pedestrian tunnel and vertical circulation buildings on 2nd St SW, chilled water lines on 6th Ave NW, and plantings on 6th Ave NW and West Center St.
Approved a septic connection agreement with Robert and Mary Trousdale.
Scheduled a public hearing for May 19, 2025, on the Broadway Avenue South/TH 14 intersection improvement project.
Approved annexation petition CD2025-001ANX (approx. 330 acres) with R-2 zoning.
Approved partial redemption of 2015A lodging tax revenue bonds.

Public Comments & Testimony

Catherine Furl (representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) presented the Just Serve City Award to Mayor Norton and the City of Rochester, highlighting Rochester as the second city in Minnesota to receive the award, and announced plans to nominate Rochester for a global award.
Molly Dennis (former council member, self-identified community advocate) requested transparency in city council member time and wages, stating she had not received responses to earlier emails. She reported receiving calls from residents unable to reach their council members and urged accountability for taxpayer dollars.

Discussion Items

G1 - Major Land Subdivision (Creekview Meadows Third): Staff (Desmond McGill) and applicant (Bill Toynton, WC Engineering) presented a preliminary plat for 25 single-family lots on 8 acres in the R-1 district, part of a larger 67-acre GDP approved in 2020. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval (8-0) with three conditions. The public hearing had no speakers. Council approved unanimously.
H1 - Sale of $10,880,000 General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds: Finance Director Brian Anderson and advisor Chris Hogan (Baker Tilly) reported that the bonds sold at a true interest cost of 3.54% (down from an initial projection of 4.13%), with seven bidders. The winning bid was from Piper Sandler. The bonds received a Triple-A rating from S&P and Moody's. Council approved the sale.
H2 - Home Ownership Creation Program - Westbury Recommendation: Housing Coordinator Taryn Eidens presented a request for $4,380,000 in upfront subsidy to Bigelow Homes for 219 for-sale homes (100 homes priced $350,000–$380,000, affordable to households up to 115% of AMI; remaining 119 homes under $500,000). The program aligns with the city's strategic priority for affordable living. Council discussed protections (milestone payments, deed restriction against renting for 7 years) and the broader housing supply need. Approved unanimously.
H3 - AnyPath Home Charter Agreement: Taryn Eidens presented a governance charter for a collective impact homeless response system involving multiple service providers, Olmsted County, and the City. The charter was described as a starting point, with no funding request at this time. Councilmembers expressed varied views: some supported participation to ensure city voice (police, library, community development), others were frustrated with slow progress and wanted clearer goals and timelines. A motion to participate in development of the charter passed 6-1 (Councilmember Palmer opposed).

Key Outcomes

Consent agenda approved with one dissenting vote on item F3 (annual gambling permit).
Creekview Meadows Third subdivision preliminary plat approved (unanimous).
Bond sale awarded to Piper Sandler at 3.54% true interest cost; principal amount adjusted from $10,985,000 to $10,880,000 due to premium use.
$4,380,000 contribution to Westbury development approved, supporting 219 for-sale homes via the Home Ownership Creation Program (unanimous).
Motion to participate in AnyPath Home charter development passed 6-1; a council representative and staff will be appointed by April 21, 2025.
Ordinance second reading (K1) for annexation of 49.90 acres approved (unanimous).
Ordinance first readings (J1, J2, J3) received and filed.

Meeting Transcript

Please rise as you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance. Recording in progress. One nation under God. Liberty and Justice for all. Welcome everyone to the April 7th, 2025 City Council meeting. And we begin every meeting with our open comment period. This is an opportunity for anyone from the public to speak on items that we will not be taking a public testimony on during a public hearing later in the agenda. Each person has up to two minutes to speak for a total of 20 minutes. So please please know that I may need to cut you off. Because of the limited time, we want to be sure that others have an opportunity to speak. And I'll re I request that each speaker be concise to allow more people to speak. Participants are also encouraged to limit comments generally to topics that are within the scope and jurisdiction of the council's ability to affect policy. Council members and staff do not respond to your comments during public comment, but will instead follow up on any specific requests you have separately. And you will be invited up in the order on which you signed up. And so we will start with Carolyn Furle. Okay, hello, my name is Catherine Furl, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am serving as a volunteer, helping to promote a worldwide movement called Just Serve. Just serve believes in spreading hope, goodness, and unity through the vital role of volunteerism. With motivated individuals and communities, we can build united and harmonious societies. And in turn, community members can find volunteer opportunities that fit their interests. She was enthusiastic about it and created and signed a city volunteer proclamation for the city of Rochester, which was one of the requirements to be a just serve city. Rochester became the second city to in Minnesota to receive the Just Serve City Award. And tonight we would like to present the award to her. This fall we will be nominating Rochester to receive the global just the global Just Serve City Award. And hopefully Rochester will become the first city in Minnesota to gain that recognition. The qualifications for this award are first to be an active Just Serve City, which just means that we will be posting volunteer opportunities online and on the Just Service website. And to post the volunteer, the city's volunteer proclamation in a visible spot, such as City Hall or on the city's website to communicate the city's commitment to volunteerism. Second, to encourage unity and city values by supporting diverse groups and their service efforts. And lastly, to formally recognize individuals for serving the community, which Mayor Norton does annually. Again, we'd like to congratulate Mayor Norton and the City of Rochester for receiving the Just Serve City Award. Now we do have Brianna Bly as our next speaker. Are you going to speak as well? No, I'm just with her. Okay, you because you would work. You will have two more minutes if you'd like. Oh no. And then this is the proclamation that uh Mayor Norton signed and presented to us. So it's lovely. And thanks for all you guys do. We appreciate it. Thank you for bringing it in. Okay. Can we have one more round of applause? This is our open comment period. Those are the two names that I had on my list. If there is anyone else who wishes to be heard during open comment period, please step forward and identify yourself and you have 10 two minutes. Don't have the normal four minutes, but limited down to two. No, it's always two minutes. Well, it wasn't until just a couple years ago. So but yes, I'm Molly Dennis. And I will didn't sign up, but since there's time, I thought I'd come back.

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