Rochester City Council Regular Session – May 5, 2025
Rochester City Council Regular Session – May 5, 2025
The Rochester City Council met on May 5, 2025, to consider a full agenda including consent items, public hearings on zoning and historic preservation, a major subdivision, an appeal of a Heritage Preservation Commission decision, and an update on the 6th Street Bridge and Riverfront Project. The meeting featured extensive public comment on budget cuts, transit service, and the proposed demolition of historic buildings on South Broadway. The council voted 5-2 to deny the removal of landmark designation for five properties and similarly denied an appeal of the HPC's denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of April 21, 2025; accounts payable of $15,518,831.54.
- Off-site gambling permit for VFW Post 1215 at Graham Park.
- Appointments: Bob Hopkins to Library Board.
- Budget amendment of $92,256 for Link BRT police officer program.
- Bid advertisement for Link BRT Maintenance Bay Addition.
- Contract with Fitzgerald Excavating for 50th Ave NW reconstruction ($1,756,871.57).
- Septic system connection agreement with Nelson family.
- City-owner contracts for Ponderosa Pine Subdivision Phase 2 and Rochester Sand & Gravel.
- Contract with Elcor Construction for Link BRT civil utilities ($21,284,394.16).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Budget & Library Cuts: Toby H., Heather Dillon, David Montequin (AFSME Local 319) opposed proposed budget cuts to library and city services, calling for taxing the rich instead. They criticized city and state budget proposals.
- Transit Issues: Adam Busby (ATU 1005) reported missed routes, toxic management at Rochester Public Transit, and urged city to hold Transdev accountable. Ryan Stack and Becca Anklin shared personal experiences of missed rides and unreliable service.
- Historic District Preservation: Over 30 speakers, including business owners, artists, students, and residents, urged the council to deny the removal of landmark designation for 309–317 S. Broadway. Speakers highlighted the cultural and community value of businesses like Cafe Steam, Art Heads Emporium, Threshold Arts, and Tree Dome. Many argued the buildings are historically significant and that demolition would set a dangerous precedent.
- Safety & Development: Molly Dennis raised concerns about pedestrian safety near construction at Broadway and Elton Hills. Doris Amundson opposed the 8-foot multi-use trail and mini-roundabout on 6th Street SE, citing safety and tree impacts.
Discussion Items
G1 – Zoning Map Amendment (City of Rochester)
Approved unanimously to change 55.48 acres from LI to Special Industrial to support future development. No public comment.
G2 – Major Land Subdivision: London Brook Ponds
Approved with two conditions. Applicant Mark Welch (GQD Engineering) described 50 for-sale townhomes, a multi-family parcel, and a daycare. Resident Joanne Sandstrom raised concerns about traffic, law enforcement coverage, and HOA fees.
G3 – Utility Easement Vacation (Chick-fil-A)
Approved unanimously to vacate existing easements on a site at 317th Ave NW for a quick-service restaurant.
G4 – Request for Landmark Removal (309–317 S. Broadway)
Extensive debate. Applicant Hal Henderson (311 Broadway Development LLC) proposed a mixed-use student housing tower with a gymnasium, retaining building facades. He argued economic hardship and that the buildings are marginally significant. Staff and HPC recommended denial, finding no change in historic significance or integrity. Public speakers overwhelmingly opposed demolition, citing the district's cultural importance. Councilmembers Palmer and Fredericks moved to remove the landmark designation due to economic hardship, but the motion failed 2-5 (yes: Fredericks, Palmer; no: Keene, Miller, Wall, Doring, Schubring). A subsequent motion to deny the removal passed 5-2.
G5 – Appeal of HPC Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness
Related to the same project. The council considered whether the proposed design met Secretary of Interior Standards and local design guidelines. Staff and HPC found the scale incompatible. Applicant argued compromise had been reached after 13 meetings. Public comment reiterated concerns. A motion to uphold the HPC denial passed 5-2 (yes: Miller, Keene, Wall, Doring, Schubring; no: Fredericks, Palmer).
H1 – 6th Street Bridge and Riverfront Projects Update
Staff presented 30% design for a new bridge with separated pedestrian/bike paths, traffic calming on 6th Street SE, and riverfront enhancements. Discussion included lane widths, speed reduction to 25 mph, coordination with Link BRT, and floodplain permitting. Concerns were raised about the multi-use path in residential areas and traffic diversion. Council directed staff to continue engagement with the neighborhood and explore innovative safety features.
K – Ordinance Readings (Second)
- K1: Ordinance amending police department personnel (removing Community Service Officers). Approved.
- K2: Rezoning 1.07 acres in Willow Ridge area from R-2 to R-3. Approved.
- K3: Rezoning 3.89 acres at Marion Rd from R-2 to MX-C. Approved 6-0 (Councilmember Palmer absent).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved as a block.
- G1 (Zoning): Approved, directing city attorney to prepare ordinance.
- G2 (Subdivision): Approved with two conditions.
- G3 (Utility Easement): Approved.
- G4 (Landmark Removal): Motion to remove failed (2-5); motion to deny removal passed (5-2).
- G5 (HPC Appeal): Denied (5-2), upholding HPC decision.
- H1 (Bridge Update): No vote; staff to proceed with design and further engagement.
- K1-K3: Approved as noted.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Please rise if you're able for the uh Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge a pledge of allegiance to the United States of America. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you everybody for being here. If uh you don't have a seat, I believe our uh city clerk's office is setting up a few chairs at the uh the screen outside of if you want to sit out there and not be in the crowded room, feel free. Uh so uh we start every uh city council meeting uh with our open comment period. This is an opportunity for anyone from the public to speak on items that we will not be taking public testimony during public hearings later in the agenda. Each person has up to two minutes to speak for a total of 20 minutes. I will keep I will be keeping track of time through a few methods. One, the clock up here, the red clock, as well as the stoplight here. So please know I may need to cut you off uh because of the limited time. Uh I'd also request that each speaker be concise to allow more time for people to speak during the designated designated time. Uh 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 directly to your comments during public comment, but will instead follow up on any specific requests separately. If you have materials to share with the council, you may give them to the city clerk over here to distribute. And at this point, you will be invited up to speak in uh order of the public comment sheet. And our first speaker is Toby H. Please state your name and you have two minutes. My name is Tony. Press a button until it turns green. Got it. Okay. My name is Toby. I am a Rochester resident, a member of Workers Strike Back, and I work with folks struggling with drug addiction. I am here today in solidarity with AFSME Local 319 who are fighting unjust budget cuts to library services and many other crucial services that working and poor people depend on. I find it utterly despicable that the Democrats and Republicans on the Rochester City Council will decide to cut spending on public services, resulting in the layoffs of part-time library workers and cuts to many services that the hardworking people of Rochester rely on. Even further, the Minnesota State Legislature are getting ready to carry out their own anti-worker attacks at the state level, proposing to cut nearly four billion dollars from the state budget over the next few years. This is disgraceful, and the city council should join us in fighting for the state to tax the rich. As working people in Rochester, we reject all of this. This is what Socialist City Council member Shama Sawant and the working people of Seattle did when they built the movement in their city to win the Amazon tax on big business to fund affordable housing. The Amazon tax campaign was successful because of a fighting strategy by Shahma City Council office. That meant refusing to make backdoor deals with Democrats or big business, but instead fighting them and forcing them to concede through the power of a mass movement of thousands of working people and union members. Any elected official who votes for these unjust cuts can and should be thrown out of office. No budget cuts, no layoffs, tax the rich. Thank you. Please want to respect all speakers and uh decorum in the chamber. So please, no applause. That just takes time away from other speakers. Next up is Heather Dillon. Hello, City Council. I'm a member of Local 319 AFSME as well. The Rochester Public Library, I don't need to remind everyone that it is a cornerstone of our community and provides vital resources and services for all residents. I want to address a pressing issue, a recent budget projection that indicated we are currently over our part-time staffing budget. This unfortunately puts our dedicated part-time staff, some of whom are here with me tonight and who have asked me to speak on their behalf, at immediate risk of reduced hours and potential layoffs. There are over 39 individuals that are just not employees to us. They're backbone of our daily operations. They ensure access to resources for everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations. Your constituents. Losing their contributions would significantly disrupt services, including the quality of lives for thousands.
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