City Council Regular Session – July 21, 2025

The Rochester City Council met at 6:00 p.m. on July 21, 2025, at the Government Center Council Chamber. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, public comments, the award of a major Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) construction contract, a professional services contract for downtown active transportation corridor planning, a second-reading annexation ordinance, and an informational update on Rochester Public Utility (RPU) energy and water futures.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes and Accounts Payable: Approved minutes of July 7 and June 16, 2025, and accounts payable totaling $33,783,323.07 (including $18,105,256.66 in investment purchases and $15,678,066.41 in accounts payable).
• Budget and Bids: Received and filed the 2025 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report; authorized bid advertisement for the Lincolnshire Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (Project J8208); awarded a contract to Parkmobile, LLC for electronic parking meter fee software; approved a contract with Pember Companies, Inc. for 4th St SE and 19th Ave SE Intersection Improvements (Project J6064); authorized a contract with Toole Design Group for transportation planning and engineering design services (this item was polled and later discussed separately under H2).
• Infrastructure and Agreements: Authorized a city-owner contract for public watermain to serve Forte Senior Housing Phase III (Project J5622) with a professional technical services contract with Widseth ($9,315); approved a parking lease agreement with Fontaine Towers II; authorized a revocable permit with Mayo Clinic for crane pads in 1st St SW and 2nd St SW right-of-way for the new hospital; approved Change Order #1 with SM Hentges & Sons ($406,966.76) for Runway Reconstruction at Rochester International Airport; authorized a permissive use and subordination agreement with Mediacom; accepted the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics Air Service Marketing Grant; and authorized a purchase of digital forensic products from Magnet Forensics ($198,617.28).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lori Campbell (Treasurer, International Relations Committee) requested $20,000 in startup funds for sister city programs, citing the committee’s post-COVID restart and examples from Duluth. She mentioned 40 committee members and sister cities in China, Germany, South Korea, and Cambodia.
• Roland Chapman and Craig Van Ort described an abandoned house at 1104 6th Avenue NW that has been vacant for 35–40 years, causing property devaluation and safety concerns. They asked the city to address the issue, noting that previous complaints led to notices sent to the owner in California but no further action.
• Ethan Schones (RCTC student, Worker Strike Back member) opposed the removal of the free park-and-ride transit pass for RCTC students, effective August 1, 2025. He stated hundreds of students will lose free transit access and called the decision a profit-driven move by Transdev.
• David Montequin (public sector worker, member of AFSCME Local 319 and Workers Strike Back) expressed solidarity with RCTC students and ATU 1005 members, criticizing the City Council for cuts affecting working-class and poor residents.
• Adam Busby (representative, ATU 1005) reported sexual harassment, sexism, and racism by Transdev management, alleging that reports to higher-ups had not led to disciplinary action. He also criticized the city for not allowing union representatives on property.
• Molly Dennis supported students and unions, and criticized the city’s elimination of virtual and phone comments for council meetings, calling it discriminatory against residents without transportation, flexible hours, or internet access. She noted she relied on her 17-year-old daughter for a ride.
• Aaron Mead (We Bike Rochester) spoke in strong support of hiring Toole Design Group for the downtown north-south active transportation corridor study, emphasizing health, reduced parking demand, and community connectivity. He noted Mayo Clinic consultants had previously identified 2nd Avenue as a viable route.

Discussion Items

H1 – Link Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Contract with Elcor Construction

• Presentation: Steve Sampson Brown presented the award of Bid Package Volume C (the largest remaining package) to Elcor Construction, Inc. for $73,174,436.62, covering the pedestrian tunnel at St. Mary’s, station platforms, and amenities. The single bid was approximately $16 million over the engineer’s estimate. Total project cost would rise to $196.7 million, using nearly all of the $175.5 million in current resources and restoring contingency to $22.75 million.
• Discussion: Councilmembers asked about contingency use (unforeseen conditions, optimization, business support), tariff-driven cost increases, and lack of competition. Staff noted that tariffs implemented in the five months since previous bidding, a tight Rochester construction market, and higher wages from out-of-town contractors contributed to the higher bid. Value engineering opportunities would be pursued. Funding sources are state and federal transit aid and Destination Medical Center (DMC) funds; the resolutions require DMC board approval on July 22.
• Outcome: The three-part resolution (contract award, DMCC budget amendment, and contingency on DMC approval) passed unanimously.

H2 – Contract with Toole Design Group for Active Transportation Planning

• Presentation: The contract, not to exceed $224,889.66, covers two tasks: (1) reimagining 6th Avenue NW/SW as a multimodal corridor (complete street design, placemaking, public realm) connecting downtown’s east side (Mayo/Unbound project) to western and northern neighborhoods; and (2) restoring a north-south bike lane alignment after the vacation of 3rd and 4th Avenues SW. The work includes conceptual renderings, 10% design, engineering analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Total cost for 6th Avenue improvements is estimated at $13.5 million ($1.5 million per block for eight blocks).
• Debate: Councilmember Wall and Palmer polled the item. Wall objected to the cost ($224,000 for a study) and questioned whether the investment matched actual bike usage (citing Minneapolis’s decline from 5% to 1.8% bike commuters). He also challenged the elimination of generalized public engagement, as noted in task 2 of the scope. Staff clarified that “stakeholder” includes residents, downtown workers, and bike groups, and that extensive prior engagement (e.g., Kutsky neighborhood meetings) will be leveraged to avoid over-engagement. Councilmember Miller expressed concern about designating 2nd Avenue for pedestrians only (via pedestrian easement) and asked about broader downtown connectivity and safety. Councilmember Keene confirmed the $224,000 would achieve 10% design for 6th Avenue and the north-south connection, not just a study. Mayor Norton urged use of existing boards and commissions for engagement.
• Outcome: The resolution passed 5–2, with Councilmembers Wall and Palmer voting no.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved all consent items except F7 (polled; later approved under H2).
• Link BRT Contract: Awarded to Elcor Construction for $73,174,436.62; total project budget revised to $196.7 million; contingency set at $22.75 million; DMC board approval still required.
• Toole Design Group Contract: Authorized at $224,889.66 for downtown active transportation planning; design will engage stakeholders and leverage prior public input; expected to return with a recommendation by early 2026.
• Annexation Ordinance (Second Reading): Adopted for 158.2 acres north of 48th Street SE, with Mixed Use General (MXG) zoning on 21.94 acres and Medium Density Residential (R-3) on 136.27 acres. Unanimous.
• Other Business: Councilmember Keene provided an update on RPU’s upcoming decisions on power generation (2030 and beyond), noting federal/state policy changes, carbon-neutral commitments, and energy reliability/rate concerns. He also noted that the Minnesota DNR has signaled limits on new groundwater wells, spurring regional water resource planning with surrounding communities. An RPU board meeting is scheduled for July 22 at 4 p.m.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m.