Rochester City Council Regular Session – October 7, 2025

The Rochester City Council held a regular meeting on October 7, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. at Rochester Public Utilities, Community Room. The meeting covered the consent agenda, two public hearings, and multiple reports and recommendations, including the Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) budget, transit service changes, a community sports and recreation partnership, and the Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex. Key votes included approval of a developer parking agreement policy, adoption of the 2026 Master Fee Schedule, approval of the DMCC two-year budget, a $55,000 marketing investment for recreation programs, and authorization to advertise bids for the sports complex.

Consent Calendar

• Items F.1–F.5, F.7–F.22 approved in block, including minutes, accounts payable ($14,799,845.72), appointments, performance evaluation of City Attorney Michael Spindler Krage (3% merit increase), renewable energy wind purchase agreements, developer parking agreement policy, memorandum of understanding with Bring Back the Clock Board, bid advertisement for water reclamation chemicals, contracts for Skyline Flats utilities and Link BRT engineering, revocable permits with Mayo Clinic, reconstruction of 2nd Ave SW, roadway name change, septic/sewer connection, property acquisitions, development assistance for Shared Lab Space, boulevard tree agreements, downtown historic preservation funding, and EV charging rate policy.
• Item F.6 – Developer Parking Agreement Policy was pulled by Councilmember Palmer. After debate, a motion to deny failed 2–5, and a motion to approve passed 5–2 (yes: Keene, Miller, Wall, Doring, Schubring; no: Palmer, Fredericks). The policy provides a framework for negotiating city parking agreements with downtown developers, aiming to ensure predictable terms and financial responsibility.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jason Bale Bachin (self-represented litigant) criticized the Rochester Police Department for alleged constitutional violations, threatening legal action under federal civil rights statutes.
• Craig Martins expressed frustration that $65 million raised for a sports complex was being used for economic development rather than a community facility, urging the council to prioritize local access.
• Guy Havilick (retired IBMer, Kutsky Park resident) supported DMC public realm investments to preserve the natural character of the neighborhood and enhance non-automotive connectivity.
• Brenda Quay (owner, DT Rot) advocated for the developer parking policy, stating it allowed her to build 40 more workforce housing units downtown by reducing required parking.
• Cameron Mullen (secretary, Kutsky Park Neighborhood Association) backed DMC funding for the public realm project, citing strong community engagement and design quality.

Public Hearings

• Final Plat – Badger Heights (G1): Approved unanimously. The subdivision of 33.56 acres into 55 residential lots and two outlots, with conditions. Councilmember Keene clarified the term “mylar” as a film document used for final plat recording.
• 2026 Master Fee Schedule (G2): Approved unanimously. Establishes fees for the coming year and directs the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for first reading on November 3, 2025.

Discussion Items

• DMCC 2026–2027 Budget (H1): Deputy City Administrator Cindy Steinhauser presented a two-year operating budget ($5,012,040 in 2026; $5,251,692 in 2027) and a six-year CIP ($183.7 million total). The budget focuses on completing current projects, supporting infrastructure for Mayo Clinic’s Bold Forward.Unbound initiative, and preserving resources for the 5-year DMC plan update. Councilmember Fredericks raised concerns about council input timing, and staff agreed to improve pre‐DMCC board briefings. The budget was approved.
• Transit Fall Service Changes (H2): Sandra Narr (transit planner) proposed discontinuing four low-ridership routes (103, 202, 217, 309) and reducing evening route frequency from 30 to 60 minutes, saving ~$1 million annually. Public engagement in September yielded over 400 responses. The changes will affect 75% of residents within a 10-minute walk (down from 77%). Councilmembers expressed anxiety about declining ridership and urged strategic thinking, but no action was required—only a report.
• Community Based Partnerships – Sports and Recreation Programs (H3): Parks and Rec Director Paul Whitman, Ben Bolt, and Communications Director Jenna Bowman outlined partner successes (23,000 participants, 700 scholarships worth $86,000 in 2024) and barriers (cost, transportation, equipment, awareness). They proposed a marketing investment from contingency funds to increase awareness of programs. Council approved $55,000 for communications and marketing, with staff to return in December with community engagement results.
• Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex – Bid Authorization and RCTC MOU (H4): Deputy Administrator Parrish requested two separate actions. First, the council approved directing staff to finalize a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) to explore near- and long-term recreational facility partnerships. Council President Schubring, Mayor Norton, Administrator Zelms, and Deputy Administrator Parrish will lead negotiations, with Councilmember Wall added to the team. Second, authorization to advertise bids for the outdoor sports complex passed 5–2 (yes: Keene, Wall, Fredericks, Palmer, Schubring; no: Miller, Doring). Bids are due December 8, 2025; staff will incorporate bid alternates to manage costs.

Key Outcomes

• Developer Parking Agreement Policy: Approved 5–2.
• 2026 Master Fee Schedule: Approved unanimously.
• DMCC 2026–2027 Budget: Approved unanimously.
• Recreation Program Marketing: $55,000 approved from 2025 contingency funds.
• RCTC MOU: Approved (direct staff to finalize).
• Sports Complex Bid Advertisement: Approved 5–2.
• Zone Change (Veldco): Approved unanimously on second reading (rezone 5.48 acres from MXS to MXC).