Rochester City Council Meeting - March 16, 2026: Bond Issuance, Infrastructure Projects, and Public Comment
Rochester City Council Meeting - March 16, 2026
The Rochester City Council met on March 16, 2026, to address a consent calendar, hear public comment, receive the city administrator's report, conduct a public hearing for a $750 million conduit bond issuance on behalf of Mayo Clinic, approve bid advertisements for infrastructure projects, and adopt second readings of ordinances. Councilmember Miller and Mayor Norton were absent; Council President Schubring served as acting mayor.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Molly Dennis spoke during the open comment period, criticizing the city for allegedly blocking residents' feedback, threatening her and her family, and restricting access to government information. She stated that this censorship erodes representational democracy and urged the council to be transparent and pro-community engagement. No council response was given.
City Administrator's Report
- City Administrator Alison Alms reported that public works teams responded to a snowstorm that delivered 15 inches of snow, operating 45 pieces of equipment 24/7 since Sunday. She thanked residents for patience and cautioned about travel.
- Upcoming events were announced: Mindfulness Nature Walks at Quarry Hill Nature Center on March 21, April 18, and May 23 (free, ages 18+, 9:30-11:30 a.m.); open houses on March 24 for Superior Drive NW/26th Street NW reconstruction, 2nd Street SE/16th Avenue SE sanitary sewer project, and 9th Avenue SE traffic management; and a street sweeper naming contest (submissions by March 25 via RochesterMN.gov).
Consent Calendar
- Items F1 through F9, F12 through F15, and F17 through F27 were approved unanimously. Councilmember Wall noted a 34% savings ($163,000) on a bid awarded that evening, commending staff and building partners.
Discussion Items
Public Hearing: Mayo Clinic Conduit Bond Issuance ($750 million)
- Staff introduced a resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation revenue bonds (conduit financing) on behalf of Mayo Clinic for capital projects, including renovations and upgrades. The city has no liability; Mayo Clinic has a double-A rating and is financially stable. The bonds align with the city's Bold Forward Unbound vision and provide economic benefits.
- Applicant Paul Gorman (Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, Mayo Clinic) stated the funds would help build the best hospital in the world, noting Mayo's recent Newsweek ranking as #1 hospital for the eighth consecutive time. He emphasized financial strength and patient-first values.
- No public testimony was offered. Council questions clarified the public benefit (tax-exempt financing for Mayo, job creation), the city's role (no direct financial benefit), and the policy change on conduit fees (new policy adopted after this application, so not applicable).
- A motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.
H1: Bid Advertisement for 65th Street NW and Fairway Drive Roundabout
- Staff described a mini-roundabout to address sight distance issues and speeding, with construction planned for summer 2026. Engineering services were donated in-kind by the original firm due to design errors in the prior road reconstruction.
- Councilmember Palmer voted no, citing frustration with the engineering error and traffic disruption. The motion passed 5-1, with Palmer opposing.
H2: Bid Advertisement for Reconstruction of Superior Drive NW and 26th Street NW
- Staff explained a hybrid approach (partial reconstruction, preservation of curb and sidewalk) due to poor soils and compaction issues from the original 2000s construction. No special assessments were levied because it is not a full reconstruction per policy.
- Councilmember Palmer raised concerns about the lack of special assessments and soil conditions, but staff assured subdrains and proper design. Councilmember Wall praised staff responsiveness to a resident inquiry. The motion passed unanimously.
H3: Contract Amendment with Tool Design Group for Sixth Avenue West Design
- Staff noted that an RFP was issued, and Tool Design Group was selected after a competitive process. The amendment covers full design and construction administration for the Reimagining Sixth Avenue West project.
- Councilmember Palmer voted no, citing the $1.4 million cost and lack of competitive bidding (though staff clarified an RFP was used). The motion passed 5-1, with Palmer opposing. It was noted that construction on Sixth Avenue may continue through 2030 due to Mayo's West Tower crane.
Ordinance Second Readings
- K1: Film Permit Ordinance – Creating Chapter 5-24 of the city code relating to film permits. Passed unanimously.
- K2: Rezoning (13 acres near Highway 63 and 60th Street SW) – From AG Agriculture to R1 Mixed Use Single Family. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the agenda and consent calendar unanimously.
- Adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of $750 million in conduit bonds for Mayo Clinic (unanimous).
- Approved bid advertisement for the 65th Street NW/Fairway Drive roundabout (5-1).
- Approved bid advertisement for Superior Drive NW/26th Street NW reconstruction (unanimous).
- Approved a contract amendment with Tool Design Group for Sixth Avenue West design (5-1).
- Adopted second readings of ordinances on film permits and rezoning (both unanimous).
- The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Rise as you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance. Liberty and Justice for All. Welcome everybody to our March 16th, 2026. As you all know, we open our city council meeting with our open comment period. And this is an opportunity for members of the public to speak on items that we will not be taking 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. 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 separately. You will be invited to speak in the order in which you signed up, and uh we will start with Miss Molly Dennis. Well, thank you. It doesn't look like very many people showed up at the council meeting today. Oh, can you turn your mic on, Molly? Thank you. Oh, it's not on yet. Can I push it kind of hard? There you go. Since I only have two minutes, if I could be credited back my seven seconds. Lovely, thank you. I just was saying that not too many people showed up today's council meeting. I wish more public engagement would be happening here. But as a as personally as a volunteer in Rochester for nearly two decades, a teacher, parent, community advocate. I have devoted my life to social justice. Um has refused to answer people's questions, has refused to um connect to residents, and has fear-mongered and created propaganda. It is it truly is appalling. Uh has wrote a certified letter to me threatening me and my family from attending city council meetings. And then last week, he has blocked access for for me to ex uh to have uh government information and this refusal to give when I asked for for a reason why I was blocked, he would not give a reason. And that is recorded if you would like to hear that. Uh representative Doring and Mayor Norton have routinely blocked residents' respectful feedback that they disagree with. And this censorship is the erosion of the foundation of representational democracy. Our city council cannot claim that you are transparent, cannot claim that you are pro-community engagement, and you cannot claim you want to do what's best for Rochester citizens when again and again and again you have proven otherwise. Please, for my children here and for all children of Rochester, for the future of our city. When representing our city, Miss Dennis. Uh, this is our open comment period. Anyone else wishing to be heard, please step forward. Seeing no one, I will close the open comment period. And we will move on to uh uh call the meeting to order and clerk case of can you call the roll? And Clerk Caseel, can you call the roll? Good evening. Councilmember Keene. Here. Councilmember Miller is absent. Councilmember Wall. Here. Councilmember Fredericks. Here. Councilmember Palmer. Here. Councilmember Doring. Here. Council President Schubring.
openpublica.com