OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

April 27, 2026 City Council Study Session: Sports Center, Water Plan, UMR Preview

City Council — Monday, April 27, 2026
BodyRochester, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:50:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:12

Welcome everybody to our city council study session, April 27th.

0:18

And we have the shades open today.

0:21

We get to look at the beautiful Rochester skyline across the river.

0:26

We have three agenda items on our agenda today.

0:32

The Rochester Regional Sports Center Stadium and Sports Fields.

0:38

And then we have the comprehensive surface water management planal draft and the University of Minnesota Rochester Strategic Growth Plan Preview.

0:49

So we will start it off, Mr.

0:52

Parrish.

0:53

Are you taking the first one?

0:54

Yeah, president, members of the council, really appreciate the opportunity to be here.

0:57

This is really a culmination of some very significant work that's been taking place over the last five or six months around really meeting the indoor recreation needs of the community, but also looking at our existing and potentially an enhanced partnership with RCTC to meet those needs.

1:15

So we really have broken this presentation up into two spaces today.

1:20

Jenna Bowman and team will be talking about what we learned about indoor recreation options and needs in the community, building upon previous uh work that's also taken place.

1:31

So really appreciate uh Jenna Abby and Brittany's work in this space.

1:36

Um also our overall communications team.

1:39

So we're gonna go through the results of that, um, which are included for reference in your packet in the presentation for about 10 or so minutes.

1:47

Uh, take a pause to answer any questions that you might have and any clarifications or comments, and then transition into a more uh focused conversation around options.

1:58

And so I want to just really extend my appreciation uh to a few folks here that have really guided us and shepherded us to where we've gotten today.

2:07

Uh we've been meeting with RCTC weekly after the council encouraged the team to think about creative options for meeting our indoor recreation needs.

2:16

So, Council President Schobring, Mayor Norton, Councilmember Wall, uh City Administrator's Elms, uh Ben Bolt and myself all of uh spent every Monday morning for an hour and a half or plus or minus uh really trying to think creatively about how we can maximize the opportunities within these partnerships.

2:33

We have some exciting concepts to share with you tonight.

2:36

Um we'll focus not only on the concepts in terms of the physical evolution of what might be able to happen in these different scenarios, but I don't want to also lose sight of the fact that we have a number of opportunities to just maximize and optimize and reimagine our existing partnerships, including marketing investments that you've all already made.

2:54

RCTC has taken a strong uh leadership role and evolving their existing uh programming.

3:00

So you see a lot of you know walking and pickleball and uh volleyball, etc.

3:04

happening out there that wasn't happening before.

3:07

Um just want to continue to you know build on that as well.

3:11

Uh I want to emphasize when we get to the concepts portion of the presentation that um these would be further refined through preliminary design, a community working group, and uh have more focused process around that.

3:25

All the things you're gonna see here are really like 5% design.

3:28

So we need to take another level to refine budget estimates, to refine the programming, to refine the concepts that we would have.

3:36

Um, so further due diligence is required there.

3:39

I also want to just say uh before we get going, option A, when we get to that this evening, uh likely is more challenging than what we anticipated.

3:47

We got some difficult news on Friday uh with that.

3:51

Um I'll talk more about that when we get to that point, but just to note um there may be some challenges with option A when we get to that portion of the presentation.

4:00

Uh lastly, before I flip it over to the team, um, from a financing perspective.

4:04

I know that's also an important part of these projects.

4:08

Um, our options for financing also will be refined based on the preliminary direction you provide here this evening.

4:14

Um we would project to get that to the council after we get better estimates through preliminary design and through the refinement of the preferred alternative and evolution of the community working group.

4:25

So just know that those two items walk together.

4:29

Um and we're actively engaged with the city's public financial advisory team, which includes our public finance legal council as well as our financial advisor.

4:38

So with that, I'm happy to turn it over to Jenna to uh lead us through what we learned about indoor recreation needs in Rochester.

4:47

Awesome.

4:48

Thanks, Aaron.

4:49

Uh good afternoon, everyone.

4:51

Um excited to share what we learned through the engagement process.

4:54

Uh, first wanted to thank and highlight uh the other folks who helped with the engagement process.

5:00

So we have Abby Lohr, who is a PhD at Mayo.

5:03

You might recognize her from the work that was done last fall with the Healthy Community Partnership.

5:10

Oh gosh.

5:11

Yeah.

5:11

And as well as Britney Bohart, who is PhD candidate with Winona State, did I get that right?

5:19

And helpful to us.

5:21

She had done some work last fall with the RCTC football team with food security.

5:26

So great connection there.

5:27

And want to acknowledge Ben Bolt, who is with us through all of the process with the community engagement as well.

5:33

So with that.

5:38

First, starting on as far as our focus with community engagement for this project, it was really seeking to understand what folks would like to see kept changed or created.

5:48

So we really focused the engagement on those three areas.

5:51

As Aaron indicated, it was very helpful from to be starting from a place of what prior community engagement had been done, specifically understanding the community's interest in eight courts, the walking jogging track, as well as indoor programming.

6:06

And I believe you're all aware of this that Parks and Recreation continues to work with community ed on additional engagement.

6:12

We are working through that right now.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████████████26%
Sportsplex Discussion████████████████16%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Workforce Development███3%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Study Session: Sports Center Options, Comprehensive Water Plan, and UMR Growth Preview

This was a study session with three main agenda items: a presentation on indoor recreation needs and facility options for the Rochester Regional Sports Center, a draft of the Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan, and a preview of the University of Minnesota Rochester's strategic growth plan. No formal votes were taken, but council guidance was provided.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items: Rochester Regional Sports Center & Indoor Recreation

  • Community Engagement Results: Jenna Bowman presented results from surveys and open houses. Key findings included: strong desire for indoor turf and track (38% and 36% of respondents), weekday evening access, improved communication, and more pickleball and walking/jogging options. A common theme was low awareness of existing facilities. Over 1,500 survey responses were received.
  • Option A (RCTC Expansion): Aaron Parrish reported that a 15-year ground lease limitation on a key portion of RCTC's campus makes this option untenable for a capital investment of approximately $55 million. The city would need a ground lease of at least 50 years to secure financing.
  • Option B (RCTC Seasonal Dome + Expansion): This option would preserve the existing dome and build a four-court expansion (~$55 million). It would face similar ground lease challenges and offers only two prime evening hours for community use due to RCTC scheduling priority.
  • Option C (Year-Round Dome on South Site): This option proposes a 200,000–250,000 square foot, year-round dome on the city-owned Regional Sports & Recreation Complex site, also at ~$55 million. It would provide 12-month turf access, flexible programming, and is controlled by the city. A decision to reserve the site (adjust utilities/parking) is needed by June 1, 2026 to avoid future costs. Councilmembers expressed support for this option, citing greater city control and addressing community needs.
  • Council Concerns: Several councilmembers raised concerns about the partnership with RCTC, citing challenges with ground lease terms, scheduling priority, and perceived lack of willingness. Councilmembers also emphasized the need for affordable access, clear operating cost projections, and potential levy impacts. Councilmember Palmer expressed wariness after past project cost overruns.
  • Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended pursuing an RCTC-focused option (B or C) but needing legislative approval for a 50-year ground lease. If not achieved by May 25, the council should direct staff to proceed with Option C on the South site.
  • Guidance: Councilmember Keene confirmed that staff had received sufficient guidance to proceed, which was acknowledged by the council.

Discussion Items: Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan (Draft)

  • Aaron Luxtein and Troy Erickson presented the draft plan, the first update since 1999. The plan covers 10 drainage districts and aims to guide capital investments, align with regulations, and improve climate resilience.
  • Key Plan Components: An integrated stormwater management approach (using green and gray infrastructure), risk-based evaluation of 87 subwatersheds in the Cascade Creek district, and an asset management program using the Envision rating system.
  • Council Questions: Councilmembers questioned funding mechanisms, noting that new developments pay for their own retention ponds while older areas lack them. Staff clarified that no fee changes are proposed now; a utility rate study is planned for 2027. Councilmember Palmer asked about downstream impacts of new flood control projects, and Councilmember Keene inquired about the model's ability to simulate future storms. Staff confirmed that the model can simulate design storms and that the plan prioritizes projects based on risk (property damage vs. nuisance flooding).
  • Next Steps: The final draft will be provided to council. A request for adoption is expected at the last council meeting in May. Subsequent drainage district models will be brought forward for each area.

Discussion Items: University of Minnesota Rochester Strategic Growth Plan Preview

  • Chancellor Lori Carrell presented a three-part vision for campus expansion to accommodate growth from 1,100 students to 2,500. UMR currently operates at capacity in seven leased buildings. The plan includes: 1) Immediate expansion of lab classrooms in Discovery Square (30-year lease, opening fall 2027); 2) A new academic building to serve as a campus centerpiece (location undetermined, RFP for design to be released soon); 3) A residential and recreation district near Soldiers Field via a public-private partnership (RFP in 2026).
  • Funding: The lab classroom expansion would use remaining city sales tax funds from the 2013 authorization. The academic building and residential district would require additional funding requests (DMC funds and potential city investment).
  • Council Comments: Councilmember Keene expressed disappointment that UMR had not yet constructed its own buildings as originally envisioned. Councilmember Palmer supported the downtown core location but opposed the Soldiers Field site for the residential/recreation district. Councilmember Miller praised the urban integrated campus model and its benefits for downtown vibrancy and workforce development. Councilmember Wall received clarification that the sales tax funds requested are already allocated from the 2013 authorization.

Key Outcomes

  • The council provided informal guidance to staff to proceed with due diligence on Option C (year-round dome on the South site) for the Sports Center, while continuing discussions with RCTC. A formal decision to adjust the South site is needed by June 1, 2026.
  • The Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan draft will be delivered to council this week, with a request for adoption in late May.
  • The council will take a walking tour on May 11 to further discuss UMR's proposed residential/recreation district and downtown integration. The UMR funding request for DMC funds will go to the MCC board on May 21 and to the city council on June 1.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome everybody to our city council study session, April 27th. And we have the shades open today. We get to look at the beautiful Rochester skyline across the river. We have three agenda items on our agenda today. The Rochester Regional Sports Center Stadium and Sports Fields. And then we have the comprehensive surface water management planal draft and the University of Minnesota Rochester Strategic Growth Plan Preview. So we will start it off, Mr. Parrish. Are you taking the first one? Yeah, president, members of the council, really appreciate the opportunity to be here. This is really a culmination of some very significant work that's been taking place over the last five or six months around really meeting the indoor recreation needs of the community, but also looking at our existing and potentially an enhanced partnership with RCTC to meet those needs. So we really have broken this presentation up into two spaces today. Jenna Bowman and team will be talking about what we learned about indoor recreation options and needs in the community, building upon previous uh work that's also taken place. So really appreciate uh Jenna Abby and Brittany's work in this space. Um also our overall communications team. So we're gonna go through the results of that, um, which are included for reference in your packet in the presentation for about 10 or so minutes. Uh, take a pause to answer any questions that you might have and any clarifications or comments, and then transition into a more uh focused conversation around options. And so I want to just really extend my appreciation uh to a few folks here that have really guided us and shepherded us to where we've gotten today. Uh we've been meeting with RCTC weekly after the council encouraged the team to think about creative options for meeting our indoor recreation needs. So, Council President Schobring, Mayor Norton, Councilmember Wall, uh City Administrator's Elms, uh Ben Bolt and myself all of uh spent every Monday morning for an hour and a half or plus or minus uh really trying to think creatively about how we can maximize the opportunities within these partnerships. We have some exciting concepts to share with you tonight. Um we'll focus not only on the concepts in terms of the physical evolution of what might be able to happen in these different scenarios, but I don't want to also lose sight of the fact that we have a number of opportunities to just maximize and optimize and reimagine our existing partnerships, including marketing investments that you've all already made. RCTC has taken a strong uh leadership role and evolving their existing uh programming. So you see a lot of you know walking and pickleball and uh volleyball, etc. happening out there that wasn't happening before. Um just want to continue to you know build on that as well. Uh I want to emphasize when we get to the concepts portion of the presentation that um these would be further refined through preliminary design, a community working group, and uh have more focused process around that. All the things you're gonna see here are really like 5% design. So we need to take another level to refine budget estimates, to refine the programming, to refine the concepts that we would have. Um, so further due diligence is required there. I also want to just say uh before we get going, option A, when we get to that this evening, uh likely is more challenging than what we anticipated. We got some difficult news on Friday uh with that. Um I'll talk more about that when we get to that point, but just to note um there may be some challenges with option A when we get to that portion of the presentation. Uh lastly, before I flip it over to the team, um, from a financing perspective. I know that's also an important part of these projects. Um, our options for financing also will be refined based on the preliminary direction you provide here this evening. Um we would project to get that to the council after we get better estimates through preliminary design and through the refinement of the preferred alternative and evolution of the community working group. So just know that those two items walk together. Um and we're actively engaged with the city's public financial advisory team, which includes our public finance legal council as well as our financial advisor. So with that, I'm happy to turn it over to Jenna to uh lead us through what we learned about indoor recreation needs in Rochester. Awesome. Thanks, Aaron. Uh good afternoon, everyone. Um excited to share what we learned through the engagement process. Uh, first wanted to thank and highlight uh the other folks who helped with the engagement process. So we have Abby Lohr, who is a PhD at Mayo. You might recognize her from the work that was done last fall with the Healthy Community Partnership. Oh gosh. Yeah. And as well as Britney Bohart, who is PhD candidate with Winona State, did I get that right?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com