Rochester City Council Meeting July 7, 2026: Transit Contract, Pavers, and Park Updates
Rochester City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026
Note: The transcript references July 6, 2026, but the meeting date provided is July 7, 2026. This summary uses the provided date per instructions.
The meeting covered a range of topics including public comments, consent agenda, public hearings, and major reports. Key actions included awarding a transit operations contract to Via Transit, approving Heart of the City paver repairs, and receiving an update on the Granger Linear Park design.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously with Councilmember Doring voting nay on item F-18 (resolution authorizing sale of general obligation sales tax revenue bonds for the regional sports and recreational complex). Doring stated he could not vote for the item as it does not reflect the desires of the majority of the community.
- Councilmember Wall noted that two contracts awarded were 6.8% over engineer's estimate but within project budgets.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paula Hardin (resident): Expressed gratitude for progress on accessibility but urged city to prioritize no-lip entrances for housing, noting her own disability and need for inclusive design.
- Rachel LaForge (resident): Urged proactive safety measures on Elton Hills Drive, citing past fatalities (Ariana McMamrah, Margaret Myland) and recent officer-involved accident. She called for bike lanes, traffic calming, and a dedicated left-turn lane, especially near schools.
- Adam Busby (Union Ref, ATU Local 1005): Representing transit workers, expressed cautious optimism about Via Transit as the new operator, praised Rachel Faust for engagement, and reiterated the union's long-term vision for public ownership of transit.
- Jim Frost (President, Kutzky Park Neighborhood Association): Criticized the Granger Building design and promised park, stating neighbors were not fully informed and that the park would not mitigate damage from the building.
- Stephanie Pedelke (resident, Kutzky Park for 50 years): Felt bamboozled by Mayo Clinic; said the neighborhood was misled about the park plan, with no final plan shown or voted on. Demanded more artifacts, buried power lines, and naming the park "Lourdes Park."
- Ryan Stack (RPT user): Spoke in support of Via Transportation, citing unreliable paratransit service with the current operator, including late pickups, unfulfilled rides, and maintenance issues.
- John Creasel (resident): Criticized the ongoing paver project, calling it a "debacle" and urging the city to stop spending more money on it. Suggested admitting a mistake and consulting citizens.
- Toby Holiday (Workers Strike Back): Celebrated the departure of Transdev and called for public ownership of transit. Also criticized Rochester Police Department for assisting ICE and urged no hyperscale data centers in Rochester.
- Barry Skolnik (resident): Supported public comments on Kutzky Park and Peace Plaza, but focused on inadequate signage near St. Mary's Hospital, where both sidewalks are closed and no clear pedestrian routes are provided.
Discussion Items
Transit Services Contract Award (H1)
- Presentation by Rachel Faust (Transit and Parking Director): The RFP process resulted in selection of Via Transit Twin Cities LLC for a five-year contract (with option for five-year renewal) at approximately $78 million. Via stood out for innovation, technology, and people-focused approach. The contract includes maintenance; bringing maintenance in-house would cost more. Transition begins September 1, 2026, with Via hiring current Transdev employees. Liquidated damages and incentives will not be assessed in the first year. Performance targets include 90% on-time, 100% completed trips, and 2.4 passengers per hour for paratransit.
- Council comments: Approval followed with supportive remarks from Councilmembers Miller, Doring, Wall, Fredericks, and Mayor Norton. Miller asked about innovation milestones; Faust cited paratransit app and live vehicle tracking. The motion passed unanimously.
Heart of the City Improvements (H2) - Paver Repairs and Snowmelt Leak Investigation
- Presentation by Samson Brown: Requested $334,000 in DMC state infrastructure aid for two efforts: 1) $79,000 to investigate snowmelt system leaks and sinkholes from soil loss, and 2) $255,000 to fix uneven tree well surfaces (64 tree wells on First Ave SW). A pilot of three tree wells performed well over 18 months.
- Council debate: Several councilmembers expressed frustration over accountability for the failing pavers. Council President Schuebring asked about accountability since a May DMCC meeting; Deputy Administrator Steinhauser said it was complex due to 16+ firms, incomplete records, and staff changes. Councilmember Palmer criticized the ongoing cost and lack of a permanent solution. Councilmember Wall and Fredericks wanted a more permanent fix. Councilmember Miller supported the operational fix but demanded continued accountability. Mayor Norton noted the plaza is well-used and that starting over would be too costly and disruptive. Motion passed 4-3 (Keene, Miller, Doring, Schuebring aye; Wall, Fredericks, Palmer nay).
Granger Linear Park Update (H3) - Informational
- Presentation by Irene Woodward (Community Development) and Karen Finneman Killinger (Mayo Clinic): Reviewed the site development plan process for the linear park at the former Lourdes High School site. The park is now 47.5 feet wide (up from 30 feet), includes three zones (reflective, playful, gathering), a commemorative wall using recovered stone from Lourdes, a stage, benches, and green space. Mayo committed to honoring the site's history. The landscape plan was submitted June 2026 and is under review. No action was required.
- Council questions: Councilmember Miller asked about percentage of recovered materials used (estimated <25%), unused materials stored by Mayo, possibility of a rendering (Mayo to consider), and naming of the park (no current name). Councilmember Keene noted the process lacked community collaboration. Councilmember Wall highlighted the need for transparency and community engagement. Councilmember Doring asked about power lines (not buried) and lighting (details in the plan). The update was for information only.
Key Outcomes
- Transit contract: Awarded to Via Transit Twin Cities LLC for management and operations of Rochester Public Transit services, effective September 1, 2026, with a five-year initial term (up to 78 million) and renewal option. Transition includes hiring of current Transdev employees.
- Heart of the City repairs: Approved $334,000 in DMC funds for paver repairs and snowmelt/sinkhole investigation. Bid advertisement authorized for July 28, 2026. Passing vote 4-3.
- Public hearings: Approved final plats for Del Webb Soul House (69 lots), London Brook Ponds (18 lots), and Preserve of Mayowood 2nd edition (21 lots). Approved vacation of a utility easement for Bigelow Homes.
- Fireworks investigation: City Administrator reported on the July 4th fireworks failure due to weather and vendor issues; vendor JM Displays committed to a free replacement show on a future date. City will improve on-site communication.
- Mayor's report: Highlighted sister city trip to Germany, National Park and Recreation Month, board diversity concerns, and a grant for the village co-op.
Ordinance First Reading
- J1: Ordinance establishing fees for licenses, permits, and services. No discussion; moved to later reading.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, it's nice. That's something like the manual labor. But in general, what are you all dressed up for? Dan up the bar a couple weeks ago. I think you're side of the side of the city. I couldn't be the only guy. I felt comfortable in Dan dressed the same as me, but then you went and got a suit jacket. Thomas. Yeah. He don't ever tell you how he feels or what he thinks. He's kind of shying back while I can't. A lot like you, Sean. Okay. Please rise as you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance. If you the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Welcome everybody to our uh City Council meeting for July 6, 2026. And we begin every council meeting with our open comment period. This is an opportunity for anyone from the public to speak on items that we will not be taking separate public testimony during a public hearing later in the agenda. Each person has up to two minutes to speak for a total of 20 minutes. I will keep track uh by two methods. One is the stoplight here at the dais, and one is the uh the countdown clock on the wall. Um and so please know I may need to cut you off if uh you go beyond the two minutes. I'd also request that each speaker be concise to allow more people to speak, and participants are 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 period, but will instead uh follow up on any specific requests separately. If you have materials to share with the council, you can give them to the city clerk uh who is sitting to my right. Uh with that, I will invite you up according to how you signed up. Um Paula Hardin is first. Hi. You look perfectly fine to me as a common comment by ableds when people with disabilities explain that something creates a barrier for equitable participation in communities. For years I felt ignored by city leadership because nothing was being done fast enough or optimally to meet my expectations of what local government could do if they really wanted to choose accessibility as a priority. Maybe some of you thought I was able. Did you think I didn't have a vested interest in and desperate need for accessible housing? Having no lip entrances would be the easiest way to make all housing visitable, meaning disabled people can at least get in the door to dwellings and visit family and friends. Back in the days, never occurred to Congress to even debate accessibility to mean more than being able to find some place to live. In reviewing some changes that the city has made, I find there has been progress. And I thank you for every single detail that shows thoughtfulness and consideration for the many types of disabilities people experience. MS will not kill me, but kidney failure will. Thank you, Miss Hardin, and thank you for your advocacy. Next up we have Rachel LaForge. Good evening, Council, City Staff and Rachel LaForge. I am speaking on my own behalf, not on behalf of any other entities or organizations to which I may belong. What I want to talk about is Elton Hills Drive. I don't live in Elton Hills Drive, but I know a lot of people who do, a fair number of whom live on the north side and have to drive to cross to the south side because it is unsafe. What I want to address specifically is can we for once be proactive? And what I say mean by that, I moved here almost exactly 16 years ago. And I thought to myself, who is this Ariana McMamrah? She's a seven-year-old who was killed at a known dangerous intersection. Ten years later, Margaret Myland was killed at 19th Street, which is connected to Elton Hills Drive at another known dangerous intersection. April of this year, two of our police officers were hit by a driver at another known dangerous intersection. You're in fact voting tonight on whether or not you're going to pay to replace that police car that was totaled.
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