Rochester City Council Regular Session – August 17, 2026
Rochester City Council Regular Session – August 17, 2026
The Rochester City Council met Monday, August 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Government Center Council Chamber. The agenda included a 15-item consent calendar, four public hearings, two mayoral veto override attempts, a seasonal parking update, and a council-initiated arts study. The meeting ran past midnight.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the August 3, 2026 meeting minutes and video as the official record.
- Approved accounts payable totaling $88,132,287.27, including $20,907,374 in investment purchases.
- Appointed Anyna (Romerse) Biddle to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission through December 31, 2027.
- Authorized an annual premises gambling permit for Rochester Elks Lodge 1091 at Brothers Bar & Grill.
- Accepted a $1,050 donation to the Rochester Fire Department from Toni Erwin and Brian and Alison Poch.
- Renewed a three-year contract with Dialect Real Estate Advisors.
- Awarded a $242,701 contract to Restoration Services Inc. for Mayo Civic Center Arena tuckpointing.
- Authorized a $509,760 contract with WHKS for DMC Downstream Sanitary Sewer Upsizing design through Dec. 31, 2028.
- Authorized the Prairie Oaks Subdivision Phase 1 public improvements city-owner contract and an $85,235 WSE Engineering services contract.
- Authorized three agreements with Regency Bakery Flats, LLC (cross access/emergency access, sanitary sewer contribution, revocable permit).
- Authorized a contribution agreement with Alerus Financial for private sanitary sewer services.
- Authorized the airport operation/management agreement with Rochester Airport Company, Inc.
- Consented to assignment of an airport land lease from University of Northwestern – St. Paul to Top Flight Investments, LLC.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Open comment: Jared Lucker, a Rochester resident, asked the council to decline the Broadway addition proposal. Carol Ann Loomis and Jesse Loomis opposed the Willow Creek trail route through their property, arguing alternatives were not studied. Jaclyn Johnson and Stephanie Kylan, representing arts groups, supported the $7,000 arts economic impact study, citing the Minnesota arts and culture industry's $13.8 billion value, Region 10's $86.8 million 2024 economic impact, and average attendee spending of more than $33 beyond admission. Terry Kinsey, chair of the Sustainability and Resiliency Commission, and Amy Cockett of the League of Women Voters supported the H3 sustainability pilot programs. Nels Pearson, a State Senate candidate, thanked the council. Kyle Pike criticized corporate development and urged support for local businesses.
- G1 public hearing: Over 40 people signed up. Most speakers urged the council to uphold the Heritage Preservation Commission's denial, describing the block's arts and music community and businesses (Tree Dome, Cafe Steam, Artheads, Threshold Arts, Diatom Books) as essential third places, especially for youth. Several speakers cited national preservation standards and said a seven-story addition would overshadow the historic district. The owners of Tree Dome submitted a letter reporting rent increases of nearly 100% over three years. State Rep. Andy Smith asked the council to deny the appeal. Applicant representatives and property owners argued the revised plan preserves Broadway facades, is economically necessary, and complies with Interior Standards; they called the HPC denial unsupported by factual findings and cited the project as a $23 million investment.
- H2 suspension of rules: The council unanimously suspended its rules for Michelle Girlsburger to speak with Jesse Loomis about Willow Creek alternatives. She argued the city engineer did not complete due diligence and that an alternative route along the west side was viable.
Discussion Items
- G1 – 311 Broadway Historic District Appeal: Staff recommended finding that the revised addition—a seven-story, setback structure—preserves the historic facades and meets Secretary of the Interior standards. The HPC had denied the certificate 6–2. After debate, a motion to uphold HPC failed 3–4, and a motion granting the appeal and overturning the denial passed 4–3 (Councilmembers Keene, Wall, Fredericks, and Palmer in favor; Miller, Doring, and Schubring opposed).
- G2 – 2026 Transit Program of Projects: Rachel Faust presented the annual FTA compliance document covering formula funds and operations; no public testimony. Approved unanimously.
- G3 – UCI Tower Conditional Use Permit: Staff and applicant described a 125-foot monopole and equipment at 1811 7th St NW to replace an existing 180-foot tower near John Marshall High School. The Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0. Approved 6–1, with Councilmember Palmer opposed.
- G4 – 2027 Master Fee Schedule: The city administrator noted 32 fees removed and seven added, including fire department FEMA-based fees and Community Development building division changes. Approved unanimously.
- H1 – Wood Debris Management Veto Override: Mayor Norton said she vetoed because contingency funds should be used for unexpected items and this should be in the 2027 budget. Staff explained changes in a county partnership made the relocation cost unexpected. The council voted 5–2 to override (Miller and Doring opposed), authorizing preliminary approval for relocation to the northeast portion of the KR3 reservoir site and up to $350,000 in contingency funds.
- H2 – Willow Creek Regional Trail Veto Override: Mayor Norton said she could not support a recreational trail through the Loomis property when alternatives existed. The city engineer detailed why the recommended route was preferred, citing safety, cost, bonding deadlines, and ADA constraints. The override motion for accepting the feasibility study and a $418,170 Alliant Engineering final-design supplemental agreement received only three votes (Keene, Miller, Schubring), so the veto was sustained. Councilmembers Doring and Palmer said they changed positions due to the property impact and alternative route.
- H3 – Sustainability Pilot Programs: Staff recommended $100,000 in contingency funds: $75,000 for residential rebates (balcony solar, battery storage, electric panel upgrades, air sealing and insulation) and $25,000 to expand the Building Community Grant program. They estimated potential reach (e.g., 75–220 households for balcony solar and 100 for air sealing) and noted partnerships with RPU and state incentives. The resolution passed 5–2 (Fredericks and Palmer opposed).
- H4 – Seasonal Parking Restriction Update: Public Works presented data showing 41% of winter parking tickets were issued in 11% of city area (15% of population), disproportionately in justice tracks, likely due to older housing stock, less off-street parking, and rental turnover. They proposed a possible sliding start date and a warning period lasting until 48 hours before a forecasted plowable snow. No formal action was taken; council feedback was mixed.
- I1 – Arts Economic Impact Analysis: Councilmember Miller and Keene sponsored a $7,000 allocation from 2026 contingency funds for the University of Minnesota Extension to study the economic impact of Rochester arts organizations. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmembers added suggestions to include volunteer hours and to consult the former Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust.
- K1 – Ordinance Second Reading: The council approved Text Amendment No. CD2026-002TA amending UDC floodplain overlay definitions. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Granted the 311 Broadway appeal, overturning the Heritage Preservation Commission's denial of the certificate of appropriateness (4–3).
- Overrode Mayor Norton's veto of the Wood Debris Management resolution (5–2), authorizing $350,000 in contingency funds.
- Failed to override Mayor Norton's veto of the Willow Creek Trail feasibility study and design contract (3–4), sustaining the veto.
- Approved $100,000 for sustainability pilot programs (5–2).
- Approved the 2026 Transit Program of Projects, UCI Tower conditional use permit, 2027 Master Fee Schedule, and arts economic impact study.
- Approved the UDC floodplain ordinance second reading.
Meeting Transcript
He's on there. Please rise as you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to simplify from the United States of America. And if you republic for which one individual justice for allcome everybody to our uh August 17th regular city council meeting, we have a quite packed agenda and we have uh opportunities for many members of the public to speak. So we are going to start our meeting as we always do 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 a public uh testimony during a public hearing later on in the agenda. During open comment, uh members of the public have up to two minutes to speak for a total of 20 minutes. However, the council is able to suspend our rules and open that up if we need to. I will be keeping track through two methods. One, the stoplight here in front of me and uh you, the speaker, and the uh and the digital clock on uh the wall that will be to your right. Um, and I request that each peak speaker be concise to allow as many people to speak during the designated time as possible. 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 directly to your comments during public comment, but will instead follow up on any specific requests separately. If you have any materials to share with the council, you may give them to the city clerk who is to my right there, Ann Caso, to distribute. And you will be invited up to speak in the order in which you signed up, and we will start with Mr. Jared Luck Lucker. And uh Gerald, you may have to push that till it turns quick. There you go. Jared Lucker, resident of Rochester. Uh good evening, Mayor Norton, Council members, fellow citizens, and distinguished guests. I want to speak with you tonight about the proposal for additions of student housing to the historic Broadway district, which would affect Tree Dome, Artheads Emporium, Steam Cafe, and many other retail businesses located on Broadway. When I take into account the recommendations of the Heritage Preservation Commission, the existing businesses, the planned development, the incredible amount of road construction currently, the voices of the business owners in the area, and the nature of the project, I ask that you respectfully decline the request. When it comes to preserving Rochester's history, it is important that we not only consider the economic implications of such preservations, but the character of the city and the meaning it has not only to everyday citizens, but those who currently occupy the buildings. So uh so just to be clear, and I didn't want to interrupt Mr. Mr. Lucker. So we will continue with open comment uh period with uh Jess Garcia. So if we want to be on the other sheets, then what would you like? I will put you on that sheet. Thank you. Next, we have Carol Ann Loomis. Hi, I'm Caroline Loomis. I would like to thank the mayor for giving us this opportunity to look at this again. I am talking about the H.2 Willow Creek feasibility study. Um, both the reports, narratives from September 25th and this one focused on connecting people to the jobs, food sources, and school, which sounds lovely. But this, but truly this feasibility reports sole focus and one track plan is the connection to the sports compact, not connecting the people to these important community needs since those plans are unfunded at this time. So I please ask the council to vote nay on accepting the report and nay on this segment one C alternative A, which divides my family's property and look at how and look at how we can connect the people's needs first, then add the sports complex after, which again can be done without segment one C alternative A. Thank you. Uh next we have Jesse Loomis. Hi, I'm Jesse Lewis talking about the Willow Creek bike project as well. I believe Pat, you guys all got a copy of this. Um why are we trying to cut through the middle of our property when we have all these other alternatives and according to Dylan over here who at the beginning of us when we talked, he was going to do the feasibility studies on all these routes we discussed, which none of them were done except for one. We don't understand why now you guys own the other side of the highway buying license. You have the dike that goes around the whistlebinkies pond. You have the ability to go on all the properties, you easements and everything you already own, following 52 down and going on the west side of the bridge, coming under going around the pond. And in your last little branch you had coming off that would connect you down to Whistlebinkies, you could bring all that in, cut out all this bike path on the east side of that creek, which you're worried about the bridge. You don't have to make a bridge. You can come under here, and your little branch that would come back to the sports complex can all be done in one shot. You don't have to build this whole bike path here, which will bring you to all the communities down here, the school whistlebinkies, channel one. It'll bring you.
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