Rochester City Council Meeting Summary – September 21, 2026

The Rochester City Council held its regular session on September 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent agenda, two public hearings, and a report on the preliminary tax levy. Key decisions involved a conditional use permit for a limestone quarry near the airport, opening a public comment period for CDBG allocations, and certifying the 2027 preliminary tax levy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from September 9, 2026; adopted the 2027 City Council meeting calendar; accepted a $1,000 donation from the family of Kertis Stensrud; authorized an amendment to the Airport Terminal lease agreement; approved the Meridian Gate Traffic Control System Policy; accepted a Transportation Security Administration reimbursement agreement; authorized a Request for Proposals for a Public Safety Evaluation and Resource Study; awarded contracts for the Public Safety Training Center Remodel totaling $623,280.55; authorized contracts for Pond 40 design ($235,035), Kings Run Drainage District Management Plan ($376,322.50), Zumbro Plaza Trailhead Phase II design amendment ($64,519.20), and an updated City-Owner contract and professional technical services contract for London Brook Ponds (Phase 1); approved naming rights agreements for the Rochester Sportsplex with Altra Credit Union and Knutson Construction; approved a lease expansion and extension with Mill Creek Life Sciences at the BioBusiness Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Molly Dennis, a community advocate, spoke against the tax levy being placed under Reports and Recommendations rather than a public hearing. She highlighted transportation barriers for residents, noting a 40-minute taxi ride due to inadequate bus service, and criticized the elimination of virtual public comment options. She urged council members to ride the bus to understand transit challenges.

Public Hearings

G.1 – Conditional Use Permit No. CD2026-008CUP by MGK LLC (Limestone Aggregate Quarry)

• Staff Presentation: Tieron Edens (Community Development) presented staff’s recommendation to deny the permit. The proposed quarry is located near the Rochester International Airport, partly within Airport Zone A and Zone C. Concerns included blasting impacts on air navigation – fly rock, dust, interference with instrument approaches, and operational burden on air traffic controllers. A third-party airspace assessment by Federal Airways & Airspace concluded the quarry would create a direct aviation hazard. The FAA had issued a “no determination” but only evaluated fixed structures, not blasting.
• Applicant Presentation: Mark Welch (GCUBE Engineering) and Travis David Saver (Bar Engineering) argued for approval. Saver, a blasting engineer and private pilot, stated that blasting would occur only 6–10 times per year, under visual flight rules, with coordination with the tower. He cited examples of quarries near other airports (e.g., Madison, Atlanta, Dulles) where blasting occurs safely. The applicant disputed the third-party report as a “kill report” based on a theoretical worst-case scenario of fly rock reaching 1,280 feet, which Saver deemed unrealistic. They offered to accept conditions limiting blasting to Zone C and to fewer than 7 blasts per year.
• Public Testimony: Several pilots and airport users spoke against the permit. Justin Hasse (private pilot), Brian Poss (flight instructor), and Scott Kuhn (Great Plains Aviation) described risks to instrument approaches, missed approaches, and engine ingestion from dust. They noted that 50,000 annual operations (140–150 per day) include many unscheduled flights (students, medical, cargo) with little notice. Mitchell DeCook (property owner) supported the quarry, stating similar gravel pits exist near highway 63 without issues.
• Council Deliberation: Councilmember Palmer moved to approve with six staff conditions and a seventh limiting blasts to fewer than 7 per year. The motion failed 3–4 (Keene, Miller, Wall, Doring, Schubert opposed; Fredericks and Palmer in favor). Councilmember Fredericks then moved to continue the item to the second meeting in October, seconded by Palmer. Staff noted the need for an operations agreement and further information on coordination with FAA. The continuance motion passed 5–2 (Wall and Doring opposed). The item will return on October 19, 2026.

G.2 – 2027 Annual Action Plan – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocations

• Staff Presentation: Brent Smith (Community Development) requested opening a public comment period for the 2027 CDBG Annual Action Plan. The city anticipates $650,000 in CDBG funds plus $75,000 in program income, totaling $725,000. Priority allocations: 13% to public services ($97,500), 66% to housing rehab, 20% to administration. A steering committee recommended funding five of nine applications: Damascus Way, Family Promise of Rochester, Iowa Homes Foundation, Jeremiah Program, and Salvation Army of Rochester. The public comment period will close on November 2, 2026, with final adoption expected that day.
• No public testimony.
• Council Action: Councilmember Keene moved to open the public comment period; seconded and approved unanimously.

Reports and Recommendations

H.1 – 2027 Preliminary Tax Levy and Supplemental Recommended Budget

• Staff Presentation: City Administrator Elms presented the recommendation to certify a preliminary property tax levy of $124,901,338 (a 5.59% increase over 2026) and an all-funds budget of $799,283,832. The increase is driven by labor costs (3.27 percentage points), equipment replacement, and capital investments. The levy represents the maximum; final adoption will occur on December 7, 2026. The staff also recommended $100,000 from the 2025 Statewide Affordable Housing Aid Fund for Any Path Home, a homeless response program.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Wall noted public concern about property tax burdens. Councilmember Palmer proposed an amendment to reduce the levy by $400,000 (bringing the increase to 5.2%), funded from the contingency reserve. The amendment failed 3–4 (Keene, Miller, Doring, Schuberg opposed; Wall, Fredericks, Palmer in favor). Councilember Keene then moved to approve the original resolution; seconded by Councilmember Miller. The motion passed 6–1 (Palmer opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Quarry CUP: Motion to approve failed 3–4; motion to continue granted 5–2. Item will return on October 19, 2026, for further discussion on an operations agreement and impact analysis.
• CDBG Public Comment Period: Opened unanimously; will close November 2, 2026.
• Preliminary Tax Levy: Certified at $124,901,338 (5.59% increase) with a preliminary budget of $799,283,832. $100,000 approved for Any Path Home from state affordable housing aid. Final hearing set for December 7, 2026. Motion passed 6–1.