Public Meetings - Rochester, Minnesota

The Rochester City Council held its regular session on September 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Government Center Council Chamber. The meeting included public comments, a consent agenda with 27 items, three public hearings, and reports on the Chateau Theater partnership and the Reimagining 6th Avenue West project. Key decisions included denial of an appeal regarding Silver Lake Park alterations and approval of two residential subdivisions. Consent Calendar - Minutes from August 17 and August 24, 2026, accepted. - 2026 Latino Fest approved as a community festival. - Appointment of Gary Schroeder, Sr. to the Board of Appeals. - Donation of $100 to the Rochester Fire Department accepted. - Collective Bargaining Agreement with IBEW Outside Group for 2026-2028 ratified. - Contracts approved for Civic Plus agenda management, Enterprise Resource Planning software (Avant and UKG/Mosaic), and multiple infrastructure projects (e.g., Sanitary Sewer Improvements West Zumbro Phase 2 for $3,062,640, Sanitary Sewer Extension West Zumbro for $3,620,113). - Grant applications authorized for Low/No Emission Replacement Vehicles and FY2027 DWI/Traffic Safety Officer Grant. - Bid advertisements authorized for Lincolnshire Drainage Improvements and several pond dredging projects. - Contract awards for sewer pipe lining ($1,024,016), durable pavement markings ($62,935), landscaping ($164,952), and parking management extension ($1,464,850). - Revocable permits approved for Mayo Clinic private improvements in right-of-way. - Short-term borrowing up to $10 million for the Water Utility Fund authorized. - Water Utility Capital Budget amended by $3,935,000 for growth-related infrastructure. - Willow Creek Regional Trail feasibility study accepted; final design contract with Alliant Engineering for $465,588 authorized. - Water Extension Improvement Agreements with Pulte Homes and ML Group I LLC approved. - Contract amendment for Rochester Sportsplex approved for $634,697.50. - Consent agenda passed with Councilmember Doring voting nay on item F27 (Sportsplex change orders). Public Comments & Testimony Open Comment Period: - West Lund urged the council to plan for winter homelessness, stating he regularly sees homeless people on the streets and hands out resource booklets. He criticized the cost of county funeral programs and asked for funding for the Salvation Army and The Landing. - Jeff Derby opposed putting curbs in the Goose Egg Park area sewer plan, citing special assessment burdens on low-income homeowners and potential flooding risks. He noted a 400-year-old tree on his property that could be damaged. Public Hearing G1 – Silver Lake Dam Appeal: - Greg Munson (Friends of Silver Lake) argued the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) violated the Unified Development Code (UDC) by not allowing proper public comment. He listed alleged city misrepresentations about dam safety, history, and survey results, and asked the council to send the matter back for proper process. - Lynn Newquist (50-year resident) opposed dam removal, favoring restoration of grassy banks and lake maintenance. - Sue Ebert (neighboring property owner) emphasized the lake’s value as a Minnesota treasure and questioned dry-year water levels. - Sandra Geis (resident) recalled the dam’s WPA history and flood control role, opposing removal. - West Lund (return speaker) accused the city of ignoring citizen input and requested a new community meeting. - Jenny Butcherconi (NW Rochester resident) urged leaving the dam alone and called for inclusive process. - Craig Ugland (resident) argued the dam is a character-defining feature and questioned safety and maintenance of proposed rapids. - Devin Hugdall (Silver Lake neighbor) supported the HPC approval and dam reconfiguration for improved recreation. - Guy Mayer (resident) showed photos of debris on the dam and raised concerns about flood control and ice jams. - Jeff Gove (lifelong resident) favored leaving the dam and dredging the lake. - Bunny Kettlecamp (History Center researcher) noted the council voted Silver Lake a landmark and criticized lack of dredging. - Andrew Knopf (Ward 4) argued the HPC followed UDC and supported the COA. - Betty Dawson (resident) encouraged council to visit the lake. - Andy Sutton (Silver Lake resident) supported the change for river health. - Mary Benicky Kesileschi (resident) opposed dam removal due to downstream flooding risks. Public Hearing G2 – Century Valley Fifth Final Plat: - Dan Fogerty (downstream landowner) asked for assurance that the road would not end in a permanent cul-de-sac, allowing future connection to 48th Street. Staff confirmed eventual connection to Silver Creek Road. Public Hearing G3 – Cassidy Heights Major Subdivision: - Matt Goshgerian (neighbor) requested three to five trees be planted where an access road currently exists, to screen the new development from his property. The applicant said RPU will address it. Discussion Items G1 – Appeal of HPC Approval for Silver Lake Park Alterations Staff (Irene Woodward) recommended denying the appeal, stating the HPC followed UDC procedure by allowing public comment at the meeting, and National Register eligibility was not part of local review. The council had a quasi-judicial role. Councilmember Keene moved to deny, noting the project has been in development for years. Councilmember Wall asked about lake size; staff confirmed approximately 8% of the lake (5 acres) would be converted to rock arch rapids, but the lake and trail would remain. Mayor Norton emphasized that the decision to move ahead was made previously and the lake would persist. The motion passed 5-1 (Councilmember Fredericks voted nay; Councilmember Palmer recused). G2 – Century Valley Fifth Final Plat Staff (Desmond McGill) presented a 17.62-acre site subdivided into 16 residential lots. The applicant (Connor Burke) acknowledged one condition regarding civil plan review. After public hearing, council approved unanimously. G3 – Cassidy Heights Major Subdivision Staff presented a 12.77-acre site for 18 single-family lots and one outlot, with a mix of R1 and R2 zoning. The applicant (Dan Horsch) noted a temporary cul-de-sac with future road extension. Council approved unanimously. H1 – Chateau Theater Operating Partnership Ryan Yetzer presented a framework with Experience Rochester, proposing a mix of uses: 30% community/public, 30% private events, 20% ticketed performances, 20% seasonal/destination. An additional $300,000 annual investment (funded by lodging tax) would support community access and operations. Councilmembers emphasized community access, especially on prime nights. The resolution directs staff to engage with Experience Rochester, the DMC Board, and community stakeholders. Council approved unanimously. H2 – Reimagining 6th Avenue West Project Update Steve Sampson Brown and Cindy Zerger presented the 30% design for a 7-block corridor from Civic Center Drive to 2nd Street SW, funded by $11 million in DMC funds and $4-5 million from Mayo clinic infrastructure reimbursements. Features include a two-way protected bikeway, wider sidewalks, traffic calming, underground power, and amenities like swings and seating. Public engagement involved over 20 events. Council approved the geometric layout and authorized design advancement. Key Outcomes - G1 Silver Lake Dam Appeal: Denied (5-1, with one recusal). The HPC certificate of appropriateness stands. - G2 Century Valley Fifth Final Plat: Approved unanimously with one condition. - G3 Cassidy Heights Major Subdivision: Approved unanimously with four conditions. - H1 Chateau Theater: Resolution adopted unanimously to advance the operating partnership and capital planning framework. - H2 Reimagining 6th Ave West: Approved geometric layout and authorization to proceed with final design. - Consent Agenda: Approved, with Councilmember Doring voting nay on F27 (Sportsplex change orders). - Next Steps: Staff will return with a final Chateau operating agreement later in 2026; 6th Ave West design continues towards a March 2027 construction start.

The Rochester Airport Commission met on September 4, 2026, per the provided timestamp, with a quorum present. The commission approved the agenda and consent calendar, received July 2026 financial and operational/marketing reports, and approved two new business items: a basement lease extension and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reimbursement agreement. Note: The agenda and transcript identify the meeting date as September 8, 2026; the supplied timestamp says 2026-09-04, and this summary follows the supplied date. Consent Calendar - The minutes of the Airport Commission meeting of August 4, 2026, were approved as the official record. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public were present for comments; the public comment period was closed after no one came forward. Reports Airport Financials – July 2026 - The financial report was received and filed. Staff noted the combined operating fund position was on track, with the levy already received; last year's higher balance reflected final COVID-era funding that has now ended. - Fund balances were lower than normal due to a large reimbursement expected to be recorded in August, which should restore the balance. - Staff confirmed the TSA reimbursement agreement on the agenda was not included in these numbers and would be new dollars for future budgets. - Commissioners discussed Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs). Staff said the airport collects the full $4.50 PFC per eligible passenger, minus 11 cents retained by airlines for administration. PFCs are dedicated to capital projects and are currently leveraged for at least another 10 years, including the CAP two project. Additional airline seats would generate more PFC dollars. Staff noted that raising the PFC remains a national priority for airport executives but faces strong airline opposition. Airport Operational and Marketing Data – July 2026 - The operational and marketing report was received and filed. Employment and seat numbers were on track, but the airport needs more flights to improve departing flight options. - July passenger traffic was up 1% overall and up 7% year-to-date, which staff described as bucking the national trend. - Delta had another strong month, up 13% year over year, with an 81% load factor for the second consecutive month. American was down 12%, driven largely by operational issues such as weather and mechanical problems; American's seats were relatively flat, with 11,765 seats in July 2026 compared to 11,245 in July 2025, and its load factor slipped from the 70s to 66 month over month. - Parking and car rental revenues increased marginally. International activity was down slightly from the prior month but followed historical seasonal patterns. Cargo was recovering but remained down 3% year over year, and total operations were still recovering from a light January and construction-related impacts on general aviation. - Marketing staff reported modest audience growth and strong search growth despite a planned summer budget pullback, aided by reposting evergreen content such as the airport ASMR video. - Staff introduced the CPATC metric, described as the cost to get a consumer to add a ticket to the cart in the airport's search widget. The Isabella ad performed well at $7 per add-to-cart, while a retargeting ad cost $23 per add-to-cart. New Business 7.A – Amendment to Agreement for Leasing Space in the Basement of the Terminal - The commission authorized an amendment to the agreement between the City of Rochester and the Rochester Airport Company for basement storage space in the terminal. - The amendment replaces the expiration date and extends the term through the end of 2027; the rate and square footage remain the same. The lease has been in place since 2015 and provides a transparent exchange of value with the FAA. - The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition. 7.B – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Reimbursement Agreement - The commission adopted a resolution accepting the reimbursement agreement and authorizing execution of the necessary documents with the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security. - Staff explained the agreement covers 5,000 checkpoint support hours at $110.25 per hour, with an annual allocation of just over $127,000. This reinstates federal reimbursement that was previously removed from budgets, and the airport is bringing it forward before final legal language is issued to ensure the funds are captured before the federal fiscal year ends. Legal review will occur before final execution. - In discussion, staff noted the airport is legally required to staff the checkpoint and that the reimbursement supports checkpoint operating hours rather than FTEs. Even with automatic exit doors, someone must respond when doors go into lockdown; staff will continue cross-utilizing personnel to optimize operations. - The motion passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - Approved the consent calendar and the July 2026 financial and operational/marketing reports. - Approved both new business items by voice vote with no opposition. - Staff indicated that the next meeting will include a deeper commission discussion of parking operations and potential improvements, with a base project to be presented for additional commission input. - The meeting adjourned at 2:26 p.m., after a 26-minute session.

The Rochester Park Board met on the date provided (September 2, 2026) for a regular meeting. The board unanimously approved routine consent items, received a presentation on the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial expansion, and discussed future agenda items including a mode-shift presentation and strategic planning. All votes were approved 7-0. Consent Calendar - The board approved two routine bid awards: - 8.A. Fall 2026 Private Property Tree Planting Bid Award – Authorized to Hoffman & McNamara in the amount of $62,663. - 8.B. Public Prune 2.2026 – Authorized to Hathaway Tree Service in the amount of $78,000. - 8.C. Gamehaven Agreement Amendment with RASC – Approved an amended agreement with the Rochester Active Sports Club for the purchase of a third snow gun (estimated $30,000 from RASC funds, reimbursed by the city). Item 8.C was pulled from consent for discussion but approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the open comment period. Discussion Items - Reports: Parks and Recreation Director Paul Widman provided updates on the urban deer hunt (starting October 1), the move to the new maintenance facility, and the work of Park Services Officers with homeless individuals in parks. Board members commented and asked questions. - Monthly Bills & Financial Performance (Items 7.A & 7.B): The board approved the August 2026 bills and received the year-to-date financial report, noting summer program expenses. - Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Presentation (Item 9.A): Terry Throndson, Michelle Broadwater, and Kyle Larson from the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee presented a proposed expansion to honor Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) veterans. The plan includes four curved walls, additional sidewalks, benches, lighting, and flagpoles, with an estimated cost of $3.21 million. The committee has raised funds and sold over 50 pavers needing immediate installation. Park Board President Gary Neumann praised the existing memorial but emphasized the need for detailed staff review before a vote. The board received the report informationally. - Other Business (Agenda Planner): Commissioner Martin Cormack requested a presentation on Mode Shift and Transportation Demand Management from the city's coordinator, Matt Lynch, to be brought to a future board meeting. Commissioner April Sutor inquired about strategic planning; Director Widman noted that the city is preparing a consultant-led strategic planning process with the city council and the park board may be included. Division Head Mike Nigbur reported on plans to update the Park System Master Plan in 2027, with consultant selection in early 2027 and a 9-month process. Key Outcomes - All motions approved unanimously (7-0): Approval of minutes, order of agenda, monthly bills, consent items (8.A, 8.B, and 8.C), and adjournment. - No formal action on Soldiers Field expansion: The board received the presentation and directed staff to work with the committee on detailed plans for future consideration. - Future agenda items: The mode-shift presentation will be scheduled; strategic planning updates will be shared; the master plan update process will begin in late 2026/early 2027.

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as August 19, 2026, but the provided instruction specifies this summary should be dated August 26, 2026. The following summary reflects the content of the meeting as recorded. The Library Board of Rochester, Minnesota, met on Tuesday, August 26, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the library. The board heard updates from the Rochester Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, and regional library cooperatives, approved the consent calendar, and discussed county funding for 2027. The meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m. Consent Calendar - Minutes: Approved the minutes of the July 15, 2026, meeting as the official record. - Accounts Payable: Approved total disbursements of $295,595.83 for August 13, 2026. - July 2026 Monthly Reports: Accepted the monthly reports, including statistics, expenditure, and revenue reports. - Contracts Signed by the Library Director: Accepted the contracts list. During discussion, a board member inquired about the LinkedIn Learning contract (annual cost approx. $6,480, average $540/month) and a $3,000 contract for speaker Rochelle Yunan to deliver an all-staff training on the "reset method" for stress management. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were offered. Updates and Reports - Rochester Public Library Foundation Report: Executive Director Brenda Kardock reported on the upcoming online auction (32auctions.com/library26), a stewardship story regarding a memorial gift from Judith and John Harris (book plates for 10 years), and a William Kent Krueger dinner event sponsored by Blue Duck. - Friends of the Rochester Public Library Update: Board President Val Kaliszewski reported on the United for Libraries Friends Day, an off-site sale at the history center, and the new study pod purchased with Friends funds. The study pod seats up to four people, is soundproof, and can be reserved at the reference desk (online reservations planned). - Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Update: The board received an update on SELCO activities, including the hiring of a shared ILS manager, a call for public comments on the federal e-rate program (worth about $12 million annually in Minnesota; Rochester Public Library receives approximately $7,000–$9,000), and a delivery study recommending RFID tagging for shared materials and route adjustments to save time and mileage. - Executive Committee Update: The committee discussed plans for the upcoming board retreat, reviewed recommendations from the Advocacy Committee, and addressed the use of the term "stakeholder" (noted to have colonialist connotations) – the administrative team will prefer "community members," "residents," or "interested parties" but will use "stakeholder" when presenting to the City Council. - Advocacy Committee Update: Received and filed (no additional details provided in the transcript). Informational Items - County Funding Update: Library Director reported on a meeting with the Olmsted County Board regarding the 2027 budget. The director requested an additional $129,000+ to maintain digital access and bookmobile services for rural county residents. Without that funding, bookmobile stops outside Rochester city limits would be reduced or eliminated. The county commissioners approved the distribution method for the 1% allocation but have not yet decided on the additional funding request. The director noted that other counties face similar challenges: Winona County maintained funding, while Hennepin County is proposing a 7% reduction in hours and St. Paul is considering closing a library. Key Outcomes - All consent items were approved unanimously (7-0). - All reports and updates were received and filed. - The board will continue to monitor the Olmsted County funding decision. - The youth council received 22 applications; selected members will serve a full year and provide peer input to the board starting in August 2026 (the term runs from August 2026 to August 2027). - The meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m. on a unanimous motion.

Note: The agenda, minutes, and transcript list this meeting as August 25, 2026. Per the instruction date, this summary uses August 26, 2026. The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) convened to address public comments, approve minutes, and discuss future initiatives. Key topics included the downtown historic district, a historic preservation inventory strategy, and the commission's role under the Unified Development Code (UDC). Commissioner Chad Rod Decker submitted a resignation letter, read by John Krusel. Consent Calendar - The minutes of July 28, 2026, were unanimously approved after an amendment to include the names of commissioners voting and absent on a motion to suspend rules. Public Comments & Testimony - Barry Skolnick criticized the city council's decision to overturn the HPC's denial of a certificate of appropriateness for the Broadway Avenue development, citing a petition of 4,000 signatures and opposition from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). He proposed construction warranties and property tax protections for adjacent businesses. - Ryan Stack questioned whether the mayor's decision not to veto was influenced by external parties and urged preservation of historic sites like Central Park. - Andrew Knauff (Ward 4) requested clarity on the HPC's official reporting standards and suggested that SHPO review should be automatically triggered for any contributing building in the historic district. - John Krusel read a statement from Commissioner Chad Rod Decker resigning from the HPC effective August 25, 2026, in protest of the city council's override of the HPC's denial. Decker argued the council's decision undermined the commission's integrity and public trust. - Chris Allen (artist) thanked the HPC for its work and asked what lawsuits the city might have faced had the mayor vetoed the council's decision. - Lucy Kruesel (Ward 5, owner of Diatom Books) raised concerns about discrepancies in the mayor's letter, the need for specific findings, and logistical issues with construction impacting adjacent businesses. She requested an inquiry into potential litigation threats against the mayor. - A motion to extend the public comment period was unanimously approved to accommodate all speakers. Discussion Items - Award Program: Commissioner Wassmer presented a relaunched annual awards program with three categories: Public History Ambassador, Community Education & Engagement, and Historic Restoration/Rehabilitation. The commission appointed Commissioner Koestler as chair of the Awards Committee to replace the resigned Commissioner Bodeker. - Historic Preservation Inventory Strategy: Commissioner Koestler presented an updated strategy, removing tiered documentation levels, clarifying review roles for the historical context subcommittee, and adding a prep phase for 2026 with zero estimated cost. The strategy includes public engagement ideas (QR codes, city communications campaign) and a process for tracking properties from inventory to landmarking or removal. Koestler noted delays due to lack of feedback from staff. Discussion included testing the process on the Seventh Street Bridge. The proposal will be brought for a vote in September. - Responses to Open Comment Period: Commissioners and staff addressed questions about the HPC's role, motion specificity, and the administrative record. Attorney Carlson advised that motions should clearly articulate reasons when deviating from staff recommendations, and the video recording is part of the record. Director Woodward explained that future construction will be reviewed through site development plans and building permits, with inspections to ensure compliance. There was discussion on historic preservation grants, tax abatements (previously explored but not feasible), and how the public can track projects through the city's citizen access portal. - Role of HPC as Defined by the UDC: Commissioner Koestler raised concerns about broken links to historical data on the city website due to ADA accessibility updates. Director Woodward confirmed a backlog of 500+ PDFs to be updated, with a deadline of April 2027. The commission also discussed the possibility of early consultation on controversial projects, but staff noted the challenge of pre-decisional involvement. Questions about phase one surveys were clarified: most inventory properties have them, but not all; staff will provide requests if needed. Key Outcomes - Unanimously approved the amended consent agenda. - Unanimously approved appointing Commissioner Koestler as chair of the Awards Committee. - Directed staff to address broken links and provide accessibility updates by next month. - The Historic Preservation Inventory Strategy will be brought for a vote at the September meeting, pending legal review by the city attorney. - Scheduled a future discussion on the HPC's role under the UDC, with staff to prepare answers for the next meeting. - The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 PM.

The Rochester Public Utility (RPU) Board met on August 26, 2026 (the provided timestamp; the agenda and minutes list the meeting as August 25, 2026, 4:00 p.m., with adjournment at 5:26 p.m.). Board President Malachi McNeilus presided. Present: Patrick Keane, Malachi McNeilus, and Wendy L. Turri. Brett Gorden and Kelsey Vaszily were absent with approved absences; a quorum was present. Every formal vote was unanimous (3-0). Safety Moment - IT Compliance and Security Coordinator Thuan Nguyen presented a cybersecurity safety moment, urging employees to lock their computers with Windows key + L before stepping away. Consent Agenda - Approved minutes and video of the August 4, 2026 RPU Board meeting. - Reviewed accounts payable from 07/14/2026 to 08/11/2026 totaling $17,254,878.71. - Appointed Todd Blomstrom as Alternate Member Representative to the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA). - Adopted revised 2026 Water Service Rules and Regulations effective September 1, 2026. - Authorized SBS Automated Utility Design for the Designer Replacement Project, with expenditures up to the approved multi-year project budget of $950,000. - Authorized capital expenditures up to $580,000 for the 2nd Street SE and 16th Avenue SE Sewer and Water Improvements, City Project J7838. - Authorized the 2026–28 collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – Outside Group (IBEW-O) and recommended City Council ratification. - Motion by Wendy L. Turri, seconded by Patrick Keane; passed 3-0. Public Comments & Testimony - None. No members of the public signed up to speak. Discussion Items Country Club Road Water Main Extension Project (4.A) - Assistant General Manager of Operations Todd Blomstrom presented the project, which extends a water main along Country Club Road to serve Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC’s Del Webb subdivision (300+ units) and ML Group I LLC’s Meadow Lakes multifamily development (several hundred units). - The project is needed because development is in a new pressure zone and faces obstacles including Cascade Creek, floodplain/floodway crossings, and coordination with a sanitary sewer public improvement. - Project cost is approximately $1.2 million: $424,000 apportioned to Pulte, $527,000 to ML Group, and $244,000 to RPU for 8-inch-to-12-inch main oversizing. RPU would front capital costs and be reimbursed through deferred special assessments over five years. - The Board approved expenditures up to $1,200,000, possible conversion to short-term debt financing, and the two Water Extension Improvement, Petition and Waiver, and Reimbursement Agreements. Motion by Keane, seconded by Turri; passed 3-0. Water Fund 2026 Capital Budget Amendment (4.B) - Assistant General Manager of Administration Peter Hogan requested a $3.935 million amendment to the 2026 Water Utility Capital Budget: $1.2 million for Country Club Road, $2.15 million for Kalmar Booster Station, and $585,000 for water main oversizing. - Staff described financing through internal cash and short-term borrowing of up to about $2 million per year in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Short-term debt would be three years or less and interest-only, with long-term bonding anticipated around 2028–29. - The Board approved the amendment and recommended Common Council approval. Motion by Turri, seconded by Keane; passed 3-0. Proposed 2027 Board Meeting Dates (5.A) - General Manager Timothy McCollough presented proposed 2027 dates. All would fall on the last Tuesday except the December meeting, which was set before the Christmas–New Year’s holiday week. The only noted conflict was January 26, which coincides with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association legislative day at the Capitol; McCollough advised against moving that meeting. - Board members raised no conflicts. Staff will bring the calendar back for approval on the next month’s consent agenda. Natural Gas Supply for Mt. Simon Station (5.B) - Interim Director of Power Supply Tony Dzubay presented an informational update on a proposed secondary firm natural gas agreement for Mt. Simon Station. Mt. Simon’s predicted summer capacity for 2030 is about 46 MW, roughly 15% of RPU’s capacity requirement. - The secondary firm tier has no upfront cost, adds a small adder to the gas commodity, and supplements Mt. Simon’s fuel-oil backup. RPU projects a 10–20% capacity factor for the units. In the last winter there were five system overrun limitation days in December, fifteen in January, and zero in February, with an average of about ten per month. - In response to Councilmember Keene’s questions, Dzubay and McCollough explained that a higher-priced fuel tier would slightly reduce dispatch and run hours, while firm gas was not worth its large upfront cost. The secondary firm tier was described as the best balance of fuel assurance, cost, and ratepayer benefit. - No action was taken. Staff will return in September for approval; because it is a 10-year agreement, City Council approval will also be required. Board Policy 4: Board Organization (6.A) - McCollough presented proposed revisions to Board Policy 4, including adding a treasurer role, moving officer elections from May to December, creating an advisory officer rotation (orientation/treasurer/vice president/president over a four-year term), adding an officer removal process by a vote of three, and clarifying that the Board acts only as a body. - Board members discussed whether to retain liaison assignments. Councilmember Keene and others expressed concern that liaison roles had not been used and could reduce collaboration; the consensus was to delete the liaison structure. - Note: The meeting minutes state the Board approved the revisions with the removal of liaison assignments, but the transcript indicates McCollough proposed bringing the revised policy back at the next meeting. This discrepancy is noted. General Manager’s Report & Division Reports - McCollough reported on an ERP project approach change: instead of RPU going live first and the city later, the project will target a single organizational go-live at the end of July 2027, with aligned chart of accounts, human capital management, financial, and asset management systems. - McCollough discussed SMMPA cost and exit considerations, including planned SMMPA debt issuances in 2028–29, the capital retirement fund, renewable energy credits, and a January cash refund. Keene expressed concern about ensuring Rochester ratepayers do not pay for costs that will only benefit the agency after RPU exits. - Division reliability metrics were described as low relative to national and municipal averages; a beaver-caused outage was noted. Other Business - McCollough requested two Board members for an Ad Hoc Group for Board Policy 22: Acquisition and Disposal of Interest in Real Property. Wendy L. Turri and Patrick Keane were selected. Key Outcomes - Approved agenda, consent agenda, Country Club Road project, and Water Fund budget amendment, each 3-0. - Received informational items on 2027 meeting dates and Mt. Simon natural gas supply; no action taken. - Board Policy 4: minutes record approval with liaison assignments removed; transcript indicates a revised version will be brought back at the next meeting. - Appointed Turri and Keane to the Policy 22 Ad Hoc Group. - Adjourned at 5:26 p.m. (per agenda/minutes).

The Outside Agency Oversight Committee met on August 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in City Hall Room 104 to review financial statements and operating reliance ratios for ten outside agencies receiving city funding, and to approve third-quarter disbursements. The committee heard a special presentation from RNeighbors representatives and discussed potential adjustments to the quarterly funding disbursement schedule. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes and video of the June 8, 2026 Outside Agency Oversight Committee meeting. - Approved the order of the agenda (moved item 3.F to when the guest arrived). Discussion Items - RNeighbors (Item 3.F): Executive Director Renee Halasy and Treasurer Craig Nichols presented the agency's financial statements. They reported that quarterly disbursement timing has caused cash flow gaps, leading to delayed staff pay on four occasions and paused retirement contributions. To address this, RNeighbors pivoted from its large community event "Chop the Block" to neighborhood-based kits distributed during National Night Out, saving $7,000. The savings will be redirected to neighborhood project grants and create a cushion to cover payroll gaps. Halasy noted a $10,000 grant from the Rochester Area Foundation for downtown neighborhood initiatives dealing with development stress, and a $1,000 grant from Waste Management for promotional materials. Committee members questioned the sustainability of the model; Halasy and Nichols emphasized the difficulty of finding operational support grants and the value of remaining an external agency for flexibility. Committee members discussed potential alternatives to the quarterly disbursement schedule, such as aligning funding with program years or providing a larger first-quarter allocation to match summer activity peaks. No motion was made, but staff was asked to explore options. - 125 Live (Item 3.B): Financials showed an uptick in the current ratio to 9.93 (from 7.7) and a stable operating reliance ratio just above 1.0. Revenues and expenses are consistent with modest growth. - History Center of Olmsted County (Item 3.C): Both ratios improved significantly; net income reached $155,000. The agency adjusted after missing some grant forecasts and reallocated fundraising efforts to secure matching grants. - Human Rights Commission (Item 3.D): Operating reliance ratio at 1.0072. This is expected to be the final report needed as funding has shifted to the Youth Council per county request. - RAEDI (Item 3.E): Financial statements were audited. Cash balance and total current assets increased slightly in 2026 compared to 2025. Overall healthy financial position. - Small Business Development Center (Item 3.K): Financials are included within RAEDI statements; no separate ratio calculation required. - Rochester Art Center (Item 3.G): Current ratio improved to 5.66 (from 5.4), operating reliance ratio to 0.77. The center deferred $30,000 in program revenue to FY 2027, a prudent adjustment that would have otherwise shown a loss. - Rochester Civic Theatre (Item 3.H): Slight downtick in both ratios: current ratio to 33.23 (from 33.9), operating reliance ratio to 0.812 (from 0.9). Committee noted the theater adjusted its production choices; first show was significantly down. - Rochester Downtown Alliance (Item 3.I): Both ratios improved. A major change: Mall of America grant funding decreased from $500,000 in 2025 to $100,000 in 2026, reducing net income from $807,000 to $462,000. Contribution income from other sources was slightly up. - Youth Council (Item 3.J): Current ratio at 100.7 (higher than normal), operating reliance ratio well in the green. Budget changes expected in Q4. Key Outcomes - Approved third-quarter disbursements for all outside agencies as listed in Item 3.L: 125 Live ($28,652.50), History Center ($11,875), RAEDI ($18,750, including $3,750 for SBDC), RNeighbors ($27,500), Rochester Art Center ($46,250), Rochester Civic Theatre ($28,750), Rochester Downtown Alliance ($31,250), and Rochester Olmsted Youth Council ($3,850). All approved unanimously. - The committee discussed exploring alternative disbursement timing for RNeighbors to better match seasonal needs; staff will consider options and possibly bring a recommendation to a future meeting. - Future committee meetings scheduled for November 23, 2026.

The Rochester Park Board met on August 25, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the Government Center, Conference Room 1. The board approved the consent agenda, discussed several new business items including a concession agreement for Soldiers Field Golf Course and funding for the Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center court reconstruction, and held a joint meeting with the Olmsted County Parks and Trails Commission. Board member April Sutor was welcomed as the new Ward 4 representative, and Mark Bilderback was thanked for his service. All votes were unanimous except the tennis center funding, which passed 5-1. Consent Calendar - Agreement with Rochester Active Sports Community: Authorized the agreement for the Rochester Active Sports Community to provide financial assistance for construction of mountain biking amenities at Gamehaven Regional Park. Approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Tim Nela, General Manager of Townies Philly Kitchen & Bar: Expressed the desire to remain at the Soldiers Field Golf Course concession location, noting the five-year history with the community and positive feedback. He acknowledged that the lease ends this year and that there is a possibility of other proposals (RFPs). He stated hope that the board would consider extending their tenure. Discussion Items - Soldiers Field Golf Course Concession Agreement – Financial Overview and Recommendation for 2027 Operations: Parks and Recreation Director Paul Widman recommended initiating an informal request for proposals (RFP) for concession services at the clubhouse, citing the need for a transparent process given the below-market rental rate and increased park activity. Discussion included the history of the current vendor (Townies), the informal RFP process, potential involvement of board members in proposal review, and the importance of market value assessment. Commissioner Rebekah Kunz expressed preference for negotiating with Townies first before soliciting other proposals. Commissioner Martin Cormack emphasized the need for transparency since the space is publicly subsidized. Director Widman noted Townies would be invited to participate. The motion to authorize the informal RFP passed unanimously. - Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center Court Reconstruction Project: Recreation and Sports Facilities Division Head Ben Boldt presented the plan to reconstruct Courts 9–14 at Kutzky Park. He reviewed prior work (Courts 1–8 rebuilt in 2019, ADA upgrades in2023). The project is estimated at $630,000, with $250,000 from the Raise the Net fundraising group, up to $200,000 from a pending U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) grant, and $180,000 remaining. The city has $175,000 in a court resurfacing fund (from voter-approved tax levy), leaving a gap of $5,000–$8,000 to be covered by Parks and Recreation Reserves or Park Board Community Funds. Discussion included concerns about cost overruns (bids came in higher than estimate), the condition of courts (Commissioner Paul Marino described courts 12–14 as an embarrassment), comparisons to pickleball renovations at Cook Park, and the risk of neglecting other projects if funds are diverted. Commissioner April Sutor voted against, citing discomfort with pulling money from other needs. The motion to approve use of reserves and community funds passed 5–1 (Sutor opposed, Ramaker absent). - City of Rochester Park Board and Olmsted County Parks and Trails Commission Joint Meeting: The two bodies shared updates on projects and priorities. City staff highlighted the CAPRA reaccreditation, the upcoming Park System Plan update, and status of major capital projects (Soldiers Field, Silver Lake, MLK Park, etc.). County staff presented on Oxbow, ChesterWoods, Lake Zumbro, and Root River park master plans, along with a county-wide trail master plan in development. Discussions covered connectivity of trails, collaboration to avoid duplication, volunteer groups (Friends of Oxbow, Friends of Chester Woods), and public engagement methods. No formal action taken. Key Outcomes - Approved Minutes: Minutes from June 2, 2026 approved unanimously. - Approved Monthly Bills: For June and July 2026, approved unanimously. - Received Reports: Parks and Recreation monthly reports for June and July2026, received and filed. - Financial Performance: Year-to-date financials through July2026, received and filed. - Agreement with Rochester Active Sports Community: Authorized unanimously. - Soldiers Field Concession RFP: Authorized the Parks team to initiate an informal request for proposals for concession services, with a return to the board for consideration. Approved unanimously. - Tennis Center Funding: Approved use of Parks and Recreation Reserves and Park Board Community Funds to cover the funding gap for reconstruction of Courts9–14. Passed 5–1 (Commissioner Sutor voting no). .- Joint Meeting: Held with Olmsted County Parks and Trails Commission; no action taken. - Adjournment: Motion passed unanimously.

The Rochester City Council held a study session on August 24, 2026, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The meeting covered three main agenda items: the 2027 Recommended Supplemental Operating Budget, Rochester Public Transit's financial outlook and performance, and an update on the Economic Mobility program. Council members discussed proposed tax levy changes, transit reliability and funding, and workforce alignment strategies. No formal votes were taken; the session was for discussion and direction to staff. Discussion Items 2027 Recommended Supplemental Operating Budget City staff presented the recommended supplemental operating budget for 2027. The total all-funds budget is $799.3 million, with a tax levy recommendation of $124.9 million, a year-over-year increase of 5.59% (down from the 7.4% originally projected). The tax levy funds about 15% of the total budget. Key rate changes include: Rochester Public Utilities electric rate recommendation reduced from 6% to 4% (average customer impact $5/month), water rates at 9% ($1.78/month average), and sewer at 1%. The budget includes decision packages totaling 1.15% of the levy adjustment, primarily for a community services police officer and outreach specialist. The long-range forecast shows potential higher levies in 2029-2030, including bonding for a new fire station (Station Six) in 2030. Council members discussed several topics: - Elected Official Communication Tools: Council members debated the need for improved communication platforms (IndieGov, Granicus, etc.) to allow personalized outreach to constituents. Mayor Norton emphasized the importance of reaching constituents and noted that current systems are impersonal. Councilmember Keeney raised style differences among members. Staff indicated that a policy framework is needed before recommending a specific tool. - Elected Official Budget Funding: Discussion covered the mayor's $36,000 discretionary initiatives fund versus council's need for approval on similar initiatives. Council President Schubring and Councilmember Miller suggested exploring a combined mayor-council budget for future years, especially given the upcoming mayoral transition. Councilmember Palmer expressed opposition to a 3% raise for council. - Strategic Planning and Budget Engagement: Staff outlined plans for an RFP for consultant support to align strategic planning with the next two-year budget (2028-2029) and improve community engagement. - Summer Festivals and Destination Marketing: The city’s investment in events like Fourth Fest, Rochester Fest, and Riverside Forward was reviewed. Staff proposed a $300,000 enhanced destination marketing investment, partially tied to Chateau Theater activation. Councilmember Miller raised concerns about coordination between multiple downtown events. - Tax Levy Direction: Councilmember Palmer proposed reducing the levy increase from 5.59% to 5.21% (a cut of approximately $400,000), while Councilmember Doring signaled a future ask of about $100,000 for the AnyPath Home initiative. Councilmember Keene expressed concern about the long-term reliance on property value growth to keep the tax capacity rate low. Rochester Public Transit (RPT) Financial Outlook and Performance Director Rachel Fouch presented a mid-year update. The transit fund currently has $5.6 million, with a projected 2026 loss of $0.8 million (improved from prior forecast of $2.4 million due to CIP reductions and operator contract changes). The fund is projected to be exhausted by 2028 if no changes are made, assuming the state's local match remains at 15% (historically 20%). Key performance indicators (KPIs) include operating revenue vs. targets and ridership metrics. Current ridership is down significantly from pre-COVID highs (2 million in 2019 to about 600k-700k), partly due to reliability issues and the loss of the IBM park-and-ride. The new operator, Via, will begin operations on September 1, 2026. Via’s McCall Houston outlined their planning philosophy, including shifting to microtransit for low-efficiency routes and increasing frequencies on high-efficiency routes. Link BRT is planned to start in summer 2027, but operating funding is not yet secured beyond a three-year pilot grant. Council members expressed significant concern about reliability. Councilmember Palmer called it the "number one issue" and criticized the system's dependability, noting that missed trips undermine ridership. Councilmember Keene questioned whether the hub-and-spoke model is viable for a spread-out city and asked for systemic analysis. Councilmember Miller requested materials from Via’s successful redesign in Sioux Falls. Staff noted that if reliability does not improve, drastic service reductions may be necessary to ensure dependable service. Economic Mobility Updates Amanda Leitner, the new Economic Mobility Program Specialist, provided a six-month update. She defined economic mobility as the ability to improve well-being over time. Using data from the ICMA grant, the city identified four priority mobility areas: connected and reliable transit, affordable housing supply, career readiness/workforce systems alignment, and stakeholder coordination. After a prioritization process, career readiness and workforce systems alignment was chosen for deeper exploration and pilot work under the grant. Preliminary labor force data shows that many growing occupations are in survival-wage categories, while fewer support economic mobility. The city aims to partner with existing organizations to improve coordination and pathways for residents, particularly in connecting to large employers like Mayo Clinic. Council feedback: Councilmember Fredericks noted the loss of in-person networking and the need for navigable pathways. Councilmember Keene emphasized focusing on building careers, not just entrepreneurship, and highlighted the importance of trades. Councilmember Miller requested measurable metrics similar to the transit dashboard and updates on the process timeline. Councilmember Doring expressed interest in equitable workforce outcomes across race and gender. Councilmember Wall questioned the role of survival-wage occupations in the mobility ladder. Study Session Schedule City Administrator reminded the council that no meeting will be held on Monday, August 31 (fifth Monday). The next study session is September 9, 2026 (Wednesday due to Labor Day), which will continue budget discussions, action plan updates, and credit card service fees. Upcoming sessions later in September will cover stormwater credit transfer policy, mode shift, and housing access. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken. - Staff will provide a specific cost estimate for reducing the levy to 5.21% at the next study session. - Council will discuss a potential ask for AnyPath Home initiative (approx. $100,000) at the next meeting. - Staff will continue policy discussions on elected official communication tools and budget restructuring for the mayor/council. - Transit staff will provide monthly KPI dashboards to council and continue planning for Link BRT and transit development plan (TDP) implementation in 2028. - Economic mobility work will proceed with deeper stakeholder engagement and resident co-design, with an update expected later in 2026. Note: There were no consent calendar items or public comments during this study session.