Public Meetings - Rochester, Minnesota

The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) met on June 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room 104. The meeting included a public comment period, decisions on two Certificates of Appropriateness, and informational discussions on the Certified Local Government program and project updates. The most significant action was the denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness for a proposed 7-story addition to 309-317 South Broadway. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the May 19, 2026, meeting by unanimous consent. - Item 7B (a letter addressed to the HPC) was struck from the agenda by a vote of 5-2-1 (5 ayes, 2 nays, 1 abstention). Public Comments & Testimony - Seven speakers addressed the commission during the open comment period, all opposing the proposed addition at 311 Broadway. Speakers included Barry Skolnick, Kevin Reynolds, Chris Allen, John Kruesel, Lucy Kruesel, Barb Hudson, and an email from Maggie Panetta read by Chair Zastrow. They argued that the project would harm the historic district, violate Secretary of Interior Standards (especially Standard 9 regarding spatial relationships), and set a dangerous precedent. Lucy Kruesel, a small business owner in the district, expressed concerns about displacement and loss of the district's character. Barb Hudson criticized the inclusion of a personal opinion letter in the agenda packet and urged the commission to uphold its mission. Discussion Items - 5.A. Certificate of Appropriateness – 311 Broadway Addition/Renovation - Staff presented the proposal for a 7-story addition to the rear of 309-317 South Broadway, including storefront rehabilitation of 309 Broadway. The project would add 35 new residential units (total 43 units) and preserve the Broadway facades. Staff recommended approval, citing compliance with the Secretary of Interior Standards, noting the addition’s setback and its relationship to the non-contributing building at 318 Broadway. - Commissioners questioned staff and applicant Hal Henderson about design, massing, and impact on the district. The applicant stated the alleyway courtyard would be open to the public and that the project aims to activate the space. - A motion to approve failed 3-5-1 (Commissioners Poirier, Tator, Mutchler in favor; Commissioners Shabel, Zastrow, Gandhi, Boeddeker, Koestler opposed; Connell absent). - A subsequent motion to deny, citing non-compliance with Standards 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10, passed 6-2-1 (Commissioners Boeddeker, Gandhi, Koestler, Mutchler, Shabel, Zastrow in favor; Commissioners Poirier, Tator opposed; Connell absent). - 5.B. Certificate of Appropriateness – Alteration of Signs at 501 N Broadway (formerly Struve Paints) - Staff explained that the property was placed on the historic inventory in May 2026, and the proposed removal of the clock and rebranding of the paint can sign required HPC approval. The new owner, Nicole Pierson, stated she would give the clock to the Struve family and rewrap the paint can with her business name. - The commission approved the Certificate of Appropriateness unanimously, allowing the removal of the clock and rebranding of the paint can sign. - 7.A. Requested Information – Certified Local Government (CLG) Program - Staff presented the benefits and requirements of the CLG program, noting that the city’s current practice of placing properties on the inventory without full evaluation and public hearing is inconsistent with Secretary of Interior Standards. The commission discussed the trade-off between gaining access to CLG grants and losing the protective regulations on the 70+ inventory properties. No action was taken. - 7.C. Updates - Grainger Building Site: A presentation to the City Council is scheduled for July 6, 2026. The HPC’s request for a list of artifacts from Mayo has not yet been fulfilled. - Indian Heights: The grant application for a cultural eligibility study was denied. Staff will explore other options, including a future grant cycle or proceeding with local designation. - Awards Program: A draft statement of purpose was circulated for review; final approval is expected at the July meeting. Key Outcomes - Denied (6-2-1) the Certificate of Appropriateness for the 7-story addition at 309-317 South Broadway, based on non-compliance with Secretary of Interior Standards 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10. - Approved (unanimous) the Certificate of Appropriateness for removal of the clock and rebranding of the paint can sign at 501 N Broadway. - No action on the CLG program discussion; staff will continue to evaluate. - Next meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026, in City Council Chambers.

The Rochester Public Utility (RPU) Board met on June 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the RPU Community Room. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, a bid award for water tower rehabilitation, adoption of updated electric service rules, approval of up to $20 million for gas turbine recovery, informational reports on power delivery and capacity auction results, and a policy review on financial policies. The regular session adjourned at 6:30 p.m., followed by two closed executive sessions. Consent Calendar - Minutes of May 19, 2026 – Approved unanimously. - Review of Accounts Payable – Approved; total transactions from 04/09/2026 to 05/08/2026: $24,185,008.07. - Fleet Vehicle Purchase (V789) – Approved resolution authorizing purchase of a utility bucket truck for up to $240,000 (replacement of V619). - Articulating Telescopic Aerial Device (P972) – Approved resolution authorizing purchase from Altec for up to $290,000. - Eminent Domain for Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission Project – Approved resolution authorizing use of eminent domain (quick-take) as last resort for property acquisition; further approval required from City Council on July 7, 2026. - Pole Inspections Contract – Approved contract with OSMOSE for wood pole inspections and treatment for cycles in 2026-2028 (2026: $200,708.96; 2027: $107,357.00; 2028: $110,387.28); rejected proposal from EXO as unresponsive. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were presented. Discussion Items - Consideration of Bids – Apache Tower 87 Rehabilitation and Repainting (Project 2026-06) - Assistant General Manager Todd Blomstrom presented the project, which includes complete removal and replacement of coating systems (exterior, wet interior, dry interior with lead paint remediation), safety climbing system upgrades, foundation repairs, replacement of expansion joint, and alternate bids for LED obstruction lights, tank mixer, full-plate landing, and concrete pad replacement. - Five bidders; low bid from O&J Coatings Inc.: $618,000 base bid + $53,000 alternates = $671,000 total (under $700,000 budget). References checked. - Motion by Patrick Keane, second by Wendy Turri; approved unanimously. - 2026 Electric Service Rules and Regulations Update - Randy Anderton, Manager of Engineering, presented key changes: new definition for "computational load" (data center load), clarification on shared metering (requiring individual RPU meters for each apartment unit), updates related to state statute language, and new section on street lighting. - Discussion included notification to contractors and public works coordination. - Motion by Patrick Keane, second by Kelsey Vaszily; approved unanimously, effective July 1, 2026. - Cascade Creek Gas Turbine 1 Recovery - Tony Dzubay, Manager of Power Resources, presented options: repair ($18.9M), replace ($87M), or do nothing. Repair was recommended, with an 11-month timeline and projected positive revenue by year eight ($3.8M). The $20 million authorization includes potential insurance reimbursement (expected 90% recovery of $10-11M applicable costs). - Board authorized expenditure of up to $20 million and appointed Project Manager. - Motion by Patrick Keane, second by Wendy Turri; approved unanimously. - Informational – 2025 Power Delivery Engineering & Operations Report - Scott Nickels, Director of Power Delivery, presented 40 KPIs across five categories. Highlights: System reliability: SAIDI (50.64 min vs 90 min benchmark – green), SAIFI (0.89 vs 0.8 – yellow), CAIDI (52.63 min – green), ASAI (99.990% – green). Vegetation management and manhole repair fell short (yellow/red) due to cost increases. Generation availability factor affected by GT1 outage. Added 500 customers (total 61,242); 67.2% of distribution is underground. Discussion on budget adjustments for growth. - Informational – MISO Annual Capacity Auction Results for Planning Year 2026/27 - Bill Bullock, Director of Power Resources, reported auction results showing capacity additions (4% net increase, mainly solar and gas) and lower summer prices (50% lower than prior year). Winter and fall prices similar; spring had overabundance. Future load growth projections (driven by data centers and electrification) may increase capacity needs. FERC and NERC are taking aggressive actions on reliability. - Board Policy Review – Policy 32: Financial Policies - General Manager Timothy McCollough and Assistant General Manager Peter Hogan presented a draft companion policy to the city’s finance policies, respecting charter authorities. Key areas: budget process, shared services (e.g., billing for public works), purchasing authority (including emergency and wholesale supply delegation), and payment in lieu of tax (PILOT). - Board discussion focused on PILOT: current policy uses volumetric (kilowatt-hour/CCF) basis; city council adopted policy of 6.5% of retail revenue. Staff recommended phasing in after cost-of-service studies (2027 water, 2028 electric) over five years, with explicit definition of retail revenue and treatment of power cost adjustment. - Billing treatment (showing PILOT as separate line item) was debated. Some board members (Brett Gorden, Kelsey Vaszily) supported transparency and rate comparability; others (Patrick Keane) expressed concern about appearing confrontational with city administration and preferred administrative resolution. No consensus on separate line item; that element was parked for future discussion. - General consensus: align with city council policy direction on PILOT, implement gradually after studies, and work out definitions with city staff. Board agreed to move forward with revisions to the policy, excluding the billing treatment component. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approvals: Consent agenda (3.A–3.F), Apache Tower 87 rehabilitation contract ($671,000 to O&J Coatings Inc.), 2026 Electric Service Rules and Regulations (effective July 1, 2026), and GT1 Recovery Project ($20 million authorization). - Upcoming special meeting: Possible July 7, 2026, to approve interconnection agreement for Mount Simon station (favorable news: $0 in outside system upgrades vs $20 million budgeted). - Policy direction: Board supported phased implementation of PILOT changes aligned with city council policy (6.5% of retail revenue) after cost-of-service studies, with no change before FY2027. Billing treatment to be revisited later. - Executive sessions: Closed sessions held: (11.A) 6:36–7:04 p.m. for real property negotiations (Kelsey Vaszily recused); (11.B) 7:05–7:27 p.m. for workers' compensation litigation discussion.

The Rochester City Council held a work session on June 22, 2026, covering three major topics: a presentation by Urban3 on land use productivity and fiscal analysis, a review of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy options, and a corridor safety study for Elton Hills Drive. The meeting included extensive discussion among council members, staff, and consultants. No formal votes were taken; staff were directed to bring back refined recommendations for the July 20 council meeting. Urban3 Presentation: Land Use Productivity and Fiscal Analysis - Heather Worthington from Urban3 presented an analysis of Rochester's land value per acre, tax productivity, and infrastructure liabilities. Key findings included: Rochester's productivity ratio of 11.8 (city vs. county), the DMC district's ratio of 195.3 times the county area, and the top parcel (Guggenheim building) valued at $167.5 million per acre. - The presentation highlighted that compact, dense development generates significantly more revenue per acre than low-density uses. For example, the Galleria (under 1 acre) produces similar value to Walmart (16.9 acres). - Council members discussed trade-offs between productivity and quality of life. Councilmember Miller asked about annexation ROI; Councilmember Keene questioned the narrow focus on property value and urged consideration of qualitative factors. Mayor Norton emphasized balancing fiscal health with resident needs, including homeownership and parking. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy Review - Todd Hagan and Liz Diaz from Ehlers presented an overview of TIF fundamentals, current portfolio performance, and future policy options. Rochester has about 40 active TIF districts, having invested $120 million in increment to leverage $1.5 billion in development, including 4,000 residential units (46% at 80% AMI or below). - Key options discussed: decertifying districts when obligations are paid vs. keeping them open for pooling. For the DMC district, keeping districts open could yield $65 million in cumulative pooling for redevelopment (vs. $14.5 million if decertified). Pooling could fund affordable housing or infrastructure. - Council debate: Councilmember Keene expressed preference for returning increment to the general fund, wary of creating new funds. Councilmember Miller argued for strategic reinvestment to increase land productivity, especially along transit corridors. Councilmember Palmer requested a future analysis of prevailing wage impacts on TIF projects. Councilmember Doring questioned whether policy should be case-by-case rather than codified. - Staff will bring back policy recommendations for council action, including prevailing wage analysis. Elton Hills Drive Corridor Safety Study - Sam Bodzina (traffic engineer) and Nick Grage (consultant) presented a traffic study for Elton Hills Drive. Key data: Average daily traffic 9,000–11,600 vehicles, speeds have increased post-COVID (85th percentile speeds 36–40 mph), and 12 segments have crash rates above statewide averages. The corridor has two elementary schools and a middle school. - Staff recommended a three-lane configuration (four-to-three lane conversion) to improve safety, reduce conflicts, and lower speeds. Two alternatives presented: Option A (three lanes with parking on both sides) and Option B (three lanes with a two-way cycle track on the north side and parking on the south side). Public engagement (180 surveys, 43 emails) showed 40% support for three lanes, 62% opposed bike facilities, and nearly half favored no parking. - Council discussion: Councilmember Doring asked about parking utilization (under 10%), school input (favor safety), and enforcement vs. engineering. Councilmember Palmer advocated for four lanes with safety improvements, citing public opposition and business concerns. Councilmember Miller favored the three-lane option with cycle track, emphasizing the need for measurable data and a trial period. Councilmember Keene supported three lanes but sought better communication with residents. - Staff will bring back a refined preferred alternative for council action on July 20, including options for cycle track protection and a four-lane alternative with safety measures. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during the work session. - Staff directed to bring back TIF policy recommendations and a preferred alternative for Elton Hills Drive for council action on July 20, 2026. - Prevailing wage analysis will be included in future TIF policy discussions. - Urban3 data will inform ongoing land use planning and budget decisions.

The Library Board met on June 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the Rochester Public Library. The meeting included updates from the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, SELCO, and the Advocacy Committee, approval of the consent agenda, discussion of a board retreat and United for Libraries conference, approval of a proposal to purchase a delivery and outreach van using library reserves, and receipt of the 2026-27 Action Plan. The meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m. Consent Calendar - Approved the agenda unanimously. - Accepted the minutes of the May 20, 2026 meeting. - Approved accounts payable for June 11, 2026, in the amount of $110,840.34. - Accepted the May 2026 monthly reports. - Accepted contracts signed by the Library Director. Updates & Reports - Rochester Public Library Foundation Report: Received and filed. Foundation Executive Director Brenda Kardock was absent; the report was summarized by staff. Notable gifts included a significant estate from Dr. J. Keith Campbell (following a prior donation from Dr. R. Jean Campbell in 2012), gifts in appreciation of bookmobile staff, a gift in memory of homebound delivery, a gift related to the parking pilot project, a gift honoring a book club's 25th year, and a Mayoral Clinic grant for WIT sponsorship. The Foundation launched the Summers Pro fundraising initiative, with contributions from Atlas Insurance and Vobles City for youth services, and an anonymous donor gift targeting a rotating Imagination Station launching this fall. - Friends of the Rochester Public Library Update: Received and filed. Sandy George presented on behalf of Friends Board President Val Kaliszewski. The Friends bookstore has made $38,164 since the beginning of 2026, slightly ahead of the same period last year but with a recent drop attributed to construction. A half-price sale during a garage sale event generated over $1,000 in one day. The black box donation system on the circulation desk has collected over $1,000 this year and over $12,000 since its start five years ago. The bookstore has about 54 active volunteers, with some aging out and some high school/college students. More volunteers are needed. George shared anecdotes of customers, including regular visitors from Iowa and a librarian from Northern Minnesota, emphasizing the bookstore's welcoming atmosphere. - Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Update: Received and filed. The SELCO directors advisory group discussed how to count library service areas, a topic stemming from broader conversations. The Library Director is meeting with Olmsted County libraries and SELCO staff to learn how other federated regional library systems divide service area populations. - Advocacy Committee Update: Received and filed. Board member Nicholas Goetzfridt reported on the committee's meeting of May 28, 2026. Topics included county funding and a new funding formula that would redistribute resources among Rochester, Stewartville, St. Charles, Pine Island, and Chatfield. A letter approved by the board has been sent to Olmsted County commissioners; some progress has been made. The committee refined a working contact list for advocacy efforts, adding notes about personal relationships, similar to the master plan community engagement process. A new column will track relationships with each contact. Additional contacts for local institutions such as RCPC and UMR were noted. Discussions also covered sustainable funding, potential partnerships with major local institutions, and what constitutes a hard ask, particularly regarding Mayo Clinic and its funding priorities (access to care and mental health). The committee acknowledged that any eventual hard ask could be constructed as a win-win. Preliminary satellite location options in the northwest and southeast were briefly discussed, tied to future master plan planning. Discussion Items - 2026 Board, Foundation, and Friends Activities: The board discussed plans for a board retreat, which had not been held recently. Staff recommended a two- to three-hour retreat in August or September to focus on succession planning, board engagement, and reviewing action plan items from the library master plan. The retreat would inform asks for friend and foundation funding priorities and budget requests due by January/February 2027. The board also discussed participating in the United for Libraries conference in July, with a group watch party. Board members expressed preference for August (after a board meeting) over September, and the retreat was tentatively scheduled for August. Staff will provide further details and a sign-up sheet for the virtual conference. - Library Delivery & Outreach Van: Staff presented a proposal to replace an approved passenger van (budgeted at $42,000) with a custom-built outreach/delivery van costing $90,000, including purchase, build-out, wrap, and equipment. The van would support pilot projects like pop-up library locations and satellite service as outlined in the master plan. Three funding options were presented: (1) use library reserves ($2.2 million current balance), (2) use bookmobile replacement funds, or (3) request a budget adjustment from City Council via city reserves. Board members expressed support for option 1, noting it avoids delaying bookmobile replacement. A motion to approve option 1 (use library reserves) passed unanimously. The proposal will be forwarded to City Council at its first meeting in July for final approval. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (6 ayes, 2 absent). - 2026 Board, Foundation, and Friends Activities: Approved a plan for engagement and provided input on scheduling. The board retreat will be held in August after a regular board meeting. The United for Libraries conference participation will be organized with a group viewing session. - Library Delivery & Outreach Van: Approved a motion to recommend a budget adjustment to City Council using library reserves (option 1) to fund the $90,000 van. The motion passed unanimously (6 ayes, 2 absent). Staff will seek City Council approval in July. - 2026 Action Plan: Received and filed the 2026-27 Action Plan, which outlines operational initiatives tied to the library master plan. Staff will provide quarterly updates beginning in September/October.

The Ethical Practices Board of Rochester, Minnesota convened on June 18, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in City Hall Room 104. Members present: Faye Harris, Timothy Hornseth, Paul H Grinde, Nick Nedland, Morgan B Muenster, Ndidi V Nwaneri (arrived late). Absent: Bob Haeussinger. Deputy City Attorney Brent Carlsen represented the City Attorney's office. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, a report on an anonymous complaint, officer nominations for the upcoming year, and adjournment. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (April 16, 2026): Approved 4-0-1-2 (Muenster abstained, Haeussinger and Nwaneri absent). Motion by Hornseth, second by Nedland. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public wished to speak. The open comment period was closed after a brief statement by the Chair. Discussion Items - Reports/Inquiries: Deputy City Attorney Brent Carlsen reported that one complaint was received anonymously. Because it was anonymous, it was not treated as a formal complaint but was forwarded to the relevant city department for review. No other inquiries. - Welcome of New Members: The board welcomed new members Morgan Muenster (attorney) and Ndidi Nwaneri (HR professional). Each introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds. The board also discussed the importance of reviewing the annual training PowerPoint and attending the mayor's board member training. - Officer Nominations for June 2026 - June 2027: The board nominated and elected the following officers: - Chair: Faye Harris (motion by Hornseth, second by Nedland, unanimous 5-0 with Haeussinger and Nwaneri absent). - Vice Chair: Nick Nedland (motion by Grinde, second by Harris, unanimous). - Secretary: Timothy Hornseth (motion by Harris, second by Grinde, unanimous). The secretary role is largely administrative with City Attorney staff support. - Other Business: Carlsen reminded the board that the city does not typically intervene in election campaigns but will bring any relevant issues to the board's attention. The next scheduled meeting is July 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., but may be canceled if no agenda items arise. Board members also discussed data privacy rules regarding email communication (do not reply all) and shared resources for new member onboarding. Key Outcomes - Minutes of April 16, 2026: Approved with one abstention. - Anonymous Complaint: Forwarded to appropriate department for handling. - Officer Elections: Faye Harris (Chair), Nick Nedland (Vice Chair), Timothy Hornseth (Secretary) elected unanimously for the term June 2026 - June 2027. - Adjournment: Moved by Paul H Grinde, second by Nedland, carried unanimously with Nwaneri present for the vote. Meeting adjourned. Note: The user-specified meeting date (2026-06-15) differs from the actual meeting date (June 18, 2026) as per the official agenda and minutes.

Acting Council President Norman Wall (Ward 3) presided over the regular meeting of the Rochester City Council on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers Miller, Fredericks, Palmer, Doring, and Wall were present; Council President Schubring, Mayor Norton, and Councilmember Keene were absent. The agenda included a public hearing on conduit housing bonds for a 252-unit affordable apartment development, a request to apply for a FEMA SAFER grant to hire 15 firefighters, and a first reading of a comprehensive housing code update. Key decisions included removal of one agenda item and approval of the SAFER grant application. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda (items F1–F17) was approved with Councilmember Doring voting no on item F12. - Item F18 (from the Destination Medical Center Corporation board) was removed from the agenda by a 4-1 vote (Councilmember Palmer opposed) to allow absent members to participate at a future meeting on July 6, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - Molly Dennis (former councilmember) expressed concerns about transparency: she requested receipts for city spending on promotional items for events (e.g., Juneteenth) and noted that Councilmember Sean Palmer uses a personal Gmail address instead of a city .gov email, raising data practices questions. She also encouraged more accessible public comment times. - Martha Grogan spoke about safety concerns with the Lime scooter rental program, noting that the city does not enforce the age-verification requirement (renters must be 18). She urged the council to require age verification, cited AI camera technology being tested by Lime in Seattle, and called for active city staff engagement with Lime. Discussion Items - Removal of Agenda Item F18: Councilmember Miller moved to remove F18 (related to DMCC board) from the night’s agenda because key members who attended the DMCC meeting were absent. Councilmember Palmer opposed, stating the item deserved community discussion. The motion passed 4-1. - Public Hearing – DEVCO Rochester Apartments Conduit Bonds: - Staff (Brent Svenby) and developer Trevor Martinez (DEVCO) presented a request for the city to issue up to $70 million in conduit multifamily housing revenue bonds for a 252-unit affordable housing development at 4395 23rd Avenue NW. The project will average 50% AMI levels, with total development cost of $85 million. The bonds are tax-exempt conduit financing with no financial risk or liability to the city; the borrower covers all fees. - No public speakers opposed. Councilmembers confirmed the bonds do not affect city debt limits or levy. The project will add 252 affordable units, helping reduce Rochester’s documented affordable housing need (a 26% reduction in need per Maxfield studies from 2020–2025 was noted). The resolution was approved unanimously. - FEMA SAFER Grant Application: - Fire Chief Pooler requested permission to apply for a federal SAFER grant to hire 15 additional firefighters (5 per shift). The grant would cover 75% of costs in years 1–2 and 35% in year 3; the city would face full cost of $2.5 million annually thereafter. Rochester currently has 26 firefighters per day, deficient for medium-risk (strip malls, garden apartments—need 28) and high-risk (high-rises—need 43) responses. The grant would help meet NFPA standards. - Debate centered on long-term budget impact: Councilmember Wall noted the $2.5 million increase would represent about a 2.5% levy increase. Councilmembers Miller and Fredericks supported applying but wanted clearer metrics and conversations about growth patterns and fiscal strategies. Councilmember Palmer supported the application, highlighting the fire department’s professionalism and the city’s unique risk as an “island” with limited mutual aid. - Principal Pooler stated that the city could choose not to accept the grant if awarded, but Councilmember Wall warned that declining a grant after applying could harm future relationships with federal grantors. - The motion to authorize the SAFER grant application passed 4-1 (Councilmember Wall opposed). - Ordinance First Reading – Housing Code Update: - Spencer Craig presented an ordinance (J1) repealing and replacing Chapters 7-1 through 7-10 and creating new chapters 7-11 through 7-15 of Title 7 (Housing Code). No further discussion was recorded. Key Outcomes - Item F18 (DMCC) was removed from the agenda by a 4-1 vote; will be rescheduled for July 6, 2026. - The consent agenda (items F1–F17) was approved (Doring voted no on F12). - The public hearing on the DEVCO Rochester Apartments conduit bonds was closed, and the resolution to issue the bonds was adopted unanimously. - The request to apply for the FEMA SAFER grant to hire 15 firefighters was approved 4-1 (Wall opposed). The city will submit the application by June 22, 2026. - The first reading of the housing code update ordinance was received; no vote was taken (first reading only).

The Sustainability and Resiliency Commission met on June 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall Room 104, with seven members present and two absent. The meeting covered a report for City Council on natural gas franchise fee pilot programs, an update on the Healthy Home Helpers program, a discussion on the proposed municipal sustainability dashboard, and planning for community-led tactic reporting. Consent Calendar - May Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously. Motion by Casey McQuade, second by Brian M Morgan. All seven present members voted aye. Absent: Amy C Caucutt, Stewart Rassier. Public Comments & Testimony - Mike Degerstrom, representing Zumbro Valley Audubon Society, presented a letter urging the city to accelerate native habitat conversion. He cited an example from Liversville, Texas, where native prairie plantings on road medians and a 10-acre park restoration increased plant species from 33 to 142 and total wildlife taxa to 266. He stressed that the city should model desired behavior for residents and recommended setting clear goals, establishing annual growth rates, measuring progress, and making adjustments. He noted that while Rochester has more water than Texas, native plants reduce runoff and keep waterways cleaner, and he encouraged a focus on native trees, shrubs, and habitat diversity beyond pure prairie. Discussion Items - Natural Gas Franchise Fee Pilot Programs (Old Business): The commission reviewed and finalized a recommendation report for City Council. The report proposes two pilot programs: (1) electrification and energy efficiency incentive programs, and (2) a community-based grant model to engage broader community groups. Commissioners emphasized measurable outcomes, reducing energy cost burden, and informing future sustainability investments. They agreed that the report should not prescribe a single model but urge Council to explore both pilots. The report will be sent to City Council for discussion in early August. - Healthy Home Helpers Update: Staff reported on the program’s launch. As of the meeting date, the program had received high interest: over 100 interest forms were processed, with assessments fully booked through mid-July and scheduling extending into August. Staff highlighted even geographic distribution across the city and positive resident feedback. Outreach has been paused due to sufficient demand. Commissioners suggested overlaying neighborhood association boundaries on a map to identify clusters for targeted outreach and using participation statistics to inform Council decisions. - Municipal Sustainability Dashboard (New Business): Staff presented a framework for a public-facing dashboard tracking city operations metrics (transportation, buildings/energy, natural resources, and innovation/partnerships). They reviewed existing data sources (e.g., GreenStep Cities, B3 benchmarking, regional indicators) and examples from other cities like Burnsville. Key questions from staff included: should metrics focus exclusively on municipal operations or include community indicators (e.g., e-bike rebates, lime scooter trips); how to present metrics (e.g., per capita, trends over time); and how to balance depth with staff capacity. Commissioners stressed the importance of showing progress over time, using relatable metrics (e.g., air quality), ensuring data quality over quantity, and linking to partner organizations (e.g., RPU, Olmsted County) to avoid duplication. They also noted the challenge of growth: total energy use may rise even if per-building efficiency improves, so denominators should be used. Staff will send detailed questions to commissioners for written feedback, with a follow-up discussion at next month’s meeting. - Community-Led Tactic Reporting for Sustainability Plan: The commission revisited the challenge of collecting data from community groups for the sustainability work plan. Last year’s efforts—contacting groups via surveys and phone calls—proved difficult, and much information was gathered through web searches. Commissioners brainstormed new approaches, such as providing baseline data from previous years to encourage responses, and will bring ideas to the next meeting. - Staff Updates: Staff reported that the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grant (EPA funding) for Healthy Home Helpers remains under consideration despite federal funding pauses. The city has been selected as a host site for the 2026–2027 Green Corps program, which will place a stormwater-focused intern under sustainability staff. The Air Quality Alliance released its 2025 annual report and is co-locating sensors; a commissioner noted that the American Lung Association gave Olmsted County an “F” for air quality, potentially due to wildfire impacts, and urged careful framing of air quality data. Other updates included an upcoming national webinar on the city’s EV charging rates policy (June 24) and Bike to Work Day on June 23. Key Outcomes - Natural Gas Franchise Fee Pilot Programs Report: Approved unanimously (7–0) for submission to City Council in early August. Motion by Amanda Holloway, second by Seth Behrends. - Municipal Sustainability Dashboard: No formal vote; staff will collect written feedback from commissioners by July and return to Council with recommendations for topic areas and metrics in August. - Community-Led Tactic Reporting: No action taken; commissioners will bring brainstorming ideas to the July meeting. - Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Brian M Morgan, second by Amanda Holloway, approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.

Note: The agenda and minutes indicate the meeting occurred on June 10, 2026; however, the summary date provided is June 11, 2026. The Planning & Zoning Commission met on June 11, 2026 (per instruction) to address several items. The meeting included one public comment, a recommendation on a conditional use permit for a limestone quarry, a continuance on a major modification request, and a discussion on potential updates to the Unified Development Code (UDC). Seven commissioners were present, one was absent, and one arrived late. Consent Calendar - Minutes of May 13, 2026 – Approved 6–0–1 (Commissioner Ross abstained), with two members absent. Public Comments & Testimony - Mike Degerstrom (Zumbro Valley Audubon Society) spoke in support of requiring native landscaping for new commercial developments. He cited the Red Wing Shoe Company as a successful example and requested the commission consider forwarding a recommendation to the City Council for ordinance development. Reports and Recommendations 5.A – Conditional Use Permit No. CD2026-008CUP (MGK LLC) – Limestone Aggregate Quarry - Staff Report (Desmond McGeough): Recommended denial, citing concerns about the quarry’s proximity (approx. 0.5 mile) to runway 21 at Rochester International Airport. Key issues included potential interference with FAA equipment, impaired pilot visibility from blasting dust, risk of projectiles, and the possibility of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) that could shut down airport operations. Staff stated that FAA had only provided a no-hazard determination for physical structures, not for blasting effects. - Applicant (Mark Welch, G-Cubed Engineering, representing Olmsted Aggregate): Argued that the FAA review had been delayed (six submissions over ten months) and that a blasting expert (Travis Saber, Bar Engineering) had been retained to provide an independent assessment. The applicant noted that blasting would be infrequent (once per month on average), that the number of workers on site would be small (fewer than a dozen), and that operations could be coordinated with the airport to avoid conflicts. They requested approval with conditions to allow further work on FAA input. - Discussion: Commissioners questioned blasting frequency, dust, seismic impact, and the possibility of TFRs. John Reed (RST Airport executive director) and Brent Carlson (City Attorney) highlighted the unknown FAA timeline and the risk to a $1 billion airport asset. Staff noted that the applicant had previously waived statutory time limits but chose to bring the item forward without FAA confirmation. The applicant did not consent to further continuance. - Motion: To forward a recommendation of denial to the City Council based on staff’s findings of fact. Passed unanimously (8–0). The item will go to the City Council for a public hearing on July 6, 2026, where additional information may be presented. Public Hearings 6.A – Major Modification No. CD2026-005MOD (Tiny Giant LLC) - Request: Relief from neighborhood protection buffer yard plantings, parking setback, and usable recreation area requirements for a townhome development. - Action: The applicant requested a continuance to finalize fire department comments. Motion to continue to the June 24, 2026, Planning & Zoning meeting passed unanimously. Other Business - City Council Recap: Desmond McGeough reported that the West Meadows subdivision (15 lots) was unanimously approved by the City Council on June 1, 2026. - UDC Update Discussion: Chair Ruchi Gupta proposed initiating changes to the UDC to require public transit access and native landscaping (or wildlife habitat set-asides) in new developments, reducing parking requirements. Commissioner Jens Boyum suggested incorporating Transportation Demand Management (TDM) findings into application reviews. Commissioner Lisa Ross cautioned against adding more hurdles for developers, noting the current process is already long. Staff will consider the suggestions and may bring back a formal proposal for a future meeting. Key Outcomes - Quarry CUP: Unanimous recommendation of denial to City Council; applicant can present new evidence at the council hearing. - Major Modification: Continued to June 24, 2026. - UDC Amendments: No formal action; staff to evaluate feasibility and report back to the commission.

The Outside Agency Oversight Committee of the Rochester City Council met on June 9, 2026, to review financial reports and hear a presentation from the Rochester Civic Theater. The committee discussed the financial health of multiple city-supported agencies, approved the second quarter 2026 disbursement for L say agencies, and prioritized future meeting invitations. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were recorded. Discussion Items - Rochester Civic Theater Presentation – Erica (Executive Director, Rochester Civic Theater) reported on the just‑completed season 74, noting 25 sold‑out performances, six school matinees, four free enrichment events, and 58 community partner events. Donations increased 20% annually with 35% more unique donors. Ticket sales were slightly below expectations due to third‑party seller issues and economic concerns. For season 75 (the 75th anniversary), the theater plans to open with Mean Girls on September 18, 2026, followed by Frankenstein, A Christmas Story (musical), Come From Away, Noises Off, and Luna’s Rabla. New programming includes a play reading series, cabaret nights, and pay‑what‑you‑can performances. Erica also discussed the impact of grant funding reductions (e.g., Minnesota State Arts Board grant fell from $30,000 to $21,000–$24,000), lingering effects from a past community split, concerns about a proposed 2,500‑seat performance center, and the positive working relationship under the One Roof policy. - Financial Overview of Agencies – Mr. Anderson (committee staff) reviewed current and operating ratios for each agency: - Rochester Civic Theater – Current ratio 7.7, operating ratio 0.97, bank balance $1.38 million; strong. - History Center – Current ratio 5.49, operating ratio dipped to 0.64 (first time since Q2 2024). A fundraiser with a June 30, 2026 deadline may provide $860,000 for capital. Committee members noted concerns about day‑to‑day operations but recognized the organization’s awareness and planning. - Human Rights Commission – Only a brief mention; no detailed review. - Ready / Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Current ratio 104.53, operating ratio 1.93; strong performance. The committee noted that SBA funding was frozen for SBDCs statewide and discussed alternative reporting formats. - Neighbors – Current ratio 0.84, operating ratio 0.01 (all‑time low); credit card debt, delayed payrolls, and cash flow issues. The organization did not respond to an invitation to appear. Committee members expressed serious concern and questioned the sustainability of the model. - Rochester Art Center – Current ratio dipped, operating ratio below 1.0 for the first time. Admissions and revenue declined; the committee noted the downward trajectory and potential need for a future presentation. - Downtown Alliance – Current ratio 12.58, operating ratio 1.22; strong financial health and positive community energy. - Youth Council – Simple financial report; high operating reliance ratio. - Future Meeting Invitations – The committee discussed which agencies to invite to the next meeting (scheduled for August 2026). Prioritization: Neighbors (first), then History Center and Rochester Art Center, with the possibility of presenting to the full City Council for the Small Business Development Center. Key Outcomes - Motion Approved – The committee unanimously approved the second quarter 2026 disbursement of funds for L say agencies (motion carried; all in favor). - Future Invitations – The committee decided to invite Neighbors, History Center, and Rochester Art Center to the August 2026 meeting, with Neighbors as the highest priority. - No other formal votes were taken. [Note: The transcript contains some unclear terms (e.g., "L say agencies") and may reflect minor transcription errors. The summary is based on the best available interpretation of the discussion.]