City Council

City Council Agenda City Council - Regular Session September 22, 2025 6:00 p.m. Attending and Viewing the Meeting: Attend the Meeting in Person: Rochester Public Utilities, Community Room, 4000 East River Road NE, Rochester Watch & Listen via YouTube: City of Rochester, MN - YouTube If you require a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the City Council meeting, please complete our reasonable accommodations form at least 2 business days prior to the Council meeting. You can also reach the City Clerk's Office via email (cityclerk@rochestermn.gov), telephone (507-328- 2900), or TTY/TDD (507-328-2900) to discuss your accessibility needs. Pledge of Allegiance Vision, Principles, and Priorities for the City of Rochester A. Open Comment Period View the open comment period guidelines online. A.1. Sign-up In Person 30 Minutes before the meeting. View Open Comment guidelines for additional ways to participate. Virtual participation is not available at this time. B. Call to Order/Roll Call C. City Administrator's Report D. Mayor's Report E. Order of Agenda F. Consent Agenda F.1. Minutes for the City Council Meeting of September 8, 2025 Accepting the minutes and video of the September 8, 2025, meeting as the official record of the City Council. F.2. Accounts Payable for September 22, 2025 Approving the listing of total disbursements for September 22, 2025, in the amount of $15,531,126.40, including investment purchases of $0 and accounts payable of $15,531,126.40. F.3. Appointment to Boards and Commissions Approving the Mayoral appointment of: 1. Leah Nelson to the Library Board, effective immediately, to fill the unexpired term of T. Waters ending January 1, 2027. 1 F.4. Capital Projects - Semi-Annual Transfer of Funds Adopting a Resolution closing completed improvement projects, or completed phases within specific projects, and transferring funds pursuant to the City Charter, Section 11.10; and to transfer the stated amounts to fund active projects listed in Item No. 2 of the attached Resolution. F.5. Rochester Code of Ordinances Chapter 8-11 Relating to Special Events. 1. Approving proposed Ordinance amendments to the Rochester Code of Ordinances (RCO) Ch. 8-11 relating to Special Events; and 2. Directing the City Attorney's office to prepare an Ordinance for first reading on October 6, 2025. F.6. Non-Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) Special Assessment Interest Rate for Development Charges Adopting a Resolution authorizing an interest rate of 5.00% on non-Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) special assessments for the period of Aug. 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026. F.7. Designating the Office of the City Clerk to Administer and Regulate Administrative Citations and Enforcement Adopting a Resolution designating the Office of the City Clerk to regulate and administer Administrative Citations and Enforcement pursuant to the authority and parameters outlined in the Rochester Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-2. F.8. 2026 Updated State Bonding Priorities Resolution Adopting an updated Resolution supporting the City's 2026 state capital investment (bonding) priorities in ranked order: 1. East Zumbro Sewer and Water Investment for Housing Opportunities 2. Planning for Civic Center Drive/South Broadway Ave F.9. GHD Digital DBA Govstack for Accessible Website Content Management System (CMS) Authorizing an Agreement with GHD Digital DBA Govstack, in the amounts of $69,326.80 and $21,824.40 annually from September 2025 for hosting accessible websites for the City of Rochester, Rochester Public Library and Rochester Public Utilities through September 2028. F.10. Clean Energy Resource Team Seed Grant Program Approving an application for the Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT) Seed Grant Program for $10,000 to support the 2026 Rochester Healthy Air & Homes Initiative. F.11. Bid Advertisement - City Ponds 99, 153, and 247 Dredging and Restoration Project - Project No. J6742 Authorizing the advertisement for bids for the City Ponds 99, 153, and 247 Dredging and Restoration Project – Project No. 6742. F.12. Contract with WHKS for Design of the 2026 2nd St SE and 16th Ave SE Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Project - Project No. J7838 1. Authorizing a contract with WHKS, in the amount of $154,850 from September 23, 2025, to December 31, 2026, for the design of the 2026 2nd St SE and 16th Ave SE Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Project - Project No. J7838 and; 2. Authorizing City staff to advertise for bids and schedule a bid opening once the project's design is completed. 2 F.13. City-Owner Contract: Public Improvements to Serve Harvestview Eighth - Project No. J5501 1. Authorizing a City-Owner contract for Project No. J5501, "Public Improvements to Serve Harvestview Eighth," with City execution conditional upon full execution of the contract by Owner, Contractor, and Engineer, project and grading plan approvals, and Contractor's submission of the appropriate bond and insurance documentation, and; 2. Approving a professional technical services contract with WHKS & Co., Inc., for $129,840, for work related to Project No. J5501, "Public Improvements to Serve Harvestview Eighth," subject to City execution of the City-Owner contract. F.14. City-Owner Contract: Public Watermain & Hydrants to Serve Subaru Recon Center - Project No. J5662 1. Authorizing a City-Owner contract for Project No. J5662, "Public Watermain & Hydrants to Serve Subaru Recon Center," with City execution conditional upon full execution of the contract by Owner, Contractor, and Engineer, project and grading plan approvals, and Contractor's submission of the appropriate bond and insurance documentation, and; 2. Approving a professional technical services contract with Widseth Smith Nolting & Associates, Inc., dba Widseth, for $12,882, for work related to Project No. J5662, "Public Watermain & Hydrants to Serve Subaru Recon Center," subject to City execution of the City-Owner contract. F.15. City-Owner Contract: Public Sanitary Sewer and Watermain to Serve R Squared Enterprises (2254 & 2258 Marion Rd SE) - Project No. J5508 1. Authorizing a City-Owner contract for Project No. J5508, "Public Sanitary Sewer and Watermain to Serve R Squared Enterprises (2254 & 2258 Marion Rd SE)," with City execution conditional upon full execution of the contract by Owner, Contractor, and Engineer, project and grading plan approvals, and Contractor's submission of the appropriate bond and insurance documentation, and; 2. Approving a professional technical services contract with WSE Engineering Services Ltd, for $6,000, for work related to Project No. J5508, "Public Sanitary Sewer and Watermain to Serve R Squared Enterprises (2254 & 2258 Marion Rd SE)," subject to City execution of the City-Owner contract. F.16. Revocable Permit and Agreement with Mayo Clinic - 15kv Distribution Marion Bus 10/11 Feeder Extension Project Package C Utility Tunnel in Various Easements Authorizing a revocable permit and agreement ("the agreement") with Mayo Clinic for placement of a utility tunnel within various easements located on Mayo Clinic's property. F.17. Revocable Permit and Agreement with Mayo Clinic - North Arrival Center and Parking Structure Private Improvements in Right-of-Way Authorizing a revocable permit and agreement ("the agreement") with Mayo Clinic for placement of private improvements within the right-of-way of 1st St NW, West Center St, 4th Ave NW, and 5th Ave NW to serve the North Arrival Center and Parking Structure. F.18. Revocable Permit and Agreement with Mayo Clinic - North Parking Ramp Overhead Canopy and Pedestrian Tunnel in Right-of-Way Authorizing a revocable permit and agreement ("the agreement") with Mayo Clinic for placement of an overhead canopy and a pedestrian tunnel within the right-of-way of 1st St NW, West Center St, 4th Ave NW, and 5th Ave NW to serve the North Arrival Center and Parking Structure. 3 F.19. Revocable Permit and Agreement with Mayo Clinic - South Parking Ramp Private Improvements in Right-of-Way Authorizing a revocable permit and agreement ("the agreement") with Mayo Clinic for placement of private improvements within the right-of-way of 2nd St SW and 5th Ave SW to serve the South Parking Ramp. F.20. Revocable Permit and Agreement with Mayo Clinic - South Parking Ramp Overhead Canopy and Concrete Steps in Right-of-Way Authorizing a revocable permit and agreement ("the agreement") with Mayo Clinic for placement of an overhead canopy and concrete steps within the right-of-way of 2nd St SW and 5th Ave SW to serve the Mayo Clinic South Parking Ramp. F.21. Agreement between the City of Rochester and Mayo Clinic for Utility Power Underground Infrastructure (UPUI) Package B3/B4 Coordination Approving an agreement with Mayo Clinic for Utility Power Underground Infrastructure (UPUI) Package B3/B4 Coordination. F.22. Revocable Permit and Agreement with Sargent's Second Street, LLC - Private Improvements in Right-of-Way Authorizing a revocable permit and agreement ("the agreement") with Sargent's Second Street, LLC for placement of private improvements within the right-of-way of 18th Ave SW. F.23. Supplemental Development Agreement No. 3 with Stonebrooke of Rochester, LLC for Outlot C, Stonebrooke Fifth Addition Authorizing a Supplemental Development Agreement No. 3 with Stonebrooke of Rochester, LLC for Outlot C, Stonebrooke Fifth Addition, that is planned to be further subdivided as Stonebrooke Sixth Addition, Stonebrooke Seventh Addition, and Stonebrooke Eighth Addition. F.24. Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Project - 6 Ave SW and 16 St SW - Project No. J7839 Adopting a Resolution approving a contract with Kats Excavating, LLC. in the amount of $61,567.44 for the 6 Ave SW and 16 St SW Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Project - Project No. J7839. F.25. Property Acquisition: Settlement Agreement for Parcel 57 of Link Bus Rapid Transit - Project No. J8707 City ownership of the acquisition is necessary and for a public purpose in furtherance of the Link Bus Rapid Transit - Project No. J8707, the following action is requested: 1. Authorizing the Settlement Agreement to directly purchase the property rights, and to settle the takings of Parcel 57 with a total value above $50,000, and in an amount greater than 15% above the approved appraised value. F.26. Property Acquisition: Settlement Agreement for Parcel 49 of Link Bus Rapid Transit - Project No. J8707 City ownership of the acquisition is necessary and for a public purpose in furtherance of the Link Bus Rapid Transit - Project No. J8707, the following action is requested: 1. Authorizing the Settlement Agreement to directly purchase the property rights, and to settle the takings of Parcel 49 with a total value above $50,000, and in an amount greater than 15% above the approved appraised value. 4 F.27. Property Acquisition: Reconstruction of 18th Ave SW from Mayowood Rd SW (CR 125) to 40th St SW (CR 147) - Project No. J7346 Adopting a Resolution authorizing: 1. Initiation of property acquisition for the 18th Ave SW Reconstruction Project - Project No. J7346. 2. The Public Works Department to negotiate and acquire the necessary real estate (temporary and permanent easements) at appraised values for the 18th Ave SW Reconstruction Project - Project No. J7346. 3. The City Administrator to approve settlements exceeding the appraised value by 15% or up to $50,0000, whichever is more. 4. Use of the 90-day "Quick Take" for land acquisition associated with the 18th Ave SW Reconstruction Project - Project No. J7346. F.28. Acceptance of a Quit Claim Deed from Hy-Vee, Inc. for Portions of 3rd Ave SW and Crossroads Dr SW Right-of-Way Accepting a quit claim deed from Hy-Vee, Inc. for right-of-way parcels for 3rd Ave SW and Crossroads Dr SW that are owned by Hy-Vee, Inc. F.29. City of Rochester Appointments to the Joint Airport Zoning Board Appointing the following four people to represent the City of Rochester on the Joint Airport Zoning Board: 1. Randy Schubring 2. Patrick Keane 3. Irene Woodward 4. Ruchi Gupta F.30. Runway 03/21 (02/20) Reconstruction Phase 6 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) for the Rochester International Airport (RST) 1. Adopting a Resolution accepting the grant and authorizing execution of grant agreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); and 2. Adopting a Resolution accepting the grant and authorizing execution of grant agreements with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT). F.31. Option Agreement to Lease Land - Great Planes Aviation, Inc. Authorizing an Option Agreement for a lease agreement between the City of Rochester, the Rochester Airport Company, and Great Planes Aviation, Inc. F.32. Wadkins Private Hangar Purchase Agreement Authorizing execution of a purchase agreement with Dr. Phillip K. Wadkins for the purchase of his privately-held hangar that resides on property leased from the Rochester International Airport (RST). F.33. Airport Lease Amendment with City of Rochester for Small Parcel of Airport Property Authorizing an amendment to the Airport Lease agreement with the City of Rochester for small parcel of airport property through December 31, 2026. 5  F.34. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Vehicle and the Corresponding Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Equipment Pending the Anticipated Receipt of Federal Aviation Administration Funding at the Rochester International Airport (RST) Contingent on the receipt of Federal Aviation Administration funding, Council action as follows: 1. Awarding a contract to Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC in the amount of $1,346,985.00 for an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicle; and 2. Awarding a contract to Clarey's Safety Equipment in the amount of $164,800.00 for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Equipment; and 3. Adopting a Resolution accepting the grant and authorizing execution of grant agreements with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT); and 4. Adopting a Resolution accepting the grant and authorizing execution of grant agreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). F.35. Second Amendment to Operating and Lease Agreement with Signature Flight Support Authorizing execution of the second amendment to the Operating and Lease Agreement with Signature Flight Support. F.36. MnDOT Office of Aeronautics Maintenance and Operations Grant Adopting a Resolution accepting a Maintenance and Operations Grant and executing the corresponding agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) - Office of Aeronautics. F.37. GO Bond Agreement Acceptance Providing State Funding for Elements of the Multiphase Runway 03/21 (02/20) Reconstruction Project at the Rochester International Airport (RST) Adopting a Resolution accepting the GO Bond Agreement and authorizing execution of necessary agreements with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT). F.38. Joint Powers Agreement Between the City of Rochester, Rochester Township, and Cascade Township to Declare a Responsible Government Unit Approving a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Rochester, Cascade Township, and Rochester Township for the review of future Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), by Pulte Homes of Minnesota, LLC, for the future construction of 300 single-family homes. Public Hearing Guidelines View the public hearing guidelines online. Sign-up In Person 30 Minutes before the meeting. View Public Hearing guidelines for additional ways to participate. Virtual participation is not available at this time. G. Public Hearings G.1. 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations Authorizing the opening of the required public comment period regarding the 2026 Annual Action Plan as required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The public comment period will close on November 3, 2025. G.2. Final Plat No. CD2025-030PLAT by Stonebrooke of Rochester LLC Adopting a Resolution approving Final Plat No. CD2025-030PLAT by Stonebrooke of Rochester LLC., to be known as Stonebrooke Sixth, with four conditions, for the subdivision of 62.5 acres into 69 residential lots, two common area lots, and three outlots. G.3. Final Plat No. CD2025-031PLAT by Noble Development LLC Adopting a Resolution approving Final Plat No. CD2025-031PLAT by Noble Development LLC., to be known as Highland Hills Townhomes Second, with one condition, for the subdivision of 3.63 acres into 20 residential lots and one common area lot. H. Reports and Recommendations 6  H.1. 2026 Preliminary Tax Levy and Recommended Budget Adopting a Resolution certifying the 2026 preliminary tax levy of $118,284,623 which includes: 1. Establishing the preliminary 2026 Operating and Capital Budget amount of $663,901,470. 2. Establishing Monday, December 1, 2025, for the public hearing and final adoption of the recommended 2026 Tax Levy and Budget (operating and capital.) H.2. Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement Adopting a Resolution authorizing the City to enter into a Wind Energy Purchase Agreement by and through Rochester Public Utilities for the Restore Renewables Adams Wind Project. I. Council Initiated Actions J. Ordinance First Readings J.1. Annexation Petition No. CD2025-004ANX, by Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC Receiving and Filing the First Reading of Annexation Petition No. CD2025-004ANX, by Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC, to incorporate 120 acres of land located southwest of the intersection of Country Club Road and 45th Ave SW. K. Ordinance Second Readings K.1. Adopting an Ordinance Relating to Administrative Enforcement Procedures Adopting an Ordinance amending the Rochester Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-2, Relating to Administrative Enforcement Procedures. L. Tabled Items M. Other Business M.1. Rochester Economic Development Authority (EDA) Meeting of September 22, 2025 1. Recessing to a meeting of the Rochester Economic Development Authority (EDA). 2. Adopting the findings of the Rochester EDA. N. Adjournment 7