Rochester, MN

City Council

The Rochester City Council will consider a consent agenda with numerous contracts, grants, and approvals, including two sanitary sewer contracts totaling over $6.6 million, a $10 million short-term borrowing for the Water Utility Fund, and a $3.9 million water capital budget amendment. The council will also hold public hearings on an appeal of a historic preservation approval for Silver Lake Park and two residential subdivisions, and discuss the Chateau Theater partnership and the Reimagining 6th Ave West project.

• Contract award to Minger Construction for $3,062,640 for Sanitary Sewer Improvements West Zumbro WZ-04-1019 Phase 2
• Contract award to Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking for $3,620,113 for Sanitary Sewer Extension West Zumbro WZ-22-1058
• Short-term borrowing up to $10 million for the Water Utility Fund
• 2026 Water Utility Capital Budget amendment of $3,935,000 for growth-related infrastructure
• Public hearing on appeal of Historic Preservation Commission's approval for Silver Lake Park & Dam alterations

Park Board

The Park Board will review monthly department reports and financial performance. The board is also scheduled to award bids for tree planting and pruning services and approve an agreement amendment for a snow gun purchase.

• $62,663 bid award to Hoffman & McNamara for Fall 2026 Private Property Tree Planting
• $78,000 bid award to Hathaway Tree Service for Public Prune 2.2026
• Amended agreement with Rochester Active Sports Club for a third snow gun at Gamehaven
• Presentation from the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee

Sustainability and Resiliency Commission

The Sustainability and Resiliency Commission is meeting to discuss Rochester Public Utilities' Power Supply Resource Plan and utility sustainability pilot programs, with no action required on these items. The agenda also includes routine approval of minutes, public comments, and staff updates.

• Discussion of RPU Power Supply Resource Plan (50 min, no action)
• Review of RPU Utility Programs and Sustainability Pilot Programs (30 min, no action)
• Public comment period (4 min per speaker, 15 min total)
• Approval of August meeting minutes

Public Utility Board

The Rochester Public Utility Board is meeting to approve consent agenda items and regular agenda items, including a $1.2 million water main extension on Country Club Road and a $3.935 million amendment to the 2026 Water Utility Capital Budget. The board will also review accounts payable totaling $17,254,878.71 and discuss informational items like 2027 meeting dates and natural gas supply.

• Approve $1,200,000 for Country Club Road Water Main Extension (City Project J7862) with agreements with Pulte Homes and ML Group I
• Approve $3.935 million Water Fund 2026 Capital Budget Amendment, including $1.2M for Country Club Road, $2.15M for Kalmar Booster Station, $585K for water main oversizing
• Adopt revised 2026 Water Service Rules and Regulations effective September 1, 2026
• Authorize up to $950,000 for Designer Replacement Project with SBS Automated Utility Design
• Approve $580,000 for 2nd Street SE and 16th Avenue SE Sewer and Water Improvements (City Project J7838)

Heritage Preservation Commission

The Heritage Preservation Commission is meeting to approve the minutes from its July 28, 2026 meeting and to discuss two items of other business: an award program and a proposal by Commissioner Koestler regarding a historic preservation inventory strategy. No public hearings or reports are scheduled.

• Approval of July 28, 2026 meeting minutes
• Discussion of award program
• Commissioner Koestler proposal: Historic Preservation Inventory Strategy

Library Board

The Library Board will hold its regular meeting with public comment, routine updates from the Library Foundation and Friends group, and a consent agenda that includes approving the prior month’s minutes, $295,595.83 in disbursements, and contracts signed by the Library Director. No substantive policy decisions are listed.

• Accept minutes of July 15, 2026 meeting
• Approve $295,595.83 in Accounts Payable for August 13, 2026
• Accept contracts signed by the Library Director
• Receive Rochester Public Library Foundation report from Brenda Kardock
• Receive Friends of the Rochester Public Library update from Val Kaliszewski

Park Board

The Rochester Park Board will meet to approve minutes, receive department reports, and take action on new business including funding for tennis court reconstruction and initiating a request for proposals for golf course concessions. No major policy decisions are scheduled.

• Approving use of reserves and community funds for Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center Court Reconstruction Project
• Authorizing informal RFP for Soldiers Field Golf Course concession services (2027 operations)
• Agreement with Rochester Active Sports Community for mountain biking amenities at Gamehaven Regional Park
• Adopting minutes for June 2, 2026 Park Board meeting
• Receiving Parks and Recreation Department monthly reports and financial performance YTD

Outside Agency Oversight Committee

City Council - Special Meeting

The City Council is holding a special meeting with a single substantive item: adopting a resolution to repeal and replace a prior resolution authorizing a $19.9 million federal RAISE grant agreement for the 6th Street Bridge, Neighborhood Safety, & Riverfront Improvements Project. The rest of the agenda is procedural (pledge, roll call, adjournment).

• Resolution to repeal and replace resolution #137-26 for the RAISE grant agreement
• Up to $19,900,000 in federal funding from USDOT and MnDOT
• Project J7919: 6th Street Bridge, Neighborhood Safety, & Riverfront Improvements

City Council - Study Session

The City Council study session will hear presentations on the 2027 recommended supplemental operating budget, Rochester Public Transit's financial outlook and strategic direction, and updates on economic mobility programs. The session also includes a review of the study session schedule. These are discussion items, not final votes.

• 2027 Recommended Supplemental Operating Budget presentation
• Rochester Public Transit financial outlook and strategic direction
• Economic mobility updates
• Study session schedule review

Park Board

The Park Board will consider authorizing a construction contract with Rochester Sand and Gravel for $630,227.40 to reconstruct the Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center courts, using $100,000 from Park Board Community Impact Funds and $100,000 from Court Renovation Funds. The board will also hear an appeal of a $3,584 fine issued for illegal pruning of a boulevard tree, deciding whether to reduce or waive it. The meeting includes an open comment period for items not on the agenda.

• Authorize construction contract with Rochester Sand and Gravel for $630,227.40 for tennis court reconstruction
• Approve $100,000 from Park Board Community Impact Funds and $100,000 from Court Renovation Funds for the project
• Consider appeal of $3,584 fine for illegal pruning of a boulevard tree

City Council - Study Session

This is a study session where the City Council will receive presentations, not make final decisions. The main items are the 2027 recommended supplemental operating budget, a financial and strategic review of Rochester Public Transit, and updates on economic mobility programs. The session also includes setting the future study session schedule.

• 2027 Recommended Supplemental Operating Budget presentation
• Rochester Public Transit financial outlook, performance, and strategic direction
• Economic Mobility program updates
• Study session schedule discussion

City Council - Special Meeting

The City Council is holding a special meeting to consider a resolution that would repeal and replace a previous authorization for a federal grant agreement. The agreement with USDOT and MnDOT provides up to $19,900,000 for the 6th Street Bridge, Neighborhood Safety, & Riverfront Improvements Project. This is the only substantive item on the agenda.

• Resolution to repeal and replace resolution #137-26
• RAISE Grant Agreement with USDOT and MnDOT
• Up to $19,900,000 in federal funding
• Project J7919: 6th Street Bridge, Neighborhood Safety, & Riverfront Improvements

Library Board - Retreat

The Library Board is holding a retreat to hear from staff about Action Plan work, discuss succession planning, and plan for future meetings. This is an informational session, not a decision-making meeting, and it will not be recorded.

• Discussion of Action Plan work
• Succession planning discussion
• Planning for future meetings

Citizens Advisory on Transit

The Citizens Advisory on Transit will meet to approve the July minutes, hear public comments, and receive reports. They will discuss the LINK BRT overview and the Transportation Improvement Program, and set future meeting dates.

• Approval of July 10, 2026 minutes
• Transit June 2026 Report (information item)
• LINK BRT Overview (information item)
• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in ROCOG planning area (information item)
• Meeting schedule discussion

City Council

The Rochester City Council is meeting to consider consent agenda items, public hearings, and reports. Key items include reconsidering two mayoral vetoes (wood debris operations and Willow Creek trail design) that require a supermajority to override, and approving a $88.1 million accounts payable list. The agenda also includes several contracts, permits, and a fee schedule update.

• Accounts payable totaling $88,132,287.27, including $20,907,374.00 in investment purchases
• Bid award to Restoration Services Inc for $242,701 for Mayo Civic Center Arena tuckpointing
• Contract with WHKS for $509,760 for DMC Downstream Sanitary Sewer design
• Appeal of Historic Preservation Committee denial for 309-317 Broadway addition
• Conditional use permit for 125-foot wireless tower by UCI Tower

City Council

The City Council is meeting as a canvassing board to certify the results of the August 11, 2026 primary election. The meeting includes adopting a resolution declaring the election results and executing the election abstracts. The specific results and resolution will be added before the meeting.

• Canvass of the August 11, 2026 Primary Election results
• Adoption of a resolution declaring election results and execution of election abstracts

City Council - Canvassing Board

This is a special meeting of the Rochester City Council acting as the Canvassing Board. The sole substantive item is adopting a resolution to declare the results of the August 11, 2026, Primary Election and execute the election abstracts. The rest of the agenda is procedural (pledge, roll call, adjournment).

• Canvass of the August 11, 2026 Primary Election results
• Adoption of resolution declaring election results and execution of election abstracts

Sustainability and Resiliency Commission

The Sustainability and Resiliency Commission is meeting to approve July minutes, hear public comments, and discuss old and new business. The main items are an update on sustainability pilot programs and a request for feedback on a proposed annual transportation reporting approach for mode shift and transportation demand management. No formal action is expected on these items.

• Approve July meeting minutes
• Update on sustainability pilot programs (no action required)
• Mode Shift and TDM: Data and Reporting Update — staff requests feedback on proposed annual transportation reporting approach
• Open comment period (4-minute limit per speaker, 15 minutes total)

The Sustainability and Resiliency Commission approved the July meeting minutes unanimously and voted to reopen the public comment period after a member of the public was locked out of City Hall. The commission also approved a motion to reorder the agenda to hear a guest speaker on transportation data before old business. No substantive policy decisions were made; most items were informational or required no action.

• Approved July meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Reopened public comment period after City Hall doors locked (unanimous)
• Approved agenda order change to move New Business 5.A before Old Business 4.A (unanimous)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider forwarding recommendations to the City Council for two items: a major land subdivision by RJR Land Development LLC for Cassidy Heights, and a text amendment to the Unified Development Code. The meeting also includes a public comment period and approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Major Land Subdivision CD2026-015PLAT: 12.77 acres into 18 residential lots, Cassidy Heights, by RJR Land Development LLC
• Text Amendment CD2026-002TA: amend UDC Sections 60.200.040E and 60.600.030
• Consent agenda: approve minutes of July 22, 2026 meeting

The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved forwarding a recommendation of approval for Major Land Subdivision CD2026-015PLAT (Cassidy Heights) by RJR Land Development LLC, subject to four conditions, to the City Council. The commission also unanimously approved forwarding a recommendation for Text Amendment CD2026-002TA by the City of Rochester. Both actions were based on findings in Community Development memos dated August 12, 2026.

• Approved forwarding Cassidy Heights subdivision (CD2026-015PLAT) to Council with conditions (6-0)
• Approved forwarding Text Amendment CD2026-002TA to Council (6-0)
• Approved order of agenda (6-0)
• Approved minutes of July 22, 2026 meeting (6-0)

City Council

The Rochester City Council will hold its regular session on August 17, 2026, with a consent agenda covering routine approvals, public hearings, and reports. Two items previously vetoed by the Mayor—the wood debris management relocation and the Willow Creek Regional Trail final design—are back for reconsideration and require a supermajority to override. The council will also consider a $100,000 sustainability pilot program and other actions.

• Accounts payable totaling $88,132,287.27, including $20,907,374 in investment purchases
• Bid award of $242,701 to Restoration Services Inc for Mayo Civic Center Arena tuckpointing
• Contract with WHKS for $509,760 for DMC Downstream Sanitary Sewer Upsizing design
• Public hearing on appeal of Historic Preservation Committee's denial for 309-317 Broadway addition
• Conditional use permit for a 125-foot wireless tower by UCI Tower

Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission is meeting to receive updates and provide feedback on several items. They will discuss a presentation on mode shift and transportation demand management, focusing on identifying coverage blind spots in the city's multimodal count network and corridors where low counts may indicate barriers. They will also receive a project update on Reimage 6th Avenue W. Most agenda items are informational or for feedback, with no formal action requested.

• Presentation on mode shift and transportation demand management, seeking feedback on count network blind spots and barrier corridors
• Update on Reimage 6th Avenue W project
• Bike to Work Day 2026 recap (information only)
• Multimodal parking inventory update and routine audits (information only)
• Approval of June 8, 2026 meeting minutes

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, which included accepting the June 8, 2026 minutes and receiving informational updates on Bike to Work Day 2026 and the Multimodal Parking Inventory. The commission also received presentations on mode shift and transportation demand management, and on the Reimage 6th Avenue W. project, providing feedback but taking no formal action. No substantive decisions were made beyond the routine approvals.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including June 8, 2026 minutes and informational items (unanimous)
• Received Mode Shift and TDM presentation; provided feedback on count network blind spots and barrier corridors (no formal action)
• Received Reimage 6th Avenue W. project update (no formal action)

City Council - Study Session

The Rochester City Council is holding a study session with presentations on improving public meetings, a 5-year update on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and an update on Chateau Theater operations and investment strategy. They will also discuss seasonal parking restrictions and the study session schedule. The meeting will end with a closed executive session to discuss litigation in the case Christopher Clarkson v. City of Rochester.

• Chateau Theater operations and investment strategy update
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility 5-year update
• Seasonal parking restriction update
• Executive session on litigation (Christopher Clarkson v. City of Rochester)
• Better Public Meetings presentation

Public Utility Board

The Rochester Public Utility Board is meeting to approve the consent agenda, which includes minutes from two prior meetings, and to discuss the 2027 supplemental water and electric utility budgets as an informational item. No action is required on the budgets. The meeting also includes a public comment period.

• Approval of minutes from July 22 and July 28, 2026 meetings
• Discussion of 2027 supplemental water and electric utility budgets (no action required)
• Public comment period (2 minutes per speaker, 20 minutes total)

City Council - Study Session

The Rochester City Council will hold a study session covering five agenda items and one closed executive session. Presentations include a Better Public Meetings training, a 5-year update on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility efforts, an operations and investment strategy update for the Chateau Theater, and a seasonal parking restriction update. The council will also set its future study session schedule and then adjourn to a closed session to discuss the litigation matter Christopher Clarkson v. City of Rochester.

• Chateau Theater Operations & Investment Strategy Update (4:45 - 5:45 p.m.)
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility 5-Year Update (4:00 - 4:45 p.m.)
• Seasonal Parking Restriction Update (5:45 - 6:15 p.m.)
• Executive Session - Litigation: Christopher Clarkson v. City of Rochester
• Better Public Meetings training (3:30 - 4:00 p.m.)

City Council

The City Council will consider a consent agenda including an annexation petition for 16 acres, a development agreement with Pulte Homes for Del Webb Solhaus, and a settlement agreement in a transportation fee dispute. A public hearing is scheduled for a text amendment to the Unified Development Code. The council will also vote on a $418,170 contract for final design of the Willow Creek Regional Trail and a $350,000 contingency fund for wood debris operations.

• Annexation of 16 acres by 75th AZ LLC into city limits
• Development agreement with Pulte Homes for Del Webb Solhaus
• Settlement agreement in Tap House Real Estate transportation fee dispute
• $418,170 contract for Willow Creek Regional Trail final design
• 2026 amended Master Fee Schedule ordinance

Airport Commission

The Rochester Airport Commission will meet to accept past meeting minutes, receive routine operational and financial reports, and vote on two key items: a land lease transfer at Rochester International Airport and a new airport management agreement with Rochester Airport Company, Inc.

• Consent to Assignment of Land Lease at Rochester International Airport from University of Northwestern - St. Paul to Top Flight Investments, LLC
• Agreement for the Operation and Management of the Rochester International Airport with Rochester Airport Company, Inc.
• Acceptance of minutes from June 2 and July 7, 2026 Airport Commission meetings
• Receiving Airport Operational and Marketing Data - June 2026 report
• Receiving Airport Financials - June 2026 report

Heritage Preservation Commission

The Heritage Preservation Commission is meeting to consider two Certificates of Appropriateness: one for window replacement at 510 SW 9th Avenue and another for alterations to Silver Lake Park, including the dam, lake, and bicycle trail. The agenda also includes approval of the June 23, 2026 meeting minutes and a public comment period. No other substantive actions are scheduled.

• Certificate of Appropriateness for window replacement at 510 SW 9th Avenue
• Certificate of Appropriateness for Silver Lake Park & Dam alterations, including lake and bicycle trail
• Approval of June 23, 2026 meeting minutes

The Heritage Preservation Commission unanimously approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to Silver Lake Park, including the dam, lake, and bicycle trail, finding the project meets the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation and local design guidelines. The commission also approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for window replacement at 510 SW 9th Avenue. The consent agenda, including the June 23, 2026 minutes, was passed by unanimous consent. No public hearings were held.

• Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for Silver Lake Park & Dam alterations (unanimous)
• Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for window replacement at 510 SW 9th Avenue (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including June 23, 2026 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved motion to suspend rules for Dave Morrill to speak on Silver Lake Park (unanimous)
• Approved motion to suspend rules for Public Works staff to speak on Silver Lake Park (unanimous)

Public Utility Board

The Rochester Public Utility Board will consider approving a resolution to issue short-term water utility revenue bonds, with final terms to be set by a Pricing Committee. The board will also review financial policies, approve accounts payable totaling $14,385,130.71, and receive informational updates on the power supply plan, water system master plan, and water division operations. A closed session is scheduled for the General Manager's performance review, followed by action on the evaluation and merit adjustment.

• Approval of short-term water utility revenue bonds resolution
• Review of accounts payable: $14,385,130.71 for 06/12/2026 to 07/13/2026
• Board Policy 32: Financial Policies approval
• Closed session for General Manager performance review (Minn. Stat. 13D.05 Subd. 3(a))
• Informational updates: Power Supply Plan, Water System Master Plan, 2025 Water Division Engineering and Operations Report

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission will consider awarding a $6,689,440.47 construction contract to Mathiowetz Construction Company for the Corporate Hangar Area Site Development Project, along with a $672,510.50 professional services agreement with Mead & Hunt for construction administration. The commission will also accept grants from MnDOT, including an air service marketing grant, and authorize a facility lease with Great Planes Aviation, Inc. Reports on airport financials and operational data for May 2026 will be received and filed.

• Award contract to Mathiowetz Construction Company for $6,689,440.47 for Corporate Hangar Area Site Development
• Authorize professional services agreement with Mead & Hunt for $672,510.50 for construction administration
• Accept Air Service Marketing Grant from MnDOT Office of Aeronautics
• Authorize Facility Lease and Use Agreement with Great Planes Aviation, Inc.
• Receive and file Airport Financials and Operational/Marketing Data for May 2026