City Council Study Session 10/12/2026

The City of Rochester, Minnesota City Council held a study session on October 12, 2026. Parks and Recreation staff reported on a $55,000 contingency allocation for marketing and awareness efforts: $17,300 had been spent on a fall/winter mailer, and $2,800 on digital billboard advertising, with $840 still committed for billboards. Staff proposed using the remaining approximately $27,000 for efforts including boosted social media, an opt-in newsletter, targeted mailings, printed materials, and a “Meet Me” initiative intended to reduce participation barriers. Council members asked for clearer measures of results and a separate strategy for improving affordability and access; staff reported some participation data but could not yet attribute changes to specific marketing efforts. No spending vote or contract award was taken, and council members asked staff to strengthen performance measures for a future update.

The council also discussed possible changes to its travel-budget rules, including the current per-member allocation and approval requirements for out-of-state travel; staff will return with alternatives to the 2022 resolution, with no change approved at this session. Other discussion covered how council members receive administrative support and whether to amend the ordinance governing appointments to the Airport Commission; staff may bring forward an ordinance change for consideration. The meeting also included a youth delegation’s report on a Germany exchange. No procurement award or capital project approval was identified.