City Council Meeting 11/2/2026

The City of Rochester, Minnesota City Council meeting on November 2, 2026, approved the 2027 Downtown Special Service District charges of $425,893, a 4% increase, to support downtown services, events, safety initiatives, and marketing. The council also adopted the 2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan, based on an estimated $725,000 in funding ($650,000 from HUD and $75,000 in program income). Planned allocations include $97,500 for public services, $70,000 for affordable-housing planning, and funding for single-family and rental rehabilitation programs. Staff described monitoring and reimbursement controls for grant recipients; a public commenter urged additional fraud-prevention measures. The council also approved a vacation of an unused utility easement and a final plat for Cassidy Heights, creating 18 residential lots.

The council discussed research on private sewer-lateral repair costs. A motion to maintain the current approach failed; a motion directing staff to bring OnCourse Home Solutions to a study session for further discussion of a voluntary insurance option passed. No insurance agreement or procurement contract was approved. During public comment, residents called for canceling the city’s ALPR contracts, while the mayor defended the city’s Axon camera program; no action was taken on those contracts. Council members clarified that the traffic-enforcement grant item on the consent agenda funds enforcement salaries, not ALPR equipment.