The meeting opened with heated public comments, where Casey McGregor raised serious allegations about potential conflicts of interest involving Mayor Norton and her husband, Randy Stone, linked to the group Indivisible 507. McGregor argued that the mayor’s involvement with the group, which she described as a “dark money group,” could lead to abuse of power and necessitated an investigation by the council. She expressed concerns about the removal of judicial oversight in enforcement processes and criticized the proposed creation of a broker for city property, which she claimed would reduce oversight and heighten corruption risks. McGregor also took issue with the Codesigner operating outside open meeting laws, advocating for greater transparency.

These comments set the stage for a broader discussion on transparency and accountability, underscored by Molly Dennis’s remarks on the importance of due process and her dissatisfaction with the city’s 311 system. She highlighted unfulfilled promises, such as replanting trees in a local parking lot and the scarcity of accessible parking in downtown Rochester, urging city staff to provide clarity on these issues. Following Dennis, Mister Krisel echoed concerns about transparency, particularly regarding the DMC Board’s activities, and suggested a public hearing to foster better citizen engagement.

Zoning changes emerged as a issue during the meeting. A proposed zone change from MXS to MXC for a site near Bandell Road and Overland Drive drew attention, with residents voicing concerns about increased traffic, noise, and light pollution. Kathy Donahoe, a long-time resident, articulated worries about semi-truck noise disrupting the neighborhood, stating, “There’s no dark anymore,” and emphasized the safety and quality-of-life impacts of the proposed development. Alex Peterson, whose property adjoins the proposed zone change, expressed a mixed stance, questioning the justification for the rezone based on site layout rather than zoning criteria.

The council’s discussion on the zoning change revealed divided opinions. Some members expressed concern about approving zoning changes without accompanying site plans, while others emphasized the need for flexible zoning to accommodate unique property features. The council ultimately approved the zone change unanimously, citing the need for development alignment with community needs and acknowledging the complexities of urban planning.

Public transit and its challenges were another major focus. The council reviewed a presentation on the 2025 Transit Program of Projects, noting a dramatic decline in bus ridership from approximately 2.1 million in 2019 to 890,000 in 2020 due to the pandemic. Concerns about ridership recovery and the potential need for route adjustments were raised, with council members emphasizing the importance of reliable and efficient transit services.

Mayor Norton introduced the Democracy Innovations for Public Meetings project, an initiative aimed at addressing frustrations with public comments and civic engagement within council meetings. This project, supported by a grant from the National Civic League, seeks to assess current practices and propose improvements. Council members expressed varying levels of support, with some raising concerns about the potential burden on staff and the need for clear project goals. The council voted to proceed with the initiative, acknowledging the importance of enhancing public participation.

The contract was approved, with some members defending the decision as a cost-effective solution to existing issues.

The session concluded with the approval of a subaward agreement with the International City County Management Association, aimed at supporting economic mobility in Rochester, and a first reading of an ordinance amending local enforcement procedures.