Council President's 2006 State of the City Address
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The following address was given by President Dennis Hanson on January 9, 2006.
Good evening and welcome to the first official meeting of the Rochester City Council in 2006. It has been a pleasure to serve you this past year and I would like to give you an update on 2005 and what you can expect in 2006.
This past year the city completed an important study for the future of downtown Rochester along with several other important steps such as the formation of the Rochester Downtown Alliance and the planning of the First Street Plaza Improvements. Several new housing projects such as the Salvation Army and Candle Rose projects have already been approved and are finalizing plans to begin construction. Meetings have also been taking place with local developers as well as national developers regarding housing, commercial, and retail projects in the downtown. Look for exiting things to happen in 2006.
Nobody likes taxes, but our citizens understand the needs of our community and responded by approving by an overwhelming margin a sales tax extension that not only will benefit Rochester, but all of Olmsted County. $40 million dollars was approved in transportation funding and higher education. This effort was successful because not only the citizens got behind the proposal, but it was fully endorsed by not only city officials, but county and township officials as well. Another case of success by working together.
Beginning this month, discussions will continue concerning a joint maintenance facility between the city and the county. We will also be joined by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Chamber of Commerce to explore different ways of funding such a venture, the location, and best use of such a facility. As well as this facility, the city will continue to look for ways to partner with other government entities. Besides the joint maintenance facility, we will be working on the Public Safety Radio System with Olmsted County, the State Patrol, and MnDOT, the sales tax transportation improvements with the county, the public safety training center for all of southeast Minnesota, and working with the townships on orderly annexation agreements of which we have entered into 10 agreements with five different townships since 2000, including an agreement with Haverhill Township in 2005.
In 2005 work finally began on the redevelopment of the Eastwood Golf Course. What a great asset this will be to the city and again it was a partnership between the city, the county, and a private developer. Much of the credit for this project needs to go to the leadership of Gary Neumann, Rochester’s Assistant City Administrator. In looking out for the best interests of our community Gary put together a proposal that in the words of our great Park Department leader, Roy Sutherland, is a win win for everybody. We are also looking at a proposal for redevelopment of the Hawthorne Hills Golf Learning Center as we go forward in 2006. These golf improvement projects are being made possible due to partnerships with the private sector which do not require property tax support from the city. In addition, work continues on Cascade Lake, which when finished, will be the most significant addition to our Park system in the last 50 years.
This year we are planning on finally constructing Fire Station #5. This city with all of its’ growth has been served by just 4 stations for the last 30 years. We have done all we can do to re-position and maximize the service provided by 4 stations. We now need to add another station to provide service to our expanded community. This station will be located on the south side of Rochester.
In 2006, we will be taking a long hard look at the complicated tax system in Minnesota. By many accounts the most confusing in the nation. The most difficult part of the city council’s job is to set a tax levy, where you not only have to tax yourself, but your friends, your neighbors, and businesses. I will be putting together a group consisting of city, county, school, and legislative officials to discuss the system and how it impacts us locally. Can changes be made, who knows, but it is time to put this issue at the front of the line and start discussions on things that local officials feel need to be addressed.
There has been some question as to who runs the city of Rochester, and I feel a response is needed to get this issue clarified. I was elected as the President of a council that oversees the growth and management of a wonderful community. Like in the daily business that I run, I give my employees the responsibility to make the company a success. The city organization is no different. I oversee what goes on and when needed, intercede or interject my opinion on what needs to be done. I have attended hundreds of department meetings and have made decisions contrary to staff suggestions when I feel it is in the best interest of the community. I communicate daily with city administration and many of the departments.
2005 ended on a sad note for our community. We lost a very dear friend and neighborhood advocate in Jean McConnell. Whether you were on the same side of an issue with Jean or not you knew where Jean stood. I’ll never forget the written comments at tax time or the snicker that could be heard after an off the cuff remark when I look at the empty seat to the left of where I sit. Jean will truly be missed by the city organization and the community.
And finally, I want to thank the entire community for their support of this council in 2005. Whether we were right or wrong, we heard from you and we did listen. Rochester is a great place to live, to work, to raise a family, and believe it or not, a great place to be a politician. This is great community, keep up the work.