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If city government performs at its potential we will see a radically different transit system in Rochester in the next 5 to 10 years.  Technology, congestion, growth, and demographics are combining to create a new Rochester that we must adapt to.  If we are successful we will have a far more efficient, effective, and far reaching transit system.  Pedestrian, Bicycle, Park & Ride, Development, and Transit will merge into one seamless entity to the benefit of our citizens. Read the rest of this entry »

Today the city council unanimously voted (6-0 with Hanson absent) to approve the independent recommendation to select First Transit to operate Rochester’s transit system.  There were four companies competing, but everyone was interested in whether First Transit or stick with Rochester City Lines.

If we are going to be a serious player for businesses we must be fair to those that wish to compete here.  After a fair process, we had an impartial recommendation that stated that First Transit was the best of 4 choices (all capable) while Rochester City Lines came in last.  First transit also cost $2 million less over 54 months based on operating 70,000 hours per year.  To look at these facts and chose anything but First Transit would be cronyism at its worst.  I asked questions about the process and found it to be exceedingly fair.  RCL questioned if the request for proposals was fair, but the example that they raised about experience with new technologies, was actually something that I strongly think is needed.

We also secured an understanding with First Transit that they would recognize the existing ATU organization and would be offering positions to existing employees first.  If we lowered our costs by pushing working families into poverty we accomplish nothing.  I have already told these workers, that I will continue to have their backs.  I respect how good these drivers are.

Dan Holter continues to threaten to run a parallel transit system that he implies will cause harm to the city’s system.  That kind of entitled behavior leaves me shaking my head.  That said, if he can run a successful system that will only help transit in Rochester, but to do so he will have to follow rules pertaining to franchises.

There is no love lost between me and Dan Holter, given his lobbying antics, belief that he is “entitled” to a profit, and his holding us hostage for that profit.  But we lose credibility as a city if we don’t have a fair process to choose our venders.  We did have a fair process, and made a decision based on facts.  We did not make any sort of decision based on spite or revenge.

This should have no negative impact on Dan Holter’s business since in a statement to the city council he stated hasn’t made any profit in 44 years…

It will be interesting how long the wasteful lawsuits continue.  We will see tremendous improvements in transit between now and 2016.  We are going to see better access, faster service, and more hours, and we can best achieve this by working with the best.

This is a tough situation where pandering would be easy, but fiscal stewardship hard. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is one of many county roads in Rochester which fails to account for pedestrians, cyclists, businesses, transit users, the young, the old, or the disabled.

Since it is an election year and I haven’t decided to not run for office, I am going to be posting some of the feedback that I get that makes me smile.  I will not share names unless I have permission, and I certainly won’t when the writer is critical of other council members.  Even though in this case the criticism is fair and well deserved.  The decision does beg the question that if Bruce Snyder is not willing to pay for maintaining existing infrastructure is he still going to ask for more new infrastructure?  It is frustrating when I have the best excuse to cower but do not, yet others lose their backbone.

Hi Michael:

Excellent job at the meeting and thank you for your leadership and work you did with the 2nd St. owners. They clearly have challenges to face with these large assessments but it was also clear that you made them understand this was a situation that the city had to face for the good of the community. Some may be driven from their properties. Sad, but that often comes with development. Too bad so few understand who the losers are or speak for them when our open land gets developed. It would have been quite a sharp contrast last night had the Kwik Trip tree variance hearing been held.

I decided not to speak since I really didn’t have any skin in the game and it became clear this was a hearing about the assessment, not the design. I could not have added anything of substance to move the debate. I applaud you Mark, Randy and Sandra for taking a courageous stand – quite striking in contrast to the two who voted no yet offered no other ideas. Particularly telling was Ed’s commentary, praising you and your work, yet voting no. A real coward, recognizes what is right but chooses not to take a stand. Shameful. At least Bruce just sat there like the toad that he is – true to form and honestly an idiot.

Aside from your courageous championship of this issue, my favorite part of the night was the Rabbi from Chabad-Lubavitch. (Do you know his name? I missed it.) I have decided to make a contribution out of respect for his good natured and sincere “objection”. I feel somewhat responsible for his plight being one of those with the “good idea”. In my own small way I would like to support his faith that God will provide.

XXXXX

Do you want to learn about raingardens and how you can apply for a cost sharing grant?

This warm weather has got everyone excited to think about their gardens! I am excited to announce two free Raingarden classes in the month of March. Brief descriptions of the classes are below and full details are in the attached document.

1.)     Raingardens 101: Why Retain the Rain class will be happening on Tuesday, March 13^th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center. Space is limited and registration is required. Visit www.cascademeadow.org to register.

2.)     Realize Raingardens Rochester Cost-Share Grant Writing Workshop will be happening on Thursday, March 22^nd from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Rochester City Hall Conference Room 104. Please register for this program by contacting Megan Duffey, Rochester Public Works at 507-328-2440 or mduffey@rochestermn.gov

p.s. I will be out of the office from Friday, February 17 through Monday, March 5. Please contact me as soon as possible if you have any foreseable projects or tasks during that time frame that require my assistance. I will gladly complete requests prior to my departure.

Megan Duffey

StormWater Educator

City of Rochester Public Works Department

201 4th Street SE, Room 108

Rochester, MN 55904

Phone: 507-328-2440

Fax: 507-328-2401

email: mduffey@rochestermn.gov

website: www.rochesterstormwater.com

I am happy that our city sidewalk have never been cleaner.  There have been a number or questions on Rochester sidewalk snow removal policies.  I have kids that may walk in a couple of years to school, seniors in my neighborhoods, and I represent at least 2 legally blind men how need sidewalks for mobility.  I will protect their safety even if it is unpopular.

Here are a few questions and if you send me more I will answer them here:

Q:  Why do you want to stick it to us?

I don’t want to stick it to you.  I want property owners to be responsible and clear sidewalks.  Zero fines is my desired outcome. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the key issues that I raised and ran on in my 2008 campaign for city council was the need for an independent ethics commission.  The pressure that citizens put on for this led to the implementation shortly after my election.  I am grateful that we have this organization, and it is filled with people that are NOT appointed by city hall.

Complaint 1 – pertaining to the handling of a conflict of interest – Dismissed 4-1 with Ray Schmitz dissenting based on the timing of some events (I think).

Complaint 2 – pertaining to more serious unethical behavior – Dismissed 5-0, and pretty emphatically at that. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a note from the legendary Gary Nuemann:

Last night I joined Mayo personnel in touring the downtown with the company that has been harassing the crows.  This was the last night that they will be working for a while in Rochester.  Read the rest of this entry »

I figured I would mention this early because this is going to be a really awful year if you are a driver in the SW.  I would encourage you to get you walking shoes out or that bike tuned up.  Here is a rundown of the road projects scheduled for this summer.  Access will be maintained, but expect some busy streets.

• 2nd Street SW full reconstruction between 6th Ave SW through 11th Ave SW – All Summer
• 2nd Street NW & 8th Ave NW new sewer line and reconstruction between Civic Center Drive and just past 12th Ave NW – All Summer
• 1st Street SW (probably from 6th or 7th Avenue to 11th Avenue) – Being studied, but an overlay would be a couple of weeks, reconstruction All Summer
• 4th Street SW, 1st Ave SW, 6th Street SW major sewer project and full reconstruction (4th and 6th won’t be closed simultaneously). – All Summer+

Yup, its going to be ugly, but these projects are overdue and should serve the area for the next 100 years.