Government Affairs

2009 Accomplishments

Thru timely lobbying by the SE MN Rail Alliance, which the Chamber is a member of, MnDOT released their statewide rail plan which included a Rochester route connecting Rochester to the Twin Cities as a priority one high speed passenger corridor.
Supported the funding agreement between the RCTC Foundation and the City of Rochester to add a sports bubble to the Rochester Sports Stadium
Supported the Elk Run development concept due to the economic potential this project brings to Southeast Minnesota and the entire region.
Testified at both the City and County truth and taxation hearings advocating for leaner government during this challenging economic times
Celebrated 2009 legislative session highlights (supported by the Chamber as laid out in its legislative priorities)
- a defensive victory of significance was the projected $4.6 billion shortfall in the state’s general fund shortfall for FY 2010-11 was resolved without raising general fund taxes.
- $26 million was included in the Capitol Investment bill for Minnesota intercity passenger rail
- Olmsted County secured $5 million toward its green Pipes project. This project will build a 1.25-mile steam pipe line from Olmsted County’s waste to energy center plant to the UCR campus.
- Rochester received authority to raise local taxes to help pay for the Mayo Civic Center expansion
- Helped defeat a new state-mandated K-12 property tax which would fall heavily on businesses

2010 Accomplishment: Electronic Message Center Sign Ordinance Amendment Defeated

The February 8th, 2010 Rochester City Council Committee of the Whole meeting was a successful night for Rochester businesses. For several years, the Rochester/Olmsted County Planning Department has been advocating for a stricter zoning ordinance for electronic business signs. Since this was first brought forward, the Chamber has been working diligently against this thru a task force of businesses who have a vested interest in fighting the stricter ordinance.

Many businesses have invested thousands of dollars in these electronic message center’s which market their products and services to the public. These signs are frequently used to promote non-profit and community events. Two of the main proposed ordinance changes would have limited sign locations and how often the sign message could change.

If the proposed ordinance would have been enacted, it would of made many of these signs essentially static.

By filling the room with local businesses, the Chamber, along with the business community, was able to get the issue tabled until a federal study on electronic messaging is complete. It is unknown when the study will be finished or if the study will even review electronic message centers.

“This was a long process and in the end it was good to have the council see that at this time there was no real issue with the electronic signs,” says Mike Thom, manager at Home Improvement Professionals. “We business owners thank the council for their patience, understanding and support throughout this process.”

The Chamber thanks the city council and staff for supporting our task force efforts. They agreed that there was not a public outcry to enforce a stricter ordinance. There was not a problem to fix. You can be confident that if this issue pops up again in the futur,e the task force will be re-mobilized to fight against this unnecessary zoning ordinance amendment.

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