Government Affairs

Electronic Message Center Sign Ordinance Amendment Defeated

Electronic Message Centers have played an integral role in marketing for many Rochester Businesses; a proposed amendment restricting the use of these message centers was brought forward at a City Council Committee of the Whole meeting and was tabled until a later date due to the effort of our local businesses and the actions of our government affairs team. Read More

April 15, 2010 - Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce's updated position statement on City/County Emergency Management.

The safety of the residents, visitors and employees of the City of Rochester and Olmsted County requires a modern 21st century emergency management system and plan.  This plan must also be implemented in the most efficient and effective manner and without duplication of services or effort.

In December 2009, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee formed a task force (RACCTF) to analyze emergency management planning in the City of Rochester and Olmsted County.  The task force was formed due to the City of Rochester's decision in October 2009 to dissolve its joint emergency management agreement with Olmsted County and create its own emergency management division. 

In January 2010, the task force sent out a media release encouraging both units of government to continue to work together and avoid duplication of efforts.  Since that release, the task force has met with city and county elected officials, administration and staff, and other experts in the field from the public and private sector to learn more about the present emergency management system and the changes the City of Rochester intends to implement. 

As a result of the work of the RACCTF, we offer the following findings and recommendations:

1. Corrective action must be taken to ensure that the Olmsted County All-Hazard Plan is in compliance with SARA III.  Immediate steps should be taken to update the plan.
2. The City of Rochester develops an office of emergency management that is responsible for coordinating the emergency services for our community.  The heightened hazard of a post-September 11 world requires the assignment of a specially-trained professional who will implement and oversee emergency planning for Rochester.  Our community has many valuable assets which must be protected.  A comprehensive and compliant plan must be put in place.
3. An updated Hazard Vulnerability Assessment, which documents expected responses from City, County, State and Federal agencies to perceived or plausible hazards, must be compiled and updated at least every two years.
4. The task force believes it is in the best interest of the citizens of Rochester for the City to proceed in forming its own emergency management division.  With this change, it is imperative that the City and County work together to ensure that an effective and efficient coordinated plan is established and updated as needed. Emergencies do not have boundaries.   It is critical that the newly appointed individual responsible for the City's emergency management efforts interfaces with Olmsted County emergency management staff to ensure a smooth transition. 

One of the RACCTF initial concerns was the anticipated increased costs associated with separating the emergency management functions.  We now believe, under this recommendation that costs should not increase with proper cooperation between the two units of government. Presently, Olmsted County has three individuals working in emergency management.  With the County losing at least two-thirds of that responsibility to the City, we anticipate the County expenditures will be reduced.