Council rejects proposed changes limiting park, library boards

In a 6-1 vote, the Rochester City Council opted against amending its City Charter Wednesday afternoon — allowing the city’s library and park boards to retain the power they have held for 116 years.

The decision came after the Charter Commission recommended stripping the two boards of their powers earlier in the year, saying the boards hold excess amounts of power over their respective institutions (Rochester Public Library and Rochester Parks & Recreation) thanks to legalese that dates back to the original charter draft from 1904. 

On the other side, board members for both institutions said the proposed changes would impede their ability to make quick decisions and respond to the community. The public hearing period was largely dominated by people on the side of the library and park boards.

After a roughly hour-long public comment period, council members largely opted to wait on making the major alteration to the city’s charter — which Council Member Patrick Keane said “should be done with the same level of concern as changing the U.S. Constitution.” (Any change to the City Charter must be approved with a unanimous vote.)

While members said the language in the city’s charter did give the boards an oversized level of power, popular sentiment was that the best time to make sweeping charter changes would likely come after the pandemic ends.

“If I was philosophically designing the boards, I would probably tend to [side] with the Charter Commission,” said Council Member Nick Campion. “Yet, I find myself in a practical reality where I think we have two boards that operate well... the practical response now is to not wade too deep into this, if it ain’t broke.”

Council Member Shaun Palmer cast the lone ‘nay’ vote against denying the motion.

Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.