Get to know the 2022 candidates for Rochester City Council
We asked the candidates for Rochester City Council to finish five statements about the direction of the city. Among the three seats on the ballot in 2022, two feature incumbents; the other is an open seat (Ward 3).
To find out which ward you live in, visit the city’s website.
City Council Ward 1
Patrick Keane
Ward 1 rep since 2019, retired IBM program manager
Andy Hemenway
Registered Nurse
I am running for office this cycle because …
Keane: I first ran for municipal office in 2018. My focus on city council has been twofold: A. I want our municipal government to be fiscally responsible with our shared resources while we are also responsive and empathetic to our residents, and B. I want to help our residents work with the city when they have issues great or small. I’ve had some success, but there are also issues that can drag on too long.
Hemenway: I’ve always loved Rochester. Growing up here and spending the better part of 40 years residing in Ward One, specifically Meadow Park. Walking to and from school, swimming at Silver Lake and Soldiers Field pools. Golfing at Soldiers Field, Northern Valley, and Eastwood. Sledding at Judd hill or Eastwood hill in the winter. And now working as an outpatient nurse at Olmsted Medical Center, I’ve seen and lived the evolution of our current city, Rochester.
What I hear from constituents in my ward is …
Keane: As our Ward representative, I have worked with many residents who identify traffic or street safety design concerns that they feel the city needs to address. Generally speaking, the traffic engineers do not have a good way to address these problems. While I do not want our city streets to be designed based on resident input alone, I think it’s important that we do get these resident voices heard and responses back.
Hemenway: A. Getting their mail consistently is a struggle. B. That there has been a lot of local focus on Mayo Clinic and Destination Medical Center and very little on local residents and their concerns. C. Don’t change Soldiers field golf course. D. No affordable local indoor waterpark/recreational area for kids to utilize in the winter E. That crime is up and they worry more. F. Tax control please.
The Destination Medical Center project has …
Keane: DMC funding has allowed us to make downtown and medical district improvements that will secure Rochester’s economic vibrancy well into the future. Coming out of COVID, DMC priorities have been transportation (LINK) and public realm investments (Discovery Walk). Moving forward, I will work with DMC to focus more attention to housing and to public amenities like Park improvements.
Hemenway: Helped Rochester become an even more nationally and worldly recognized location. It has divided our residents into believers and nonbelievers. We need to embrace the change, it is inevitable, and work together in a fiscally sound manner to keep Rochester safe, successful, and affordable for its residents.
The city should invest more resources in …
Keane: At our core, City Government is public safety (Fire, Police, Emergency Management) and city services (water, sewer, power, streets). Our Staff works to high standards for safety and services, but we need to stay focused on continuous improvements as the landscape changes. Our city amenities are Parks, Library, and Music. I will work to drive more resources away from Parks growth and into Parks asset managements (maintenance).
Hemenway: Attracting events to the Mayo Civic Center. In turn filling the vacant hotel rooms on the weekends and ultimately bringing additional resources to our community. There should be more rejuvenation of current resources instead of the tear-it-down and start-new concept.
I believe the city has an opportunity to …
Keane: Our Rochester area community takes pride in our regional economy that generates the assets that allow us a higher than average standard of living. But like so many modern cities, too many of our residents are being priced out of basic housing and services. There are gaps in living standards that will always exist, but we have the opportunity to address some of those gaps if we pay attention to the equity of our local practices and policies.
Hemenway: Build off the efforts of the state and Destination Medical Center and continue to be an attractive, safe, and welcoming community for its visitors, the UMR students, residents, and our children. By working together to control tax increases and continue to make strides toward housing so people can afford to buy a home and invest in a future.
City Council Ward 3
Vangie Castro
Impact Program Assistant at United Way of Olmsted County
Norman Wahl
Retired pastor
I am running for office this cycle because …
Castro: There’s a strong legacy of public service in my family. I feel a sense of duty to serve and give back to my community. If it’s with non-profits, as the Chair of the Human Rights Commission, and Golf League President, I know that a thriving community relies on residents to care and be involved in keeping our city safe and welcoming. And to ensure the City uses an equitable lens when making policy decisions.
Wahl: Our city will be stronger with experienced, competent, and committed leaders. I have spent an entire 41 year career in the service of others, and this is an opportunity for me to use skills I have developed over a lifetime serving in a different way—through elected office. I have led small and large organizations. I have listened carefully to multiple positions and helped forge ways forward to accomplish goals.
What I hear from constituents in my ward is …
Castro: Transportation to downtown is an issue and that they truly love living in Rochester. Some feel disconnected from what’s happening with the DMC and unsure how it’s going to benefit them in NW Rochester/Ward 3. Leadership on City Council and the government isn’t always transparent, and they don’t know how to best get involved in policy decisions that affect them. The cost of living and rental prices are getting unmanageable for the average worker.
Wahl: Having already knocked on 2,000 doors in Ward 3, I hear most often about ever increasing property taxes and public safety. Generally, people agree that we live in a wonderful city and have a good police force, fire fighters, and emergency responders. We need to support public safety to stay ahead of nationwide trends in large cities. We need to be careful with tax money so people are not taxed out of homes and businesses.
The Destination Medical Center project has …
Castro: Not focused on the health, wealth, and vitality of the people who already live and work here as much as they have on private investors, visitors, high-end clients, and international patients. We are moving away from what makes Rochester great and focusing efforts and resources in disconnecting Rochester’s downtown from its non-downtown residents. I think it can be detrimental to city growth, innovation, and connectedness if all we do is focus on the DMC.
Wahl: DMC has provided an influx of money and a laser focus on downtown development. We need to ensure that improvements benefit the entire city. There is a perception that only the downtown will benefit. When DMC can invest in improvements to the Soldiers Field pool, help develop the Sixth Street Bridge area, and provide needed housing downtown, all of Rochester will better be able to see its greater value.
The city should invest more resources in …
Castro: Making a conscious effort to ensure a portion of the housing stock remains affordable for our residents. I believe that a percentage of all new housing constructions should be affordable/mixed income. We also want to work with the community to determine what the true level of “affordability” is for those in need of safe, cost-effective housing. Housing is a human rights issue, and all people deserve safe and affordable housing.
Wahl: The one amenity I have heard more than any other is an aquatic center. Recently the Park Board has revealed plans for changes to the Soldiers Field pool, including the possibility of adding features that would make it a destination aquatic center. The city is going to have to deal with the cost of public safety as our population and city boundaries grow. Public safety growth will need to be commensurate with city growth.
I believe the city has an opportunity to …
Castro: Build stronger relationships and trust with the BIPOC community through intentional public safety engagement. Humanly address and find solutions for the population that is experiencing homelessness. Find effective ways to address and provide services for those struggling with deep poverty. Create a financially and environmentally sustainable community that we all will be proud to live in and for future generations to thrive in.
Wahl: Rochester already is a great city in which to live, work, go to school, and retire. Yet, every city of every size faces issues of the day. Rochester can continue to be a regional center, an economic engine for the entire state, and a place of healthcare for those nearby and for the world. We have the capacity to invest in our city so that we do not follow a declining path evident in so many cities.
City Council Ward 5
Shaun Palmer
Ward 5 rep since 2019, carpenter/project manager
Saida Omar
Manager for a bilingual transportation provider
I am running for office this cycle because …
Palmer: My primary goal as the councilperson for the 5th ward is to be supportive of the citizens of Rochester and make sure that their voices are heard when the city is making decisions critical to the future of our neighborhoods. This is still my goal, and I have been working hard at this.
Omar: I feel we need to improve housing and home ownership. I am running because I feel that as a city, Rochester can eliminate homelessness. I am running because I feel we can create a path for our young adults to create a sustainable future for themselves by offering them a training system to be part of the workforce.
What I hear from constituents in my ward is …
Palmer: They are frustrated with communication from the city. I have sent out the 5th Ward report to all the residents of the 5th ward the last two years at my own expense, and it has been well received. I also try to keep my Facebook updated with all the opportunities for the public to give input on projects and opportunities for input. People are very supportive of our Police Department and the events they sponsor.
Omar: Concerns about affordable housing, recreation centers, and safety ... My experience in working with vulnerable adults and children in the last 12 years has given me a remarkable opportunity to see members of our community that are often not visible to many. I have seen and heard a modest amount of their needs and what they go through day to day. I want our city and its policies to impact this group more positively than in the past.
The Destination Medical Center project has …
Palmer: Been an investment from the State of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. We need to remember it is about the visitor experiences in our community. Patients only spend about 10 percent of their time at the Mayo Clinic and spend the rest in our community. We wish to attract the best talent in the world to our community and to live and work. This is a transformational project, bringing new experiences to Rochester while still trying to retain the culture.
Omar: The biggest priority for Rochester about the Destination Medical Center is the advancement it will bring to Rochester. Rochester needs to grow with DMC and prepare its citizens to take part in the DMC workforce. One of the things I look forward to is Discovery Square which is said to be where medicine meets technology, and we need to make sure our young adults have the access to training and education that will put them at the forefront of these advancements.
The city should invest more resources in …
Palmer: I have always supported our Parks Department and believe we need to fund them more, but also look at the governance of the Park Department. We need to bring the governance into the 21st century.
Omar: Our resources should be directed to eliminate housing Issues; all families no matter the size have a place they can call home and feel comfortable Parks and Recreation: Rochester families need an affordable Park and Rec. A place they can use for activities for their children and gathering for family events. Similarly to the Y.
I believe the city has an opportunity to …
Palmer: Look at new ways to serve the residents. Covid has changed the way many businesses and governments have provided services. We are improving and changing, but culture is challenging to move.
Omar: To be the ideal city for its safety, affordability, and inclusivity. A city that many will want to visit, and refer to it for its beauty, safety, and advancement.
Note: Candidates were asked to limit written responses to approximately 75 words. Minor edits were made for clarity.