from Shaun C. Palmer Ward 5 City Councilperson
November 2025
Rochester Minnesota – Ward 5 Report November 2025 -PDF
This report was paid for by Shaun C. Palmer, member of the Rochester City Council. No taxpayer money was spent for this report.
To Community Members of Ward 5
As 2025 comes to a close, I remain inspired by the energy and commitment of Ward 5 residents. Rochester is a city on the move—growing, adapting, and finding new ways to strengthen our neighborhoods and local economy. Each conversation I’ve had this year—whether at a community event, neighborhood meeting, or over coffee—reminds me how much people care about the future of our city’s local economy. It is essential to both improve our residents’ quality of life and strive to make Rochester an affordable place to live. Your ideas, questions, and advocacy help guide the work we do on the City Council and ensure that every decision reflects the values of our community. Thank you for staying engaged, informed, and dedicated to making Rochester a great place to live, work, and thrive.
Please take advantage of your opportunity to participate in city meetings and our future. You can find more information about how to engage with the city council here:
https://www.rochestermn.gov/government/city-council
Past and Current Activities
Keeping Ward 5 residents informed and involved remains one of my top priorities on the City Council. Each decision I make is guided by what will best support our neighborhoods and strengthen Rochester as a whole. Over the past year, we’ve advanced several important projects and initiatives that reflect our community’s values and goals. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made—and even more excited about what’s ahead as we continue working together to shape a thriving future for our city.
311 Community Service
The 311 community service is the non-emergency counterpart to our 911, providing residents with services for issues such as debris in the roadway, potholes, stray animals, nonworking streetlights, and noise complaints. This service is a welcome addition to our emergency services for citizens with non-emergency concerns. You can download the app onto your phone or connect with the city on their web page.
Learn more here: https://rochestermn.qscend.com/311
North Broadway Reconstruction
Construction on North Broadway is nearly complete. The new roadway will improve walking, biking, and transit facilities, and include safety improvements for drivers. The project’s benefits include turning a section of the corridor into an urban street and creating connections to pedestrian/bike trails along the Zumbro River, Cascade Creek, and Silver Lake. We know this wasn’t easy on area residents and businesses, but the safety and efficiency of this new area will benefit our city for years to come.
Cook Park Pickleball Courts
In partnership with the Rochester Area Pickleball Association (RAPA), the pickleball courts at Cook Park will be rebuilt in the spring of 2026. This has become a popular sport in Rochester in recent years, and we want to improve Rochester residents’ ability to enjoy these courts and our parks in general as much as possible.
Cook Park Dog Park
The new Dog Park in Cook Park is now completed. We have an active group of pet owners who use this space often. You might even find some online discussions about meeting up at this new space to gather with new dog-loving friends!
Silver Lake Park Playground
Improvements at the Silver Lake Park playground are completed. New equipment and new sidewalks have been installed, and the shelter has been upgraded. Work continues on other areas at the park as well, including an indigenous gathering area, restroom renovations, basketball court, and expansions to the skate park and pool. We look forward to next fall for a grand opening!
Silver Lake Park Pool
Work continues on the Silver Lake Park pool, the pool building, and the splash pad. The new aquatics area is set to open in June of 2026, with an update also ongoing at the skate park. The skate park is scheduled to be part of the grand opening in the fall of next year.
Ward 5 Fun
There are several opportunities to gather with the neighborhood throughout the summer. You can participate in the ForWARD concerts, the Safe City Nights, the Night to Unite, the Olmsted County Fair, Rochesterfest, Down by the Riverside concerts and Thursday’s Downtown, just to name a few. Take advantage of the opportunity to get out and meet your fellow Ward 5 friends and if you happen to see me, say hello and introduce yourself!
Communication
Open communication with residents is one of my top priorities as your City Council representative. You’ll find all of my contact information on the front page of this letter, and I encourage you to reach out anytime with questions or concerns. I stay active on social media, and I do my best to answer my phone whenever possible—because hearing directly from you helps me better serve our community. In addition, you can find me in the following places:
● KROC
o I participate in a KROC radio interview on the 3rd Monday of every month before the city council meeting
● Silver Lake Park Meet-Ups
o Watch my Facebook page for dates when I will be available to chat in Silver Lake Park.
● Facebook
o I use Facebook to communicate city happenings, local events, promote local businesses, and get the word out about opportunities to participate in your city government
Future
I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you on the City Council and to help shape Rochester’s future. My experience in construction and community leadership gives me a hands-on understanding of the improvements ahead for our city. I’m excited about what’s coming in 2026 and beyond and look forward to continuing to work alongside you to make Rochester an even better place to call home.
Helpful Contacts
Rochester non-emergency- 311
Parks and Recreation 507-328-2525
Public Works 507-328-6890
Planning and Zoning 507-328-7100