from Shaun C. Palmer Ward 5 City Councilperson
September 2022
Rochester Minnesota – Ward 5 Report September 2022 -PDF
To Community Members of Ward 5
As we approach our next election, I want residents of Ward 5 to know, I am still committed to you and to our neighborhood. Great cities rely on individuals who are invested and involved in the community. Being involved provides us with the knowledge to guide our decisions for our city. I am committed to staying involved in associations and activities, committed to making good decision that will benefit our city, and most importantly, committed to listening to the residents of Ward 5 and bringing your voices forward on city business discussions. I want to continue to provide great representation to Ward 5 in the coming years, so I am asking for your vote on November 8, 2022.
Communication
My top priority as a councilperson is to communicate with you. My contact information is published, and
I encourage you to contact me whenever you have a concern. In addition, you can find me the following places:
- Belau Report
I have been interviewed three times on the Belau Report which you can find on YouTube. - KROC
I participate in a KROC radio interview the 3rd Monday of every month prior to the city council meeting. - 125 Live
I am at 125 Live on the 4th Friday of each month. - Facebook
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.
Past Activities
One of my goals is to keep you informed of the decisions and activities of the council that affect Ward 5. This list contains some of the main projects and activities that I worked on, and continue to work on, as your Ward 5 councilperson.
North Broadway Project
North Broadway construction was a several year project, but is now wrapped up. This is the largest project Rochester has undertaken since the flood control project in the 1980s. This project was undertaken to address aging pavement, safety, and mobility for all users. Planning began in 2017 and the project is complete and the streets, walkways, aesthetics and intersections have seen major improvements.
Elton Hills Bridge
The previous bridge on Elton Hills Drive had structural issues that progressed to the point of needing replacement. We realize replacement of an entire bridge heavily impacted the neighborhood, and we hope that the new bridge is a welcome improvement for the safety of our residents.
Viola/Cassidy/Century Hills Road Study
In an effort to address safety at the above-mentioned intersection, the city of Rochester is working closely with Olmsted County on planning and project development to address safety. Additional crosswalk signs, speed zone signs, and flashing signage is part of this project, and the construction will be finished in 2023.
East River Road Traffic Calming
To calm traffic and make the area safer for road users, neighbors and pedestrians, concrete barriers were placed in the intersection of East River Road, 24th St. NE and Riverside Lane NE. This project was studied in-depth and public comment was requested and reviewed. I think the changes made to this area have cut down on cut-throughs and speeding and made the area safer for pedestrians.
Soldiers Field Track
A community group along with the City Council and Parks Department worked in 2020 to resurface and improve the track at Soldier Field. Many people have enjoyed this space since 2020 and the track is holding up great. The project was even completed under budget!
Future
I am running for a second term as Ward 5 Councilperson. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to serve as your councilperson for another four years. The past projects in this newsletter, and countless others, were accomplished under my service for Ward 5. I feel I was affective, fair and voted in the best interest of Ward 5 in the last 3 years. I would enjoy the opportunity to keep the momentum of positive change in the coming years. I am looking forward to Safe City Nights, National Night Out, Down by the Riverside Concerts, and forWARD Neighborhood Music in the parks in 2023 and beyond.