[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,97,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6469533,"mediaKeyId","5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828","parentId",5780812,"title","Council action roundup: community center ARPA transfer, vehicle purchases, roads funding and crossing guards","audioSeconds",3968,"startMs",3329000,"endMs",7297000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828&start=3329&end=7297","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828/thumbnail_3329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469533/Rochester/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Council-action-roundup-community-center-ARPA-transfer-vehicle-purchases-roads-funding-and-crossing-guards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469533-551ac845a75f4e3b2d11100590afedb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157536&Signature=mUTe-5FeEdUeh-arLn-J9Z40NT4OCNTlJjxYvZqAAqaEm2~6X-bw60595dfh-0wKBRgzurXVhlEi36~o1faUuKpu2Jl0ZT1ps0QOLxJtul0SYx0iENg03Wxyls8UUdWkgfO~aMv3TcDyB9tG5g6TE8o6bqk8~tbKhcYJWgcCTg~6mefwGnHdAIBSlt8JyIK~WtfZ5iau1Qzt-LDArvKV-bGAJRW8vCERj5RJ60X3doWi-2PQzbX111GA6wbUBpJ7CD088Lov6CSxVtBW~yzi3817CVb42IgqIRv1Y4pIQUgiLR5PnLGc-1HH4Uy8nI45g4PnX9vhDlWluJSC7sE8Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New London","date","2025-09-17T00:07:14.067Z","article","The City Council took several formal actions at its Sept. 15 meeting. Listed below are the items, outcomes and key details.

1) Community center ARPA transfer — Ordinance No. 09152504 — Approved
The council approved an ordinance transferring $950,000 in ARPA funds to the community recreation center enterprise fund to cover projected first‑ and second‑year operating shortfalls. Director Reyes said the funds were part of previously appropriated federal dollars and would be used to cover an estimated first‑year pro forma deficit (about $833,000) and to support operations while membership and sponsorships ramp up. Councilors required published scholarship links and regular financial reporting.

2) Police vehicle purchase — Ordinance No. 09152502 — Approved
The council approved a transfer of $79,947 from capital funds to purchase three certified pre‑owned vehicles and related upfitting for detective assignments. Staff said the vehicles come with manufacturer warranties and would be up‑fitted locally; members noted the vehicles would replace older units with high mileage.

3) Town aid road fund appropriation — Ordinance No. 09152501 — Approved
The council accepted additional Connecticut Department of Transportation town‑aid road funds totaling $129,411. Staff explained the increase reflected the state budget allocation and described eligible uses (road repairs, snow removal, traffic signals and related public‑works activity).

4) Crossing guards funding — Action to provide $65,000 to restore crossing-guard service — Approved
After debate about which municipal budget should carry crossing-guard costs, the council approved a transfer to ensure crossing guards could be redeployed at the start of the school year. Councilors said the board of education had responsibility for the crossing-guard line item but that immediate funding was necessary to get guards on streets; councilors also asked for a longer‑term conversation about whether crossing guards should be budgeted in a different department going forward.

5) Automated traffic enforcement ordinance — Ordinance No. 09152503 — Amended and referred
The council amended the ordinance to a first reading only (striking second/third readings) and referred it to the Public Safety Committee after public comment and lengthy questioning about site selection, equity impacts, appeals and vendor terms. The committee will hold public hearings and review traffic studies and a detailed appeals proposal before the council considers additional readings.

Votes and procedure: Several roll‑call votes were recorded for appropriation ordinances (council recorded a 6‑yes unanimous pattern for several matters). The automated‑enforcement ordinance was not adopted; it was amended and referred for committee review. The community‑center transfer and vehicle purchases were adopted by roll call.

Why it matters: The appropriations fund near‑term operations and capital needs (community services, police vehicles and roads) and the crossing‑guard vote restored immediate public‑safety staffing; the automated‑enforcement referral signals the council will seek additional public input before adopting a new enforcement regime.

What to expect next: The Public Safety Committee will schedule hearings on the automated enforcement ordinance and vendors are expected to submit traffic studies. Administration staff will publish scholarship application links and provide updated community‑center financial reports before the next budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09-15-2025 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved several appropriations at its Sept. 15 meeting — including $950,000 in ARPA funds for the community center, $79,947 for police vehicles, $129,411 in town‑aid road funds and $65,000 to restore crossing guards — and referred the automated traffic‑enforcement ordinance to committee for public hearings.","taxTitle","Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota","taxId",3599,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469542,"Council approves $950,000 ARPA transfer for community center; councilors press admin on affordability and scholarship rollout",3230,6559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828&start=3329&end=6559","/articles/6469542/Rochester/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-950000-ARPA-transfer-for-community-center-councilors-press-admin-on-affordability-and-scholarship-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469542-27aaa1f86913dbfbbf14cbfc4ce5ac58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157536&Signature=HYvolhBwX6m7AzxT1XE0ZPlU6osHw88q9E8R613EOtLRtjh7VHMO52vinerK0akb81VY0dP4RQpiMl3pkytHYKDWEsBWUy9O7QGn4WGgmb68vHRpG6z6ZiKmXD6ifIIrhpfgETn73gL~YWQIZUMGc969Tmsu5iO6yZS3pAkSg0MJPogPk7-m3jYP-Cu-6tpCP6cqeaGMi2cIkTeNOWaTWITR6wFM9hlX7x-GC6RXFV3uNeXua1bJK7s7cd~qc25itw0F0B0Ux-dhWRxkYaIoqCyhpTQfcCSqXtG4AJXRHA2EfVK0mDCrE7TjWOeeh517CZkEDyPppF8~BjzuoUxrOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved an ordinance transferring $950,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the community recreation center enterprise fund to cover projected startup shortfalls, but councilors pressed city staff for clearer information on membership affordability and scholarship access.

Director Reyes and other administration staff said the ARPA transfer was part of previously appropriated federal funds and was intended as a cushion to support the center’s first and second years. The pro forma presented to the council showed an estimated operating shortfall of roughly $833,000 in the first year, with remaining funds covering part of year two; staff said year‑one and year‑two projections would be revisited and tighter budgets would be presented during the next budget cycle.

Councilors repeatedly emphasized affordability. Director Reyes said the center will use a scholarship program administered by the Recreation Department (available in English and Spanish) rather than a household sliding‑scale verification process because many families are uncomfortable disclosing detailed financial records. Reyes said staff will publish scholarship information and a link on the center website and begin a marketing push, and that corporate partners and donations (cited examples included multi‑year donations from local businesses and nonprofits) will help close the revenue gap so resident fees can remain low.

Councilors also asked when the administration will provide regular updates; staff said monthly financial reviews are taking place and that the administration will provide a more detailed budget during the normal January budget process, with interim updates to councilors. Several councilors described outreach efforts—tours, workshops, and school and community‑group visits—and asked that front‑line center staff be trained to route callers to the scholarships process.

Council members and staff provided early usage figures. The administration said membership uptake had been strong in the opening months: internal figures cited by staff at the meeting indicated about 80% of memberships were held by New London residents and roughly 25% of members were seniors; the administration said membership counts were approaching 2,000 active users. Staff emphasized that corporate pledges and donor commitments were being used to subsidize reduced resident rates.

Why it matters: The community center is a major capital and operating commitment; early financial shortfalls are common for new municipal facilities. Councilors sought transparency on scholarship eligibility, application access and the timeline for budget updates to ensure residents who cannot afford fees are not excluded.

Looking ahead: The council approved the ARPA transfer (Ordinance No. 09152504). Staff committed to publishing scholarship application links in English and Spanish, to regular financial reporting and to returning with a tighter one‑year operating budget early in the next calendar year.","The City Council approved a $950,000 transfer of ARPA funds to the community recreation center’s enterprise fund to cover early operating shortfalls, and asked the administration to make scholarship rules and application links public and to report regular budget updates.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469547,"Police chief unveils \"Gaming with Cops\" youth outreach program; rollout planned for October",813,98000,911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828&start=98&end=911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6469547/Rochester/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Police-chief-unveils-Gaming-with-Cops-youth-outreach-program-rollout-planned-for-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469547-738199fd64932777825075c991b9353f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157536&Signature=duFgluA3HyHHX-eYvyAZAkVYiX5Wd801Ff~8IGHJFeSLdBEh98LrVZhGwGLELESu1wFMoXSPF1covBtz~qSVTLOhSQ3xpuSZcvV0zKktjxi7nghhGfvHBfSDVIwkRVU5Pg-pcdHKsoDnlKiqxgNTBFc82VZi5jhjLpUKCeA0eT65536zUthF9Urz37bhdFdQIck34b19b03qSKQNPM3bR8JZ7UBYNf6yKbjSRXuTchBpJCNA7lW3VTjV-MDTY9FUvcxr-sacDFn2bg3Tu9~cnM3x31-MFa1C8-KOdChLQHLHqVsYA05OuqJNlrTrZfUh7-p3Oq7EGkv2SNw29D9GEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New London Police Department detailed a new youth outreach program called “Gaming with Cops” during the Public Safety Committee meeting, describing it as a nontraditional approach to build rapport with young people.

Police Chief Brian Wright told the committee that the department purchased gaming consoles (PS5 and Xbox) using grant funding and plans to host gaming sessions alongside other activities—basketball, homework help and mentoring—to draw young people to a safe space and encourage conversation with officers. The chief described the program as part of broader outreach that includes existing initiatives such as high‑five programs and community patrols.

Councilors asked logistical questions about capacity, location and outreach. Councilor Dice asked whether the Truman Street site still has a basketball court and how many participants could be served at once; Wright said the plan is to ensure hands‑on participation and mix gaming with other activities so multiple youth can participate simultaneously. The chief said the initial location will be the Floyd Truman substation and that the program could grow into other sites or events, including tournaments or community‑center sessions.

Councilors emphasized outreach. Councilor Muller suggested using QR codes to make signup easy for young people; Councilor Hart urged officers to invite youths they encounter during patrols. Wright said the rollout will use social media, school outreach and partner organizations, and reiterated that grant funding covered startup costs; if ongoing costs arise the department would treat the expense as money well spent.

Why it matters: Police departments nationwide have used games and other shared interests to humanize officers to young people and open informal channels of communication. Councilors uniformly praised the idea but sought clarity on capacity, outreach and translation into broader services such as homework help and mentoring.

Looking ahead: Chief Wright said the department plans to begin sessions in October, publicize dates via social media and school contacts, and evaluate expansion based on participation and community feedback.","Chief Brian Wright presented a new outreach program that uses video-game sessions to build relationships between officers and youth. Councilors welcomed the idea, asked about capacity and outreach, and the chief said initial sessions will be held at the Truman Street substation with grant funding and social media outreach planned.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469552,"New London council pauses automated speed-camera ordinance after public concern; chief outlines rollout process",4719,2662000,7381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828&start=2662&end=7381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828/thumbnail_2662000.jpg","/articles/6469552/Rochester/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/New-London-council-pauses-automated-speed-camera-ordinance-after-public-concern-chief-outlines-rollout-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469552-55619bfaebba916e06383d3f5efc236f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157536&Signature=JlCyD0cxvGA8NS~KHVPgsu2MFVBIFoturgcDK8kwTKMopbai2z22I2tx9sorU4nSCTA~RLr6iFrCL3PmHX2053Epi9ezivJHeTmkkhtsoTyG6rsEEOX6ChOXZHCeh9lcLoZTxuPZzU2ghP1X9dgkUKy8yfr45j5C5Q3WKPyltuceoWjTprS5aOnq1Sit2rJdPHmjeQsJlHFw-X9m7QnXi32tqZ4SrrZkO~i2i6uW0Vz~C2Se03W82Xz2UEdlLlLLIxRRPhlYZbJRk4D1Xsrk1ikxWHFQpTs5EFRCaFSmqLJwvq6m1c4EYOzFsTDJT0CBD9xUol5mey5zAB2jEDc-1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council amended and referred the proposed automated traffic enforcement ordinance to the Public Safety Committee on first reading after public comment and extended council questioning about equity, appeals and costs.

Police Chief Brian Wright, who presented the measure and answered council questions, said the program would follow state law enacted in 2023 (Public Act 23-116 and Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-307c) and would be implemented initially as a lease program with no city upfront cost. Wright said vendors would perform traffic studies and site assessments and the rollout would include a 30-day warning period during which only warning notices are issued.

The ordinance (No. 09152503) prompted public comment from Jessica McCready, who said she worried about how personally identifiable information would be handled, who would be liable when an owner is not the driver, and what happens if fines go unpaid. McCready told the council she was concerned automated enforcement could be intrusive and have disproportionate impacts on lower-income residents.

Councilors pressed Wright on how site locations would be selected and on steps to avoid disproportionate impacts on Black and Latino neighborhoods. Wright said sites would be chosen based on the highest speeds, crash histories and other traffic data and that the department would start with a “lower end” number of cameras and expand only after traffic studies and mitigation steps. He said traffic studies and the results would be publicized and that signage and a warning period are statutory requirements.

Councillors also asked how appeals would work. Wright said notices go to the registered vehicle owner and that an internal appeal process established under the statute is available; there would be no motor‑vehicle points and the city would collect revenue for traffic‑safety purposes. Several councilors said they were uncomfortable delegating adjudication to a private contractor and asked that appeals and due‑process procedures be clarified in writing.

Cost questions drew scrutiny. Wright said vendor pricing under negotiation included a typical lease structure with vendor costs commonly described as about $2,500 per camera per month; citation amounts mentioned in discussion were $50 for the initial notice and up to $75 thereafter plus processing fees. Wright said the vendor would absorb setup costs until the program was operational; revenue collection mechanics would be spelled out in the contract.

After more than an hour of questions and public comment, the council voted to amend the motion to carry only a first reading, striking language about second and third readings, and referred the ordinance to the Public Safety Committee for a public hearing and further study. Councilors asked that the traffic‑study data, maps of potential camera locations and detailed appeal procedures be provided to the committee and published for public review before any final vote.

The council set a Public Safety Committee meeting to take public testimony and review vendor studies; committee members and staff said they expect additional briefings before the ordinance returns for a second reading.

Why it matters: automated enforcement shifts speed enforcement from individual traffic stops to automated detection and can change driver behavior quickly, but it also raises questions about privacy, appeals, fairness and whether revenues will be reinvested in traffic safety. Councilors insisted on a public, data-driven rollout and clearer adjudication procedures before final adoption.

Looking ahead: the ordinance remains pending. The Public Safety Committee will hold additional hearings and receive traffic‑study data, signage plans and a detailed appeals proposal before the council considers second and third readings.","The City Council amended the proposed automated traffic enforcement ordinance to a first reading only and referred it to the Public Safety Committee after extended public comment and council questions about equity, appeals and costs. Police Chief Brian Wright said a 30-day warning period and data-driven site selection would guide the rollout.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469537,"City honors Taco Bell employee DeMarcus Green for intervening in apparent kidnapping",176,2000000,2176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828&start=2000&end=2176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780812-930f74018f7545fe4775a3e40fbc1828/thumbnail_2000000.jpg","/articles/6469537/Rochester/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/City-honors-Taco-Bell-employee-DeMarcus-Green-for-intervening-in-apparent-kidnapping","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469537-383795a1b0be6f7dae0ef8cda8068d7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157536&Signature=FqeNlrGQJaOqc8PD9PlIx3zP8N1CgC7XESAAlj9pN8y0Jn-tLR0-iG4RoETidvIh8gKI3xB93y70j4P3lWc2gfq-Uetwnq2jsl2Ork5B-drm34ZbFTy7f2Jvtn8U5-v6NyuPvPoyDVUXunwAqmqAwEiUWwC~rvux1KkdHNQl7b5MuLdlOUgMN57wr9VUAZ~j9s7yCeFJDRu1uz96Uk9T5eZ9lDnAgNKVmc9~-cOHhkCVjP65fRIwaZr3yUpQtv0vaIxePd6CcnzRUBqwWHo57Po6gOr5ocwydw3JpEOaG8pOlezD-NTavwkDMu5vdZutRQUGYYgbOO6auS62~q0fwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials and the New London Police Department publicly recognized DeMarcus Green for intervening during a violent incident at the Taco Bell on April 28.

Chief Brian Wright recounted that officers were dispatched at about 10:13 p.m. to a violent domestic incident in which a man attempted to forcibly seize a woman and carry her toward his vehicle. According to the chief’s remarks and the letter of commendation presented at the meeting, Green—identified in remarks as a Taco Bell employee—intervened and distracted the aggressor long enough for the woman to escape. Green suffered multiple facial fractures that required extensive medical treatment and surgery.

Officer Joseph Nodd, one of the first responding officers, submitted the report that formed the basis for the department’s letter of commendation. Chief Wright read language from the commendation recognizing Green’s “extraordinary courage and selfless action” and presented him with a signed letter of gratitude from the city and the New London Police Department.

Why it matters: City and police recognition ceremonies are a formal way for a municipal government to acknowledge civilian acts that protected life or public safety. The commendation documents the incident details and records the department’s gratitude.

Looking ahead: The presentation was formalized as a letter of commendation signed by the chief and the mayor; no formal council action beyond the recognition was reported.","At its meeting the council and police department presented a commendation to DeMarcus Green for intervening in a violent incident at a Taco Bell on April 28; Green sustained serious injuries helping a woman escape. The department recognized him with a letter of commendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council action roundup: community center ARPA transfer, vehicle purchases, roads funding and crossing guards

Council approves $950,000 ARPA transfer for community center; councilors press admin on affordability and scholarship rollout

Police chief unveils "Gaming with Cops" youth outreach program; rollout planned for October

New London council pauses automated speed-camera ordinance after public concern; chief outlines rollout process

City honors Taco Bell employee DeMarcus Green for intervening in apparent kidnapping