Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rochester council approves school liaison funding and applies for $90,000 CDBG ADA pathway grant
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to sign the interlocal agreement funding the Rochester school liaison officer program and voted to submit a $90,000 CDBG application to fund an ADA-accessible path between a softball field and community garden.
The Rochester City Council voted Nov. 25 to authorize the city manager to sign agreements related to the city’s school liaison (SRO) program and to approve submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application seeking $90,000 for an ADA-accessible pathway.
Police Chief George described the two school liaison officers assigned to Rochester Community Schools and noted consistent positive feedback from parents, teachers and administrators. Officer Chisum outlined duties across elementary and middle school grades — from basic safety talks for younger children to mandated-reporter training and discussions of drugs and social media for older students. Chief George said the program’s costs are covered through an interlocal agreement among area jurisdictions and includes wages, overtime, vehicle use, cell phone and material expenses.
Council members moved to authorize the city manager to execute the interlocal agreement and to approve the SRO budget as presented; the roll-call vote recorded unanimous support.
Separately, Director of Project Management Jason Warner presented a public hearing and motion to apply for a 2026 CDBG allocation of $90,000 to construct an ADA-compliant connector path between the softball field and the community garden near a potential future skate park. Council held the public hearing, approved filing the application and clarified the motion was an application (not a guarantee of funding).
What happens next: the city will submit the CDBG application and await county review and award decisions; the SRO agreement is authorized and will be executed by the city manager.
