Fred Suhler News Today

Rochester Charter Commission member raised topic of biotechnology and emerging decision-making software to spur discussion proposed policies regarding artificial intelligence.

A public hearing is set for Monday to hear comments related to a proposed city charter change that would shift some responsibility from Park and Library boards to the city administrator.

Rochester Charter Commission splits on recommending change to give hiring and review authority of two directors to the city administrator.

Nearly half of the volunteer board that reviews potential changes to the city's home-rule charter face the need to reapply for their seats while new applicants are also being sought.

Redistricting discussions renew question as further conversation is delayed with approaching elections.

Proposed charter change would delay future increase until after an election is held.

The city’s home-rule charter, which guides many aspects of city government, calls for waiting until after the ordinance reflecting the pay change is published, which can be done shortly after final approval. Commission members, however, noted the proposed change doesn’t necessarily achieve the anticipated goal, since council elections rotate with three or four members facing re-election in a typical city election. “If we say after the next election, we are still only going to have part of...

“It kind of matches up with other boards of the city,” Eckerman said. Commission member Fred Suhler said the boards shouldn’t operate like others in the city. Library operations, he said, should rise above the political discourse that can come into play with other city departments, and the park board has its own unique governance, which he pointed out city residents recently supported through a tax referendum. “I guess I don’t see the reason why we need to make these changes,” he ...