Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG)

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) was established in November 1971 to provide comprehensive planning services to member local government units. It was organized to comply with the Federal Aid Highway Act, which requires that all urbanized areas with a population of more than 50,000 have an organization designated by the Governor of the state that is responsible for implementation and maintenance of a regional transportation planning program.

That program includes the preparation of a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and an annual Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identifies a list of transportation improvements supported by federal funding. ROCOG maintains a cooperative relationship with the City of Rochester, the Olmsted County Planning Department and Olmsted County, utilizing their staff as necessary to fulfill its transportation planning responsibilities according to their bylaws. To view a copy of the bylaws, please contact the Planning Department at 507-328-7100.

The Olmsted County Planning Department does limited transportation planning, primarily in the area of studies and other special reports done with or for the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT).

The ROCOG Policy Board is comprised of sixteen individuals representing the local units of government within Olmsted County and two citizen members as follows:

City of Rochester

 5 members

Olmsted County

 3 members

Small Cities

 3 members

Townships

 2 members

School Districts

 1 member

Citizen Representatives

 2 members

The Policy Board has a technical advisory committee which consists of eight members representing each of the major jurisdictions that has dedicated transportation staff. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) reviews transportation issues that have been identified in the ROCOG planning area and makes recommendations to the Policy Board. The make up of the technical committee is:

Olmsted County Planning Department

 4 members

City of Rochester Public Works Department

 2 members

City of Rochester Transit System

 1 member

Olmsted County Public Works Department

 2 members

Minnesota Department of Transportation

 2 members

Through agreement with the Governor of Minnesota, the planning area for ROCOG includes all of Olmsted County along with the incorporated areas of Pine Island and Chatfield, as shown in the figure below.

ROCOG receives annual funding from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration to assist in the planning and development of transportation projects throughout the Rochester area. Federal funds provide approximately 80% of the funding used for transportation planning activities, with approximately 13% provided by the State of Minnesota and 7% from local area governments.

ROCOG strives to provide different community interests opportunity to be involved in the planning and programming of transportation improvements. Among the stakeholders are local government jurisdictions and agencies, the State of Minnesota, the Federal government, private citizens and business interests with an interest in the development of an efficient and well-maintained transportation system. ROCOG has an official policy on public involvement.

Current ROCOG Members

2021

  • Bill Schimmel, Jr., Small City Representative
  • Gene Peters, Citizen Representative
  • Jim Bier, Olmsted County Commissioner
  • Jeff Kappers, Rochester Public Schools
  • John Johnson, Township Representative
  • Mike Hildenbrand, Small City Representative
  • Ken Brown, Olmsted County Commissioner
  • Kim Norton, Mayor City of Rochester
  • Lenny Laures, Township Representative
  • Molly Dennis, Rochester City Council
  • Mark Thein, Olmsted County Commissioner
  • Mary Blair-Hoeft, Small City Representative
  • Nick Campion, Rochester City Council
  • Sean Palmer, Rochester City Council
  • Mark Bransford, Rochester City Council
  • Regina Mustafa, Citizen Representative

2020 MPO Directors Summer Workshop

2020 MPO Directors Summer Workshop

List of Presentations

Every year, the MPOs in Minnesota assemble for a workshop to exchange knowledge and ideas. Topics usually include federal and state funding programs, major construction and technology projects, and key planning efforts that look to the future. ROCOG hosted the 2020 Summer Workshop, held virtually because of the social-distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a prioritized list of transportation projects proposed for implementation in the Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) planning area over the next four years. TIP projects are taken either directly from the current ROCOG Long Range Transportation Plan or from local projects that conform to the Plan. Local units of government, along with state and federal transportation agencies, use development of the TIP to designate short-term transportation priorities for the planning area.

Title VI Non-Discrimination and Limited English Proficiency Plan

Title VI Non-Discrimination and Limited English Proficiency Plan

As a sub-recipient of federal funds, ROCOG is subject to the requirements of Title VI and the associated laws and orders related to non-discrimination. Guidance on how to meet the intent of these statutes is provided through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular FTA C 4702.1B issued in October, 2012. ROCOG staff has prepared the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) Title VI Non-Discrimination and Limited English Proficiency Plan consistent with the guidance of Circular C 4702.1B.

Active Transportation Plan in the context of Long- Range Planning

Active Transportation Plan in the context of Long- Range Planning

Active Transportation serves an important access and mobility role for bicyclists and pedestrian modes of transportation. It serves both utilitarian and recreational needs on a stand-alone basis or as a component of a multi-modal trip in combination with a primary vehicular or transit trip.

Unified Transportation Work Program

​ROCOG Annual Transportation Planning Work Program

Unified Transportation Work Program

​ROCOG Annual Transportation Planning Work Program

The ROCOG Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) provides a summary of planning activities proposed by the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments for each Calendar Year and an overview of prospective work activities for the following calendar year.