City leaders urge local businesses to follow health guidelines

To help today rochester city council convened for the first time since last week's election.

And council members are sending a stark warning to rochester businesses.

Kimt news three's anthony monzon is live outside the government center with more... anthony?

Katie... george... several city council members issued a strong shot over the bow to any rochester businesses that may not be following coronavirus precautions.

They say they're ready to take action... city council... issuing a stark warning to area businesses who disregard coronavirus related health codes.

"i'd like to direct the city attorney to communicate with our lease holders of city properties the following: that violations of state health codes, especially those having to do with our ongoing handling of the coronavirus constitute a violation of our lease agreements, that we expect lease holders will meet these standards at a minimum and encourage them... given the uncontrolled spread in our community to exceed the minimums whenever possible."

This after a video surfaced ?

*- in which some councilors believe a downtown business, leasing city property, was blatantly violating covid?

"*19 restrictions.

"i think we need to be a lot tougher.

I'm just tired of playing games and seeing disease spread, and just 'ah, we'll get around to thrd for some meaningful updates about real actions that were taken to end these probelms permanently."

Council president randy staver... expressing concern over the warning... urging the council to further investigate the video before taking any action.

"i am really alarmed at wanting to pass something like this and essentially single out a business and perhaps shut them down."

Council member nick campion... issuing this response.

"i am going to take a measured response to this, and say that it is different when the business is a lease holder inside of city property, and when said lease holder posts video to their own business page of the activity taking place.

It is not and city attorney jason loos says the city is communicating with the business in question... and will be continuing their dialogue tomorrow.

Thanks anthony.

Today city council also passed a resolution granting the university of minnesota rochester two?

"*point?

"*five million dollars for renovations to one of its building.... which was part of