The city council of the city works with the Mayor’s office and pass laws to govern the city. The city council is nine-member legislative body.  The Council of Rochester issued no. of ordinances for various categories. The law department will provide legal advice to city council and also helps in drafting local laws and ordinances. A City Code also enacted and it can be enforced by Rochester City. The Code is two-volume set.

Criminal forfeiture laws in the city allow the government to take the property of criminals. However such action can only be taken if the person is convicted beyond reasonable doubt.  The government also gains the possession of property through civil forfeiture laws even without determination guilty of that person. Civil forfeiture laws do not follow on the principle of reasonable doubt. It is enough if proper evidence is associated in connection with such property which is in question linked with the criminal activity.

The forfeiture laws in Minnesota applicable to felony offenses.  The forfeiture laws consists five parts.

Part 1 applies to felony offenses whereas

Part 2 meant particular criminal offenses like DWI violations, game and fish violations, gambling and other racketeering crimes.

Part 3 of Minnesota Forfeiture laws permits the city to forfeit the property where the violation of U.S.Consitution prohibition against excessive fines or double jeopardy.

Rochester Living Wage Law adopted by City Council by setting the minimum wage rate for employees of companies who are entering into contract with the City of Rochester.  The ordinance applies the contracts whose value is exceeding $50,000. However certain contracts are exempt for certain types of employees.  The present minimum rate per hour is $10.59 for employees who offered health insurance benefits and $11.83 in case who do not offered such health insurance benefits. Therefore the employees who work under the contractors for delivery of work to the city Rochester must be familiar with Rochester Living Wage Law.