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CNG History

Community Networking Group has been sunset. Its mission--to co-create a community where opportunities and responsibilities are broadly shared--is being carried on by other community efforts.

 

This site has been repurposed to facilitate the operation of Community Mobilization Resouce Coalition (CMRC). 

 

The following information preserves the knowledge, insights and work products generated by CNG from 2013 to 2019.

 

 

 

Activities Log
CNG History

 

Working together to build a healthy and inclusive community where opportunity and responsibility are broadly shared.

 

2020/2019 News

January

CNG Closing Meeting

December

CNG 2.0 launch prep.

May

CNG Steering Committee Meeting

March Complete Count 2020 Kick-off
Jan Future of CNG

 

2018 Announcements/Meetings

November

December

Complete Count 2020, Rochester Area Non-profit Coalition , Race Exhibit Returns

October

Cradle to Career, Kids Count Data (Rescheduled), Community Dental Care Open House

September

Livable City

June

Complete Count 2020, Compass Points and Village Updates

March

Social Determinants of Health & Relationship with P2S

February

Newsletter (Cradle to Career, Complete Count)

CNG Survey Results

January

Olmsted County Administration Updates & CNG Survey

2017 Announcements/Meetings

December

Conversation with new Rochester City Administrator

October

Mental Health

July/August/September

Housing Message Reframing Workgroup

June

Housing Round 2

May

Focus on youth

April

Workforce Context: Housing, Transit and Childcare

March

Immigration

February

Transit

January

Compass Points Drill Down

 

2016 Meetings/Announcements

October

2016 Compass Points, City of Rochester and Olmsted County

September

Future Format of CNG

July/August

A call for agencies support for multi-node transit

June

Workforce concerns and resources

May

Housing

April

Healthy Community Design

Feb

Community Dashboard Gains/Pains

Jan

Healthy Community Design

 

2014 Meetings/Announcements

November

CNG Determination of Purpose

October

Rethinking CNG Approach

May

DMC Beam and Health Improvement

March

Opportunity Alliance

Collective Impact

Jan

Planscape

 

2013 Meetings/Announcements

December

Scoping of Group - Document of Understanding

October

Planning of CNG

 

What brought about the CNG network?

 

The following June 13, 2013 by the Post Bulletin provides some background information for this network.

While promoters of Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center initiative has focused largely on the economic benefits of the proposed 20-year expansion plan, a community group is meeting to focus on the societal impacts the growth will bring.


While promoters of Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center initiative has focused largely on the economic benefits of the proposed 20-year expansion plan, a community group is meeting to focus on the societal impacts the growth will bring.

 

"There's so many things that growth will produce that are positive; there's also challenges that growth produces," said Olmsted County Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden, who attended last week's meeting.

Mayor Ardell Brede also joined the group last week, and he said he plans to reconvene it sometime in July. It includes representatives from local nonprofits, city and county government, Mayo Clinic and business organizations and the University of Minnesota Rochester.

 

The school district and many other organizations that support the community are going to have to make adjustments to how they operate, Kiscaden said.

 

"It's everything from do we need more schools? Do we need more law enforcement personnel? Do we need more housing? How are we going to deal with all of these various challenges and demands for service that come with an expanding population," she said.

 

Also, as Brede pointed out, not all of the 35,000 new jobs projected for Rochester over the next 20 years are high-paying positions. In fact, a large portion will be in the hotel and restaurant industry, paying lower wages, and that means more people in Rochester struggling to get by.

 

Also, as Brede pointed out, not all of the 35,000 new jobs projected for Rochester over the next 20 years are high-paying positions. In fact, a large portion will be in the hotel and restaurant industry, paying lower wages, and that means more people in Rochester struggling to get by.

"So, that will put some pressures on the community" and county's social services, Brede said.

 

Brede and Kiscaden said some of the other people involved in the group are: Dave Beal of the United Way of Olmsted County; Jay Hesley of the University of Minnesota Rochester; former Olmsted County Sheriff Steve Borchardt, who is with the Rochester Area Foundation; John Wade, president of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce; and Rochester-Olmsted Planning Director Phil Wheeler.

 

The group has discussed ways it might share information and coordinate planning, Kiscaden said.

 

"I think rather than having every group go off and work on their own, it's really helpful to be able to share what's being learned along the way ... and look for opportunities for synergy, not only in the planning process but in the future for service delivery," she said.

 

Brede said two members of group will be talking with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, which is part of the University of Minnesota, to inquire about possible consulting services.

Purpose and Goal

Purpose

Change power dynamics to create a pluralistic and intercultural community where all people benefit equitably. 

Goal

Create equitable access to community resources and civic involvement. 

 

Community Status/News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



Rochester Public Transit

Aug 23, 2026 City Council Study Session: Transit Financial Sustainability - Rochester Public Transit (RPT) is currently operating under financial conditions that are not sustainable over the long term.

Last Updated August 24, 2026



Rochester, MN Supplemental Budget

2026 Aug 23 City Council Study Session, Apr 13 City Council Study Session on 2027 Supplemental Budget

2022-08-22 City Council Study Session on 2023 Supplemental Budget

Last Updated August 23, 2026



Economic Vibrancy & Growth Management

Aug 24, 2026 City Council Study Session: Economic Mobility Updates

Sep 2024 City Council Study Session: City teammates providing an update on this work, specifically regarding legacy public infrastructure projects, Unbound, infrastructure investments and regulatory milestones.  

Last Updated August 23, 2026



OpenBeam events log

Aug 2026: Tech related info

Aug 2026 Notable Beam Events Log: Topics Include: Q2 Real Estate Stats; Workforce Housing & Regional Workforce Trends; Building Trust in an Age of Skepticism; Land Use Revenue Analysis; Tax Increment Financial Studies

Last Updated August 21, 2026



Broadway 309-317 Appeal of Certificate for Appropriateness

Aug 17, 2026 City Council Meeting: In a 4-3 vote, the Rochester City Council overturned a decision by the Heritage Preservation Commission to reject a redevelopment proposal for five historic buildings on the 300 block of South Broadway Avenue.

Last Updated August 20, 2026



Transportation: ROCOG Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

2027-2030: Transportation Improvement Plan, Press Release

2024 - 2027 Transportation Plan 

2023 - 2026 Transportation Plan: The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) has released a draft of the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), for a 30-day public comment period. 

Last Updated August 18, 2026



National Community Survey

2026 City Survey: Open to residents responses

2024 and 2022 NCS Surveys: Presentation/Reports

2018 City Survey.: June 2018 Resident Survey Summary

Last Updated August 17, 2026



Braver Angels News

  • 2026 - Aug 2026 Newsletter, Mar 6 Volunteer Opportunities, Feb Citizens Commission on Immigration Outreach
  • 2025, 24 - Mar 2025 Newsletters: End birthright citizenship? Apr 2024 Braver Angels Newsletter: 2024 National Convention; National Debate: Should we be colorblind?

 

Last Updated August 17, 2026



SBDC Rochester, Spring 2025

Sep 2026: Small Business Support Series

SBDC Apr 2025 Business Workshops...SBDC Day and workshop opportunities: "If you have an upcoming business event or celebration, please let us know! We would love to stop by for a RIBBON CUTIING for any of your business." milestones:

 

Last Updated August 14, 2026



Homelessness Dashboard, Street Medicine, The TABLE and Any Path Home Info

Aug 14, 2026:Homeless Info: Any Path Home Dashboard; Mayo Clinic Street Medicine

Mar 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance: Any Path Home and The TABLE

 

Last Updated August 14, 2026



Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Barriers Study

Aug 10, City Council Study Session: Equitable Economic Development

Apr 2025 City Council Study Session:  (1) DBE Study Session to City Council April 17, 2023 , (2) Memo to DMCC Board; 

Last Updated August 13, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Aug 10, 2026 Study Session: Video, Presentation, Reports

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation; Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated August 11, 2026



2026 City of Rochester: 2020 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Updates

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session :The accompanying reports and presentation demonstrate how departments are integrating equity into their everyday work.   

Last Updated August 09, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session  Council to review planning-level capital investment needs identified through both the City’s facility assessment and the Legends Global operating analysis.

Last Updated August 09, 2026



Air Quality News

Aug 2026: Rochester Air Quality Alliance Marks Mid-Year Progress on Community Air Quality Initiatives

Sep 2025: The City of Rochester is offering another set of workshops to help residents improve indoor air quality, reduce utility costs, and enhance housing safety.

Last Updated August 07, 2026



Community Health Improvement Plan Priorities and Updates

2027 - 2029 Health Planning Improvement Priorities

2026 CHNA Newsletters: Jul 2026Jan 2026, 

2025 Newsletters: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter 

Ref: PB Report

Last Updated July 23, 2026



Housing as an Element of America's City for Health

Jul 2026: PB reporting -- Downtown population and housing boom

Sep 2025: DMC Housing Presentation at Rochester Housing Alliance September, 2025 Meeting 

  • Video Recording
  • Presentation Slides

Last Updated July 21, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Jul 2026: AARP Tech and Agining 

Mar 2026:Tech Enabled Aging In Place Talks Postings

Oct 2025 AI Summary of Dave Beal's PB Op Ed: "Include older adults in Rochester's Plans"

Last Updated July 20, 2026



Lifestyle Wellness

Jul 2026: Brain Health Series Workshops

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

Last Updated July 17, 2026



Sports Complex Phase 2 - Indoor Facilities

Jul 13, 2026: City Council Study Session - Funding Options for Indoor Phase 2 

Apr 27, 2026 City Council Study Session Community Engagement Rochester Regional Sports Center, Stadium & Sports Fields

Last Updated July 14, 2026