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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.



ADA Public Input

Olmsted County is inviting community members to review and provide feedback on a draft update to its Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act Transition Plan for public right-of-way.

Last Updated March 20, 2026



Community Ed and Parks & Rec Survey

The survey asks residents about their current participation in recreation programs, how they learn about activities, and what types of programs or opportunities they would like to see offered in the future.

Last Updated March 20, 2026



Chamer of Commerce 2026 Case for Investment

Request for Investment to Olmsted County Board March 3 2026

Video Clip, Presentation Slides, Whitepaper

Last Updated March 18, 2026



Olmsted County Health Focus Topics

1Q 2026 HAPP Meeting Features:

Overdose SPIKE

Mental Health Club House

Last Updated March 17, 2026



DMC Private Investment Status

 Annual Report to DEED Prep 

  • Mar 2026 DMCC Exec Committee Meeting - Video Recording, PB Reporting - Private Investment Status
  • Mar 2025: DMCC Exec Committee Briefing " Overall private investment related to the Destination Medical Center initiative bounced back in 2024, but non-Mayo Clinic development continued to decline in the DMC district for the sixth year."

Last Updated March 15, 2026



Rochester Learning Center Mural Night

UMR and ALC Collaboration Research Study Introduction

The Artist Mindset Research Study

 

Last Updated March 14, 2026



City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD. Forward. Unbound.

City Council Study Session:

Mar 2026 Video Recording, Presentation

Feb 2025 Video Recording Link, Presentation, Collaboration Commitment

Last Updated March 10, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

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 March 09, 2026



Braver Angels News

Listen to (and learn from) the other side

  • 2026 - 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 March 06, 2026



2025-26 RPS Superintendent Goals Check

Feb 3 2026 Midyear Review: 

  • Video Clip
  • Talking Points 

Last Updated March 04, 2026



Development Assistance Agreement Relating to the Citywalk Apartments for Tax Increment Financing

Mar 2, 2026: Rochester Economic Development Authority 

Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Development Assistance Agreement (Citywalk Project)

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Downtown Mobility Network

Mar 2 2025 City Council: Memo, Video, Presentation

Sep 2025 Press Release: City of Rochester Launches “Reimagining Sixth Avenue W” to Reconnect Downtown Mobility Network

Last Updated March 03, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Design

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Background Memo, Video Clip, Presentation 

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Public Office Candidate Trainings

Two sets of candidates training programs: 

1. Ready to Run: Community Partners Training: March 11, March 25, April 1

2. Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Training: March 7, March 28 

Last Updated February 28, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation

Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated February 27, 2026



Hope at Home

Nearly $60,000 has been distributed to help prevent evictions

The Hope at Home Fund, created by Family Promise Rochester

Last Updated February 26, 2026



2026 and 2025 Action Plan Updates

Feb 2026 Action Plan Update

Jan 2025 City of Rochester’s Action Plan, first implemented in 2021, serves as our roadmap for success. It outlines current initiatives aimed at advancing City Council's Strategic Priorities. 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Downtown Historic District Investment

Feb 23, 2026 City Council Study Session 

DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Olmsted County Press Release:

We are Water MN Traveling Exhibit Feb 25 thru Apr 20, 2026: A statewide partnership that deepens connections between Minnesotans

and the water we rely on.

Last Updated February 19, 2026



Rochester Area Volunteer Administration

2026: April 15 Volunteer Fair

2023: RAVA October 19 2023 Meeting Notes; RAVA Meeting Notes: 6/15/2023 featuring inclusive language and use of pronouns; 2. 2021 survey announcement 

2021: Survey

Last Updated February 18, 2026