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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Oct 10, 2025 08:30 AM Weaving a Wider Community ('diversity', 'Diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'workforce') Key note speakers: Jenna Grey Eagle, Dr. Ron Ferguson
Oct 08, 2025 04:30 PM Ready to Lead 2025 Fall Cohort ('diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'leadership', 'YMCA', 'networking', 'community engagement', 'Civic Equity') Ready to Lead brings together a small group of people to teach the basics of how to participate in and lead meetings, what to expect and how to contribute in a meaningful way, and the roles and responsibilities of board/committee volunteers. You’ll graduate feeling confident with your new skills; have a community mentor, and an expanded network of friends.
Sep 27, 2025 11:00 AM Oktoberfest 2025 Presented by DBS Group ('culture',) Location: In the Heart of the City, on 1st Avenue between 4th Street and 2nd Street SW (Just like Thursdays Downtown). This event will be a great boost for our downtown businesses following this summer’s construction.
Sep 25, 2025 09:30 AM Sep 2025 DMCC Board Meeting ('DMC', 'education', 'community')
Sep 20, 2025 12:00 PM Latino Fest 2025 ('ACHLA', 'culture', 'Diversity') This vibrant celebration will take place both inside the Historic Chateau Theater and outdoors at the Peace Plaza, promising an unforgettable experience for all! Last year, Latino Fest brought over 3,000 people together in celebration. Please join us again in 2025
Sep 19, 2025 06:00 PM Latino Fest Gala ('Culture', 'diversity') ELEVATE YOUR LATIN EXPERIENCE Join us for an unforgettable evening of Glamour, fine dining, delightful entertainment, and support our Latino Community.
Sep 18, 2025 04:00 PM 2025 Destination Medical Center Annual Meeting ('DMC', 'Health/Wellness')
Sep 11, 2025 07:30 AM 3Q 2025 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) ('CHNA', 'Health', 'key') 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Update, New Priorities Preview, and Discussion
Sep 08, 2025 06:00 PM Public Hearing 2 - Rochester 2040 Comprehensive Plan ('key', 'city', 'governance', 'community') Recognizing that cities are dynamic places shaped by shifting economic, social and technological trends, the Comprehensive Plan is designed to be a living document. To remain relevant and actionable, it is updated every five years.
Sep 07, 2025 01:00 PM Cascade Lake Park: Celebrate New Public Art Installations with Artist Cassandra Buck ('Culture', 'art') – All are invited to attend a series of special events celebrating the completion of public art installations by MNPAiR (Minnesota Parks Artists in Residence) artist Cassandra Buck. Installed at three local parks — Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo, Quarry Hill Nature Center, and Cascade Lake Park — these vibrant works highlight nature, community, and connection to place. Each celebration will include a short artist talk, a hands-on public art activity for all
Sep 03, 2025 05:30 PM Quarterly Coming to the Table September 2025 ('compassion', 'community') Local meetings provide opportunities for people to meet for truth-telling, deep dialog. Coming to the Table's mission is "working together to create a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past from slavery to the many forms of racism it spawned." Coming to the Table supports 50+local affiliate groups across eighteen states, including Rochester, MN.
Aug 30, 2025 07:00 PM Quarry Hill Nature Center: Celebrate New Public Art Installations with Artist Cassandra Buck ('art',) – All are invited to attend a series of special events celebrating the completion of public art installations by MNPAiR (Minnesota Parks Artists in Residence) artist Cassandra Buck. Installed at three local parks — Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo, Quarry Hill Nature Center, and Cascade Lake Park — these vibrant works highlight nature, community, and connection to place. Each celebration will include a short artist talk, a hands-on public art activity for all
Aug 28, 2025 05:00 PM Sketches of Minnesota ('Culture', 'arts', 'community health') The Minnesota Humanities Center, Danger Boat Productions, and Rochester Art Center look forward to seeing you this Thursday, Aug. 28th for Sketches of Minnesota.
Aug 27, 2025 05:00 PM Public Hearing 1 - Rochester 2040 Comprehensive Plan ('key', 'city', 'governance', 'community') Recognizing that cities are dynamic places shaped by shifting economic, social and technological trends, the Comprehensive Plan is designed to be a living document. To remain relevant and actionable, it is updated every five years.
Aug 26, 2025 09:30 AM Aug 2024 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting ('Diversity', 'global', 'governance', 'culture', 'key', 'education') Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents
Aug 23, 2025 01:00 PM Oxbow Park: Celebrate New Public Art Installations with Artist Cassandra Buck ('art',) – All are invited to attend a series of special events celebrating the completion of public art installations by MNPAiR (Minnesota Parks Artists in Residence) artist Cassandra Buck. Installed at three local parks — Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo, Quarry Hill Nature Center, and Cascade Lake Park — these vibrant works highlight nature, community, and connection to place. Each celebration will include a short artist talk, a hands-on public art activity for all
Aug 22, 2025 11:00 AM IRC and World Festival ()
Aug 21, 2025 06:30 PM C4G Library Discussioni Forum ('c4g', 'rpl', 'key') All are welcome. Please join us. Share this with those in the community for this important discussion. This is an opportunity for input on Library plans and added considerations for our public library system. Discussion Moderator: Jim Miner; Special Guest Library Representative: Library Director Karen Lemke
Aug 20, 2025 12:00 PM DMC Going Local, Thinking Big: A Conversation with Steve Grove ('DMC', 'education', 'community') How can cities grow without losing their sense of place? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Steve Grove—author, former Google executive, and CEO of the Star Tribune—as he sits down with DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb to explore how communities like Rochester can grow with equity, health, and purpose. Grove will share insights from his new memoir, How I Found Myself in the Midwest, and reflect on leadership, reinvention, and what it takes to thrive in today’s world. Books will be available on-site from Garden Party Books. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the future of Rochester and the power of local leadership
Aug 19, 2025 05:00 PM Nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters Open House ('mentoring',)
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October 2021 Activities

FORUM  WITH INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT DR. KENT PEKEL- October 21, 6:30 to 8:00:

In the City for Good will be presenting an online forum to give all in the community an opportuniy to hear from Rochester Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kent Pekel. Dr. Pekel will give an overview of his time so far in the district, along with more information on the strategic plan he will be proposing. Interested Rochester residents may submit questions ahead of time or during the meeting to be used in a Q&A time period after his primary presentation. The October 21 forum will be from 6:30 to 8.

 

Steering Committee- Tuesday, October 5, 4:00 p.m.

Topic: In the City for Good Steering Committee

Time: Oct 5, 2021 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting

Contact [email protected] for Zoom info. 

 

Housing Team- Monday, October 11 7:00 p.m.

Our next In the City for Good Housing Team meeting will be on October 11 at 7 pm. We will be discussing the proposed Unified Development Code with Ryan Yetzer, Interim Deputy Director, Community Development for the City of Rochester leading the discussion along with others in the Community Development area. We will especially focus on what some of the proposed changes could mean related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the role of ADUs in addressing the concerns around the affordability of workforce and senior housing. This will be an online meeting, with the link to be sent out later this week.

 

Age-Friendly- Oct 12th and 26th 2:30 to 4:00

Meeting Information:

Age-Friendly Olmsted County Planning Group

Tues. Oct 12 and 26

2:30pm - 4pm

 

Contact [email protected] for Zoom info

 

Social Services/Social Justice- Watch for info of upcoming November meeting

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Purpose of the site
A sub-site of Community Beam, the City4Good website is being prototyped by openBEAM.net  to help the "In the City For Good initiative" to better collaborate.
Community Status/News

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



City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning

Aug 25, 2025 Study Session; Press Release

June 23, 2025 Study Session: 2026 Capital Improvement Plan & Outside Agency Funding Budget Update

May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Materials

Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook.

Last Updated August 28, 2025



2025 Maxfield and 2024 Housing Coalition Investments

2025 Maxfield Report and Reporting

May 2025 Reporting on 2024 Investments:

$8,491,000 supporting 11 projects totaling over $77M

Last Updated August 20, 2025



Democracy Innovation Engagement Study

Aug 18, 2025 City Council Meeting Passed Resolution: Improve civic engagement and recognize the National Civic League's "Better Public Meetings" project as a valuable opportunity for the community to explore a diverse set of ways to connect with residents.  

Last Updated August 19, 2025



Aug 18, 2025 City Council Study Session and Council Meeting Topics

2040 City Action Plan

DMC Plan 5 Year Plan Update

Democracy Innovation 

Last Updated August 18, 2025



PS2 Comprehensive Plan - Five-Year Update

Aug 2025 P2S Public Review

Apr 14, 2025 City Council Study Session: PS2 Comprehensive Plan - Five-Year Update

Last Updated August 18, 2025



Rochester Mayor Communications

Aug 2025 Videos; Apr 2025 Mayor's YouTube Rochester Voices Channel ;  Mar 2025: City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 8-12, 2025.; City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Last Updated August 08, 2025



LINK - Bus Rapid Transit New Budget Increase

DMCC Special Board Meeting July 22, 2025 Approving Budget Increase

City Council July 20, 2025 New Budget Increase: A nearly $73.2 million contract for construction of key elements of Rochester’s Link Bus Rapid Transit project is spurring a call for added transit aid.

2025-08-08 Updated to include PB articles

Last Updated August 08, 2025



2025 Race to Lead Survey

Building Movement 2025 Race to Lead Survey Announcement:

This survey is intended for individuals who currently work for pay at nonprofit organizations based in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Those in unpaid, volunteer or advisory roles will not meet eligibility. 

Last Updated August 06, 2025



2024-25 RPS Positive Behavior Data Review

July 15, 2025 RPS Board Updates

AI Summary of data

PB Editorial

Last Updated August 02, 2025



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking Construction began Wednesday on a $48.7 million project at Graham Park, Rochester. The centerpiece is an 80,000-square-foot exhibition center with a performance arena seating 1,500 people.

Last Updated August 01, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated July 26, 2025



RPS 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy

RPS Board Presentation July 15, 2025 

AI generated summary of budget reduction strategy 

Last Updated July 16, 2025



Future Development of Graham Park

OLMSTED COUNTY Commissioners to review exhibition center construction contracts

PB Editorial - Need to include Seneca Site and County/City planning together

PB Reporting on background of the project including engaging local governments 

 

Last Updated July 15, 2025



Mayflower mixed housing project

Mayflower mixed housing project summary 

North side of Second Street Southwest across the street from Ronald McDonald House.

Last Updated July 12, 2025



Life Style Medicine Podcasts

Energy Medicine

Rochester Clinic featured on The Exam Room podcast by Chuck Carroll alongside Rochester's Mayor Kim Norton.

 

Last Updated July 05, 2025



DMC 2015-2025 Review and Next 10 Years

DMC’s next decade will focus on deepening its impact—through infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and community engagement—while continuing to support Rochester’s evolution into a vibrant, health-focused destination.

Last Updated July 01, 2025



Mayo Clinic Platform 2025 Conference

June 3–4 in Minneapolis, PlatforMed 2025 Proceedings

Featuring: leaders from Google, Thrive Global, Mount Sinai, Nvidia, and the Gates Foundation. 

Last Updated June 27, 2025



MN 2025 Joint Disparity Study — External Stakeholder Group Meeting

Copilot Analysis and Summary of City of Rochester Procurement Profile Summary

Copilot Analysis and Summary of Hennepin County Procurement Profile Summary

Comparison between Hennepin County and Rochester 

Last Updated June 26, 2025



Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)

Spring 2025 Nonprofit News

Financial Planning; Federal Funding Importance; Nonprofit Services; etc

Last Updated June 25, 2025



2025-2026 RPS Budget and 2026-27 Cut Projection

The Rochester School Board has officially approved a $445 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, setting the stage for a year of stability and strategic investment in local education. 

RPS 2026-2027 Budget Cut Projection

 

Last Updated June 22, 2025