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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Aug 21, 2025 06:30 PM C4G Library Discussion 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',)
Aug 16, 2025 12:00 PM Back to School Block Party 2025 ('youth', 'education', 'community engagement') Community organizers are gearing up for Rochester’s annual Back to School Block Party, a beloved community event that supports local families and helps students start the school year with confidence.
Aug 13, 2025 11:00 AM Bullpen | Mayo Clinic Pitch Fest (By Invitation Only) ('EDA', 'DMC') This is an opportunity to introduce yourself to an elite ecosystem of Life Science Dealmakers to share your expertise and innovations:
Aug 14, 2025 05:30 PM Olmsted County M.O.V.E.: Multicultural Resource Community Center Presentation ('community engagement', 'CMRC', 'key', 'public sector work product') Presentation to Olmsted County M.O.V.E. Council Culture Center Proposal
Aug 13, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance Aug 13, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'governance', 'openbeam', 'key') Half Year Real Estate Stats; Presentation/Discussion: Maxfield 2025 Housing Needs Update
Jul 29, 2025 09:30 AM One Minnesota Listening Tour – Rochester Stop ('commerce', 'education', 'diversity', 'Diversity Council') This summer, we’re traveling across the state to listen, connect, and co-create. Join us in Rochester for a day designed to deepen community dialogue, foster regional partnerships, and surface insights that will shape how Minnesota engages across differences, distance, and more.
Jul 22, 2025 09:30 AM July 2025 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
Jul 19, 2025 04:30 PM ICAM: Utsav 2025 (Festival of Colors) ('Culture', 'Diversity') 5K Run/Walk; DJ Music/Dance, Food Mela, Color Splash
Jul 17, 2025 04:30 PM Community Joins John Lewis Day of Action ('diversity', 'NAACP') We urge every person who believes in justice, dignity, and democracy to join us. Let’s honor the life of John Lewis not with words, but with action. Let’s create Good Trouble—together. Event Details – Thursday, July 17: ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ • Location: Soldiers Field • Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Jul 16, 2025 05:30 PM Healing in Community: From Grieve to Grounding ('Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship', 'leadership', 'Asian', 'education') Come join us TOMORROW, Wednesday, July 16 at Open Book from 5:30PM–8:00PM for a gathering created with care, where we can come together to hold space for grief, reflection, and healing in community.
Jul 12, 2025 03:00 PM Pamoja Women: Somalia Independence Cultural Day ('youth', 'Education', 'diversity', 'CMRC') We’re excited to announce that the Pamoja Annual Independence Day Celebration has been rescheduled to Saturday July 12, 3-9pm and will still take place at Mayo High School! We can't wait to come back together and enjoy another amazing event filled with community, culture, music, food, and joy.
Jul 12, 2025 05:00 PM Bolder Options Tailgate 2025 ('mentoring', 'time-sensitive', 'community engagement', 'community') Don't miss out on any of the action! Mark your calendars for this free event and get ready for an unforgettable evening in support of Bolder Options Youth Mentoring - See you there!
Jul 09, 2025 12:00 PM Disability Rights ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education') Along with several other organizations in Rochester, The Arc Minnesota, Ability Building Community, the City of Rochester, and Workforce Development Inc. are hosting a Disability Summit this July in honor of Disability Pride Month. This will be Rochester's first-ever Disability Summit. The July Equity Series will serve as the first session, covering disability justice concepts and how disability rights and supports have evolved, both nationally and in Minnesota. This will include examining models of disability, relevant legislation on disability, and examining disability advocacy and history relevant to Rochester. OUR PRESENTERS
Jul 08, 2025 04:00 PM Village: Farm Fest ('food', 'welcoming', 'Diversity')
Jul 04, 2025 05:00 PM Celebrate Independence Day at Rochester’s 4th Fest 2025 () June 23, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – Mark your calendars and bring your lawn chairs. 4th Fest, Rochester’s official Independence Day celebration, returns to Soldiers Memorial Field on Thursday, July 4, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Presented by Rochester Public Music, this free and family-friendly event brings people together for an evening of music, food and fireworks.
Jun 24, 2025 09:30 AM Jun 2025 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting ('Diversity', 'governance', 'Culture', 'key', 'education') Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents
Jun 21, 2025 01:00 PM Certification Workshops ('city', 'DMC', 'workforce', 'Entrepreneurship') Destination Medical Center, City of Rochester, Equity in the Built Environment Program, and the State of MN Appex Accelerator are partnering to host a series of Free “Certification Workshops” to help Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Targeted Group/Economically Disadvantaged/Veteran-Owned (TG/ED/VO) companies apply for certification.
Jun 19, 2025 09:30 AM 2025 Juneteenth Breakfast Jubilee ('community engagement', 'Diversity')
Document Actions
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.



Chateau Theatre Upkeep

Jan 2026 City Council Study Session

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting

Feb 2025 DMCC Board and  City Council Proceedings

References: AI summary of PB Reporting  

Last Updated January 13, 2026



Public Transit Sustainability

Jan 2026 City Council Study Session

Last Updated January 13, 2026



Community Education Connector Wanted

Connector Description and Application

Last Updated January 13, 2026



Rochester Cultural Center Grand Opening

Announcement

Grand Opening Flyer

Photos

 

Last Updated January 10, 2026



Del Webb Senior Housing

Jan 5, 2025 City Council Meeting: Request for Actions: Adopting a Resolution approving Major Land Subdivision No. CD2025-042PLAT, by Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC, to subdivide approximately 141 acres into 300 residential lots and six outlots.

AI Summary 

Last Updated January 07, 2026



1Q 2026 Announcements

Jan 5, 2026: Resolution: Reaffirming Rochester’s Support for its Somali Community and Commitment to Inclusion.

2026 Summer Paid Internship Positions: City Clerk, community Development, Communications & Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Legislative Affairs, Library Communications, Office of the Mayor, Parks & Recreation , Public Music, Rochester Public Utilities Safety, and Transit & Parking.

 

 

Last Updated January 05, 2026



Loom Apartments (Onward)

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: Request for Extension Authorize an extension of the $4 million GSIA allocation to this project until August 15, 2026.

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting

Last Updated December 20, 2025



Civic Center North (Sherman)

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Request 

 May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting

Last Updated December 19, 2025



2026 County Property Tax

Press Release: Olmsted County’s 2026 budget was approved by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on December 16, 2025.

Olmsted County Truth in Taxation Info

Last Updated December 17, 2025



DMC Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: The Home Innovation Lab will combine research, technology, and design to create and evaluate “tech-enabled age-in-place” living environments that improve health, comfort, and independence for older adults.

Apr 2025 DMC Real Estate Summit: Aging in place talk

Last Updated December 15, 2025



Discovery Square Biolbab In Rochester

December 2025 DMCC Board Meeting:

  • Request for Action Memo
  • Business Development Quarterly Review about Biolabs

Last Updated December 14, 2025



10 Year Housing Units

2025 Downtown and All Housing Units

Last Updated December 13, 2025



Riverfront Small Area Plan

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Report

November 2023 DMCC Board:

  • Presentation Slides
  • Video Clips

 

May 19, 2023 Report to DMC

Nov 20 City of Rochester Study Session

Last Updated December 11, 2025



UMR Expansion Plan

2025-12-10 Talent as infrastructure presentation to DMC 

PB ePaper Reporting: 2 new campus buildings are planned to accommodate student growth

AI Summary of PB Reporting

Last Updated December 11, 2025



DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Update

DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Draft Dec 15, 2025 DMC Board Meeting

  • Request for Action; Video Recording; Presentation
  • 2025 5-year plan draft

References: City Council Study Session Materials

Last Updated December 11, 2025



Downtown Historic District Investment

 DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated December 11, 2025



DMC Equitable Economic Development

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Report

May 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report

Feb 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report: Community Co-design, Equity Alliance Topics, Community Connection & Capacity Building, Pitch Event, Targeted Business Metrics, Affordable Housing

Last Updated December 10, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

City Council Discussions:

  • Dec 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • Oct 6, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

PB Summary; Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated December 09, 2025



City of Rochester, MN Mayor's Medal of Honor Recipients

Mayor Norton Honors 2025 Mayor's Medal of Honor Recipients

Mayor Norton Honors 2024 Mayor's Medal of Honor Recipients

Mayor Norton Honors 2023 Mayor's Medal of Honor Recipients; Mayor Norton Honors 2022 Mayor's Medal of Honor Recipients

Last Updated December 06, 2025



Looking Back Equity Alliance Series Topics

Collection of Topics from alliance start to Dec 2025 to offer "a grounded reflection on our collective progress and the work still ahead to strengthen equity across our community."

Last Updated December 06, 2025