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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Mar 28, 2026 09:00 AM Candidate Training Program Session 2 by Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce ('community engagement', 'governance') Over the course of the three trainings, topics covered will include how to craft your messaging, information on filing deadlines, budgeting, campaign finance regulations, leveraging social media, and more. The series will be hosted on the dates below at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce [220 Broadway Ave S. Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904]
Mar 25, 2026 12:25 PM Community Listening Session on Mental Health Clubhouse ('mental health', 'Health') Olmsted County, NAMI Southeast MN, and Vail Communities invite you to join a Community Listening Session on the International Clubhouse Model of Mental Health recovery
Mar 23, 2026 01:00 PM Music Therapy and Cognitive Vitality: The Role of Music in Brain Health ('lotus', 'America City for Health', 'mental health', 'aging') Music plays a crucial and unique role in supporting cognitive function, memory retention, emotional regulation, and social connection that are key areas often affected in cognitive decline. Research shows that rhythm, melody, and singing activate widespread neural networks, enhance neuroplasticity, and stimulate brain regions involved in speech, movement, and executive function.
Mar 17, 2026 09:00 AM Lotus Health Foundations at Kiwanis Day Maker ('lotus', 'Kiwanis', 'Health/Wellness', 'key') Lifestyle medicine, Healthy Living: Food, Immunity, and Cancer: How Lifestyle Choices Protect Your Body
Mar 14, 2026 12:30 PM ZVM: Heart Reach Clinic ('compassion', 'Health') Free Heart Disease Screening: Blood Pressure Screening, Cholesterol Testing, Blood Sugar Screening, Heart Exam, ECG and Ultrasound
Mar 13, 2026 06:30 PM Sketches Minnesota by HMC/Danger Boat Productions ('diversity', 'education', 'art') Sketches of Minnesota is a traveling program designed to increase understanding and encourage conversations among people who might not know each other
Mar 13, 2026 04:30 PM RALC Mural Night ('mental health', 'Education', 'art', 'UMR') Through a partnership with the University of Minnesota, we are excited to host Artist Mindset Week (March 9-March 13) at the Rochester ALC! Ten professional artists will be traveling in from all over Minnesota
Mar 12, 2026 07:30 AM 1Q 2026 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) ('CHNA', 'mental health', 'Health', 'key', 'addiction') 2024 -2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Updates Derrick Fritz, CHAP Coordinator3. Mental Health Clubhouse Model Laura Sutherland, SE MN Adult Mental Health Initiative and Michelle Cross, Community Member. Overdose Spike Response Team Abby Tricker, OCPHS5. Core Agency Updates CHAP Core Group6. Community Announcements and Sharing
Mar 11, 2026 04:30 PM City of Rochester & RCTC Community Engagement ('city',) City of Rochester and RCTC Engage Community as Discussions Continue on the Rochester Regional Sports Center
Mar 11, 2026 12:00 PM Unlocking Potential: Lowering barriers, creating new pathways, and empowering emerging developers ('city', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'community engagement') This presentation will review an evaluation report by the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF) of Minnesota's efforts from 2021–2025 to pair Emerging Developer Programs with Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Preservation initiatives.
Mar 11, 2026 10:00 AM Rochester Area Housing Alliance March 2026 ('RAF', 'Housing', 'key', 'Homelessness', 'housing') Any Path Home Overview; TABLE Initiative Overview; Legislative Update – Minnesota Housing Partnership; $1.5 Million Coalition NOFA Released
Mar 10, 2026 10:00 AM Mar 2026 RPS Family Engagement ('RPS', 'education', 'diversity', 'mental health', 'health', 'key', 'Education') Our March meeting will focus on RPS Student and Family Wellbeing, with a presentation by Koni Grimsrud, RPS Director of Student Wellbeing, and Sarah Clarke, RPS Coordinator of Mental Health. They will share an overview of the programs, staff positions, initiatives, and resources currently supporting RPS students and families. We will also include brief highlights from RPS Family Engagement and share relevant announcements.
Mar 07, 2026 09:00 AM Candidate Training Program Session 1 by Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce ('community engagement', 'governance') Over the course of the three trainings, topics covered will include how to craft your messaging, information on filing deadlines, budgeting, campaign finance regulations, leveraging social media, and more. The series will be hosted on the dates below at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce [220 Broadway Ave S. Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904]
Mar 05, 2026 09:00 AM SE MN MDH Regional Listening Session ('mental health', 'Health/Wellness', 'listening', 'governance') The Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in collaboration with the Minnesota Suicide Prevention Taskforce, is inviting community members to help shape the next Minnesota State Suicide Prevention Plan.
Mar 03, 2026 06:00 PM Town Hall: Using Advanced Technology in Policing ('public safety', 'key', 'governance') Mayor Norton Partners with Rochester Police Department to Host Town Hall on Advanced Policing Technology
Mar 02, 2026 07:00 PM Citizens Commission on Immigration Ambassadors Immigration Discussion ('networking', 'diversity', 'civic engagement') Reflect on how immigration connects to our own family and community stories; Examine the Constitution’s framework for the roles of Congress, the executive branch, and the courts; Connect to real-world experiences in Minnesota
Feb 28, 2026 12:00 PM Black Excellence Expo ('diversity', 'education', 'NAACP', 'Entrepreneurship') For the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, achieving economic stability is a strategic priority. Initiatives like the Black Excellence Expo directly support this goal by uplifting local entrepreneurs, expanding opportunity, and strengthening our regional economy.
Feb 21, 2026 05:30 PM Ebony Night 2026: Once Upon A Night | Rochester Branch of the NAACP presents UMR Black Student Union ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'UMR') The third event in the Black History Month Series, Ebony Night, is an all-student-led production by the University of Minnesota Rochester’s Black Student Union.
Feb 21, 2026 10:00 AM Homeownership and Wealth Building Workshop ('NAACP', 'housing', 'Diversity') This workshop equips community members with practical tools and knowledge to pursue homeownership and build generational wealth.
Feb 17, 2026 04:30 PM Ready to Lead 2026 Spring Cohort ('diversity', 'Civic Equity', 'leadership', 'networking', 'community engagement') Ready to Lead brings together a small group of people to teach the basics of how to participate in and lead meetings
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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.



Rochester-Olmsted County 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program - Rental property owners

Nov 5, 2026: Applications open for Rochester-Olmsted County 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program

Nov 3, 2025 Application Open:  Application Open The current Rochester-Olmsted County 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program application is for the Tax Assessment Year 2025 - Tax Payable Year 2026, the tax savings for this application will not be realized until the Tax Payable Year 2026.

 

Last Updated November 05, 2026



Reimagining 6th Ave West - Project Update

Nov 2026 Press Release 6th Ave. Design Open House

Sep 9, 2026 City Council Update

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 October 29, 2026



October 2026 City Council Study Session

Downtown Employee Parking 

Prevailing Wages for City Projects

Last Updated October 28, 2026



Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Strategic Management & Policy Considerations

Oct 26 City Council Study Session

Last Updated October 26, 2026



Council Initiated Action - City Council Civility Pledge

Oct 19, 2026 City Council Meeting Pledge

LMC - Civility Pledge

Last Updated October 24, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Finalization

RPS Board Meeting: Oct 20, 2026 Board Finalization

RPS Board Briefings: Oct 6, 2026; Sep 15, 2026

Last Updated October 21, 2026



Co-design Information

Oct 19, 2026 Community Co-Design Leadership Training

October 2, 2023 City Council Study Session; September Co-design Meeting (Co-Design Preparation Guide, Pilot Co-Design Dashboard) 

Last Updated October 19, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center

Oct 14, 2026: Lodging Tax 0.5% increase proposal

Apr 24, 2026: Oak View Group to run exhibition center.

Aug 2025: 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 October 14, 2026



Housing Alliance Meeting Log

2025 Notable 

Maxfield Housing Report

Environmental Justice; 

 

Last Updated October 12, 2026



City for Good 2026 Candidates Forum Proceedings

RPS Board Candidate Forums: C4G Forum: Written responses to City for Good Questions:; League of Women Voters Video

C4G: City Council Candidates and Mayoral Candidate Video Recordings

Last Updated October 12, 2026



Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) Publications

2026, 2023, 2021, 2019 Olmsted County Housing Profiles By Minnesota Housing Partnership 

2026 MN State Profile

Last Updated October 09, 2026



2026 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) Data

healthwellnessyouth

Oct 6, 2026 School Board Meeting 

Gemini AI: Breakdown of how individual schools within Rochester Public Schools MCA test data; How did Southeast Minnesota schools do on the MCAs?

 

Last Updated October 07, 2026



RPS Balanced Budget Model

Oct 6, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Levy

2026 Review and 2027 Enhancements: 

 Phase I of the Balanced Budget Model (BBM), launched across all learning sites and select special education programs, served as both a starting point and a critical learning stage.

AI Summary of PB ePaper Article

Last Updated October 07, 2026



Sports Complex 2026 Updates

Sep 29, 2026: Press Release - City and Altra Federal Credit Union partnership

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 September 29, 2026



DMC Strategic Development Proposal

Sep 2026: Strategic Priorities and Funding Framework

May 2026: Consider a recommendation to approve up to $3 million in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid (GSIA)

Last Updated September 27, 2026



Second Street LINK Transit Construction

Sep 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting

City, DMC PSA: Beginning September 22, traffic on 2nd Street SW will shift to maintain one lane in each direction between 18th Avenue SW and 23rd Avenue SW Affected areas

Last Updated September 26, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Sep 2026: DMCC Board Meeting

Jul 2026: AARP Tech and Aging

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 September 24, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

Sep 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting; Sep 9, 2026 City Council Action Chateau Strategy

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 September 24, 2026



Downtown and Public Realm Investment

Sep 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting 

City of Rochester Launches Minnesota’s First Operational Thermal Energy Network Through Downtown Building Energy Transition Initiative

Last Updated September 24, 2026



Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

Sep 2026: Tech-Enabled Housing Update at DMCC Board

May 2026: Home Innovation Lab Open House

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 September 23, 2026