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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Sep 09, 2025 09:00 AM Virtual Event – Local and Statewide Affordable Housing Aid: Case Studies ('housing', 'governance') In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature approved the Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) program, funded by a 0.25% Metro sales tax for use in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan area, and a Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) program funded through appropriations. Cities and counties have discretion to spend funds on a broad range of eligible affordable housing projects, including for emergency rental assistance.
Sep 08, 2025 06:00 PM Public Hearing 2 - Rochester 2040 Comprehensive Plan ('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 Coming to the Table September 2025 ('compassion', 'Diversity', 'community') This session's theme will be 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭, and will focus on ways our community can positively support our immigrant neighbors.
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 ('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 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
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 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 ('EDA', 'STEM', 'America City for Health', 'DMC', 'Health') 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
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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.



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Ambassadors for Equity and Belonging Program

Rochester Area Foundation is piloting a new type of cohort centered around the concept of “belonging” as a strategic framework,

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University of Minnesota Sales Tax Request

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Any Path Home push against homelessness

Apr 23, 2026 In the City for Good Forum; Mar 11, 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance Discussion

Feb 5, 2025 Post Bulletin Reporting Abstract; Mar 10, 2024 City Council Study Session Update

 

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RCTC Sports Facilities

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

Last Updated April 26, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

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 April 24, 2026



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

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PB Summary; Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

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America's City for Health (ACH)

Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH

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RPS Proposed Budget Reductions

April 21, 2026: School Board Meeting Revised Proposed Leadership Changes 

April 7, 2026: Budget Reduction Impact

Sep 12, 2023 RPS Board Study Session video recording; Proposed Equity Policy; PB Reporting

Last Updated April 22, 2026



Rochester International Relations Committee

Apr 2026 Siheung, Korean Newsletter; 2026 Winter Newsletter; Sister City Visits Germany Visit

2025 Sister City Trips: Japan; Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities)

Sister Cities Relationship Logs; IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated April 22, 2026



Joyce Gibbs – A Life of Strength, Service, and Enduring Impact

Apr 22, 2026 Press Release

Rochester NAACP announces passing of Mrs. Joyce Gibbs

 

Last Updated April 22, 2026



City of Rochester Seeks Proposals for Sale and Redevelopment of Parcels

The City of Rochester is now accepting proposals for the sale and redevelopment of two City-owned residential parcels located in the Durand Subdivision and Hilmer’s High View Acres.

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Housing Investment Status and Statistics

Apr 2026 Housing Coalition Tour $4M investment

Jan 2026 Housing Alliance: 2025 Real Estate SEMN Marketing Data, 2025 Coalition Investments

 

Last Updated April 17, 2026



RPS Family Engagement Opportunities

Apr 2026 Family Engagement Policy Meetings

Jan 2026 Announcements: Family Engagement, Caregiver and Parent Empowerment 

Last Updated April 16, 2026



Rochester, MN Supplemental Budget

2026 Apr 13 City Council Study Session on 2027 Supplemental Budget

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

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RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews

Apr 12, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: High School 

Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Elementary School & Early Childhood 

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Lifestyle Wellness

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

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America's City for Health - DMC Development Plan 2025 Update

September 2025 Equity Alliance Series Presentation- Video Recordings, Selected Presentation Screen Shots

References - Sep 2025 DMCC Board 10-Year Midpoint

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2024-2025 RPS Data Analysis

April 2026 Reporting: 2025 High School Graduation Rate 

Sep 2025 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Improvement Action Plan 

2024-25 Fastbridge Data Analysis and Literacy Plan Update

PB reporting on MCA

Last Updated April 04, 2026