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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Mar 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance Mar 12, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') The focus of the meeting will be on housing accessibility also an update regarding the Coalition's 2024 investments and progress to goals.
Mar 12, 2025 12:00 PM Family Unity and DEIA in Our Current Climate ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') In this episode, our presenter will focus on family unity and the importance of supporting our immigrant neighbors in the current climate of fear and uncertainty. We will also continue to learn more about Creating Safe Spaces at Work, a theme we began to investigate during our February episode. This
Mar 11, 2025 06:00 PM 507 Experience Kick-off Supper (RSVP Required) ('compassion', 'faith', 'civic engagement') The 507 Experience will offer the people who are part of the area code 507 an opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted time visiting with friends either over coffee or "breaking bread" over a meal.
Mar 11, 2025 09:00 AM RPS March 2025 Family Engagement Meeting: Respectful Conversations Workshop ('RPS', 'youth', 'key', 'addiction', 'education') In-person workshop called Respectful Conversations, facilitated by Amy Anderson, Executive Director for Youth Voice, from the YMCA in the twin cities.
Mar 08, 2025 07:00 PM TaikoArts Midwest ('culture', 'arts') TaikoArts Midwest will perform a high-energy, all-ages event at The Historic Chateau Theatre as the culmination of their week-long Sound School residency. We hope to see you there!
Mar 01, 2025 12:00 PM BLACK EXCELLENCE EXPO ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'Entrepreneurship') Come see and support Black and Minority businesses in the local and surrounding areas
Mar 01, 2025 11:30 AM Common Cause: Community Townhall ('diversity', 'housing', 'governance', 'Culture', 'health', 'key', 'civic engagement') Directly ask your state legislators what they're doing to improve you everyday life!
Feb 28, 2025 07:00 PM The Sound of Gospel Music ('art', 'NAACP') The Sound of Gospel Music is an exciting, entertaining musical production that chronicles the impact of gospel music on all genres of American music from folk to big band to hip hop. During Black History month 2024, three Rochester community members attended a production of this program in Minneapolis and were inspired to bring it to Rochester.
Feb 26, 2025 10:00 AM A View of Black History ('Diversity',) Remembering the Past to Create a Better Future
Feb 25, 2025 05:00 PM Cradle to Career Plan Review Due ('youth', 'c2c', 'education', 'key') Please review the attached slide deck and then complete the Google Form link below to share feedback. They asked that you please complete the form with your feedback by Tuesday, February 25th.
Feb 20, 2025 07:00 PM History Center: Seeking A New Understanding of MN's Role in the Underground Railroad ('education',) Hear about the recent discovery of documentation
Feb 15, 2025 05:30 PM UMR Black Student Union: Ebony Night ('diversity', 'Education', 'NAACP', 'UMR') Harlem Nights Roaring 20s
Feb 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance Feb 12, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') HEAR & HOMES Programs - Dave Reichart & April Sutor; Onward Civic Center Drive Presentation by Chris Osmundson; Olmsted County Building; HUD 515 Properties Data
Feb 12, 2025 12:00 PM Safe Spaces at Work: Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') In today’s evolving workplace landscape, fostering a culture of safety and inclusion is more critical than ever. With ongoing conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), employees and organizations alike are navigating challenges in creating environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.
Feb 11, 2025 06:30 PM When Driving is Not an Option ('transportation', 'community') Join author Anna Zivarts in a presentation and discussion of what Rochester can gain by creating a community accessible to all! Over 30% of our country cannot drive. Here in Rochester, that number is even higher.
Feb 11, 2025 10:00 AM RPS Feb 2025 Family Engagement Meeting: RPS Chemical Health Counseling ('RPS', 'youth', 'key', 'addiction', 'education') During this session, our team of RPS Chemical Health Counselors will share insights into their work and its connection to families. This is a valuable opportunity to learn how they support students, access helpful resources for families, and partner with family-facing staff.
Feb 10, 2025 01:00 PM Advancing Health Equity ('health', 'diversity', 'key') Empowering Immigrant and Refugee Communities
Feb 10, 2025 12:00 PM Feb 2025 Rochester Vision 2050 Community Engagement ('co-design', 'governance', 'community', 'key', 'openbeam') Our city has undertaken a broad array of initiatives to create a bright future for her citizens and constituencies. These should be guided by a clear, optimistic, aspirational vision. 2050: Far enough for limitless possibilities; close enough to begin today to serve Rochester’s next generation and beyond. Vision 2050 Steering Committee guides this initiative A large volunteer group will put “Vision in Action”, using co-design to engage the community to share ideas and priorities for Rochester’s future.
Feb 06, 2025 09:30 AM Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting ('DMC',)
Feb 01, 2025 10:00 AM Reflection to Action: Human Rights, Racial Justice, and Lessons from Skin Deep ('diversity', 'NAACP') Skin Deep is a PBS documentary written by Prexy Nesbitt and Marian Marzynski. The documentary examines the fight against legal, institutionalized racism in the United States and South Africa, from the 1950s through the 1990s, through interviews with the people who took their protests against segregation and inequality into the streets and beyond, forcing remarkable changes. To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. ” - Nelson Mandela
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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.



UMR Expansion Plan

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

AI Summary of PB Reporting

Last Updated November 13, 2025



About Rochester Community Initiative (RCI)

Oct 2025 C2C Summit: Cross-Sector Collaboration: Civic Engagement

Oct 2024 C2C Summit: Students Decoded: The Mental Health Database

Aug 2025 Equity Alliance Series RCI Introduction

 

Last Updated November 11, 2025



Rochester Public Library - Master Plan

Master Plan Approval 11/3/2025

Rochester City Council Study Session 4/14/2025 

Post Bulletin Reporting

References: 2024 Usage Data, Community Survey Request

Last Updated November 08, 2025



National Small Business Initiative & National 311 Day

November 6, 2025 - Rochester Selected as One of Six Cities for National Small Business Initiative

March 11, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is excited to celebrate National 311 Day. 

Last Updated November 07, 2025



Opioid Settlement-Funded Initiatives

November 4, 2025 Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Meeting; 

- Video Recording; Credible Mind Tool

PB ePaper Reporting
Last Updated November 06, 2025



Rochester Public Utilities

2026 Rate Increase

2019 Residential Rate Structure Survey 

Last Updated November 05, 2025



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

Application Open

Background: 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 03, 2025



Restorative Justice Circle Collaboration with RPS

2025 Restorative Justice Circle Training; RPS Collaboration to improve school attendance

2024 Project Legacy Collaboration

 References: About Restorative Justices

Last Updated October 26, 2025



DMC 2026 Budget and Workplan

2026 Budget and Workplan September DMCC Board Meeting

Reference(s): Concurring City Council Oct 6 2025 Approval Request 

 

Last Updated October 26, 2025



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

AI Summary of Dave Beal's PB Op Ed:

"Include older adults in Rochester's Plans"

 

Last Updated October 23, 2025



HOME OWNERSHIP CREATION PROGRAM – LONDON BROOK PONDS

City Council Meeting Approval of Housing Support: Housing Funding Allocations; TIF approval

PB reporting

Last Updated October 21, 2025



Seneca Property Plan Shelved

2025: PB reporting: Plan to develop vision for former Seneca site shelved

2022: (1) RAEDI partners with Olmsted County to solicit Statements of Interest (SOI) for former Seneca property; (2) Olmsted County signs agreement with RAEDI to solicit development proposals for former Seneca property

Last Updated October 16, 2025



Mayor and City Council Launch ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’

Press Release and focuses: Civic Engagement Scorecard, Civic Infrastructure Scan

References: AI summary of project, Community Forum

Last Updated October 15, 2025



DAP Funding Justification

Oct 15, 2025 D.A.P. Meeting Info Sharing - Building a community-owned data repository

 

 

Last Updated October 15, 2025



DMC 2015-2025 Review and Next 5 Years

DMC Board Sep 2025 Meeting: Next 5 Year Plan Update Briefing

July 2025 Reflections: 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 October 12, 2025



Discovery Square Shared Lab Infastructure

Sep 2025 Update Presentation

May 2025: Biolabs as shared space partner: A shared lab space for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs associated with one or more academic research partners, PB reporting

Nov 2023 DMCC Board Presentation

Last Updated October 12, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

Oct 6, 2025 City Council Meeting

July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated October 11, 2025



Community Health Improvement Plan Update

Availability of 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment

  • Admin Message
  • Oct 2025 Newsletter 

PB Report

Last Updated October 07, 2025



2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations

  • 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations
  • Video Recording, Presentation 

Last Updated October 06, 2025



Local Sales Tax Update

  • City Council Study Session:
  • Sales Tax Renewal Projects - Utilization of Sales Tax: Street Reconstruction. Flood Control and Water Quality, Economic Vitality, Home Ownership
  • AI summary of PB Reporting  

Last Updated October 02, 2025