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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Jan 08, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance January 8, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') Topics: Presentation & Discussion: Eyota Building; Presentation & Discussion: 2024 Real Estate Stats Review; Presentation & Discussion: Economic and Housing Conditions Report
Jan 08, 2025 12:00 PM Beyond the Ballot: Black/Diverse Voices in Local Leadership ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') In this episode, we take a deep dive into the transformative role of Black and diverse leaders in local politics and community organizations. Our presenters, Tawonda Burks and Walé Elegbede, will share their journeys, the unique challenges they face, and the powerful ways they are driving positive change.
Jan 06, 2025 05:00 PM Rochester City Council Swearing In Public Hearing ('governance',) Come welcome the Rochester City Council’s newest four members–Nick Miller, Dan Doering, Andy Friederichs, and Randy Schubring. There will be a social celebration from 5-5:30, the swearing-in ceremony from 5:30-6, and in the public comment section of the Council meeting from about 6-6:30, you can share what you hope this new Council will lead on.
Dec 19, 2024 04:30 PM RAVA Holiday Happy Hour ('faith',) Get to know your fellow volunteer managers
Dec 12, 2024 04:00 PM RCTC Pride Club Free Legal Clinic Name & Gender Marker Corrections ('youth', 'community')
Dec 12, 2024 07:30 AM 4Q 2024 December Health HAPP Meeting ('CHNA', 'community', 'Health/Wellness', 'Health', 'public sector work product', 'key', 'health work product') Topics include: Prenatal Co-Design Project; Sarah Stevens and Sadie Swenson, OCPHS Julie Ruzek, Cradle 2 Career CHAP Process: Looking ahead to 2025 Derrick Fritz, CHAP Coordinator Efforts Being Done to Address Community Health Priorities All Core Agency Updates CHAP Core Group Community Announcements and Sharing All
Dec 11, 2024 11:30 AM Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester, in partnership with Griot Arts and Barbershop Talks, invite the community to the next installment of the Equity Alliance Equity Series. This in-person event, titled Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester, will take place on Wednesday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chateau Theatre. The program will feature a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara.
Nov 23, 2024 01:30 PM Community Upstanding - Townhall One ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'NAACP') This week’s program effort is focused on Community Upstander Training and will feature Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. Thibodeau is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member focused on ethical life, serving the common good, and addressing homelessness.
Nov 21, 2024 10:00 AM Partnership for Successful Homeownership ('compassion', 'Kiwanis') Learn how you can easily leverage the First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down-Payment Assistance Fund on behalf of you clients.
Nov 18, 2024 03:00 PM Pre Bid Open House- Link Bus Rapid Transit Project ('city', 'housing', 'transportation', 'transit') You are invited to participate in a pre-bid open house by the City or Rochester. This event will provide valuable information regarding the initial three bid packages on the Link Bus Rapid Transit project.
Nov 18, 2024 01:00 PM United Way Webinar Get Connected Volunteer Portal ('Kiwanis', 'united way') Get Connected #volunteer portal, which features listings of a wide variety of local volunteering opportunities. We'll also share information about our Varsity Letter in #CommunityService program for high schoolers across Southeast Minnesota.
Nov 16, 2024 10:00 AM NAACP Rochester Branch Elections ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'governance') In accordance with the 2024 National NAACP Election Procedures, the election date was chosen during the Rochester Branch’s August 16 General Membership Meeting. Since then, and with guidance and oversight from the National NAACP, the Rochester Branch established the Branch Nominating Committee in September and the Election Supervisory Committee in October.
Nov 13, 2024 12:00 PM Equity Alliance Equity Series Equity Eats: Power of Community Benefits Agreement ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship', 'key', 'latino') In this episode, we look at best practices to both understand the power of community benefits agreements and how to begin strong campaigns to secure community benefits agreements if the policy is fitting to the needs of the community.
Nov 13, 2024 10:00 AM Nov 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') The non-profit housing provider Aeon, and their proposed local project at Mayo's West Transit Village.
Nov 12, 2024 11:30 AM UMR State of the Campus Nov 2024 ('education', 'UMR') Award-winning UMR faculty and their students share stories of learning innovations that fuel success for future health professionals.
Nov 12, 2024 10:00 AM RPS November Family Engagement Meeting: Students in Transition Information Session ('RPS', 'education', 'key') The focus for this meeting is a Students in Transition Information Session, featuring a presentation by Nicole Wibstad, RPS Students in Transition Coordinator, and Connie Cohen
Nov 08, 2024 08:00 AM FREC 2024 Annual Overcoming Racism Conference ('rps', 'community engagement', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity') Morning keynote speakers: Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs and Rev. Pamela Ngunjiri Afternoon breakout workshops
Nov 02, 2024 05:00 PM Rochester Branch of the NAACP, 2024 Freedom Fund Banquet - Let Freedom Ring ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'openbeam') Featured Entertainment and Performers: • Patricia Lacy-Aiken Renowned vocalist Patricia Lacy-Aiken, who is a seasoned vocalist with Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness, and who had a decade – long global tour with Luther Vandross as a backup singer. • LaSonya Natividad and Madison Parish Ensemble Rochester’s own LaSonya Natividad accompanied by the Madison Parish Ensemble will grace the stage, captivating audience with unique blend of jazz, blues, and a sprinkle of R&B, reflecting deep musical roots and diverse influences. • Heart & Soul Drum Academy The talented youth of the Heart & Soul Drum Academy will deliver an energetic performance of African Djembe drumming and dance, led by founder Baba Jesse Buckner. Their captivating performance showcases the beauty of culture and the power of the arts in empowering young people and community.
Nov 02, 2024 02:00 PM Journie: Selma Movie Screening and Discussions ('diversity', 'governance') Join us for a film exploring the history of voting rights, followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from the DFL and GOP. It's a great opportunity to learn and engage in important conversations about this vital topic. Don't miss it! Journie is a nonpartisan organization committed to educating our communities about historical facts, youth development through lived experience, political agendas, resources, and the advancement of marginalized groups.
Nov 02, 2024 01:00 PM ZVMS: Free Dermatology Clinic () Our services: Skin Checks, Foot Care, Acne, Skin Infections and rashes, Free Socks and Shoes, Free Skincare Products
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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.



DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Update

DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Draft Dec 2025 DMC Board Meeting

  • Request for Action
  • 2025 5-year plan draft

Last Updated December 07, 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



City of Rochester Internship Program

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 December 05, 2025



RPS Balanced Budget Model

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 December 04, 2025



Rochester International Relations Committee

2026 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 December 03, 2025



2026 Property Tax Levy and Other Budget Items

Dec 1, 2025 City Council Meeting Materials

  • Background
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation

PB Reporting

 

Last Updated December 02, 2025



RPS Strategic Plan Review

Dec 2 2025: Strategic Plan Review Part 1

  • Background
  • Presentation Slides
  • Part 1 Goals

Last Updated December 01, 2025



Downtown Building Energy Transition Initiative

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

Last Updated December 01, 2025



RPS 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy

2025-11-21 RPS Reducing 2026 budget cut

RPS Board Presentation July 15, 2025 

AI generated summary of budget reduction strategy 

Last Updated November 21, 2025



Cradle to Career 4Q/3Q 2025 News

2025-11-20 C2C Connection StriveTogether 

2025-10-29  C2C 2025 Summit 

2025-6-2014 2025 Summer Financial Aid Sessions: Locations: RCTC, Rochester Public Library; Information for CBO hosting Financial Aid Sessions

Last Updated November 20, 2025



Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness

Fall (November) 2025:

  • Background Information
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation Slides

Last Updated November 18, 2025



Senior Housing Transition Mentorship

2025-11-14 Post Bulletin ePaper Abstract - "Assist older adults navigate all aspects of housing transitions,”

2025-11-14 AI summary of PB ePaper reporting

Last Updated November 14, 2025



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