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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
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
Jan 24, 2025 11:00 AM Winter Salt Week: Promoting Sustainable Winter Maintenance and Protecting Freshwater Resources ('sustainability', 'governance') This initiative is dedicated to raising awareness about the environmental impacts of salt use during winter months and promoting strategies for reducing chloride pollution in our freshwater systems. The event includes a variety of educational opportunities for community members, local leaders and environmental advocates.
Jan 30, 2025 06:30 PM Sister City Trips to Japan & Germany Conducted by Ed-Ventures Travel ('education', 'diversity') On behalf of the Mayor's International Relations Committee, the purpose of the meeting is to provide information about our Japan and Germany trips and generate interest.
Jan 27, 2025 03:30 PM Jan 2025 City Council Study Session - Strategic Planning ('Housing', 'key', 'governance') The start of the year, the completion of recent City elections, and the onset of the budget season present an opportunity to review, refine, and affirm the City's Strategic Priorities. The current priorities have been in place since 2021 and were updated in early 2023. For over a year, the City team has been guided by these refined priorities identified by the City Council in 2023: 1. Affordable Living 2. Economic Vibrancy and Growth Management 3. Quality Services
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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.



2026 City of Rochester: 2020 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Updates

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session 

Last Updated August 09, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

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 August 09, 2026



Air Quality News

Aug 2026: Rochester Air Quality Alliance Marks Mid-Year Progress on Community Air Quality Initiatives

Sep 2025: The City of Rochester is offering another set of workshops to help residents improve indoor air quality, reduce utility costs, and enhance housing safety.

Last Updated August 07, 2026



Community Health Improvement Plan Priorities and Updates

2027 - 2029 Health Planning Improvement Priorities

2026 CHNA Newsletters: Jul 2026Jan 2026, 

2025 Newsletters: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter 

Ref: PB Report

Last Updated July 23, 2026



Housing as an Element of America's City for Health

Jul 2026: PB reporting -- Downtown population and housing boom

Sep 2025: DMC Housing Presentation at Rochester Housing Alliance September, 2025 Meeting 

  • Video Recording
  • Presentation Slides

Last Updated July 21, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Jul 2026: AARP Tech and Agining 

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 July 20, 2026



Lifestyle Wellness

Jul 2026: Brain Health Series Workshops

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

Last Updated July 17, 2026



Sports Complex Phase 2 - Indoor Facilities

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 July 14, 2026



RPS Long Term Technology Plan

July 7, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: The Long Range Technology Plan (LRTP) serves as a comprehensive roadmap, defining the strategic direction for technology deployment and technical support within the district over the next three to five years.

Last Updated July 10, 2026



America's City for Health (ACH)

Jul 2026 PB Op Ed on America's City for Health and Wellness 

May 2026: DMC University Trademark Handling -The DMCC holds several DMC-related trademarks, including “Destination Medical Center,” “Discovery Square,” and “America’s City for Health.” 

References: Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH -- info LINKS

Last Updated July 09, 2026



Silver Lake Stadium Concept

The Rochester City Council has unanimously approved a six-month exclusive negotiation agreement with Madison-based Landmark Development to explore a potential sports-focused redevelopment of the Silver Lake Power Plant site.

Last Updated July 08, 2026



Mayo Clinic Bold. Forward. Unbound.Grainger Linear Park

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Lourdes Grainger Linear Park The project involves the construction of a 30-foot linear park

Last Updated July 07, 2026



Peace Plaza paver adjustment plan

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Meeting Paver Improvement

2025: City Council Study Session PB Reporting; DMCC Board Meeting Proceedings; Public Media Reporting: Post Bulleting, Star Tribune

 

Last Updated July 07, 2026



Sherman Mixed Housing Mayo Civic Center Parking Lot

July 6, 2026: City Council Meeting - Extension of agreement

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

June 3, 2024 City Council Meeting 

Council action is requested to continue development negotiations with Sherman Associates and conditionally approve development assistance of up to $13,000,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and up to $3,000,000 in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid.  

Last Updated July 06, 2026



Rochester Transit Contract Award

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Meeting: Action Requested: Adopting a Resolution awarding a contract and facilities lease with Via Transit Twin Cities LLC for operating Rochester's public transportation system.

Last Updated July 06, 2026



Co-design Information

Jun 20, 2026 Co-Design as Civic Infrastructure Video Recording and Presentation

Co-Design as Structural Accountability White Paper

 

Last Updated July 02, 2026



City of Rochester Housing Enablement

Jun, 2026 Planning commission supports planned infill project

Apr, 2026 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.

Reference: AI Analysis of Infill Strategy

Last Updated June 27, 2026



Rochester International Relations Committee

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

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

General Info: Sister Cities Relationship Logs; IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated June 22, 2026



Curriculum Development

Jun 2026: Social Studies Curriculum Three Shifts in the New Standards

Ethnic Studies Strand, Disciplinary Literacy Practices. Centering Student Inquiry

Last Updated June 18, 2026



Housing Program DevCo Rochester

Adopting a Resolution adopting the Housing Program, the issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and the execution of related documents relating to the DevCo Rochester Apartments Project.

Last Updated June 14, 2026