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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Sep 27, 2025 12:30 PM Chalk the Block ('community',) This free event celebrates art and positive community-building by inviting local artists to create incredible chalk murals and the public to attend and enjoy, while making connections.
Sep 25, 2025 06:00 PM Get Amped: The Basics of Electrifying Your Home By Electrify Everything MN ('sustainability', 'community') Learn about the steps to electrifying your home and the resources available to help at this City of Rochester-sponsored workshop.
Sep 25, 2025 09:30 AM Sep 2025 DMCC Board Meeting ('DMC', 'key', 'community') 2026-2027 DMC Work Plan and Budget: 1. 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Plan, 2. 2026-2027 DMC EDA & City Staff Workplan and Budget, 3. 2026 DMCC Budget, 4. Working Capital Loan; Action: Discovery Square Infrastructure: Shared Lab; LINK BRT Contingency Funding Criteria;
Sep 23, 2025 06:00 PM (Spanish) How to Start a Business from Scratch ('networking', 'diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Tax Planning Description: How to Start a Business from Scratch - Part 1: In the first two classes, you will learn the fundamentals of starting a business from scratch, including conceptualizing viable business ideas and initial strategic planning. The focus will be on generating innovative ideas and evaluating their market potential using tools like the Business Model Canvas and SWOT analysis.
Sep 23, 2025 10:30 AM German Delegation Visits Rochester ('culture', 'global', 'key', 'governance') The City of Rochester and Olmsted County will host a delegation from Germany, led by the Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Oliver Krischer, on Tuesday,
Sep 23, 2025 09:30 AM Sep 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
Sep 20, 2025 12:00 PM Latino Fest 2025 ('ACHLA', 'culture', 'Diversity', 'key') This vibrant celebration will take place both inside the Historic Chateau Theater and outdoors at the Peace Plaza, promising an unforgettable experience for all! Last year, Latino Fest brought over 3,000 people together in celebration. Please join us again in 2025
Sep 20, 2025 08:00 AM Nuss Collection Museum 2025 Open House – Dedicated to Building America ('Culture',) The Nuss Collection Annual Open House features an extensive collection of restored + preserved historical trucks that helped build America.
Sep 20, 2025 10:00 AM Barbershop Talk and Social Services () Join Olmsted County to talk about the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportional Act
Sep 19, 2025 06:00 PM Latino Fest Gala ('Culture', 'diversity') ELEVATE YOUR LATIN EXPERIENCE Join us for an unforgettable evening of Glamour, fine dining, delightful entertainment, and support our Latino Community.
Sep 18, 2025 04:00 PM 2025 Destination Medical Center Annual Meeting ('DMC', 'key') The 2025 DMC Annual Meeting: A Development Plan Update and Community Conversation marks a milestone moment, the 10-year midpoint of the Destination Medical Center initiative. Earlier this year, we launched the process of updating the DMC Development Plan with a deep dive into understanding the progress we’ve made together. Now, our sights are set firmly on the future.
Sep 17, 2025 05:00 PM Hispanic Business Resource & Networking Event ('diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Join us for an evening of networking and resources designed to support Hispanic small business owners.
Sep 16, 2025 06:00 PM SBDC - Financial Literacy ('diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Learn key financial skills to start and grow your small business
Sep 13, 2025 01:00 PM Ethiopian New Year 2018 ('Diversity',) Family friendly event - food, Music, kid activities and more ... bring your family, invite your friends and join us!
Sep 11, 2025 07:30 AM 3Q 2025 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) ('CHNA', 'Health', 'key') 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Update, New Priorities Preview, and Discussion
Sep 10, 2025 12:00 PM America's City for Health - DMC Development Plan 2025 Update ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'ACH', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education') The update intends to build on all the great work already underway in Rochester, the learnings we have made to-date, and an understanding of changes impacting our community. Most importantly, it will lean into what is unique about Rochester, home to the #1 hospital in the world, centering on our brand as America’s City for Health.
Sep 10, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance September, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'governance', 'openbeam', 'key') This month’s agenda: Welcome, introductions & updates — JoMarie Morris DMC 10-Year Progress Update — Catherine Malmberg (Destination Medical Center) Trailside Senior Apartments: Redevelopment Timeline — Mark Engel (Olmsted County)
Sep 09, 2025 10:00 AM RPS Family Engagement Back to School ('RPS', 'Education', 'diversity', 'key') Welcome new partners and fresh energy: • Share updates on current initiatives • Learn from your ideas and perspectives
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.
Document Actions
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.



Discovery Square Biolbab In Rochester

December 2025 DMCC Board Meeting 

Last Updated December 14, 2025



UMR Expansion Plan

2025-12-10 Talent as infrastructure presentation to DMC 

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

AI Summary of PB Reporting

Last Updated December 11, 2025



DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Update

DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Draft Dec 15, 2025 DMC Board Meeting

  • Request for Action; Video Recording; Presentation
  • 2025 5-year plan draft

References: City Council Study Session Materials

Last Updated December 11, 2025



Downtown Historic District Investment

 DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated December 11, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

City Council Discussions:

  • Dec 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • Oct 6, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

PB Summary; Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated December 09, 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



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