Flaherty & Hood recently staffed the 2014 Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Summer Conference. Nearly 100 representatives from more than 30 Greater Minnesota cities headed to Rochester Aug. 20-22 for informative sessions, CGMC administrative meetings, and fun community activities.
The conference featured excellent panel discussions on the topics of broadband, environmental regulation and community engagement in the Destination Medical Center development, as well as presentations on transportation and funding for clean energy projects. Attendees also got to learn more about the city of Rochester through a city-hosted dinner and reception at the Rochester Art Center and options take part in tours of the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota BioBusiness Center, University of Minnesota-Rochester and trolley tour of the city.
The Thursday afternoon session of the conference included a program on cultural diversity and racial equity which began with a keynote speech by Peggy Flanagan, executive director of the Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund, and continued with roundtable discussions facilitated by the YWCA of Minneapolis’ Racial Justice and Public Policy Program.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson also made an appearance on Thursday afternoon, where he briefly spoke to the crowd and then took questions. Gov. Dayton was invited, but he was unable to attend.
One of the highlights of the conference was Thursday evening’s Legislative Awards Dinner which honored 21 legislators, city leaders and others who helped promote CGMC issues during the past year.
Flaherty & Hood thanks all of the CGMC members who joined us in Rochester! We look forward to staffing the CGMC’s Fall Conference November 13-14 at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis, where the CGMC will review election results and adopt its policy positions for the 2015 Legislative Session.
