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Welcome to “The Grovecast” – a monthly podcast hosted by the City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Our goal is to highlight how the City operates, what each department and division does, as well as discuss issues facing Cottage Grove. Hosted by Emily Schmitz and Phil Jents.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Council Member Justin Olsen joins us to talks about his roll as a member of the city council, the importance of volunteering and being engaged in your community. He even shares his favorite pizza maker.
Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Public Works Director Ryan Burfiend joins us to talk about all things public works! From snowplows and streetlights to clean drinking water and brand-new treatment plants, Ryan’s team keeps Cottage Grove running smoothly in every season. He shares how growing up on a farm and job-shadowing a city engineer in high school set him on this path, plus the pride of seeing roads, parks, and projects come to life across the city.
And when he’s not managing 4,000 streetlights or planning the next big infrastructure project, you’ll probably find him chasing tacos or hiking through a national park with his family.
Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org
Monday Oct 13, 2025
Monday Oct 13, 2025
Finance Director Brenda Malinowski joins us to talk about the Finance Department. Budgets, AAA bond ratings, and financial management are quite important, so we’re thrilled that Brenda gave us a little time to learn how it all works. Enjoy!
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Public Safety Director Pete Koerner joins us to talk about, well, you guessed it: public safety! He’s in charge of police, fire, emergency management, and a whole lot more, so you can imagine he’s a busy guy. And yet he still finds time to savor a good bowl of cereal. Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
In this episode of The Grovecast, Parks and Recreation Director Zac Dockter tells us how his team brings the fun. Are they anything like ‘Parks and Rec’ the TV show? Tune in to find out. Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
In this episode of The Grovecast, City Administrator Jennifer Levitt joins us to share insights on what it takes to keep Cottage Grove running smoothly. From big-picture planning to everyday problem-solving, hear how her work shapes the city’s future. Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
You may know of the Mayor. You may see him around town. But in this episode, we dive into what it’s actually like to be Mayor. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot of work, and the job doesn’t come with a limo. Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
The one where we try a podcast. But why do a podcast? The Grovecast will be a new opportunity to hear more casual conversations about city services and why we do what we do, while also giving listeners a peek behind the scenes to learn a little about the people who provide those services. Emily and Phil introduce themselves, the podcast format, and even make some bold claims. Enjoy!
CottageGroveMN.gov
Podcast recorded by TrueLensMedia.org