July 5, 2023

Photo of City Council members, Mayor and City Administrator

Left to right back row: Nathan Dotson, Greg Schultz, David Burbank, Kevin Raney, Brent Svenby. Left to right front row: Dan Boeke, Thomas Kuntz, Kris Busse, Doug Voss.

Doug Voss (At Large): 507-475-0550, doug.voss@owatonna.gov
Dan Boeke (At Large): 507-363-1932, daniel.boeke@owatonna.gov
Nathan Dotson (First Ward): 507-363-1189, nathan.dotson@owatonna.gov
Greg Schultz (Second Ward): 507-456-4584, greg.schultz@owatonna.gov
David C. Burbank (Third Ward): 507-451-3166, david.burbank@owatonna.gov
Kevin Raney (Fourth Ward): 507-456-3116, kevin.raney@owatonna.gov
Brent L. Svenby (Fifth Ward): 507-363-1136, brent.svenby@owatonna.gov
Thomas A. Kuntz (Mayor): 507-456-5080, mayor@owatonna.gov

City of Owatonna's Strategic Planning

The City Council’s July 5 Study Session will include an update on the Strategic Plan. The session begins at 5:30 and will be held in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Avenue.

This year’s annual update of the City’s Strategic Plan began with a planning session February 15 and 16 which was facilitated by Dr. Craig Waldron from Waldron Company. Based on discussions with department directors and elected officials, Waldron gathered information and guided the group in developing priorities. He then provided a Summary Report which included a tentative list of priorities for 2024. Over the months that followed, City staff has been refining those priorities along with a system to track and report progress on them.

The July 5 presentation will provide an overview of the Summary Report and its Action Plans.

The City’s four Key Focus Areas have remained the same; however, the action plans for each have been updated. They are:

Infrastructure
Economic Vitality
Quality of Life
Efficient, Effective and Economical Government

The Strategic Plan will continue to be updated annually. The 2050 Comprehensive Planning process that kicked off recently will include public engagement opportunities that will advise future strategic planning processes.

City Approvals Support County’s Recycling Plan

The City Council approved a resolution May 16 to combine two lots over 3.35 acres at 1255 Kilworth Drive N.W. following a public hearing that was held May 9 at the Planning Commission meeting. A new recycling center will be constructed at the site by Thompson Sanitation. Their building permit is expected to be issued this month so construction can commence.

On June 20, the City Council approved a Stormwater Facility Maintenance Easement Agreement for the new recycling center. The agreement is required through the City of Owatonna’s stormwater management ordinance and grading permit process.

The new recycling center will replace the previous recycling center located a block away. Steele County will contract with Thompson Sanitation to manage environmental services such as recycling. For additional information about recycling, visit steelecountymn.gov.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion

Year One Project Summary

Aerial of Wastewater Expansion progress in July 2022 Courtesy of Nero Engineering

Aerial of Wastewater Expansion progress in January 2023 Courtesy of Nero Engineering

Aerial of Wastewater Expansion progress in June 2023 Courtesy of Nero Engineering

Owatonna’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is one year into construction of its upgrade and expansion project. At the end of the approximate three-year construction, the WWTF will be nearly double its current capacity which will serve the City’s expected growth over the next 25 years.

The project includes building three new buildings as well upgrading the existing facility. The first year of construction largely focused on the construction of the three new buildings: the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Building, the Fine Screen Building (FSB) and the Solids Thickening Building (STB).

Visit Owatonna.gov to learn more about the construction milestones for the first year of this project, to view construction photos and watch drone footage of the progress.

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment

The City of Owatonna proactively treats ash trees on boulevards for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This effort is expected to delay the spread of EAB. There are approximately 1,200 boulevard ash trees and the City intends to treat approximately a third each year, resulting in a three-year treatment rotation. The treatment of the boulevard trees benefits private trees as well. As the bugs travel from tree to tree, they die when they eat from treated tree. Not all trees need to be treated for the program to be effective. Treatment this year is expected to begin in mid-July.

Stormwater Project with Multiple Benefits

The Black-eyed Susans are in full bloom at the stormwater pond off Partridge Avenue Northeast! It is definitely worth stopping to take a look. This pond is an example of a stormwater project that offers multiple benefits. Originally designed for flood control, it was planted with a native seed mix provided by Ramy Turf. This stormwater pond provides habitat for pollinators and other wildlife as it cleans stormwater runoff and helps control local flood conditions. In addition, these deeply rooted plants provide powerful benefits to rebuilding soil biology and health.

Clean H2Owatonna

Clean H2Owatonna is the City of Owatonna’s Stormwater Management Program to keep area streams, rivers and waterways clean. For additional information regarding the City’s Stormwater Management Program, please email the stormwater division or visit Owatonna.gov.

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