August 23, 2023

Join us at a City meeting!

Weekly Meeting Schedule

This week, the following City boards and commissions will meet. The public is invited to attend. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

August 23: Economic Development Authority meeting at 5 p.m. (rescheduled from August 16) in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle.

August 28: Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference room at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle.

August 29: Public Utilities Commission meeting at 4 p.m. in the Morehouse Meeting Room, 208 South Walnut Avenue.

August 30: City Council Budget Workshop at 5 p.m. in the Training Room at the Fire Hall, 107 West Main Street.

Annual Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast August 27

The Owatonna Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) will be holding its annual Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport August 27 from 7 a.m. until noon. The event is open to the public and will include an all-you-can-eat French toast, sausage and fresh fruit breakfast. There will also be a silent auction. Tickets are $10 at the door. Kids ages five and under eat free. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available at Hy-Vee or go to www.owatonna.cap.gov for more information. All proceeds to benefit the CAP. With good weather, the event often draws a number of aircraft from all over the area. Come on out and support your local CAP!

Loans Provide Support for Downtown Renovations

The EDA Forgivable Loan program is making an impact on Owatonna’s downtown. The program, offered by the Owatonna Economic Development Authority (EDA), provides forgivable loans to building owners and businesses in the downtown area that want to make improvements to their buildings.

The program provides up to $10,000 for interior improvements and $10,000 for exterior improvements that bring the building into code compliance or make the building more historically accurate. All awarded loan amounts must be matched by private dollars. Loans are forgiven if the business stays in business for a five-year period.

The program is in its fifth year and more than $350,000 has been awarded to more than 25 buildings. This is one of the tools the EDA uses to help revitalize Owatonna’s historic downtown. For additional information about the program or to apply, contact Bill Owens at the Owatonna Area Business Development Center or visit Owatonna.biz.

Police Citizens Academy

Mondays 6-8 p.m. September 25-November 13

The Owatonna Police Department hosts a Citizens Academy with a focus on educating citizens about department structure, how equipment is used by officers and to explain the department’s specialized units (K9, SWAT, Mobile Field Force, Drone, Firearms and Use of Force training). Presentations by the County Attorney’s Office and a Judge are also included to round out the information provided about the criminal justice system. “We have received great feedback from past participants,” said Captain Josh Sorensen. “Our department is fortunate to have great relationships with many community members who want to learn more about how we operate.”

Who may attend?

Those who live or work in Owatonna will be given priority. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and have no felony convictions. Participants should commit to attending all weekly sessions. All applications are subject to approval by the Chief of Police. All applicants are subject to basic records check prior to acceptance for the course.

Does participation require being physically fit?

No. The experience is for all adults. The experience is designed to be fun for all participants.

How do I apply to participate?

Applications are available at www.owatonna.gov/208/Cops-in-the-Community and will be accepted through September 18.

Hiring Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal

The Owatonna Fire Department is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal. This position will provide progressive leadership for the department and assist in managing fire prevention, inspection and investigation activities. For a full position description, eligibility requirements and instructions on how to apply, please see the City of Owatonna's position posting. The application deadline for this position is September 15.

Indoor Play Space for Tots

Welcome to Owatonna’s new indoor play space! For children ages six and younger, this play space is in the Activity Room of the West Hills Tennis & Pickleball Center. Our play area is a safe and stimulating environment where kids can have fun, be active and explore new activities through play. The play space is equipped with age-appropriate activities that encourage physical activity and development. Kids can enjoy shooting hoops on our child-sized basketball hoop, playing soccer with soft soccer balls and nets and crawling, rolling and playing on soft floor mats. Parents or guardians are required to supervise their children at all times and are responsible for ensuring that their children follow the rules and guidelines of the play space. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, children can also run around the gym. Visit owatonna.gov for details and to register to use this space at no charge. Registration for each day is required.

Open Basketball Returns

Open basketball is back at the West Hills Gym! We are thrilled to have you here to play basketball in a fun and safe environment. Open to all ages. Children ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. During our open basketball sessions, you will have access to our indoor court to play games, practice shots and work on dribbling skills. To ensure the safety of all participants, we ask that you follow our guidelines and rules while playing. This includes wearing appropriate footwear and clothing, respecting your fellow players and following the directions of our staff. Visit owatonna.gov for details and to register. Registration is required. The daily cost is $5.

Brooktree Aeration

Aeration of the greens at Brooktree is scheduled for August 25 (lower) and 26 (upper), weather permitting. Greens are a fine turf surface that gets heavy machine and foot traffic, compacting thatch and soil. Aerifying greens removes thatch and creates an avenue to allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the roots, encouraging new, deeper roots and better green health and subsequently improving playability and green speed.

The process begins by pulling small cores of soil/thatch/turf. The green is then topdressed, filling the holes with sand, creating a smoother surface, creating channels for water and air movement and helping greens recover from aeration more quickly. Timing and weather are essential to aid the healing of the greens.

The process can be frustrating to golfers, yet according to the USGA, only 10 percent of the green’s surface is affected by aerating. Pros encourage golfers to take a longer backswing and play more break while putting to navigate better the recovering slower greens.

City Council Acts on Local Cannabis Laws

The City Council approved a moratorium on the sale of cannabis products in Owatonna at its August 15 meeting. In addition, an ordinance prohibiting use of cannabis products in public places was approved.

Moratorium on cannabis sales

The moratorium will allow City staff time to consider model ordinances for local regulations regarding the sale of cannabis products in Owatonna. It also authorized a local legislative study on the operation of cannabis businesses. The moratorium does not include cannabis-related products considered as ‘edibles’ covered by State Statute in Sec. 151.72 MN Statutes.

Use of cannabis in public places prohibited

The new ordinance prohibits use of cannabis in public places such as parks, trails, streets, sidewalks, fairgrounds, golf courses, the library, post office and playgrounds.

State legislation adopted earlier this year legalized adult use of cannabis in Minnesota and created a regulatory framework for businesses to sell it. As of August 1, possessing, using and growing cannabis at home became legal (with limitations). Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is expected to begin issuing business licenses to sell cannabis products beginning in January, 2025. Over the coming year, City staff will develop local regulations pertaining to sales for the City Council to consider. A new ordinance may be adopted similar to those relating to the sale of alcohol and tobacco.

For additional information, visit owatonna.gov to view Ordinance 1652 or Ordinance 1653.

Stock photo of construction cone on street

2023 Street & Utility Projects

The reconstruction of the street and utility projects for 2023 is tentatively scheduled to begin on Butternut Avenue on August 28. The construction of School Street will follow and is anticipated to begin September 11. These dates are subject to change due to weather or other factors. Check out the 2023 Street & Utility Project Map.

Helpful Links

Stay Connected: City of Owatonna Social Media

Follow the City of Owatonna on Facebook

Visit the Stay Informed Page for more information

Speech bubble with words "Like this email?"

Don't keep it to yourself...spread the news!

Help keep Owatonna informed by forwarding this email to friends, neighbors and coworkers and encourage them to subscribe to receive ongoing updates! Visit the Notify Me Sign-up page to subscribe, update an email address, unsubscribe or sign up to receive additional alerts. Be sure to add listserv@civicplus.com to your safe sender/address book to ensure delivery.

Sign Up to Receive this Email