September 20, 2023

You're Invited to Attend City Meetings!

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 online at owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

September 20: Economic Development Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 540 West Circle Drive.

September 21: Library Board Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Avenue.

September 22: Fire Civil Service Commission Meeting at 1 p.m. in the Training Room at the Fire Hall, 105 W Main Street.

September 25: Housing & Redevelopment Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 540 West Circle Drive.

September 26: Owatonna Public Utilities Commission Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Morehouse Meeting Room at OPU, 208 S Walnut Avenue. The previously scheduled Planning Commission Meeting has been canceled.

City Adopts 2024 Proposed Budget & Levy

On September 19, the City Council approved the City of Owatonna’s 2024 Proposed Budget and Levy with a 9.05 percent increase over last year.

The City strives to align tax capacity with population and business growth. In recent years, Owatonna taxpayers have benefitted from increased tax capacity due to new construction and community growth. The rate at which the City has taxed properties over the past five years has been offset consistently by Owatonna’s increased tax capacity. The City’s actual tax rate in 2023 and the one proposed for 2024 is lower than it has been in the past five years because tax capacity is growing. For instance, Owatonna’s 2023 tax capacity increased by 17 percent; however, the City levy only increased nine percent. For 2024, tax capacity is projected to increase by seven percent which helps offset the impact of the City’s proposed 9.05 percent proposed levy increase.

Two main components of the City’s budget are personnel and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The 2024 budget will include an annual increase in wages and steps equivalent to roughly 4.5 percent of the overall levy (roughly $700,000). The City must also plan to fund State-mandated Workplace Sick and Safe requirements. New positions are being added to the 2024 budget to help address workloads and right-size the workforce to meet the community’s needs as it grows. Three percent of the proposed 2024 levy increase is allocated to increase annual funding for the CIP. An increase of $890,000 in state funding through Local Government Aid will also be used to address an extensive backlog of urgent deferred maintenance on City-owned buildings.

The Finance Director must certify the proposed levy along with a budget summary to the Steele County Auditor prior to September 30. Steele County uses this information to send preliminary tax statements to all property owners annually in November. During the next few months, City staff will continue to adjust the proposed budget as additional information becomes available. Adjustments can be made to lower the levy; however, it cannot be increased from the amount certified to the County.

In addition to approving the 2024 proposed budget on September 19, the City Council set the date for the City’s annual Truth in Taxation Hearing for December 5 at 6 p.m. which will include a summary of the 2024 budget and provide an opportunity for the public to provide input on the proposed budget. The City’s interactive budget document is available online at Owatonna.gov. For additional information, please contact a City Council Member or Finance Director Rhonda Moen at rhonda.moen@owatonna.gov. The City Council is expected to take action to adopt next year’s final budget and levy December 19.

Photo of autumn trees and beach at Lake Kohlmier

Lake Kohlmier Restorative Burn Scheduled

A controlled burn is scheduled for the north half of Lake Kohlmier September 25 beginning at 6 p.m. Residents in the areas surrounding the lake may wish to close their windows that day.

The Owatonna Fire Department will conduct the controlled burn while perform a training exercise. The burn benefits prairie areas by stimulating grasses and wildflower growth and improving nesting area habitats for pheasants and nongame birds. It also removes old vegetation to make room for new growth. For additional information, contact the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department at 507-444-4321.

Park Passport Program

September 23 through October 22

This Owatonna Parks and Recreation program promotes healthy lifestyle choices for families and individuals by encouraging exploration in parks and on trails. The four-week Park Passport Program is free. Find hidden passwords and submit a fully or partially completed passport to be eligible to win a River Springs Water Park Family Pass ($180 value), a sports package ($150 value), fishing gear ($150 value) or a Park & Recreation gift card ($100 value). Enjoy outdoor amenities through this passport for Mineral Springs Park, Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve, Dartts Park, Buxton Trail, North Straight River Parkway, Kaplan's Woods Trail, 18th Street Trail, Manthey Park, Muckle Trail and Kaplan's Woods Parkway. Appreciation goes to Mayo Clinic Health System for their support in making this program possible. Request a passport by calling 507-444-4321.

Annual Chili Feed and Open House October 8

Kicks off Fire Prevention Week

The annual Chili/Wild Rice Soup Feed will be October 8 from 4 until 7 p.m. in the Apparatus Bay at the Fire Station at 107 Main Street West. Everyone is welcome! The event benefits the Owatonna Firefighters Relief Association. Tickets are $10. Kids ages five and under are free. Tickets are available at the Fire Station and from all Owatonna firefighters. Equipment will be on display and firefighters will be available to answer questions as part of this event.

Coptober for Kids!

Join Owatonna police officers at the Owatonna Public Library to learn about what it takes to be a police officer and how to keep children safe. This family event will be fun and educational with hands-on demonstrations, book readings, squad car tours, K9 visits, fingerprinting, handouts and so much more! The event, hosted by the Owatonna Police Department, will be held October 19 from 9 a.m. until noon and is designed for fifth grade students and younger. The Police Department is excited to make this a bigger event this year after receiving a grant through the Minnesota Chief’s of Police Association.

stock photo of school bus with stop arm extended

School Bus Safety Reminders

Minnesota school buses make about 10,000 trips each day during the school year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children. Everyone needs to work together to ensure that school children make it home safely. Pedestrian and drivers must remove distractions and be aware of surroundings at all times to make the community safer.

Stop for school buses - it's the law!

State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended.
Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine.
Drivers can face criminal charges for passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus or injuring or killing a child.

Motorists

Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus displaying red flashing lights or a stop arm when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads.
Motorists should slow down, pay attention and anticipate school children and buses especially in neighborhoods and school zones.

Students

When getting off a bus, look to make sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
Wait for the bus driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding.

Long Range Asset Preservation Plan graphic

City Facilities Being Assessed

IMAGINE OWATONNA: Long Range Asset Preservation Plan

The City of Owatonna is taking a long-term approach to planning and prioritizing facilities improvements. Based on an updated facilities condition assessment from 2022, several deferred and anticipated maintenance projects on existing City-owned buildings were identified. The City Council is considering feasible options for these projects and planning future uses for its 90-plus buildings and facilities.

At the September 5 City Council Study Session, a presentation by consultants from ICS, a construction firm, highlighted critical infrastructure needs at Merrill Hall and several other facilities that are due for updating. The presentation included a recap of findings gathered through a series of focus groups regarding City facility conditions and needs. The findings are being used to develop a Long Range Asset Preservation Plan.

Renovations at Merrill Hall have been identified as a priority due to its heating and cooling system which is at its end-of-life. ICS developed a scope of work for renovating this historic building estimated at $5.3 million. The improvements identified for Merrill Hall are expected to increase the building’s energy efficiency and enhance air quality. Funding options for the Merrill Hall renovations were presented in the September 5 session by Baker Tilly. ICS is assisting City staff in exploring energy rebates through Owatonna Public Utilities and identifying a funding strategy that will have the least amount of impact on City taxpayers.

The Long Range Asset Preservation Plan will guide decisions on how to plan, grow and invest in Owatonna’s future. The plan will consider how best to utilize current facilities as well as what new facilities are identified by community members and City officials as being needed in the foreseeable future. Specific community engagement opportunities will be embedded in the plan. Please visit Owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna for additional information about the Long Range Asset Preservation Plan, to view the most common themes generated from the focus groups and for ongoing updates.

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