|
|
We’ll Save a Seat for You!
City of Owatonna Weekly Meeting Schedule The public is invited to attend the following City meetings this week. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter. October 18: Economic Development Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 540 West Circle Drive. Joint Powers Board Special Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Steele County Administration Building, 650 Florence Avenue to discuss 2024 Health Insurance. October 19: West Hills Commission Meeting at noon in the Owatonna Arts Center, 435 Garden View Lane. Library Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Avenue. Airport Commission Meeting at 5 p.m. at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, 2400 West Frontage Road (this is a previously rescheduled regular monthly meeting). October 23: Housing & Redevelopment Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 540 West Circle Drive. October 24: Owatonna Public Utilities Commission Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Morehouse Meeting Room at OPU, 208 S Walnut Avenue. Planning Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue.
|
|
|
|
Merrill Hall Improvements Approved as City Develops Long Range Asset Plan
The Owatonna City Council, at its October 17 meeting, approved a $5.3 million project for ICS to design and provide general construction work needed to renovate Merrill Hall. The first phase of improvements will include replacing the deteriorating roof, upgrading the mechanical, electrical, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, adding a fire sprinkler system as well as approximately $250,000 in asbestos abatement. City staff have been working with ICS since last year to assess the condition of the 90-plus City-owned buildings and structures which support a broad spectrum of services provided to the community including public safety, recreation, streets, utilities and, through various partnerships, daycare, cultural and historical organizations and the arts. These facilities require ongoing maintenance and long-term investments so they can continue serving the community. The City Council expressed interest in maintaining ownership of existing buildings at the West Hills Campus and determined that Merrill Hall renovations are a priority. The building is currently occupied by lessees including the Little Theatre of Owatonna and Wee Pals Child Care Center. The improvements identified for Merrill Hall will increase the building’s energy efficiency, enhance air quality and provide a safe, comfortable building for the foreseeable future. Energy rebates available through Owatonna Public Utilities will be utilized to help fund renovations. In addition, the City Council’s proposed 2024 budget dedicates three percent to fund capital improvements such as those planned at Merrill Hall. A 2022 facilities analysis identified urgent deferred maintenance needed at Merrill Hall. Alternatives such as demolishing or selling the building were discussed. Following the renovations, the building’s utilization will also be evaluated to optimize its use. City staff are also working with ICS to develop a Long-Range Asset Plan (LRAP) that identifies near- and long-term infrastructure improvements and maintenance needs for City-owned structures and buildings. In September, ICS presented the City Council with findings from focus groups conducted earlier this year regarding City facilities. The plan will also estimate costs to build any new facilities that are identified by community members and City officials as being needed. Input from community members will help develop the LRAPP which will allow the City to invest in its buildings long-term to address and plan infrastructure needs in a way that delivers the highest value for taxpayers. This long-term approach to planning and prioritizing facilities improvements will allow residents, community leaders and City officials to guide decisions on how to plan, grow and invest in Owatonna’s future. Specific community engagement opportunities will be planned as priorities are identified. Please visit Owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna for additional information and ongoing updates about the LRAP as it evolves. |
|
|
|
|
|
City Council approves resolution adopting new brand aligning with community-wide branding initiativeWatch for a new look on future issues of Owatonna Update!
The City of Owatonna, the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and representatives from several local businesses have been meeting for more than a year to develop a community-wide brand. The City’s version of the brand was approved unanimously by the City Council at its October 17 meeting. “It was a pleasure working with representatives from several local businesses as well as Chamber of Commerce staff to consider how Owatonna is unique,” said Council President Greg Schultz. “Through a broad spectrum of perspectives, North Star was able to create a fresh and appealing identity along with messaging we can use to convey to others just how incredible our community really is.” The approval was granted following a presentation by Sam Preston, Director of Project Management from North Star Place Branding & Marketing, the agency hired for the community-wide branding project. Preston was instrumental in guiding a community-wide branding committee through the process of asking community members to share insights about Owatonna and defining how those insights help tell Owatonna’s story. He presented a summary of findings from the brand study research which included more than 2,300 unique inputs gathered through focus groups, interviews, calls and a survey. This research determined Owatonna’s greatest strengths and what makes Owatonna special and unique. “By promoting our unique attributes, a community-wide brand will better position Owatonna to attract businesses, their employees and visitors to become a part of our community,” said Kris Busse, City Administrator. “A community-wide brand will enable us to speak in a unified voice about Owatonna and outshine communities that are competing for business relocations, tourism, commercial and industrial expansions and new residents.” North Star developed community-wide branding materials as well as partner logos for the City of Owatonna, Owatonna Partners for Economic Development, the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce, Owatonna Main Street and Visit Owatonna. The Chamber coordinated the work of the community-wide branding committee and served as fiscal agent for the project. City staff will incorporate this new brand into its materials and operations over time as existing supplies need replenishing and new purchases are made. For additional information, please contact Deanna Sheely, Communications Manager, by email at deanna.sheely@owatonna.gov or by phone at 507-774-7343. Visit Owatonna.gov for information about the City of Owatonna’s brand or brandingowatonna.com to read about the process used to develop the brand, research findings from the community input received and answers to frequently asked questions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vacant properties create opportunities for public safety training
Dilapidated buildings provide an ideal opportunity for re-imagining specific areas for redevelopment. They also can frequently be utilized for public safety training. "When we become aware of buildings that will be demolished, we let our public safety departments know so they can schedule training that can only be done in actual structures," said Troy Klecker, Community Development Director. Earlier this year, there were several empty buildings that needed to be demolished to make way for the redevelopment of Owatonna’s riverfront area and constructing a new parking lot downtown. They are being utilized by Police and Fire Departments to conduct training that simulates responding to an actual scene. This summer, Fire and Police Department personnel conducted training exercises at the former Monson building on Vine Street. Firefighters conducted up-to-speed approaches involving arriving on scene, quickly setting up hoses and equipment for an interior fire. Then, attaching and establishing the back-up line and water supply. They also trained at three other vacant buildings in the riverfront area. The former Wild About Hair, a vacant store with apartments above it and the former Owatonna Glass & Repair building were used for fire ground operations training including up-to-speed approaches, vertical ventilation, wall breaches and firefighter survival. A vacant house on East Fremont Street will be utilized October 22 for firefighters to meet their training requirements to do a live burn. All Owatonna firefighters are required to be certified at the Firefighter I and Firefighter II level through the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board. To become certified, firefighters must pass three written exams, a practical skills exam and successfully complete a live acquired structure burn. The buildings are also being used by the Police Department and regional SWAT Team for additional training on building clearing techniques. After these training sessions, the buildings will be demolished. |
|
|
|
Stay Active Year-Round with New Indoor Walking Program
As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, it can be challenging to maintain an active lifestyle during the cold months. However, at West Hills Tennis and Pickleball Center, we've got a solution to keep you moving and motivated throughout the winter – our Indoor Walking Program. The program provides pass holders with a convenient and welcoming environment to engage in physical activity. Pass holders can enjoy brisk walks around our tennis courts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8 until 10 a.m. or Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 6 until 8 a.m. Courts one through four are reserved exclusively for walking. Courts five and six may also be used if they are unoccupied by tennis or pickleball players. Walking is a low-impact exercise that provides numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, enhanced mood, and increased energy levels. With our Indoor Walking Program, you can maintain your fitness routine while sheltered from the winter weather. Please call 507-444-4321 for more information or visit our online catalog to purchase your season pass!
|
|
|
|
Boulevard Tree Trimming
Street Maintenance crews in the Public Works Department trim trees that interfere with the operation of snowplows, street sweepers, school buses or delivery vans. This is done as complaints are received and as time allows. Storm-damaged boulevard trees are trimmed or removed depending on the damage severity. Broken branches are removed to prevent injuries or damage to property. Stumps of removed trees are ground and the site is restored and seeded. There is no charge to the abutting property owner for these services. Residents are able to report boulevard tree concerns using SeeClickFix. Please contact Owatonna Public Utilities at 507-451-2480 when tree branches are interfering with overhead power lines.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stay Connected: City of Owatonna Social Media
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't keep it to yourself...spread the news!Help us keep Owatonna informed by forwarding this email to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues, & encourage them to subscribe for helpful updates! They'll just need to enter their email address, and click the mail or phone icon next to the Notify Me® Owatonna Update. Don’t forget to confirm your email address! Be sure to add listserv@civicplus.com to your safe sender/address book to ensure your weekly edition is delivered. Visit our Notify Me Sign-up page to update your email address, unsubscribe, or sign up for additional City alerts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
