November 8, 2023

City Hall with green lights for Veteran's Day

Carpenter's Shop with green lights for Veteran's Day

Honoring Owatonna's Veterans

City Hall and all City buildings will be closed November 10 for the Veterans Day Holiday. Watch for the green lights at City buildings in honor of local veterans.

City Meetings This Week

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.

November 9

Airport Commission Meeting at 5 p.m. at the Degner Regional Airport, 3400 West Frontage Road.

November 14

Human Rights Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

Planning Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Chambers at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

City Council Chambers Renovations Completed

The renovations of the Council Chambers at the West Hills Campus have been completed. The City Council met in the updated space for the first time November 7.

A ribbon cutting event will be held to commemorate the completion of the project November 21 at 4:30 p.m. Community members are invited to attend.

Last year, a decision was made to renovate the Council Chambers area to allow it to better serve the community’s current needs. This space was originally used as an auditorium for the State Public School. It was modified in the 1970s when the City took ownership of the building and began using this room for its public meetings. The project goals were to:

Provide a convenient American Disability Act (ADA) compliant, accessible entry point and restrooms.
Improve capabilities to broadcast public meetings live online and through the Public Access, Education & Government Channel.
Update the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system throughout the building to provide a higher quality of air and increase energy efficiency.
Enhance safety in the Chambers and the building’s security controls.
Create a multi-purpose, flexible public meeting space for public meetings and events.

Discussions among City Council and staff about the need to renovate the Chambers began in 2017. For several years, the City has earmarked capital funds for the $2.1 million project. In addition, $900,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were allocated for the project. In 2021, the City Council selected CRW Architecture & Design Group to plan this project. Then, in 2022, Ebert Construction was selected as contractor for the project. Construction began in April and utilized several Owatonna businesses.

The West Hills Commission has been an integral part of planning the renovations and working with the State Historical Preservation Office. Original architectural elements were incorporated into the design to preserve aspects of the room’s past. They are creating a historical display for the Chambers.

“The City Council is committed to being good stewards of taxpayers’ investment in the historic buildings that are municipally owned,” said City Council President Greg Schultz. “We need to determine how to use these spaces so they serve the community effectively.” The investment in the Council Chambers area will serve the community for the foreseeable future – at least 50 years.

Avoid the Tow!

Winter Parking Restrictions Begin November 15

Police, Parks, Recreation & Facilities and Public Works Departments work together to provide clear surfaces for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Help from residents and business owners is needed to ensure this process is efficient and effective. Be sure to remind visitors, customers and neighbors that winter parking restrictions are in effect from midnight to noon. Keep in mind December and January both end and begin with odd dates – the 31^st and the 1^st.

City staff use various methods to inform the community about winter parking restrictions to help avoid having to tow vehicles. The easiest way to know where to park is by using the Winter Parking Map web app. These restrictions are enforced through March 31 regardless of the weather to facilitate effective snow removal and other street maintenance.

Managing Winter Snow & Ice

Winter months provide many recreational opportunities but also pose a challenge when it comes to snow removal, slippery surfaces and recreational facilities. The City of Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department has trained staff and specialized equipment to handle all of Minnesota’s winter scenarios.

City staff begin snow and ice control operations with any of the following conditions: snow accumulation of two or more inches, drifting snow that causes travel problems, icy conditions that seriously affect travel or road conditions that could deteriorate due to peak traffic volumes.

After any snow event, park staff initially helps the street crew remove snow on city streets. The next priority is getting the downtown area cleared before the roads are plowed, then trails, sidewalks, public parking lots and finally, skating rinks and ski trails. How quickly each one of these areas can be addressed is based on available equipment and staff. For example, staff may begin working on a trail when other staff and all available equipment for streets and downtown are deployed or in use. Snow removal and ice control may be suspended temporarily if weather conditions pose employee safety concerns such as ice storms, blizzard conditions and extreme cold.

All park department staff have been certified through The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in Smart Salting Training which teaches best practices, improves operator effectiveness and reduces chloride pollution while keeping parking lots and sidewalks safe.

Drivers and pedestrians should use extra caution during these winter months while on the roads and sidewalks and be patient as City employees work to make the pavement safer.

New Infrastructure Installed in 2023

Streets Projects Recap

During the 2023 construction season, various projects were completed by City crews and contractors to improve infrastructure across Owatonna. The Public Works Department would like to thank the community for being patient as these projects took place. Please watch for information soon about the list of projects planned for the 2024 construction season.

PROJECT:	DESCRIPTION:	COMPLETED BY:
Street Overlays	Sections of 20th Street NE, Prairie Place NE, Bellflower Lane NE and Prairie Lane NE south to Jerake Place were included in this project which involved replacing and adjusting manhole castings and structures. The street was then overlayed with new asphalt.	City of Owatonna and Steve James Excavating
Cured In Place Pipe System (CIPPS)	Lining of 6,543 feet of clay sanitary sewer lines to improve carrying capacity and reduce inflow	Insitu-form (still under construction)
Street Maintenance	Crack sealing and seal coating of 5.08 miles of streets	Pearson Bros, Inc.
Havana Road SE SAP	Full-depth reconstruction of street section and replacement of several curb sections, watermain replacement, storm sewer and sump main replacement, and sidewalk replacement	Wencl Construction
Street & Utility Project – Riverview Pl SW	Reconstructed of street section from McKinley St SW to the cul-de-sac, replaced watermain and services, sanitary sewer and service connections, constructed several storm sewer structures/pipes and new curb and gutter. Paving will be completed this fall.	Wencl Construction (final erosion control and establishing vegetation will be completed spring 2024)
Street & Utility Project – School St SE	Reconstruction of the street section from Main St (CR 180) to Partridge Ave SE that includes curb, gutter, water main and services, and storm structures. Paving will be completed this fall.	Wencl Construction (final erosion control and establishing vegetation will be completed spring 2024)

Give the Gift of Recreation

Win a gift card by shopping for the holidays with the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department!

It’s that time of year to think about thoughtful gift-giving. The City of Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department provides easy ways to give the gift of recreation and connecting with others:

River Springs Water Park passes
Brooktree Golf Course passes
Tennis & Pickleball passes
Yoga classes
Swimming lessons
Water aerobics
West Hills Social Commons membership
Trips & much more

Purchase a $25 Parks & Recreation gift card between November 20 and December 23 to be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $25 gift card to use for any program or event offered through the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department. For each additional $25 gift card purchased, receive a bonus entry for the drawing. Shop for these and other recreation gifts at the City of Owatonna Parks & Recreation Catalog online at Owatonna.gov/parksrecreation or scan the QR code below.

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