November 29, 2023

Owatonna’s 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

The Owatonna Human Rights Commission will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event on January 15, 2024. A presentation by Seema Pothini, a member of Humanize my Hoodie, will focus on Dr. King’s messages to not remain silent in the face of harm or inequities and to humanize one other regardless of identifiers such as race, socioeconomics, language, (dis)abilities, body size, etc. The event will be mid-day at the Steele County History Center. Mark your calendars for January 15 at 11:30 a.m.

2024 is an Election Year!

The following three elections are planned for next year:

Presidential Nominating Primary Election – March 5
Primary Election – August 13
General Election – November 5

On November 7, the City Council approved Resolution 112-23 to establish these 2024 polling sites:

First Ward/First Precinct - Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Avenue

First Ward/Second Precinct - Associated Church, 800 Havana Road

Second Ward/First Precinct - Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Avenue

Second Ward/Second Precinct – Bethel Church, 1611 Hemlock Avenue

Third Ward/First Precinct – Chambers, Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle

Third Ward/Second Precinct - Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 750 Jeffrey Street

Fourth Ward/First Precinct - Sacred Heart Parish Center, 810 South Cedar Avenue

Fourth Ward/Second Precinct – Christ Community Covenant Church, 540 SE 18^th Street

Fifth Ward/First Precinct - Grace Baptist Church, 265 26th Street NE

Fifth Ward/Second Precinct - Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1909 St. Paul Road

Two of these sites are new. The Third Ward/First Precinct was located previously at the Owatonna Arts Center. Replacing this site with the new Chambers increases voter accessibility with one-level entry and parking. The Fourth Ward/Second Precinct was located previously at the Steele County History Center. It changed due to scheduling conflicts with the Steele County Fair in August. Postcards will be sent to all households with registered voter(s) in these precincts to advise them of the change in voting locations.

Photo of ribbon cutting event for new Council Chambers

City officials cut the ribbon on the new Chambers November 21.

Community Members Attend Ribbon Cutting on New City Council Chambers

Dozens of community members joined the City Council and Mayor to celebrate the opening of the Charles S. Crandall Center at City Hall for a ribbon cutting event November 21.

City staff partnered with the West Hills Commission, several local contractors and others to renovate the former Council Chambers and add a convenient American Disability Act (ADA) compliant, accessible entry point and restrooms. The renovations also improve capabilities to broadcast public meetings live online and through the Public Access, Education & Government Channel. The project included a significant update of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system throughout the building and enhanced safety features and security controls.

The new space is being used for City Council, Board and Commission meetings as well as for the School District Board meetings. The multi-purpose, flexible public meeting space will also be used for other public meetings and events.

November 27 – December 2 Proclaimed as DECA Week

On November 28, the Owatonna Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Chapter officers and advisor joined Mayor Thomas Kuntz in the City Council Chambers as he signed a proclamation declaring November 27 through December 2 as “DECA Week” in Owatonna.

The Owatonna Chapter follows the National DECA, an organization for students in high school around the globe that aims to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. In competition, they display communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Owatonna DECA Chapter’s 153 members look to provide a positive impact in the community. They recently made tie blankets that were donated to Beds for Kids. The Chapter also donated more than $180 to Rachel’s Light during the Owatonna High School Cash Drive week. On January 5, they will compete at districts held in Owatonna with hopes to advance to the statewide competition.

Logos from County, City and School District

18th Street Roundabout Reopening

The Highway 48 Bixby Road and 18^th Street Southeast roundabout that has been under construction will be open to traffic Thursday, November 30 - weather permitting. The completion of this project was announced today by officials from Steele County, the City of Owatonna and Owatonna Public Schools. The three entities partnered to support the project.

The east leg of the roundabout and other minor work will be finished next year, pending work by the railroad to build the new crossing surface, signals and gates. A temporary connection has been built through the existing railroad crossing to accommodate traffic for the winter.

The roundabout was built to improve safety at the intersection, especially for young drivers from the high school and to address anticipated traffic volume increases with the new high school. Officials thank the public for their patience with the detours and traffic delays during the project. The guidance below is helpful when navigating a roundabout.

For drivers:

Slow down when approaching a roundabout.
Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. It is the law.
Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Merge into the traffic flow when it is safe.
Continue through the roundabout until you reach your exit. Do not stop or pass in a roundabout.
Exit the roundabout immediately if an emergency vehicle approaches and then pull over. Do not stop in the roundabout.
Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk when exiting the roundabout.

For pedestrians:

Cross only at crosswalks and always stay on designated walkways.
Never cross to the central island.
Cross the roundabout one approach at a time. Use the median island as a halfway point where you can check for approaching traffic.

For bicyclists:

Ride with traffic inside the roundabout or use crosswalks appropriately.
Follow the same rules as vehicles when riding with traffic and yield when entering the roundabout. Since traffic is slower inside the roundabout, cyclists should be able to travel at or near the same speed as motorists, staying in line with the circulating traffic.

The project partners advise motorists to drive with caution and slow down through work zones for the motorist’s own safety and for the safety of the construction crews.

For updates on other City of Owatonna street construction projects, please visit Owatonna.gov. For updates on this or other Steele County highway construction projects, please visit steelecountymn.gov.

Owatonna Wastewater Treatment Plant aerial photo of construction progress

Expansion of Wastewater Treatment Plant Progressing

As the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade and expansion project moves into its second winter of construction, Rice Lake Construction Group is finishing up installing the last of the site piping needed to bring new processes online next spring. The new Fine Screen Building is nearly operational, and a lot of work continues within the new Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and Solids Thickening Buildings. The membranes arrived recently and are being stored until they can be installed in their tanks in the MBR building.

One of the existing primary clarifiers and two of the existing aeration basins are currently being rehabilitated. The primary clarifier work includes removing all the internal equipment within the concrete tank and replacing it with new equipment so it can last another 25 to 30 years. The aeration basin work includes removing and replacing all the fine-bubble diffusers and air piping, constructing concrete baffle walls and channels and installing mixers to promote biological nutrient removal. Even though the facility has produced exceptional water quality over the past 30 years, the upgraded process will produce an even higher quality to be discharged to the Straight River.

The City Council approved change orders for $111,000 in November due to increases in materials costs, price escalations and adaptions needed for operations as components are installed. The $56.5 million, multi-year project is projected to be completed within 2.4 percent of the bid amount. This is significantly lower than expected for a project this size, typically ranging from five to 10 percent.

City staff presented City Council with an updated Sewer Rate Plan establishing fee increases through 2028 on November 7 with the expectation that rates will be reviewed annually. The City Council adopted the 2023 Wastewater Collection System Study at its November 21 meeting.

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 before 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 above.

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