December 20, 2023

Upcoming City Meetings

The public is invited to attend the City's public meetings. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

December 21: Library Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Avenue.

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. This free event will be at the Steele County History Center at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. King is known for many powerful quotes. One that resonates with so many, regardless of demographics, is “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” The silence, too often, is not because of ill intentions but, rather, because of not knowing how to respond or the fear of potentially causing more harm. In Minnesota, this is especially true. Unfortunately, for those who feel harmed by hurtful comments, bias or microaggressions, the silence of bystanders is painful. The keynote presenter for Owatonna’s 2024 celebration of Dr. King’s work utilizes the voices of many and focuses on impact rather than intent. Participants will leave with new perspectives, knowledge and a deeper conviction to humanize each other to provide more inclusive environments.

Seema G. Pothini, Founder & Lead Facilitator will bring her decades of experience and a relentless passion in professional settings as an educator, consultant, author, director of services, president of non-profit boards and advocate for inclusive communities. As the Director of Ally Engagement for the Humanize My Hoodie movement, she provides opportunities for dialogue and action steps to eliminate the criminalization of Black, Indigenous and people of color. Her book, Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education, is used globally as a resource for people to gain a better insight into perspectives other than their own and to enhance their ability to recognize and respond to inequities.

Seema Pothini will present Speak Up! Tools for Recognizing and Responding to Injustices in the Moment by Humanizing Each Other. Pothini, the Director of Ally Engagement for the Humanize My Hoodie movement., will provide opportunities for dialogue and action steps to eliminate the criminalization of Black, Indigenous and other people of color.

City Council Approves 2024 Budgets and Levies for the City and HRA

City staff reduces levy increase by one percent

At its December 19 meeting, the City Council approved the City’s 2024 budget of $52,267,572 million and a property tax levy of $18,014,033 million to invest in infrastructure, public safety, city-wide amenities, economic growth, development and staff recruitment and retention. The City Council also approved the Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA)’s 2024 budget of $1.7 million ($1,689,426) and property tax levy of $200,000 to aid in well-planned growth to help meet the community’s housing needs.

The final 2024 budget was approved with a reduction of one percent from the proposed budget approved by City Council September 19. This reduction was possible due to a delay in facility project costs which resulted in a decrease in the 2024 debt service levy.

The total property tax levy (City and HRA) represents an eight percent increase over 2023 with an estimated tax base growth of 6.7 percent. This results in a slightly higher tax rate for all property taxpayers (58.185 vs 57.305). Although this rate is slightly higher than the prior year rate, it is still lower than the previous ten years. In addition, the State of Minnesota increased the limits for the market value exclusion which will benefit a majority of homeowners.

“Setting the annual budget and property tax levy is a challenge each year as we attempt to balance the City Council’s strategic goals with available resources,” said Finance Director Rhonda Moen. “One of the key priorities for the 2024 budget included making a significant investment in the City’s long list of capital-related projects. Owatonna’s strong growth patterns impact the services we provide while high inflation is driving up the costs for operations as well as recruiting and retaining employees. To fund both capital and operating needs so we can continue providing city services at current levels, a levy increase was necessary.”

To address existing needs, the following are included in the 2024 budget:

Adding three full-time positions and increasing one part-time position to full-time to align staffing levels with the community’s growth and demand for services. This includes a maintenance technician, police officer, assistant city administrator and information technology position.
Replacing vehicles and equipment that are required to provide services and have exceeded their useful lifecycles.
Required street maintenance such as sealcoating to extend the lifecycle of infrastructure.
Required facilities maintenance such as tuckpointing, HVAC and roof replacements to extend the lifecycle of City-owned buildings.
Merrill Hall renovations replacing mechanical equipment to ensure the buildings use for many years to come.
Funding for anticipated changes at the law enforcement center.
Ensuring market-rate wages for staff recruitment and retention.

The City’s online, interactive budget and budget presentations are available at Owatonna.gov/Finance. The City of Owatonna is committed to providing a community where residents and businesses can thrive. For additional information about the City of Owatonna, please visit owatonna.gov or follow the City of Owatonna on Facebook.

Join a City Board or Commission

Have you ever thought about serving on a City board or commission? You might be surprised by how interesting and influential resident input can be! Think about making a difference in Owatonna’s future.

Currently, there is an opening on the Park Board and an opening on the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The Application Form is available on the City’s website until these two positions are filled. Visit Owatonna.gov for additional information.

Annually, there are openings on several boards/commissions which are advertised during February for appointments effective May 1.

Photo of ribbon cutting at Climate by Design International building

City officials join the ribbon cutting celebration at the new Climate by Design International building.

Photo of Mayor speaking at CDI ribbon cutting event

Mayor Thomas Kuntz thanks CDI's founders for investing in Owatonna as they plan their growth.

Local Growing Business Celebrates Grand Opening

Climate by Design International (CDI) celebrated the grand opening of a new facility in the industrial park with a ribbon cutting ceremony December 19. Mayor Thomas Kuntz, several City Council Members and staff attended the ceremony to celebrate this significant milestone.

The new 200,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located at the intersection of Festal Place NW and West Bridge Street replaces CDI’s previous 66,000 square-foot facility located at 2100 Park Drive. The construction of the new building was aided by Tax Increment Financing from the City.

CDI creates desiccant dehumidifiers and critical process air handlers for a wide array of applications. The manufacturing company was founded in Owatonna by Tom and Susan Peterson and is a graduate of the Owatonna Incubator. CDI is expected to add many more employees with this facility as they expand into different markets.

CDI has been a great partner within the community by contributing to many projects and events. They recently announced a partnership with Rise Modular to utilize their staff and facilities during a break in work for that company.

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

Home fires occur more frequently in winter than in any other season. While staying cozy and warm this winter, be fire smart! Follow these tips to help prevent winter fires and to stay safe this winter season:

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters and candles.
Plug only one heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
Have a qualified professional clean and inspect chimney and vents every year.
Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from the house as possible.
Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.

Half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Don’t become a statistic – stay fire safe!

Winter Parking Reminders

Help holiday guests AVOID THE TOW!

This has been a unique winter thus far with higher-than-normal temperatures and minimal snowfall. What isn’t unique to Owatonna is the City’s winter parking ordinance. On even-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may be parked on the side of the street with addresses that have been assigned even numbers. On odd-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may be parked on the side of the street with addresses that have been assigned odd numbers.

Police, Parks, Recreation & Facilities and Public Works Departments are invested in helping residents, their guests and others comply with winter parking restrictions to avoid towing vehicles. Keep in mind December and January both end and begin with odd dates – the 31^st and the 1^st. Parking restrictions are enforced nightly from November 15 through March 31 regardless of weather conditions.

The Winter Parking Map web app shows parking restrictions in place from November 15 through March 31 to facilitate effective snow removal and other street maintenance. Scan the QR code to load the app.

Pickleball Paradise: West Hills Winter Leagues Unleashed!

Get ready to smash, dink and volley your way through the West Hills Winter City Pickleball Leagues! This winter wonderland of pickleball delight is brought to you by the one and only Pickleball Maestro, Matt Hokanson, a certified coach with the prestigious USA Pickleball PPR certification.

If you're ready to pick up a paddle and unleash your inner pickleball warrior, here's everything you need to know. You can contact the Pickleball Wizard himself at 218-407-0742 (text preferred) or drop him an email at matthokansontennis@gmail.com.

The battlefield? Court 6 at the West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center - the epicenter of pickleball action! Fee: $120 for the 8-week league, per team. Dates: Leagues start the week of January 22, 2024. Registration: Currently open through January 10, 2024.

Mondays: Kickoff your week with the Monday Pickleball League where the action unfolds from 11 am to 1 pm. Courts 6N and 6S are your arenas of glory.

Wednesdays: Hump day blues? Not in the world of pickleball! Join the Wednesday Pickleball League from 11 am to 1 pm on Courts 6N and 6S.

Thursdays: If evenings suit your pickleball cravings, dive into the Thursday Evening Pickleball League from 7 pm to 9 pm on Courts 6N and 6S.

Pickleball Perks

These City Pickleball Leagues aren't just about the thrill of the game; they're about community and competition. Players can record their scores in the DUPR rating system – the Pickleball equivalent of a Golf Handicap. Every player receives a keycard, granting them access to the West Hills Tennis & Pickleball Center during league play. So, grab your paddles, mark your calendars and get ready to pickleball your way through winter – West Hills style! It's not just a league; it's a pickleball adventure waiting to happen!

Park Maintenance Tree Removal

The Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department removes dead, diseased or damaged trees throughout the park system as part of routine maintenance. This includes approximately 25 ash, pine and cottonwood trees being removed at Brooktree Golf Course and the West Hills Campus.

Tree removal typically done in the fall and, when weather permits, into the winter months. The department's policy is that trees are replaced at a one-to-one ratio whenever possible. Occasionally, that is not possible due to the proximity of other trees, buildings, power lines or park amenities.

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