December 27, 2023

New Year City buildings closed January 1

Photo of Mayor, City Council & City Administrator

The Owatonna City Council meets at 7 pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. Contact Council Members with questions, suggestions and concerns. Agendas, Minutes and Council Packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

City Council Organizational Meeting

The City Council will hold its biennial Organizational Meeting January 2 during its regularly scheduled meeting. The City Council will be asked to act on the following annual organizational designations:

Depositories and signatories
Responsible Authority for data practices
Official newspaper of record
Inspector for weed, junk and nuisance violations
Council representation on Boards and Commissions

Owatonna residents are invited to attend the meeting or view it online at Owatonna.gov.

Annexation Agreement with Owatonna Township

The City recently renewed its annexation agreement with Owatonna Township. The City has had an annexation agreement with Owatonna Township for several decades to help with controlled and orderly growth of the area. The agreement identifies properties adjacent to the City limits that make the most sense for future growth and what circumstances must be in place for that growth to happen. This is the most efficient way to utilize City infrastructure for growth and help protect farmland.

The agreement approved by City Council December 19 is unchanged from the previous year as there were no annexations in 2023 and both the City and the Township were comfortable with the language in the agreement. The City appreciates its partnership with Owatonna Township.

Snow Removal Around Fire Hydrants

This winter, the Owatonna Fire Department is asking residents for help keeping nearby fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. During a fire, every second counts. After a snowfall, hydrants can become difficult to for firefighters to spot. Having an easily accessible fire hydrant makes a big difference in how quickly firefighters can successfully put out a fire in the neighborhood.

Keep snow and ice three feet away from fire hydrants
Clear a path from the hydrant to the street
Make sure the hydrant is visible from the street
Help an elderly neighbor by offering to “adopt” a hydrant in their yard for the winter

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.

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.

Winter Parking Reminders

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. Parking restrictions are enforced nightly through March 31 regardless of weather conditions.

The Winter Parking Map web app shows parking restrictions in place 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!

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