January 3, 2024

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 held its annual Organizational Meeting January 2 during its regularly scheduled meeting. The following annual organizational designations were unanimously approved:

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

Council members were also appointed to service on the following boards and commissions in 2024:

Economic Development Authority – Kevin Raney, Doug Voss
Owatonna Area Business Development Center – Brent Svenby, Dan Boeke
Law Enforcement Center Committee – David Burbank, Greg Schultz
Highway 14 Partnership – Kevin Raney
Joint Powers 911 Board – David Burbank, Nathan Dotson
Joint County/City Transportation Committee – Greg Schultz, Kevin Raney
Housing Rural Authority – Nathan Dotson
Joint City/Owatonna Public Utilities Committee – Doug Voss, Nathan Dotson
Facilities Steering Committee – Greg Schultz, Dan Boeke, Doug Voss

The meeting can be viewed online at Owatonna.gov.

Election Judges Needed!

Presidential Nominating Primary Election March 5, 2024

The Presidential Nominating Primary Election is just two months away. For information about serving as an Election Judge, please contact Jeanette Clawson, Administrative Coordinator, at 507-774-7341.

Who may be an Election Judge? An election judge must be:

Eligible to vote in the State of Minnesota
Able to read, write and speak English
Appointed by the appointing authority (County, City, Township, School Board)
Trained and currently certified as an Election Judge

Individuals applying to be an election judge need to declare their party affiliation if they are affiliated with a major political party.

An election judge cannot be:

A candidate in that election.
The husband, wife, parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister or stepsibling of a candidate or another judge in the same precinct.
A challenger.

Individuals who are related to each other may serve as election judges in the same precinct if they serve on separate shifts that do not overlap. Minnesota Election Laws in State Stature 204B.21 state that Election Judge appointments shall be made from the lists received from the major political parties of qualified voters who signed up at the caucuses held earlier in the year and letters were sent to individuals on the lists received from the political parties.

City Boards & Commissions

Watch for upcoming openings to serve

The City of Owatonna encourages community members to attend public meetings and serve on any of its 12 boards and commissions. Applications will be posted on the City’s website in March for board and commission openings that begin May 1. Currently, applications are being accepted for current vacancies on these City boards and commissions:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PARK & RECREATION BOARD

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.

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.

The keynote presenter 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.

Storytime Tuesdays

Storytime Tuesdays resume January 16. Preschoolers with their parents/caregivers are invited to the Children’s Services area at the library for stories, songs and fun on Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Movies at the Library

Movies at the Owatonna Public Library are shown at 2 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month at no cost in the third floor Gainey Room. Check the Library News section of OPL’s homepage at owatonna.gov/library for the next title being shown as well as its rating and run time.

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.

Fun Winter Outdoor Events During Bold & Cold

The Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department will host several events, once again, in collaboration with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism annual Bold & Cold event. The event provides an opportunity for community members to enjoy time with family and friends and includes several new activities this year.

Family Open Swim & Pool Bingo January 26 Owatonna Middle School Pool

Dive into the excitement with our Pool Bingo extravaganza! Join us for a unique twist on the classic game where the pool becomes your game board and swimming skills are your tickets to winning prizes.

Family Ice Fishing January 29 Lake Kohlmier

Are you ready to take the bait and go ice fishing at Lake Kohlmier? Our program will have you hooked from the moment you drop your line! We'll supply all the gear you need to reel in the catch of the day. Don't worry about a fishing license - we've got you covered. This fin-tastic activity is perfect for all ages. So don't be koi, come join us and let's make some memories that are reel-y unforgettable!

Rock on Ice January 27 Morehouse Park Skating Rink

Join us at Morehouse for our upcoming Glow Skate event where you can enjoy some frosty fun. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just finding your feet, we have something for everyone including cool music to keep you moving. Lace up those skates and join us for a night of unforgettable memories!

Luminary Hike January 27 Brooktree Golf Course

Join us for a magical evening stroll through Brooktree Golf Course when it is lit by hundreds of glowing luminaries. Your journey will take you along winding pathways through snow-covered trees, past frozen streams and under twinkling stars. Along the way, you'll enjoy a storybook, warm winter refreshments and opportunities to enjoy the natural world around you.

Sculpture Building Contest January 22-27 Central Park

Discover the artist within you by carving out a stunning sculpture from a block of snow measuring six feet by six feet. This is your chance to showcase your creativity to the world. You will have six days to craft your masterpiece. On Sunday, the public is invited to vote for their favorite works of snow art. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unleash your imagination and create something truly extraordinary. Register now to claim your block of snow.

Snowshoeing January 27 Brooktree Golf Course

Experience the magic of winter with a complimentary snowshoeing adventure. This exciting program is perfect for individuals and families of all ages and skill levels. It offers a chance to explore and discover the beauty of snow-covered landscapes. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a novice, snowshoeing is a fun and accessible activity that anyone can enjoy. So bundle up and get ready for an unforgettable winter experience!

For additional information about Bold & Cold events, go to visitowatonna.org/boldandcold.

Helpful Links

Stay Connected: City of Owatonna Social Media

Follow the City of Owatonna on Facebook

Visit the Stay Informed Page for more information

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.

Sign Up to Receive this Email