January 10, 2024

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. 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.

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 Meetings

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. The public is invited to attend the following City meetings this week.

January 11: Airport Commission Meeting at 5 p.m. in the Board Room at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, 3400 West Frontage Road.

January 15: Human Rights Commission event at 11:30 a.m. at the Steele County History Center, 1700 Austin Road.

January 16: City Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

January 17: Economic Development Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

January 18: Library Board Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue.

Keeping sidewalks clear for safe passage

Snow and ice can be dangerous for all ages and especially for children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Property owners in Owatonna are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding their property. City Ordinance 94.005 states that the owner, occupant or person in charge of any property within the City of Owatonna must clear sidewalks of any accumulated snow and ice from all city sidewalks within 24 hours from the time the snow ceases to accumulate.

Sidewalk inspections are completed on a complaint-received basis. Property owners who do not adhere to the City of Owatonna snow removal policy may receive a written notice requiring they remove the snow within the next 24 hours. If snow is removed from sidewalks prior to the expiration of the posted 24-hour notice, no further action will be taken. Failure to comply with this ordinance will result in the removal of the snow by the City’s contractor and a penalty will be assessed to the property owner. This penalty includes an Administrative Fee and Contractor Clearing Costs.

To report an unsafe sidewalk due to lack of snow removal, use SeeClickFix or call 507-444-4350.

2024 Sidewalk Snow Removal Cost Breakdown

(Condition of sidewalk may warrant additional charges.)

Administrative Fees:
Violation	Cost
1	$40.00
2	$60.00
3+	$80.00
Contractor Clearing Costs:
Item	Description	Quantity	Unit of Measure	Total
Mobilization	Base price for removal	1	Lump Sum	$135
Additional Sidewalk clearing	Removal costs for sidewalk based upon per linear foot of sidewalk when frontage exceeds 100 feet	1	Linear Foot	$.75/linear foot if frontage exceeds 100 ft
Pedestrian Ramp	Removal costs for pedestrian ramp per ramp adjacent to property	1	Each	$55
Sand/Salt	Costs for salting and/or sanding shall be based upon per linear foot of treatment	1	Linear Foot	$.60

Compost Site Winter Hours

The Compost Site located at 400 32^nd Avenue West will be open January 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for wreaths, Christmas trees and any leftover fall debris.

Spring Program Registrations

It may not feel like it, but spring is on its way and will be here soon! The Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department is in full swing preparing a multitude of activities. For details, look for the Spring/Summer Activity Guide in the mailbox and available to view online the week of February 12. Visit Owatonna.gov for additional information.

Registration for Spring programs begins February 20. The Parks and Recreation Office will be open extended hours February 20, 21, 22, 23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Options include new and redesigned camps, preschool camps, outdoor adventure camps and more! Family archery, kayaking and geocaching programs provide fun opportunities to get out and try something together as a family. Programs are available for everyone to get out and enjoy the Spring weather.

Register on the Owatonna Parks, Recreation and Facilities website at www.owatonna.gov/283/Parks-Recreation, over the phone at 507-444-4321 or in-person at 500 Dunnell Drive. Scholarships are available. Volunteer coaches are always needed for youth sports programs.

Lifeguarding

Looking for a fun summer job? Come join us at River Springs Water Park as a lifeguard! We offer flexible hours and a welcoming environment! If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard, we provide lifeguard certification classes to give participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies.

Water Safety Instructor Training

Water safety instructors are trained to teach children and adults water safety, survival and swimming skills as well as give community water safety presentations. It is a fun and rewarding job that will help you develop teaching and leadership skills! Just a few water safety instructor classes will be offered in the coming months.

Water Aerobics

Classes are designed for an aerobic workout that stresses movement of the joints, muscles and heart. A great small pool environment with a water temperature of approximately 90 degrees which is great for rehabilitation and arthritis. Class sizes are limited. Classes are offered on a week-by-week basis. Register for up to four weeks at a time. Benefits of water aerobics include increased flexibility, social interaction, increased muscle strength and endurance and decreased anxiety and stress.

Winter Skating

Rinks are located at Morehouse, Buecksler and Countryview parks. Fun on Ice events are held on Saturday evenings at all locations! The warming house at the Morehouse location offers concessions and skate rentals.

Parks & Recreation office relocated

New year, new location. The Parks and Recreation office is now located at 500 Dunnell Drive. Please enter the front north door for all Parks and Recreation needs. We look forward to serving you in 2024 from our new location!

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