City Meetings This Week

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

February 26: Housing & Redevelopment Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

February 27: Owatonna Public Utilities Commission Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Morehouse Meeting Room at Owatonna Public Utilities, 208 S Walnut Avenue. There will be a Neighborhood Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Chambers of the Charles S. Crandall Center for a discussion on the Proposed 2024 Street and Utility Project.

2024 Presidential Nominating Primary Election

The 2024 Presidential Nominating Primary (PNP) Election is just a few weeks away. Owatonna’s ten polling sites will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5. Two new polling sites were approved by City Council via Resolution 112-23 last November. Ward 3/Precinct 1 was previously in the Owatonna Arts Center and Ward 4/Precinct 2 was previously at the Steele County History Center. Households with a registered voter received a postcard notification about the change in their polling site location.

The following are the current polling sites for all Owatonna voters:

Ward1/Precinct1 Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Avenue
Ward 1/Precinct 2 Associated Church, 800 Havana Road
Ward 2/Precinct1 Owatonna Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue
Ward 2/Precinct 2 Bethel Church, 1611 Hemlock Avenue
Ward 3/Precinct 1 Charles S. Crandall Center Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle
Ward 3/Precinct 2 Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 750 Jeffrey Street
Ward 4/Precinct1 Sacred Heart Parish Center, 810 S Cedar Avenue
Ward 4/Precinct 2 Christ Community Covenant Church, 540 SE 18th Street
Ward 5/Precinct1 Grace Baptist Church, 265 26th Street NE
Ward 5/Precinct 2 Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1909 St. Paul Road

Early/absentee voting is now available at the Steele County Property Tax and Elections Office until the day prior to the election. Voters can pre-register or register at their polling place when they vote. Any voter registered in Minnesota is eligible to vote in the PNP Election. Voters must turn 18 before March 5 to vote in this primary.

City Joins Community-wide Engagement Efforts

Part-time Role Being Posted to Serve Multiple Agencies

A Community Engagement Specialist is needed to advance the efforts of Engage Owatonna, a community engagement platform.

The City of Owatonna, Owatonna School District, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce, Owatonna Public Utilities and other entities and individuals have been utilizing Engage Owatonna to create opportunities for community members to join discussions about projects, issues and plans. The platform’s mission is “To engage the community to share all voices and listen to shape Owatonna’s evolving future-together.”

The City of Owatonna officially launched its presence on the platform last year. The new specialist position will be hired through the Chamber of Commerce. This part-time, contract position will facilitate and coordinate a robust and integrated community engagement strategy utilizing the Engage Owatonna platform with a particular focus on building relationships with local community partners and service providers.

Please see the full position description for additional details at owatonna.org or on Indeed.

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.

18^th Street SE Trail Extension

The 18th Street Trail extension from Linn Avenue to Austin Road is slated for construction in 2024.

The total cost of the project is approximately $918,326. City staff applied for and received federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for $579,684. To qualify, projects must serve a transportation purpose for nonmotorized modes. They primarily serve a commuting purpose, connect two destinations or connect people to recreational destinations. This is a competitive grant program with potential projects first being filtered regionally with a letter of intent. After review, the applicant may be recommended to proceed with the full grant application.

The Owatonna Parks & Trails Master Plan, adopted in 2020, shows a significant gap in the proposed city-wide trail loop on Owatonna's south end. Public input greatly supported trails and stressed the need to connect the trail system. This extension of the 18th Street Trail is a phased project supported by many businesses, organizations and Steele County. TAP funds have also been awarded for 2026 to complete the trail from Austin Road to Bixby Road.

The City’s first TAP project, along with a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Local Trail Connections grant, provided funding in the past for the construction of the North Straight River Parkway in 2017.

2024 street reconstruction project limits aerial

2024 Street Improvements

Neighborhood Meeting & March 5 Public Hearing

Spring is quickly approaching and the Engineering Department is looking forward to another busy year of road construction.

On February 6, the City Council designated the street reconstruction and bituminous rehabilitation projects that will be completed during the 2024 construction season. The following areas will be included in the 2024 Street & Utility Project:

McKinley Street SW
Anderson Place SW

The streets proposed for bituminous reconstruction are deteriorating and in need of both pavement rehabilitation as well as utility (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer) upgrades. A neighborhood meeting for this project will be held February 27 at 5 pm in the City Council Chambers located at 540 West Hills Circle. Staff will present information on the project and be available to answer questions. A Public Hearing for the project will be held during the March 7 City Council meeting beginning at 7 pm in the City Council Chambers.

These 2024 Street & Utility Projects are estimated at $1,855,930 and will be financed through City funding and assessments. Approximately 24 property owners will be impacted.

Keep it Clear graphic of stormwater catch basin

Keep Catch Basins Clear of Snow, Ice and Debris

As spring approaches, snow and heavy rains can cause localized ponding and flooding if storm drains are blocked. To prevent this, please check any storm drains located near your driveway and clear them of debris. Sweeping up any sediment, deicing salt or trash that has accumulated prevents it from reaching a nearby waterbody or clogging the stormwater system. In addition to street catch basins, there may also be storm inlets or drains in yards that need to be kept clear.

Learn more about the City of Owatonna’s Stormwater Program and Catch Basin Adoption Program at owatonna.gov/stormwater or send an email to stormwater@owatonna.gov.

Wood Orders

The Public Works Department is accepting wood orders for delivery 15 miles within City limits. Fees are as follows: within City limits=$30 per load, within 10 miles of City limits=$45 per load, within 15 miles of City limits=$65 per load. Wood is available for delivery only. Individuals may purchase up to three loads annually. The delivery site must be accessible by a tandem dump truck. All fees must be paid in advance, prior to delivery.

Click Here to Submit an Online Order Form or call 507-444-4350 for additional information.

Helpful Links

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Visit the Stay Informed Page for more information

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