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.

March 13: Economic Development Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

March 14: Airport Commission Meeting at 5 p.m. at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, 3400 West Frontage Road.

March 19: City Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m. in the Chambers in the Charles S. Crandall Center for an update from SMART Transit. If time allows, there will be a general update on board and commission activities. City Council Meeting begins at 7 p.m. to include a public hearing to consider issuing Revenue Obligations by the City of Bether for the benefit of the Ecumen Obligated Group.

Apply in March to Serve on a City Board or Commission

The City of Owatonna encourages community members to attend public meetings and serve on any of its 12 boards and commissions. Terms of 18 board or commission members expire April 30. Of these, 13 have requested reappointment to serve another term. Community members can apply for openings on the Airport Commission and Human Rights Commission at owatonna.gov. Meeting times, agendas and notices of all public city meetings are available at owatonna.gov.

2024 Presidential Nominating Primary Election

The 2024 Presidential Nominating Election Day was March 5. Voter participation was low in Owatonna (14.75 percent) and across the state. 2,278 votes were cast by 15,447 registered voters. Republican votes outnumbered the democrat votes by approximately three to one. The two Republican candidates who received the most votes were Donald J. Trump with 1,156 votes and Nikki Haley with 395. The two top Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates were Joseph R. Biden Jr. with 478 votes and Dean Phillips with 56.

The 2024 Primary Election will be held August 13 and the 2024 General Election will be November 5. For information about serving as an Election Judge, please contact Jeanette Clawson, Administrative Coordinator, at 507.774.7341. Training will be offered this summer prior to the Primary Election.

Photo of Madelia tour of Owatonna high school

School Superintendent Jeff Elstad addresses the tour group from Madelia with information about innovative spaces at the new high school.

Owatonna Noticed by Other Communities

Several members of the Owatonna Partners for Economic Development Board hosted officials from Madelia, Minnesota March 6 for a tour of the new high school. Mayor Kuntz, City Administrator Kris Busse and Community Development Manager Greg Kruschke represented the City of Owatonna on the tour. Highlights included career pathways, community collaboration to pass a bond referendum and corporate sponsorships.

New Online Permit Application

Transient Merchant/Solicitor’s Permit

A City-issued permit is required for all peddlers, solicitors, transient merchants and non-commercial door-to-door advocates within City limits. The application for these permits is now offered on the City’s website at owatonna.gov. Transient merchants register for permits with the Administrative Services Department at no cost. When a Solicitor’s Permit is issued, a background verification is completed and the applicant pays a $100 fee.

When someone knocks on your door to sell or solicit goods, ask to see their City-issued permit. If they do not have one with them, ask them to contact the City of Owatonna to obtain the required permit.

Online Building Permits

The Building Inspection Division has been using a new online permitting system for nearly a year now. If you haven’t used it yet, or need a refresher, see below.

Creating a new account:

Visit the City of Owatonna’s website at owatonna.gov.
On the top navigation menu, click on ‘City Services’ and ‘Building Inspections’.
On a desktop, select ‘Sign Up’ in the upper right corner, then click ‘Sign up using Secure Portal’.
Complete the required information including e-mail and password.

Applying for a permit:

On the ‘Building Inspections’ page (mentioned above), look for the right type of permit in the left navigation menu and click on the appropriate link.
Complete the application. It’s okay to stop along the way as the application will be saved and can be completed later.
Once the account is created and the permit is applied for, the applicant will be able to refer back to their submission to follow the process of approvals. The applicant will be notified by email when the permit is approved and will be able to see the required inspections for their project.

This system allows for online payments! In-person payments will continue to be accepted as well. Please e-mail inspect@ci.owatonna.gov or call 507.444.4370 for additional information.

Photo of firefighter training in March 2024 in Lake Crystal

Firefighters Attend Fire School

Exciting Hands-on Training Experience

Last weekend, six Owatonna firefighters attended the Minnesota Fire & Rescue School hosted by Safety & Security Consultation Specialists in Lake Crystal. This is one of two fire schools held annually and a great opportunity for firefighters to receive in-depth, advanced training on specific topics.

One class attended by firefighters, First Due Engine – Live Fire Training, covered how to respond as the first firetruck arriving at a scene in the context of a variety of emergencies. It included the various duties that may be assigned when arriving.

In the VEIS – Vent, Enter, Isolate and Search class, firefighters learned the importance of dominating window space – being able to get in, manage the victim and get out. During live fire situations, firefighters practiced window entries, victim grabs, drags, removals and window exits.

Check out more photos from the training on the Fire Department Facebook page!

photo of Council Members touring Merrill Hall

Owatonna City Council Members tour Merrill Hall where renovations are set to begin in May.

City Facilities Being Assessed

IMAGINE OWATONNA: Long Range Asset Plan

On March 6, the City Council toured Merrill Hall where significant renovations are planned to kick off in May. Following the tour, Council Members heard a presentation by consultants from ICS about planning for the City’s future facilities needs.

ICS, the consultants selected to help City staff identify and prioritize its buildings and facilities needs, conducted a thorough analysis of existing City-owned buildings. Based on that analysis and input gathered from community members, discussions have begun regarding the process to determine the feasibility of building a new community center and long-term planning for public safety facilities.

The City Council is considering feasible options for these projects and planning future uses for the City’s 90-plus buildings and facilities as well as potential new construction projects. ICS is helping City staff develop a Long Range Asset Plan to guide decisions on how to plan, grow and invest in Owatonna’s future facilities. The plan will consider how best to utilize current facilities as well as what new facilities have been identified by community members and City officials as being needed in the foreseeable future. The buildings that have been determined as priorities to address are noted below.

Merrill Hall

Renovations at Merrill Hall have been identified as a priority due to its heating and cooling system which is at its end-of-life. $5.3 million improvements on this historic building will increase the building’s energy efficiency and enhance air quality. The project also includes adding fire suppression sprinklers and an energy-efficient lighting system.

Public Safety Center

Due to the Steele County Sheriff’s Office decision to vacate the current Law Enforcement Center shared with the Police Department, the City is evaluating options for expanding use of the building and near-term improvements that are needed. This site will also be evaluated for a potential joint public safety center with the Fire Department to meet its need to expand beyond the footprint of its current location.

Community Center

Based on input from City staff and community members, ICS recommended exploring options for building a community center. The center would replace the indoor pool and other facilities currently being maintained at the 100-plus-year-old Aderman Building that was initially built for State Public School students. The City Council discussed the need for a task force to explore options that will help shape the plans for a community center. There will be opportunities for community members to serve on the task force and provide input in a variety of ways regarding the community center project. Watch for additional information about participating in these community engagement opportunities as they take shape.

Please visit Owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna for additional information about the Long Range Asset Preservation Plan as it takes shape.

Swimming Lessons

Registration for spring swimming lessons begins March 14 at 8 a.m. Class options are available online at Owatonna.gov. Classes can be registered for online or over the phone by calling the Parks and Recreation office.

Water Aerobics

Owatonna Parks and Rec offers classes at West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center designed for an aerobic workout that stresses movement of the joints, muscles and heart. The small pool’s water temperature is approximately 90 degrees which is great for rehabilitation and arthritis. The program offers many benefits including:

Increased flexibility
Social activity
Builds muscle strength
Reduces anxiety and stress
Builds endurance
Low impact

Numerous classes offered with limited class sizes on a week-by-week basis. Register for up to four weeks at a time to modify your class time each week to fit your schedule. For more information on registration dates and deadlines, please visit Owatonna.gov.

Now Hiring Lifeguards

Apply before March 18!

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, Owatonna Park and Recreation is offering lifeguard certification classes this spring! Our courses provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies. View and apply for job postings by visiting Owatonna.gov.

Volunteer Coaches Needed for Youth Sports Programs

Are you passionate about positively impacting young athletes? Do you have a love for sports and a desire to share your knowledge with the next generation? If so, we need you! Our upcoming youth sports programs including soccer, T-ball, mini sluggers, machine pitch baseball, player pitch baseball and adaptive baseball are in urgent need of volunteer coaches.

Volunteer coaches teach fundamental skills and strategies and serve as mentors, role models and sources of inspiration for young players. No prior coaching experience? No problem! We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels to join our coaching team. Whether you're a former athlete, a parent, a teacher or simply someone who is passionate about sports, your dedication and enthusiasm are what truly matter.

Step up to the plate and become a volunteer coach today! Join us in empowering our youth, building character and creating a love for sports that will last a lifetime. Together, we can make a difference, one game at a time. For additional information, call 507.444.4321, email parkrec@owatonna.gov or visit owatonna.gov.

Aerial map showing project location at McKinley Street SW and Anderson Place

2024 Street & Utility Projects

On March 6, the City Council held a public hearing and approved resolutions to authorize plans and specifications for the 2024 Street & Utility Projects. Additional project information was made available, presented and explained to attendees at an informational meeting February 27. Property owner comments were heard during the public hearing.

The 2024 Street & Utility Projects, estimated at $1,855,930, will be financed through a combination of City funds and special assessments. The total cost to be assessed to property owners is estimated at $90,516. Approximately 24 property owners will be affected.

These projects are expected to be completed this fall. Following project completion, notices regarding a proposed assessment hearing will be sent. The property owners may pay the assessment in full within 30 days of billing to prevent interest from accruing. If not paid, the assessment amount will be certified to the Steele County Assessor for collection with property taxes over a 10-year period with an annual interest rate which will be set at the proposed assessment hearing.

Visit the 2024 Street & Utility Project Website for more information.

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