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 21: Library Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue.

March 25: Housing & Redevelopment Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the Charles S. Crandall Center.

March 26: Owatonna Public Utilities Commission Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Morehouse Meeting Room at OPU, 208 S Walnut Avenue. The Planning Commission Meeting scheduled for this date has been canceled.

Charter Commission Member Reappointments

During the March 6 City Council Meeting, Mayor Thomas Kuntz requested reappointment of five Charter Commission Members to serve additional four-year terms. The City Council approved this recommendation and requested City Attorney Mark Walbran prepare an Order for Appointment for approval by the Chief Judge of the Third Judicial District. Members being considered for reappointment are:
Walter Hansen - Fist Ward
Brian Whited - Second Ward
Vern Wilker - Third Ward
Dan Overlie - Fourth Ward
Roland Truelson - Fifth Ward
The Charter Commission consists of five additional members whose terms expire December 31, 2025 - Nick Lewis, John Havelka, Brad Bloomenrader, Sharon Klein and Ken Henricksen. The Charter Commission meets annually or when needed to frame and amend the City’s Charter. The 2024 Annual Charter Commission Meeting is planned for April 15.

Aerial map of School Street E Project location

2023 Street & Utility Projects

Public Hearing on Assessments April 2

On March 6, the City Council approved a resolution declaring $1 million for the 2023 street and utility projects that were completed on School Street East, Butternut Avenue and Riverview Place. These projects are being funded through a combination of City funds, Owatonna Public Utilities reimbursements and $116,365 in special assessments. A public hearing for the proposed assessments has been scheduled for April 2 during the City Council meeting beginning at 7 pm.

Snow Clearing Reminders

This has been a unique winter thus far with higher-than-normal temperatures and minimal snowfall. A late-season snowfall is forecasted in the coming days and throughout the following week. To help facilitate safe and efficient snow removal, the City of Owatonna Streets crew asks that residents do the following:

• Comply with odd-even parking restrictions and utilize off-street parking when available.

• Keep trash and recycling containers well behind the curb or in the driveway during snow plowing activities and remove the containers from the street as soon as practical.

• If possible, wait until your street has been cleared before cleaning the end of your driveway. City plows are designed to discharge snow to the sides of the road and are not capable of skipping driveway areas.

• Shovel snow from the end of the driveway to the right as you're facing the street. This reduces the amount of snow being placed back into the driveway during the next plowing.

• Remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of the last accumulation.

Thanks for your patience as crews will be working long hours to ensure snow removal is completed safely and efficiently in the coming days. For information about City of Owatonna Snow Removal Policies, visit www.owatonna.gov/522/Snow-Ice.

Boulevard Tree Order Deadline Approaching

The City of Owatonna will accept boulevard tree orders for planting this spring until April 12. Boulevard trees that have been removed or lost during severe weather may be replaced by request from the property owner for a fee of $100 for large variety trees or $80 for small variety trees. Upon receipt of the order, City Staff will verify the tree size and species requested is appropriate for placement and then order, plant and provide maintenance for the tree placed in the boulevard. All boulevard trees are planted by City staff. Any tree ordered after April 12 will be planted in the Spring of 2025. For more information, visit the Boulevard Tree Webpage.

NOW OPEN - Summer Camp Registration

Looking for an unforgettable summer camp experience for your kids? Look no further! At our summer camp, we are dedicated to providing youth with ample activities to make their summer great. From outdoor adventures to arts and crafts, we have something for everyone. We have an awesome line of activities, including several brand-new camps.

Dino Camp Ages 5-7

Jump into a time machine and join us at Dino Camp. We will explore how dinosaurs lived thousands of years ago. This camp will take us deeper into nature than ever before as we navigate the woods looking for dino eggs. Dino camp is packed full of fun arts and crafts and science experiments. Children should attend camp every day with a backpack, snacks, tennis shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray. An email will be sent one week before camp to confirm locations. (May also change due to weather conditions.)

Backyard Adventures Camp Ages 8-12

Want to stay active? Join us in this action-packed camp that will keep everybody moving as we play games and team sports. This is a great way to meet new friends and have a blast. Activities include: Capture the Flag, Disc Golf, Building Rockets, Beach Day, STEM activities, Bags and more. An email will be sent one week before camp to confirm locations. (May also change due to weather conditions.)

Little Anglers Camp Ages 5-7

Welcome to the Little Anglers Preschool Fishing Camp where young explorers embark on a delightful aquatic adventure tailored just for them! The camp offers a unique blend of outdoor exploration, hands-on learning and imaginative play centered around the excitement of fishing and the wonders of the natural world. Children should attend camp every day with a backpack, snacks, tennis shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray. An email will be sent one week before camp to confirm locations. (May also change due to weather conditions.)

Nature Investigators Camp Ages 5-7

Discover new wildlife in Owatonna’s parks and surrounding woods. Explore frogs, snakes, birds and other forest life. Each day is filled with outdoor activities, stories, nature hikes and crafts. Getting outside has never been this exciting! An email will be sent one week before camp to confirm locations.

Outdoor Adventure Camp Ages 8-12

Are your kids ready for the ultimate outdoor experience? Outdoor Adventure Camp is the perfect way for them to learn new outdoor skills, explore the parks and make new friends. Participants are immersed in the great outdoors connecting with nature in ways they never thought possible. Give your kids the gift of adventure and appreciation for the great outdoors! An email will be sent two weeks before camp to confirm locations. (May also change due to weather conditions.) Activities include archery, fishing, geocaching, learning survival skills in a safe environment and STEM activities.

Wild Inventors Camp Ages 7-11

Creativity knows no bounds and innovation takes center stage! This youth camp is tailored for curious minds, providing an immersive experience in the exciting world of inventing. Through a blend of hands-on activities and collaborative projects, participants will embark on a transformative journey to unleash their inventive spirit.

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