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Get in the Patriotic Spirit Without FireworksFireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays such as the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. If this isn’t an option, here are a few ideas to get into the patriotic spirit, without fireworks: - Use glow sticks. They glow in the dark and are a safe alternative to a sparkler.
- Noise makers are sure to make a statement. Find them at local party supply stores.
- Outdoor movie night. Set up a screen and projector. Don’t forget the bug spray!
- Red, white and blue silly string…fun for all ages.
- Make a patriotic craft with the family.
- Throw a birthday party for the USA, and don’t forget the cake.
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City MeetingsThe 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. July 3: South Central Drug Investigative Unit meeting at 1 p.m. at the Waseca Public Safety Building, 303 South State Street in Waseca. July 9: Human Rights Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.
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 Front row (left to right): Owatonna Police Chief Jeff Mundale, Mayor Tom Kuntz, City Administrator Kris Busse, Police Captain Joshua Sorensen. Back row (left to right): League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Luke Fischer, City Council Members Kevin Raney, Dan Boeke, Doug Voss and League of Minnesota Cities President and Lakeville City Administrator Justin Miller. |
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Coptober Event HonoredThe City of Owatonna’s Coptober event was recognized June 27 by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) with its 2024 City of Excellence Award. Several City elected officials and staff attended the Annual Summer LMC Conference in Rochester, Minnesota where statewide awards were presented in several categories. Coptober, initiated in Owatonna in 2022, is an annual event hosted by the Owatonna Police Department and the Owatonna Public Library. The program merges community engagement, safety, education and crime prevention into one fun event held in October over the Minnesota Education Association (MEA) break. “Coptober has been a successful event that allows our police officers to build relationships and trust with our youth and their parents while also inviting them into our vibrant library for fun activities,” according to Kris Busse, City Administrator. Coptober involves library staff and more than a dozen police officers providing demonstrations and interactive activities. Attendees can choose to be fingerprinted utilizing a fingerprint card designed to assist parents in recording additional identifying information about their children such as a picture, physical description, photograph and a hair sample for DNA analysis in the event of a missing person investigation. These engaging activities inform kids and their caregivers about safety and crime prevention and strengthen relationships with City employees. LMC worked with City staff to produce a video highlighting the benefits of Coptober. It can be viewed on YouTube by clicking 2024 City of Excellence: City of Owatonna - “Coptober Event Project”. Plans are underway to host the 2024 Coptober event, once again at the public library, over the upcoming MEA break. Details will be available at owatonna.gov later this summer. The City of Excellence Awards are given yearly in three population categories and one topical category to recognize cities for outstanding programs or projects. Winning cities receive a plaque, a check for $1,000 and recognition in LMC publications and activities throughout the coming year. The LMC is a membership organization that serves more than 830 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management and other services. |
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River Monitoring & Property DamageDue to the sunny skies and minimal rainfall over the last week and a half, local water levels have continued to recede and emergency management personnel are no longer monitoring them daily. Residents and businesses are asked to report all damage to property caused by recent flooding. This information will be included in reports to State and Federal agencies. No disaster relief funds are available currently. However, this information is necessary in determining possible assistance. If aid becomes available, residents will be notified. Damage can be reported online at: Citizen Property Damage Reporting.
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Chat with City Staff at Downtown Thursdays!July 11 Central ParkOwatonna’s Downtown Thursdays feature local food, music, shopping and art on the first Thursday of each month during summer. City staff will have a booth at Downtown Thursdays to share information about City projects and interact with the community. Stop by Central Park and look for the City’s booth. Plus, win a prize by providing the correct answer to a City of Owatonna trivia question! Look for the City’s booth in Central Park. For other Downtown Thursdays dates and additional information, visit Owatonna.org.
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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.
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Rec On The GoCalling all Owatonna residents! Rec On The Go is a brand new program with FREE, accessible activities in City parks! The program is designed to make recreation inclusive and convenient for everyone. Mark your calendars for the launch party on July 20 from 6 until 9 p.m. at Central Park, just prior to the Movie in the Park! There will be fun activities for all ages. Watch for details about upcoming dates, locations and exciting activities on the Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Facebook page. A big thanks to program sponsor Gopher Sport for helping create this unforgettable summer experience!
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Bears in Southern Minnesota, Oh My!It’s not often bears are spotted in southern Minnesota, but recent sightings in Owatonna have some residents on high alert. Bears are naturally cautious and typically avoid human contact for their own safety; however, it’s important to be proactive. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends the best way to avoid problems with bears is to avoid attracting them. Bears are opportunistic and have an incredible sense of smell. They are often attracted to dog food, birdseed, grease from grills, garbage, fish entrails, fruit, etc. If a bear is spotted in the community, it is best to observe from a safe distance, preferably indoors. If the bear does not leave on its own and approaches a deck or puts its paws on a door or window, try to scare it away. Always keep dogs leashed. Letting dogs chase or bark at bears may force a bear to defend itself. The DNR provides information on its website for “Living with bears”. This information along with other “Living with Wildlife” information can be found at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/index.html A link to this information can also be found on the Parks, Trails & Natural Resources page on Owatonna.gov.
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Dangerous DogsCity Ordinance 1620 regulates potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs. The ordinance uses provisions set by Minnesota Statutes and establishes a registration requirement and fees for dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. The Ordinance gives dog owners the right to appeal the declaration of their dog’s designation. Residents are asked to be responsible pet owners and have parameters in place so their dog isn’t tempted or caught off guard or initiates a bite. Many dogs are protective of their homes and may chase someone who approaches. This can lead to biting incidents involving the Police Department.
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 Photo courtesy of Nero Engineering |
Wastewater Treatment Plant ExpansionYear Two Project SummaryOwatonna’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is two years into construction of its upgrade and expansion project. At the end of the approximate three-and-a-half-year construction, the WWTF will nearly double its current capacity which will serve the City’s expected growth over the next 25 years. The project includes constructing three new buildings and upgrading the existing facility. The Fine Screen Building is fully operational and most of the rehabilitation work for the existing liquid train processes has been completed. The Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) is expected to be operational this fall. The MBR is the final step of the biological treatment process and physically separates the liquid from the solids allowing only a high level of water quality to be discharged into the Straight River. The solids removed from the liquid train will be treated in a new thickening process and an upgraded digestion process. The work on these processes is well underway. The digestion process will produce energy in the form of biogas that will ultimately be treated and injected into the natural gas grid. Other work anticipated to begin or continue over the next few months is the remodeling of the Administration Building, site work and the construction of a new Septage Receiving Station. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. Visit Owatonna.gov to learn more about the construction milestones, view construction photos and watch drone footage of the progress.
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Construction Project UpdatesCedar Avenue North Mill & OverlayA section of North Cedar Avenue requires repairs beyond crack sealing and routine pothole filling. Due to the deteriorating condition, .9 miles of North Cedar Avenue from the bridge south of 11th Avenue to the 26th Street Roundabout are planned to be overlaid. Several manholes and catch basins will need work performed on them prior to the paving portion of the project. The structure maintenance will begin early July and the milling and overlaying portion is expected to begin late July. Please watch for updates regarding road or lane closures while work is completed on this high-traffic roadway. Street & Utility ImprovementsMajor street and utility projects involving varying degrees of reconstruction of street sections, water main and service replacements, sanitary sewer and service connections, storm sewer structures and pipe construction and several sections of curb and gutter are planned for 2024. The streets included in this year's project are: - McKinley Street SW: Lilac Avenue to Linn Avenue
- Anderson Place SW: McKinley Street to the cul-de-sac
The start date for these projects has been moved to mid-August. Check out the 2024 Street & Utility Project Map.
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Events: Access calendars to view upcoming events.City News Releases: View news releases published by the City of Owatonna.Newsletters: The City of Owatonna publishes a weekly newsletter called Owatonna Update. Current and past newsletters are available here.Social Media: Stay connected with the City of Owatonna by following these social media sites.Spotlight Videos: Videos produced by the City of Owatonna.
Feel free to forward this message to other Owatonna community members. Visit the Notify Me Sign-up page to update your email address, unsubscribe, or sign up for additional City alerts. Be sure to add listserv@civicplus.com to your safe sender/address book to ensure messages are delivered to your inbox. |
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