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.

June 3: Park Board will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Charles S. Crandal Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

June 4: The City Council Study Session will begin with a tour at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, 3400 West Frontage Road, at 5:30 p.m. and continue in the Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle. Discussions will include the airport and, if time permits, general updates on City Boards and Commissions. The City Council Meeting begins at 7 p.m. and includes a swearing-in ceremony for firefighters.

Recent Mayor’s Proclamations

May 19-25 National Travel and Tourism Week

The travel industry is essential to the success of every industry and will continue to be a critical part of Owatonna’s economy, development and workforce.

May 24-27 Field of Heroes Days

A Field of Heroes transforms a local park or field into a sea of flags to honor local heroes. 250 American flags were set as Owatonna’s Field of Heroes at the Steele-Waseca Cooperative grounds from May 24-27 with each flag proudly bearing the name of heros including veterans and first responders.

Owatonna Airport to Serve as Mid-Point on Cross-Country Air Race

Last year, City of Owatonna staff were notified that the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport had been selected as a stop along the cross-country route for the 2024 Air Race Classic.

The 47^th Air Race Classic (ARC) June 18-21 will involve women pilots from across the United States and around the world in a 2,628-statute mile competition across 11 states. Owatonna will serve as the racers’ fifth stop on their route. “We are very excited to host this historic race,” said David Beaver, Airport Manager. “Having worked with Visit Owatonna staff, we will be showcasing Owatonna as a destination worth going the extra mile to check out.

According to the ARC website, this is the oldest race of its kind in the nation, tracing its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. This year's ARC celebrates the 95th anniversary of that historic competition, which marked the beginning of women's air racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women's air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.

Air Race Classic, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to:

Encouraging and educating current and future women pilots
Increasing public awareness of general aviation
Demonstrating women's roles in aviation
Preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation

For additional information about the Air Race Classic, visit airraceclassic.org. To learn more about Owatonna’s airport, visit owatonnaairport.com.

Photo of Housing Manager Ghassan Madkour meeting with HRA applicant

Housing Manager Ghassan Madkour meets with an HRA applicant.

How does the Housing and Redevelopment Authority help Owatonnans?

The Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) currently serves 180 families with rental assistance in Steele County. Eligible households select a privately owned rental unit and pay approximately 30 percent of their monthly income toward their rent. The HRA pays the remaining balance of the rent directly to the landlord.

The HRA administers rental assistance programs provided through federal assistance (HUD), state assistance (Minnesota Housing) and a local grant. These programs are designed to assist clients based on their current financial needs and housing circumstances. The HRA collaborates with several local organizations to reach clients in need including South Central Human Relations Center, Transitional Housing and SEMCAC.

100 Most Dangerous Days

Last weekend marks the unofficial start to summer. Minnesotans are excited for outdoor activities; however, we all need to be careful driving. The 100 days from Memorial Day through Labor Day has a dangerous reputation because of the number of deadly crashes.

As you head out for work, activities or groceries, law enforcement will be on the roads as part of the Click It or Ticket Campaign which includes extra patrols that run through June 2. It reminds drivers and their passengers of the life-saving importance of buckling up and the legal consequences – including fines – for not wearing seatbelts.

It only takes a split-second for a distracted driver to veer into your lane or a vehicle to pull out in front of you. One thing each of us can do to increase our chances of making it home safely is to buckle up! Please make this a topic at the dinner table with family and friends. During summer months, law enforcement sees an increase in speed-related accidents and distracted driving. If we can reiterate the importance of safe driving habits to new and experienced drivers, we can help keep everyone safe on the roadways.

Detective Travis Ardolf is honored as 2023 Police Officer of the Year.

Police Officer of the Year

Congratulations Detective Ardolf!

Detective Travis Ardolf was recognized May 9 as the 2023 recipient of Owatonna’s Police Officer of the Year Award. Many officers and community members gathered at the VFW to honor Detective Ardolf on his award. Thanks, Travis, for your dedicated service to the community and to the Moonlighter’s Exchange Club and VFW for hosting this event!

Photo of City Parks Division staff hanging flower baskets in Central Park.

City Crews Help Beautify Downtown

The City’s Parks crew helped beautify Owatonna’s downtown by hanging flower baskets from light poles. The baskets are made possible due to a collaboration between Owatonna Downtown Main Street and Souba Greenhouse.

River Springs Water Park

River Springs Water Park opens June 5 at 4 p.m. for the 2024 season! It features a lazy river, climbing wall, body slide, tube slide, zero-depth pool area, activity pool, lily pad walk and a large concessions area with various snacks and beverages. River Springs is open seven days a week, Mondays through Fridays from noon until 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 8 p.m. for open swim. Check it out at 3065 St. Paul Road on the north side of Owatonna, just off 26^th Street. For additional information about the water park, visit Owatonna.gov, follow the River Springs Water Park Facebook page, stop by the Parks and Recreation Office at 500 Dunnell Drive or call 507.774.7370.

Family Season Passes

Family season passes can be purchased before the water park opens or at the water park during the open season. Passes provide unlimited access to lap swim, water walking, water aerobics, tiny tot time and open swim.

Programs

Group and private swimming lessons are offered all summer
Water aerobics classes
Tiny Tot Program
Water Walk
Lap Swim

Specials and Events

Daily Specials: Mondays are Grandparents Day – free admission with a paid grandchild at normal facility rates (one grandparent per grandchild), Tuesdays are Twilight Day - $5 twilight rate admission all day, Wednesdays are Family Day – admission is $5 per individual or $19.50 for a family of up to six people ($3.50 charge for each additional family member), Thursdays are Mystery Concessions – check for the surprise concession special and Fridays are Facebook Friday - check the RSWP Facebook Page where a new special is announced weekly!
Opening Day June 5 School’s Out - admission for just $5
Sunday Specials: June 9 School’s Out Special $5 admission, June 16 Father’s Day Special no charge for dads with a paid child at the regular admission rate, June 23 Family Day Special $5 admission or $24 per family up to six people ($4 charge for each additional family member), June 30 Veteran’s Special no charge for veterans or military members with proof of military ID.

Group Outings and Birthday Parties

For large group outings, company picnics and birthday parties, River Springs Water Park offers discount admission rates when registering two or more weeks in advance. Choose a birthday party package to fit the needs of any size of group.

Dog Park

The Owatonna Dog Park at Chase Lake Park, 1915 State Avenue NW is open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. The park is 1.6 acres and dedicated to fun and exercise activities with your dog. Dogs may run off-leash under voice control within the confines of the fenced area. The park has several features including a box, ladder, selfie station, jumps and picnic tables. A drinking fountain for humans and canines is available outside the park entrance.

Visitors must follow the rules to keep the park a fun and safe place for everyone. Dogs must be up to date with vaccinations. Dogs under four months old and females in heat are prohibited. Children under 16 must be with an adult and no running is allowed at any time. Waste stations are available to remove dog waste.

A reminder for pets and owners using other parks and trails, City Ordinance 90.01 states, “Any animal in a public park shall only be deemed to be under control when such animal is attached to a leash held by the owner or the owner’s agent.” City Code 90.11 requires owners of any animal in a public park to “remove animal feces left by the animal and deposit the same in a trash receptacle or otherwise remove the same from park premises.”

Stormwater Runoff Reminders

Yard care reminders

Grass clippings and other yard waste that makes its way to the street can block catch basins. Collect these items and dispose of them at a compost site rather than leaving them on the lawn. Check nearby catch basins and clear them if needed. Excess fertilizer run-off also goes through the stormwater system and into local waterways.

Don’t Feed the Fowl!

Feeding ducks and geese is often perceived as a harmless and fun activity. However, it actually has negative effects on wildlife, waterfowl and local waterways. While ducks, geese and other waterfowl like eating bread, chips and crackers, it causes them to congregate in high numbers which results in large, concentrated quantities of waste in and along the community’s water resources. Waterfowl waste also soils parks and trails. In addition to the environmental issues, feeding them can cause long-term health problems and other nutritional consequences for the waterfowl and other wildlife as they become overcrowded and dependent on humans for food. Instead of feeding wild ducks and geese, make a trip to a zoo, county fair or wildlife preserve.

Watch City Council Meetings Online!

Owatonna’s City Council meetings are now available to watch live or on demand. Visit owatonna.gov/Government/Mayor & City Council to see options and links. Click this link to view a live feed of Owatonna’s Public Access, Education & Government Channel where City Council meetings are aired live and rebroadcast. Or, to view any past City Council meeting on demand, click this link: owatonna.gov. Owatonna School Board meetings are also available to view through these options.

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