City Meetings

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.

July 24–26: Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Summer Conference in Waite Park and St. Joseph. Several Council Members, Mayor Kuntz and City Administrator Busse plan to attend.

August 30: Human Rights Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle. This will be the commission’s regular monthly meeting which was rescheduled from August 13 due to the 2024 Primary Election that day. 

Owatonna’s Community-wide Brand Honored with State Award

Owatonna’s Community-wide branding initiative was recognized July 17 by the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) with its 2024 Northern Lights Award for Logo, Illustration or Graphic.

The Northern Lights Contest recognizes outstanding work in Minnesota's government, educational and nonprofit communications and provides valuable feedback for all entries from the communications professionals who judge the contest. The contest is conducted annually by the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. Deanna Sheely, Communications Manager for the City of Owatonna, attended the annual MAGC awards event in St. Paul, Minnesota where statewide awards were presented in several categories.

“The goals for the new brand were to increase Owatonna’s reputation, strengthen partnerships and enhance the community’s and City’s recognition and visibility,” said Sheely. “This award recognizes how our community collaborated to create a new brand that is exceeding these goals.”

The new brand was developed based on input from community members. More than 1,900 responses to an online survey and insights gathered during focus group sessions ensured the new brand accurately reflects Owatonna. North Star Place Branding & Marketing helped a community-based committee gather feedback, distill the community’s sentiments and develop a new brand that vibrantly portrays Owatonna’s future while honoring its tradition and history.

The City of Owatonna, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and several local businesses were instrumental in developing the new brand. The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators is a peer organization of professionals dedicated to improving public-sector communications.

Fire Department Hosting Trench Rescue Class

Next week, the Owatonna Fire Department is hosting a trench rescue training class in which seven firefighters will be certified to the technician level. Members of Faribault Fire, Medford Fire, Mankato Fire, Owatonna Public Utilities, Safety and Security Consultation Specialists and Winona Fire will also be attending the class. The 24-hour training is being taught by nationally-renown CMC, a provider of life safety equipment and education. 

During the class, attendees will learn the skills necessary to perform a successful rescue: rescuer safety, preplanning, assessing soil composition and configuration, cave-in evaluation, stabilization and shoring using wood, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic shores, victim rescue or recovery and incident termination. By having these skills, firefighters can respond quickly to this type of emergency in Owatonna and the region.

“Thanks to donations from Alexander Lumber and Lowe’s, we have the necessary supplies for the class and our public works department dug the trenches that we will be using during the class.” said Ed Hoffman, Fire Chief. “It’s great to know that we have community support for these specialized trainings that we do.”

Wet a Line in Owatonna

Enjoy one of Minnesota’s favorite pastimes right here in Owatonna! There are several opportunities to go fishing within city limits.

Lake Kohlmier is a 34.48-acre lake with more than a mile of shoreline. Put your boat, canoe or kayak in at the public access from the 18^th Street/Mosher Avenue entrance. Motors are not allowed. Several concrete pads are available for shoreline fishing around the lake or try your luck off the dock on the north side of the lake. Species in the lake include bass, bullhead, bluegill, catfish, crappie, northern, perch, sunfish and walleye. Lake Chase is smaller and classified as a pond. However, it has bass, bullhead, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.

Several opportunities for fishing are also available along the Straight River as it winds through town, eventually connecting with the Cannon River. A portage is available near the Morehouse Dam. Fish typically caught include bass, crappie, northern and carp. In Minnesota, a fishing license is required between ages 16 and 89. Visit Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for information about regulations and limits.