We’ll Save a Seat for You!

Weekly Meeting Schedule

This week, the following City boards and commissions will meet. The public is invited to attend. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

August 7: The City Council will tour the 2024 Capital Improvement Project at Merrill Hall at 5 p.m. and then will meet in the Charles S. Crandall Center Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle, at 6:15 p.m. for a Study Session on the Oakhill Community Connections Project. Their regular City Council Meeting will begin at 7 pm.

August 13: Primary Election Day with polls open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Planning Commission will meet at 5 p.m.

Deer Management Program Begins October 20

The Deer Management Archery Program was developed to cull the herd of urban deer in Owatonna. Archers can hunt in one of 11 wooded parks. A total of 34 permits are available (17 each season). This year’s program runs from October 20 through December 15 in Cashman Park, Hamman Park, Kaplan’s Woods, Kaplan’s Woods Parkway, Kriesel Park, Leo Rudolph Park, Manthey Park, Maple Creek Park, Mineral Springs Park, Nass Woods Park and North Straight River Parkway.

These parks remain open to the public during this time. Maps of hunter locations can be found at the main entrance to these parks and online at Owatonna.gov. Signs posted at each park entrance alert the public in English, Spanish and Somali. 

Program participants must hold a valid hunting license, follow all Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rules and local requirements and pass a proficiency test. City staff select locations for the elevated stands based on deer movement patterns and proximity to main trails and park boundaries. Participants must communicate weekly with staff and whenever a deer is taken.

Each year, the DNR approves the hunt at a state level. Additionally, the City Council approved revising Chapter 133 of the City Code to support the program. Local DNR officials recommend continuing the program based on robust numbers in the vicinity and population modeling from the Wildlife Research Unit suggesting deer populations in the area continue to grow and numbers are likely above goal.

Managing urban deer stabilizes the population and helps to keep deer from becoming too habituated to people. It is important to continue efforts to help keep numbers in a socially acceptable range to most citizens, mitigate deer grazing and browsing impacts to park vegetation, impacts to peoples’ yards and gardens and reduce deer/vehicle collisions. The DNR views controlled archery hunts “as a safe means to help manage deer numbers toward a goal of avoiding greater conflicts with deer that can arise due to deer damage to property and natural habitats or disease concerns.”

As a reminder, City Ordinance 90.47 and 90.62 that no person shall feed or allow the feeding of wild animals as defined in 90.61 within city limits. Pet owners using parks and trails must adhere to City Ordinance 90.01 requiring 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.

Night to Unite Success! 

August 6 was recognized in Owatonna as Night to Unite, which is a national crime prevention program. There were 36 neighborhood block parties with various activities and events that brought neighbors together to enjoy potluck dinners, games and more. Police and Fire Department staff, City Council and the City Administrator visited block parties to interact with attendees, explain programs the City offers and demonstrate public safety equipment. Owatonna police officers collected school supply donations that will be given to the Children's Remedial Fund of Steele County for underprivileged kids. Thanks to the community for making this event a great success.