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August 28, 2024
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We’ll Save You a Seat!

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 28: The second of three 2025 Department Budget Presentations will be in Room 120 at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle from 4 until 7 p.m.

September 3: City Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m. in Room 120 at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle to discuss the proposed Comprehensive Plan. If time permits, there will be general updates on various boards and commissions. The City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m.
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2024 Welcome Week

The Owatonna Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is planning several activities to celebrate 2024 Welcome Week activities. Welcome Week events will focus on bringing together community members for fellowship and exchange. 

Human Library at Downtown Thursday

September 5 from 5 until 7 p.m.

OHRC commissioners will host a Human Library at the City’s booth in Central Park. The goal of the Human Library is to foster awareness that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices. During this event, ‘readers’ can check out a ‘human book’ for a one-on-one, 15-minute conversation with someone you may not have the opportunity to meet otherwise. Or you can access videos of ‘books” posted throughout Central Park. The OHRC 2024 Human Book Library will include 20-plus community members with varying backgrounds including Somali Americans; African Americans; senior citizens; business owners; religious leaders; Hispanic Americans; LGBTQ+ individuals; educators; veterans; handicapped individuals; law enforcement officers; non-profit organization leaders; recovered addicts and healthcare workers. Participants will track their 'books' on BINGO cards to win prizes. The Human Library was developed in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 as part of an anti-violence movement and is now done internationally as part of a worldwide movement for social change.
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School Zone Traffic Safety 

Extra Enforcement in School Zones  

The Owatonna Police Department is asking drivers to stay alert, slow down and help keep children safe. As the new school year begins soon, there will be extra police patrols around schools.

To help protect children as they return to school this fall, please take note of the following reminders. Please allow more time to travel through school zones, pay attention and reduce speeds in school zones. When posted and when children are present, the speed limit is 20 miles per hour. Do not stop or obstruct the traffic lane to drop off or pick up students or passengers. Use established student drop-off zones. Yield to pedestrians and crossing guards in crosswalks. When school buses flash amber lights, they are preparing to stop. All drivers must stop at least 20 feet back and in all directions of a school bus flashing red lights with stop arm extended. It is illegal to pass a school bus with red flashing lights; penalties are enhanced if children are present.

The Owatonna Police Department will be actively looking for drivers who disregard these rules. We can all do our part to get students to school and home safely by staying alert and obeying speed limits.
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16th Annual Watershed Wide Clean-up

 September 14

The 16th Annual Watershed Wide Clean-up will take place in Owatonna September 14 from 9 a.m. until noon at Morehouse Park. The event is hosted by the Clean River Partners. Volunteers can sign up by filling out the Clean River Partners Volunteer Registration Form.

For more than a decade, volunteers have combed the banks of streams and waterways in and around Owatonna to clean up trash and debris from the Straight River. Every year, more garbage is removed by hard-working individuals who are dedicated to making a difference. This is the largest one-day clean-up event in Minnesota with 200-plus volunteers working in nine locations across the Cannon River Watershed.
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Flood Damage Assistance for Owatonna Residents

Owatonna residents with flood damage resulting from storms June 16 through July 4, 2024 are eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to help recover losses. To apply for aid, affected individuals have four options:

  • Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Mobile: Download the FEMA app
  • Call: 800.621.3362 | 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS)
  • In Person: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center – find a location at fema.gov/drc
Cover of fall winter 2024 activity guide

Sign up for Fall & Winter Activities

The 2024 Fall and Winter Activity Guide is filled with various activities for all ages including archery, geocaching, water aerobics, youth sports, adult trips and weekly activities, adaptive recreation activities, snowshoeing, tennis, pickleball, special events and so much more!

Register for programs online at owatonna.gov – just type “register now” in the search bar. Or, call 507.444.4321 or register in person at City Hall during office hours.

Helpful Links
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Licenses & Permits
Park and recreation registration

Registration
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Employment

Stay Informed

owatonna.gov

  • Events: Access calendars to view upcoming events.

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540 West Hills Circle Owatonna, MN 55060
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