Merrill Hall Project Completed

City Council Members, Mayor Kuntz and several City staff joined representatives from the Little Theatre of Owatonna and Wee Pals Child Care and approximately 40 community members to cut the ribbon on the renovated Merrill Hall November 19.

The renovation project is part of the City’s Long Range Asset Plan which guides decisions on improving current facilities and planning, growing and investing in Owatonna’s future facilities while delivering the highest value for taxpayers. The plan is based on a 2022 facilities analysis. Please visit Owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna for additional information.

photos from Merrill Hall ribbon cutting November 19 2024

Merrill Hall Ribbon Cutting top left to bottom right clockwise: Mayor Thomas Kuntz, Wee Pals Child Care Director Claire Dushek, Little Theatre of Owatonna Board President Keegan Jones, City Council President Greg Schultz, Assistant City Administrator Jenna Tuma, group cutting ribbon, State Public School Museum Director Anne Peterson.

Winter Hazard Awareness Week

November 18-22

As the season turns to fall and the air turns crisp, a Minnesota winter is soon on the way. When the gloves and boots are pulled out of the closet, it is time to refresh everyone’s winter safety knowledge and skills and get prepared for winter weather.

Each year, the National Weather Service and the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management promote winter safety and preparedness for all everyone whether they are in their homes, on the road, at work or at play. Unfortunately, many people each year suffer needlessly because they are unaware of or unprepared for the potential dangers of the winter season. Winter safety information is being presented each day this week:

Monday: Winter Weather Overview – winter weather warnings and alerts
Tuesday: Outdoor Winter Safety – what to wear, ice and snowmobile safety
Wednesday: Winter Fire Safety – winter fire facts and safety tips
Thursday: Indoor Winter Safety – carbon monoxide facts and other indoor hazards
Friday: Winter Driving – auto safety, preparations on the road and during winter storms

Visit owatonna.gov for more information.

Keeping sidewalks clear for safe passage

Snow and ice can be dangerous for all ages and especially for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Property owners in Owatonna are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding their property. City Ordinance 94.005 states that the owner, occupant or person in charge of any property within the City of Owatonna must clear sidewalks of any accumulated snow and ice from all city sidewalks within 24 hours from the time the snow ceases to accumulate.

Property owners who do not adhere to the City of Owatonna snow removal policy may receive a written notice requiring that they remove the snow within the next 24 hours. If snow is removed from sidewalks prior to the expiration of the posted 24-hour notice, no further action will be taken. If snow is not removed within the posted 24-hour notice, City staff may arrange to have it done and all related costs and an administrative citation will be billed to the property owner.

To report an unsafe sidewalk due to lack of snow removal, use SeeClickFix or call 507.444.4350.

Water Aerobics

These classes are designed for an aerobic workout that stresses movement of the joints, muscles and heart in a great small pool with a water temperature of approximately 90 degrees which is great for rehabilitation and arthritis. Numerous classes are offered with limited class sizes. Registration is the second to the last Wednesday of every month for the next month. The fee is just $5.50 per class. Register online at: https://shorturl.at/r6ljR.

Community Read

Free book & author presentation

This Fall, join other community members in reading A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power. Celebrate the kick-off featuring an author presentation with Power on December 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Owatonna Arts Center. From now until supplies last, free new copies of this book are available to pick up at Owatonna Public Library at the second floor service desks. This program is a collaboration between Owatonna Public Library and the Owatonna Arts Center.

Stormwater Management

Clean H2Owatonna is the City of Owatonna’s Stormwater Management Program designed to help reduce pollution in streams, rivers and waterways. Check out the tips below to support the program.

Does your business provide winter maintenance services?

Deicing salt accounts for approximately 75 percent of chloride found in our waterways. During precipitation events and snowmelt, stormwater gathers excess salt and washes it into our nearby streams and lakes. The remaining 25 percent of chloride in surface and groundwater is from water softeners. Chloride in water has major negative impacts to wildlife, the environment and us.

Knowing how much salt to use and the best time to apply is critical to keeping the balance between safe roads, driveways, parking lots and sidewalks and a healthy sustainable environment.

The City is proud to say, all winter maintenance crew members are Smart Salting Certified!

Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual:

Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual (state.mn.us)

Ways your company can make a difference:

Get your crew Smart Salting Certified. Follow this link for information on getting certified: Smart Salting training | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)
Familiarize your crew with proper application techniques such as applying the right methods or tools given weather conditions, measuring pavement temperatures and equipment calibration.
Make sure to properly store the salt undercover, away from storm drains and on a hard surface.

Learn more about our Stormwater Program at owatonna.gov/stormwater or contact Brad Rademacher, Stormwater/Water Quality Specialist at 507.774.7300 or stormwater@ci.owatonna.mn.us.

Stormwater Utility Fee Update

Updated Rates effective January 1, 2025

During the November 19 City Council Meeting, an amendment to Stormwater Ordinance 52 to adjust stormwater utility rates was approved. The rates will go into effect January 1, 2025. The monthly fee in 2025 will be $5.14 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).

How is the Rate Calculated?

Non-Residential Monthly Fee = Current Rate X ERU X Intensity Factor
Residential Monthly Fee = Current Rate

The last rate study and schedule update was in 2015. Owatonna’s stormwater rates have not been adjusted for inflation since 2023 and no changes were made during years 2019 through 2022. See the proposed fee schedule and example below.

We’ll Save You a Seat!

Weekly Meeting Schedule

Agendas, meeting minutes and packets for upcoming meetings are available at: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

November 20: Economic Development Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Chambers in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

November 21: Airport Commission Meeting at 8 a.m. in Meeting Room 120 in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle. Library Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Avenue.

November 25: Housing & Redevelopment Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room in City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle.

November 26: Owatonna Public Utilities Commission Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Morehouse Meeting Room at Owatonna Public Utilities, 208 South Walnut Avenue. A Study Session at 5:30 pm. In the Chambers at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle to continue discussions with Chris Ziemer from ICS regarding potential locations and plans for a Public Safety Center.

Helpful Links

Licenses & Permits

Registration

Employment

Stay Informed

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.

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November 20, 2024