2025 City Council Organizational MeetingThe City Council held its Organizational Meeting January 7 during its regularly scheduled meeting. |
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 Left to right: Outgoing Mayor Kuntz, Council Member Doug Voss, incoming Mayor Jessop, Council Members Kevin Raney & Don McCann |
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 Outgoing Mayor Thomas A. Kuntz administers the Oath of Office to incoming Mayor Matt Jessop |
Swearing-in CeremonyFormer Mayor Tom Kuntz attended the City Council Meeting on January 7 to administer the Oath of Office to those elected during the 2024 General Election. The Oath of Office was administered to Mayor Matt Jessop, City Council Members Doug Voss, Dan McCann and Kevin Raney. Council President & Vice President SelectedThe first item for Council consideration during their January 7 meeting was to select a Council President and Vice President. Council Members choose these officers when new members join the Council. Greg Schultz and Kevin Raney were first selected to serve as Council President and Vice-President, respectively, in January 2017 following the 2016 General Election when Council Member Doug Voss was elected. In 2021, the Council approved Schultz and Raney continuing in these positions when Council Member Boeke was appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of Council Member Okerberg. The current Council selected Kevin Raney to serve as the Council President and Doug Voss as Vice President. City Council Assignments The City Council discussed their assignments to various boards and commissions during the January 7 Study Session. Council Members will participate with these groups as follows this year: - Economic Development Authority - Dave Burbank, Dan Boeke, Doug Voss
- Housing & Redevelopment Authority - Nate Dotson
- Owatonna Area Business Development Center - Brent Svenby, Dan Boeke
- Joint Powers Board (911 Board) - Dave Burbank, Nate Dotson
- Joint County/City Transportation Committee – Kevin Raney, Doug Voss
- City/Owatonna Public Utilities Joint Committee - Dan Boeke, Nate Dotson
- City/County/School/Owatonna Public Utilities Joint Task Force – Kevin Raney, Doug Voss
- Dog Hearing Panel – Dan Boeke, Doug Voss, Kevin Raney, Brent Svenby
- Executive Committee – Kevin Raney, Doug Voss, Dan Boeke
- Facility Steering Committee - Dan Boeke, Doug Voss, Don McCann
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Elected Official Information |
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Owatonna’s 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day CelebrationThe Owatonna Human Rights Commission will host a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event on January 20, 2025. All are welcome at this free event will be at the Steele County History Center with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at noon. The keynote presenter, Seema Pothini also spoke during the 2024 MLK Jr. Day event. Pothini's presentation begins at 1 p.m. She is an acclaimed author and Lead Equity Specialist for the Equity Literacy Institute. Participants will leave with new perspectives, knowledge and a deeper conviction to humanize each other to provide more inclusive environments. Preregister to attend at owatonna.gov. Cosponsors include Riverland Community College, Rainbowatonna and the Alliance for Greater Equity (AGE).
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OPL Celebrates 125th Anniversary YearFebruary 22, 2025, is the 125th Anniversary of the opening of Owatonna Public Library. To celebrate, staff have planned programs and events throughout the year. Beginning January 13, the new OPL Book Club will meet the second Monday of every month at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Winter Book Bingo will begin February 1 and run through March 31. To see details on other upcoming planned activities, visit owatonna.gov/library and click on the 125th Anniversary Celebration link. |
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Bold & Cold FestivalJanuary 21-26The Parks & Recreation Department will host its annual Winter Weekend Out, once again, in collaboration with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s Bold & Cold event. The event provides an opportunity for community members to enjoy time with family and friends and includes several new activities this year. Find out all the ways to get out and enjoy the winter season at visitowatonna.org/boldandcold.
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As-Needed Vine Street Parking Lot ClosuresThe reconstructed Vine Street parking lot offers downtown Owatonna’s residents and visitors a convenient off-street parking option. The lot has designated four-hour and 24-hour parking spaces. Signage has been installed indicating these designated areas and can be seen on this map along with time limits for the other parking available throughout the downtown area. On January 7, City Council passed Resolution 3-25: Authorizing As-Needed Vine Street Parking Lot Closures. As-needed closures are necessary to facilitate maintenance such as snow removal and street sweeping. Lot closures will be announced eight hours prior to the closure via Notify Me and posted on the City of Owatonna - Public Works Facebook Page. Closures will most commonly occur during off-peak parking times (early morning) to avoid impacts to downtown businesses. However, closures may occur anytime throughout the day. Signs will be posted at the main entry and exit points of the Vine Street parking lot informing motorists of lot closures with a QR code to scan for a list of current closures. Parking violators may be ticketed or towed. Motorists who frequent the lot are encouraged to sign up for the notifications using this link: Public Works – Vine Street Parking Lot Notify Me List. City staff is available to assist if needed. City Staff appreciates cooperation from those using the lot to ensure efficient and effective maintenance. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Public Works Department at 507.444.4350 or publicworks@owatonna.gov. |
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Storytime TuesdaysResume January 14Storytime Tuesdays resume January 14. Preschoolers with their parents/caregivers are invited to the Children’s Services area at the library for stories, songs and fun on Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
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Compost Site Winter HoursThe Compost Site located at 400 32nd Ave NW in Owatonna will be open for wreath, tree and leftover fall debris disposal on January 10 and 11 from 3-6 pm. |
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City Meetings This WeekJanuary 14: Fire Department Civil Service Commission Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the Charles S. Crandall Center at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. The Human Rights Commission Meeting will follow at 5:30 p.m. |
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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.
Feel free to forward this message to other Owatonna community members. Visit the Notify Me Sign-up page to update your email address, unsubscribe, or sign up for additional City alerts. Be sure to add listserv@civicplus.com to your safe sender/address book to ensure messages are delivered to your inbox. |
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