2025 State of the City Address

Recaps 2024 highlights & provides a look ahead at 2025 plans

City Administrator Kris Busse presents an annual State of the City Address to the community. This year’s address includes a look back at 2024 accomplishments and a look ahead at 2025 plans demonstrating the City’s Strategic Plan’s four key focus areas: Economic Vitality, Infrastructure, Quality of Life and Efficient Effective Government.

To request the presentation be given at a gathering, please email info@owatonna.gov. The presentation is also available to view as a video at Owatonna.gov and on Owatonna’s Public Access, Education & Government Cable TV Channel. For additional information and ongoing updates, visit Owatonna.gov. For additional information and ongoing updates, please visit owatonna.gov, follow City of Owatonna on Facebook, call 507.444.4300 or email info@owatonna.gov.

LOOKING BACK ON 2024

The Fire Department will conduct two training sessions in Kaplan’s Woods on February 10 from 9 until 11 a.m. and from 6 until 9 p.m. Firefighters plan to enter Kaplan’s Woods in the 400 block of 18^th Street Southwest. Fire Department activities seen in the area will likely be related to these training sessions and not an emergency response situation. 

The focus of these sessions will be technical rescue rope training. By holding these training sessions at Kaplan’s Woods, firefighters will utilize rope rescue techniques they have been practicing at the fire station for “real world” scenarios they may be required to respond to such as an injured hiker or biker in rough terrain that needs to be extricated with the use of ropes and riggings.

Upcoming Parks & Recreation Programs

Registration for most spring and summer programs, classes and camps began February 4. Additional details for all programs and facilities can be found online at owatonna.gov or on the Parks & Recreation online registration page at owatonnat.gov/prcatalog.  Register online at www.owatonna.gov, call 507.444.4321 or stop by the Parks & Recreation Office at 500 Dunnell Drive. 

Foot Clinic

A retired RN will assist with toenail clipping and provide information on proper foot care. Bring a towel and cash payment. Advance registration for a specific timeslot is required.

• Fee: $21 Adult Leisure Pursuits Members, $25 Non-members
• Date: February 12
• Ages: 18+
• Location: West Hills Social Commons

Adaptive Baseball

Adaptive baseball league pickup style focusing on having fun and playing baseball. Equipment will be provided.

• Fee: $48
• Dates: Wednesdays from June 11 through August 6
• Ages: 5+
• Location: Manthey Park Miracle Field

Machine Pitch Baseball

• Fee: $75
• Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays June 9 through July 30
• Ages: Current 2^nd graders
• Location: Multiple
  

Player Pitch Baseball

• Fee: $90
• Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays June 10 through July 31
• Ages: Current 3^rd & 4^th graders
• Location: Multiple

Coach Pitch Baseball

• Fee: $54
• Dates: Register before April 15. Tuesdays and Thursdays June 10 through July 31. Meeting and gear pick up May 29
• Ages: Current kindergarteners who have played one year of T-ball or current 1st graders
• Locations: Multiple

Soccer

• Fee: $58
• Dates: Register before February 18. Coaches meeting April 3. Season kicks off April 7, 8 or 10. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays April 14 through June 7.
• Ages: 5 (by June 7) through 6th graders
• Location: Owatonna Soccer Complex Fields

T-ball

Co-ed. June will be skill development and station work. July will be games.

• Fee: $48
• Dates: Register before April 16 . Coaches meeting and gear pick up May 29. Mondays from June 9 through August 4.
• Ages: Current kindergartners who are first-time players and age 5
• Locations: Multiple

2025 Sanitary Sewer Rates Increase

Sanitary sewer rates increased January 1. The City Council approved this increase at its December 5 meeting. Annual adjustments of the sanitary sewer rates are necessary to maintain adequate funding for current and future operations and to fund the costs of the wastewater treatment facility expansion. For additional information, Ordinance 23-20 is available at Owatonna.gov.

City Meetings This Week

February 5: Joint Powers Board Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Room at the Rice County Government Building, 320 Third Street NW in Faribault.

February 11: Human Rights Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Charles S. Crandall Center at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. The previously scheduled Planning Commission Meeting was canceled. Their next meeting will be March 11. 

February 12: Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Legislative Action Day for elected officials and Administration staff from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. in St Paul. Neighborhood Meeting at 5 p.m. for the 2025 Street & Utility Project in the Chambers of the Charles S. Crandall Center at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle.

Helpful Links

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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