Ordinance Revised to Ban Roosters

On March 4, the City Council approved an amendment to an existing ordinance related to animal nuisances. The amendment prohibits owning a rooster within city limits but does not prohibit owning chickens.

This part of the City Code now reads:

§ 90.07 OBLIGATION TO PREVENT NUISANCES.
A. It shall be the obligation and responsibility of the owner or custodian of any animal in the city, whether permanently or temporarily therein, to prevent such animal from committing any act which constitutes a nuisance. For purposes hereof, the Council finds, declares and determines that it shall be deemed a nuisance for any animal to habitually or frequently bark, bay, howl cry, or crow to the detriment of the peace and quietude of neighbors of its owner or custodian or the public in general, to frequent school grounds, parks or public beaches, to chase vehicles, to molest or annoy any person if such person is not on the property of the owner or custodian of such animal or to molest, defile or destroy any property, public or private. Failure on the part of the owner or custodian to prevent his or her animals from committing an act of nuisance shall be subject to the penalty hereinafter provided.
B. No person may own, keep, harbor or maintain a rooster within the corporate limits of the city.

The Police Department is prepared to educate residents, monitor violations and request voluntary compliance to address complaints as they are received.

Transient Merchant/Solicitor’s Permits

A City-issued permit is required for all peddlers, solicitors, transient merchants and non-commercial door-to-door advocates within City limits. The application for these permits is offered on the City’s website at owatonna.gov. Solicitors register for permits at no cost; however, a Transient Merchant Permit application includes a background verification and the applicant pays a $100 license fee. Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance.

If someone knocks on your door to sell or solicit goods, ask to see their City-issued permit. If they do not have one with them, ask them to contact the City of Owatonna to obtain the required permit.

2025 Winter Book Bingo

Winter Book Bingo for adults will be February 1 through March 31, 2025. Read five books during this time. Each book gains you an entry to the grand prize drawing. For an extra challenge, make a bingo (diagonal, horizontal, or vertical) on the card for five bonus entries, 10 entries maximum. Turn in your Bingo card before the library closes March 31. One Bingo card per patron ages 18 and up.

OPL Book Club

The Owatonna Public Library Book Club will meet March 10 at 1 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. Join us at either session. We will be discussing William Kent Krueger’s Ordinary Grace at both sessions.

OPL History Tour

Join us for a historical tour of the library with Nancy Vaillancourt on March 15 at 10 a.m. We'll visit the nooks and crannies of the library and learn about the individuals who have built and cared for the library over the years.

Tile Art at OPL

Join us in the Reading Room any time between 6 and 7:30 p.m. March 17. Unleash your creativity by designing your own tile. All materials will be provided.

Brooktree Golf Course

1369 Cherry Street

507.774.7100

Clubhouse Hours: March–October 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. (spring and fall hours may fluctuate.) Registration for leagues begins in March. Season passes are available for 2025. Contact the clubhouse for details on tournament and large group rates.

Swimming Lessons

Spring Swimming Lessons registration begins March 13 at 8 a.m. with classes currently viewable online. Classes can be registered for online or over the phone by calling the Parks and Recreation office.

Downstream Environmental Film Festival

Monday, March 31 at Mineral Springs Brewery

The Downstream Environmental Film Festival celebrates the artistry of local, national and international filmmakers who address critical environmental issues. Grab a drink, connect with your neighbors, enjoy outstanding films and get inspired to take action for our local land and water.

Save the Date!

Join us at Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna March 31 for the Downstream Environmental Film Festival. Can’t make this date? Check out the three other screenings throughout the Cannon River Watershed by visiting cleanriverpartners.org/events. Click Here to Register.

Spring Pet Waste Clean Up

Did You Know? One day’s waste from a large dog can contain as much as seven billion fecal coliform bacteria!

Spring is around the corner and, as the weather warms up, many people get out to walk their dogs. Stepping in dog waste can be a disgusting experience. Worse yet is knowing pet waste may be polluting drinking water and local recreational areas. Pet waste contains pathogens such as bacteria, parasites and viruses. When not picked up, this can pose an unnecessary public health and environmental risk. As rain and snowmelt flows across land, pet waste is carried to storm drains which eventually flow into a lake or stream. Please remove all pet waste from yards to prevent melting snow and spring rains from washing away the feces and its pollutants.

Here are a few tips on how dog owners can help protect local water and recreation areas:

Always take a disposal bag along when walking the dog
Utilize one of the many bag stations found at trailheads in Owatonna parks
Place the bag in a proper receptacle
Routinely clean pet waste from yards, boulevards and paved surfaces
Each spring, clean up pet waste that was left over from winter

Please take time to properly dispose of pet waste, we all live downstream!

Now Hiring!

Join a team where employees are considered the greatest asset of the organization! The City of Owatonna offers exciting opportunities to begin a career, grow professionally and perform meaningful work that positively impacts the community. Visit owatonna.gov and search “Employment Opportunities” to apply or to subscribe to receive alerts about future opportunities with the City of Owatonna.

Watch for a variety of seasonal positions for Spring and Summer employment to be posted including in these areas:

Guest Services and Lead positions available at River Springs Water Park, Lake Kohlmier and Brooktree Golf Course
Guest Service and Program Lead positions available for camps, adaptive recreational programs and outdoor education programs
Water Safety Instructors
Lifeguards & Head Lifeguards
Golf & Park Maintenance
Adult Volleyball Officials
Youth Program Officials

City Meetings This Week

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

March 18: City Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m. in the Chambers at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle followed by the City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

March 19: Economic Development Authority meeting at 4 p.m. in the Chambers at the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

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.
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Spotlight Videos: Videos produced by the City of Owatonna.

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March 5, 2025