The Owatonna Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the Four Seasons Centre, 1525 South Elm Avenue. The public is invited to attend.

Mayor Matt Jessop welcomes community members, staff and City Administrator candidates to the May 20 Open House.

Process for Selecting New City Administrator Progressing

Three candidates selected as finalists in the hiring process for Owatonna’s next City Administrator spent May 20 touring the community, meeting with staff groups, being interviewed by the full City Council and participating in an open house.

The candidates, selected based on their education, experience and alignment with the City’s core values of Better Together, Community Stewardship and Pride in Our Work, are:

Jenna Tuma, Assistant City Administrator, Owatonna, MN. Before her current position, which began in 2024, she served as Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director for three years and another four years as Park Operations Manager for the City of Minneapolis. She also has another 20 years of supervisory experience in the public sector.
Craig Clark, City Administrator, Austin, MN. Before his current position, which began in 2014, he served as City Administrator for six years in Worthington, MN and another three years as City Administrator in Clayton, WI. He also has nine years of combined work experience in the legislature.
Cathleen Reynolds, former interim City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer, Crosby, MN. Before her interim position in 2025, she served as City Administrator in Credit River, MN for one year and as City Administrator in Fairmont, MN for three years. She also has 17 years of leadership experience in other, related fields.

The City Council will hold a Special Meeting May 23 to consider which candidate will be extended an offer. Then, an employment agreement signed by the finalist will be presented to the City Council for approval at a regular meeting. The target start date for the new City Administrator is August 11. Current City Administrator Kris Busse is set to retire August 7. For additional information about the City of Owatonna, visit owatonna.gov.

New Library Board Member

During the May 21 City Council Meeting, Mayor Jessop swore in the newest volunteer to serve on the Owatonna Public Library Board, Annie Harman. For ongoing updates about other City Board or Commission volunteer opportunities, visit owatonna.gov.

Mayor Matt Jessop (right) swears in the newest Owatonna Public Library Board member, Annie Harman.

Upcoming Library Events

Rock Painting

Express your creativity through painted rocks May 24 from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. in the Gainey Room. Turn your outdoor space into a colorful art display, one painted rock at a time.

Designer note: insert image “2025may15-SalonattheLibrary.png”

Salon Event

A Salon is a conversation-centered gathering; a very popular means either to please or to educate dating back to the 16th Century in which attendees share ideas and experiences based on a topic presented. Join others at the Owatonna Public Library May 29 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room to watch a couple of video clips and discuss interpretations and experiences related to the topic through questions and dialogue while enjoying some treats!

It’s Severe Weather Season

Understanding Outdoor Warning Sirens

While many people believe outdoor warning sirens are the primary method of alerting the public of severe weather threats, that is not the case. Outdoor warning sirens are intended for people who are outdoors and may not have the ability to monitor the weather using other notification methods. The sirens are not intended to be heard indoors.

When there is impending severe weather, the warning sirens will sound for a minimum of four minutes with a steady pitch. In Steele County, the Rice Steele 911 Center activates the emergency warning sirens. Residents should always take shelter when hearing an emergency warning siren and should have a means of receiving updated information while sheltering. The sirens do NOT sound an all-clear signal.

To ensure siren function during critical situations, they are tested the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. During testing, the sirens will sound for one minute and then shut off. Additional information is available online through Steele County and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Congrats Detective Van Alstine!

Detective John Van Alstine was recognized May 15 as the 2024 recipient of Owatonna’s Police Officer of the Year Award. Many gathered at the VFW to honor Detective Van Alstine on his award. Thanks to the Moonlighter’s Exchange Club and VFW for hosting this event. Mayor Matt Jessop also proclaimed May 15 as Detective John Van Alstine Day!

Speed Concerns and Statewide Enforcement

Extra enforcement to help save lives

Speeding won’t get you there quicker, but it may take your life. Extra enforcement has started to save lives. Slow down or you will be pulled over. The days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are, unfortunately, some of the deadliest days of the year on Minnesota roads. To help prevent fatal crashes and save lives, the Owatonna Police Department (OPD) is joining a statewide speed enforcement campaign coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety. The added enforcement will run from May 1 through September 2.

Speeding continues to be a danger on Minnesota roads. In 2024, at least 137 fatal crashes were attributed to speeding. As of February 2025, there have already been at least 13 fatal speed-related crashes. Speeding is a costly choice. A citation may affect your bank account, driving record or insurance rates. The cost of a speeding ticket varies by county, but it will typically cost more than $110 with court fees for traveling 10 miles per hour (mph) over the limit. Fines double for those speeding 20 mph over the limit and you can lose your license for six months for going 100 mph or more.

Speeding is one of the OPD’s targeted offenses identified in our traffic safety initiative. On April 25, the OPD initiated an extra patrol request on Mosher Avenue targeting speed violations due to several complaints of vehicles traveling at high rates of speed in the area. Since then, officers have logged a total of 63 traffic details which have resulted in 28 traffic stops.

Citations: 11 for speeding, two for careless driving, one for reckless driving citations
Warnings: 20 for speeding

Mosher Avenue is posted as a 30 mph zone. Some of the highest speed citations issued were 48, 51, 62, 65 and 66 mph. The OPD will continue focusing on this extra patrol request and on all speed violations around Owatonna as the department is currently utilizing grant-funded overtime hours in conjunction with the MN Towards Zero Death Program.

City Crews Help Beautify Downtown

The City’s Parks crew helped beautify Owatonna’s downtown by hanging flower baskets from light poles. The baskets are funded by donations from individuals and businesses and made possible with a collaboration between Owatonna Chamber of Commerce, Owatonna Main Street, Souba Greenhouse and Cedar Valley Services.

City Parks Division staff Brennan Hanson and Nolan Kubat hanging flower baskets in Central Park.

Summer Fun

The City of Owatonna’s 860-plus acres of parkland and 25-plus miles of trails offer a variety of year-round outdoor activities that encourage people to connect with nature and one another. Many of these recreation areas and open spaces are nestled along scenic waterways. Check out these spots for a fun, free way to enjoy summer.

Bocce, Bags & Ping Pong at Sid Kinyon Courts

Enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation experiences including tennis and pickleball courts, a regulation bocce ball court, a permanent ping pong table and permanent bean bag boards. Bring your own equipment.

River Rock Disc Golf at Mineral Springs Park

Bring your own discs and enjoy nine holes of golfing fun in a scenic setting!

Make Some Music at Manthey Park

There is lots of space to PLAY for everyone. Many unique opportunities can be found on the inclusive playground at Manthey including musical instruments!

Mountain Biking at Kaplan’s Woods

Nearly seven miles of single-track mountain bike trails promise wooded adventure.

Rec on the Go

The Rec on the Go program provides free, accessible and fun activities in convenient locations including ladder golf, soccer, pickleball, disc golf, preschool games, ziplines and so much more! Stop by any or all of these dates and places where the Rec on the Go trailer will be located to join in the fun:

June 13 7-8 p.m. Central Park
June 20 5-7:30 p.m. Morehouse Park
July 12 5-7:30 p.m. Brown Park
July 19 5-8:30 p.m. River Springs Water Park
August 1 5-7:30 p.m. Manthey Park
August 23 5-7:30 p.m. Mineral Springs Park

This program is being offered in Owatonna due to a generous donation from Gopher Sport. For additional information about Rec on the Go, watch the City Spotlight video online, visit owatonna.gov/recgo or follow the Owatonna Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

Construction Projects Set to Begin May 27

Vine Street Parking Lot Closing

Work will commence May 27 to complete the Vine Street parking lot project. The entire lot will be closed May 27 through 30 for removals, paving and striping. Notifications regarding the lot closure and changes will be sent via Notify Me - Vine Street Parking Lot Closures. Motorists who frequent the lot are encouraged to sign up for these notifications. Paving and striping are weather-dependent and dates may shift due to the forecast and current conditions.

2025 18th Street SE Trail Extension

A pedestrian and bicycle trail running along the south side of 18th Street SW and the north side of 18th Street SE is planned for construction in 2025. The project has been awarded to Ulland Brothers and is expected to begin May 27. The contractor plans to begin at the intersection of 18th Street SE and Austin Road and work westward. 18th Street SE will remain open. Please slow down and remain vigilant as contractors will be working in the area. Planned work is weather-dependent and dates are subject to change. Any access restrictions will be communicated to property owners by the contractor.

MS4 General Permit reissuance process

Commenting period open until May 31

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is developing the next Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. As part of the permit reissuance process, three separate opportunities for stakeholders to provide input are planned. For details about those opportunities and planned changes for the next permit, please visit the MS4 General Permit website.

At this time, all interested and affected parties are encouraged to provide written input on the current 2020 MS4 General Permit. This may include suggested changes or areas of the permit where improvements could be made including where additional details or guidance are desired. The MPCA will review comments and may incorporate suggested changes into the new draft permit.

To submit a comment, email ms4permit.pca@state.mn.us with the subject line: 2020 MS4 General Permit feedback. Please include your name, organization (if applicable) and your comment. In your comment, please be as specific as possible including reference to permit item number(s) and suggestions on how the permit could be improved. The MPCA is accepting written feedback on the 2020 permit until May 31.

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.

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.

May 21, 2025