Jenna Tuma Offered City Administrator Position

Following a comprehensive and public selection process, the City Council met today and voted unanimously to extend an offer to Jenna Tuma as Owatonna’s next City Administrator.

“Council Vice President Doug Voss and I provided oversight throughout the selection process for this important position,” said Kevin Raney, City Council President. “After considering a pool of highly-qualified candidates, it became very clear that Jenna was the best candidate and is prepared to build upon our values and lead us into our next chapter of growth.”

Tuma has served the City of Owatonna as Assistant City Administrator since August 2024 and, previously, as Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director. Her background also includes experience as Park Operations Manager for the City of Minneapolis as well as another 20 years of supervisory experience in the public sector.

Raney commented that the decision was made based on the results of candidates being interviewed by a cross-section of City staff representing all departments, the directors and with input from all seven City Council Members and Mayor Jessop. “Administrator Busse has mentored Jenna to prepare her to transition into a City Administrator role. We knew she was ready for this step; and we are fortunate it will be with Owatonna. We’re confident that this selection will ensure a smooth transition.”

Current City Administrator Kris Busse said “I want to congratulate Jenna and the City Council on this decision. Jenna will do a great job in this role and I am excited for Owatonna’s future.”

Once a start date, terms and conditions of employment are finalized, they will be presented to the City Council for approval at a regularly scheduled meeting in the coming weeks. The candidates were selected based on their education, experience and alignment with the City’s core values of Better Together, Community Stewardship and Pride in Our Work.

City Officials Attend Daikin Ribbon Cutting

Several City officials celebrated with local business leaders May 23 to mark the opening of the new Daikin Owatonna South at 2100 Park Drive. City Council President Kevin Raney congratulated the Daikin team on opening their new facility, “This project is the embodiment of the City of Owatonna’s community development goals to support industrial and manufacturing companies expand or relocate here.”

The new 64,350 square foot facility includes 56,750 square feet of dedicated production space and 7,600 square feet of office area. It supports Daikin’s continued expansion in the HVAC industry and will, initially, provide space for approximately 100 team members across four shifts

Rainey continued, “On behalf of the Owatonna City Council, I can tell you we are excited to watch your ongoing growth as you work toward creating an additional 50 new jobs over the next year.”

Watch City Meetings Online!

Owatonna’s City Council meetings are now available to watch live or on demand. Visit owatonna.gov/Government/Mayor & City Council to see options and links. Click this link to view a live feed of Owatonna’s Public Access, Education & Government Channel where City Council meetings are aired live and rebroadcast. Or, to view any past City Council meeting on demand, click this link: owatonna.gov. Owatonna School Board meetings are also available to view through these options.

Motorcycle Exhaust Noise Reminders

With the weather warming up, motorcyclists have a chance to get out on the road. This time of year typically generates complaints to the Police Department by citizens regarding loud noises projected from some motorcycle exhaust systems.

According to Section 71.021 of Owatonna’s City Code, the following regulations apply to operating motorcycles:

No person shall operate a motorcycle unless it is equipped at all times with a muffler in good working order which blends the exhaust noise into the overall motorcycle noise and is in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise.
The exhaust system shall not emit or produce a sharp popping or crackling noise.

To read the full code, visit Owatonna.gov.

Storytime Tuesdays

Storytime will be offered weekly throughout the summer on Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. beginning June 10.

Water Park Opening!

Owatonna’s water park will open June 6 at 4 p.m. for the 2025 season! It features a lazy river, climbing wall, body slide, tube slide, zero-depth pool area, activity pool, lily pad walk and large concessions area with various snacks and beverages. River Springs is open seven days a week, Mondays through Fridays from noon until 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 8 p.m. for open swim. Check it out at 3065 St. Paul Road on the north side of Owatonna, just off 26^th Street. For additional information about the water park, visit Owatonna.gov, follow the River Springs Water Park Facebook page, stop by the Parks and Recreation Office at 500 Dunnell Drive or call 507.774.7370.

Family Season Passes

Family season passes can be purchased before the water park opens or at the water park during the open season. Passes provide unlimited access to lap swim, water walking, water aerobics, tiny tot time and open swim.

Programs

Group and private swimming lessons are offered all summer
Water aerobics classes
Tiny Tot Program
Water Walk
Lap Swim

Specials and Events

Opening Day June 5 School’s Out - admission for just $5
Daily Specials: Mondays are Grandparents Day – free admission with a paid grandchild at normal facility rates (one grandparent per grandchild), Tuesdays are Twilight Day - $5 twilight rate admission all day, Wednesdays are Family Day – admission is $5 per individual or $19.50 for a family of up to six people ($3.50 charge for each additional family member), Thursdays are Mystery Concessions – check for the surprise concession special and Fridays are Facebook Friday - check the RSWP Facebook Page where a new special is announced weekly!
Sunday Specials: June 9 School’s Out Special $5 admission, June 16 Father’s Day Special no charge for dads with a paid child at the regular admission rate, June 23 Family Day Special $5 admission or $24 per family up to six people ($4 charge for each additional family member), June 30 Veteran’s Special no charge for veterans or military members with proof of military ID.

Group Outings and Birthday Parties

For large group outings, company picnics and birthday parties, River Springs Water Park offers discount admission rates when registering two or more weeks in advance. Choose a birthday party package to fit the needs of any size of group.

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.

Take Your Best Shot at the Archery Park on Elm

Grab your bow and arrows and hit the range to practice on ten shooting lanes. Handicap accessible.

Freedom for Furry Friends at the Dog Park at Lake Chase

Two areas of off-leash fun, agility features, a doggy (and human) drinker and poop bags provided.

Paddle Away on the Straight River

Hop in your kayak and experience the view from a new perspective.

Parks & Recreation Programs

There are programs and activities offered for community members of all ages, ability levels and interests. Check out these upcoming programs and visit owatonna.gov/prcatalog to register or to see what else is being offered.

Decorating Party

Volunteer your time and talents to help make the West Hills Social Commons a more beautiful and inviting space. Decorating supplies are provided. This program is free for everyone, no membership is required. The next event will be June 4 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Wild about Science

Kids ages seven through 11 dive into the world of science with demonstrations, activities and hands-on experiments. The fee for each session is $10. Choose any or all of the following offered from 10 a.m. until noon:

Wind Power June 14
Water Power June 28
Solar Power July 12
Bridges July 26
Rockets August 9

Preschooler Animal of the Month

Preschoolers can dive into the fascinating world of animals highlighting a different animal each month. The fee is $3 and the following sessions are offered from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Owatonna Public Library:

Moose June 7
Beaver July 19
Fox August 2
Turtle September 6

Adaptive Archery

Participants ages eight and over learn about bows and shooting techniques while aiming at traditional and balloon targets. Archery equipment is provided. The fee is $6. Two sessions from 5 until 6 p.m. are offered at the Archery Range:

June 11
August 6

Family Archery

Participants ages seven and over discover the essential parts of a bow and get tips on how to accurately shoot while aiming at traditional or animal targets. Equipment is provided. Anyone under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The fee is $7. Four sessions are offered at the Archery Range:

June14 from 2 until 4 p.m.
July 12 from 2 until 4 p.m.
July 25 from 5 until 7 p.m.
August 8 from 5 until 7 p.m.

Stormwater Runoff Reminders

Yard care reminders

Grass clippings and other yard waste that makes its way to the street can block catch basins. Collect these items and dispose of them at a compost site rather than leaving them on the lawn. Check nearby catch basins and clear them if needed. Excess fertilizer run-off also goes through the stormwater system and into local waterways.

Don’t Feed the Fowl!

Feeding ducks and geese is often perceived as a harmless and fun activity. However, it actually has negative effects on wildlife, waterfowl and local waterways. While ducks, geese and other waterfowl like eating bread, chips and crackers, it causes them to congregate in high numbers which results in large, concentrated quantities of waste in and along the community’s water resources. Waterfowl waste also soils parks and trails. In addition to the environmental issues, feeding them can cause long-term health problems and other nutritional consequences for the waterfowl and other wildlife as they become overcrowded and dependent on humans for food. Instead of feeding wild ducks and geese, make a trip to a zoo, county fair or wildlife preserve.

Get Your Mind In The Gutter!

With spring and summer on the horizon, it’s time to enjoy the nice weather swimming at Lake Kohlmeier, hiking at Kaplan’s Woods fishing on the Straight River or taking the dog for a walk. As we enjoy the outdoors, please remember that whatever you see in the gutters will end up in the Straight River. Grass clipping, pet waste and trash lying on the street will be washed into the storm sewers during rain events.

Debris in the street can also plug catch basins and prevent the stormwater from flowing as designed into the structures. Please help keep Owatonna’s gutters clean! When mowing, blow grass clippings away from the gutter and back into the yard. If clippings do get into the gutter, take a moment to sweep them up. During walks around town, bring a bag to pick up trash that might collect in the catch basins. If you have a catch basin in front of your property, make sure debris does not collect on top of it and cause localized flooding. Remember, the waterfront is as close as your nearest street catch basin!

3s of Stormwater

We can all help our watershed stay clean and healthy by remembering these three S’s: Soak it up, Spread it out and Slow it down! To learn more about what best stormwater management practices you can implement, visit owatonna.gov. Clean H2Owatonna is the City of Owatonna’s Stormwater Management Program to keep our streams, rivers and waterways clean.

The Pinochle Club at West Hills Social Commons

Community Member Spotlight

Sylvester “Doc” Schreitmueller

By Deanna Sheely, Communications Manager

While most people in Owatonna have seen the Activity Guide that gets mailed to all addresses twice annually; and many have participated in a City program or activity either personally or by registering their child, I wonder how many have stopped to think about how these programs impact lives?

I had the great fortune recently of being able to meet the group of Pinochle players who gather three times weekly at West Hills Social Commons to participate in one of the organized activities provided through a Parks & Recreation Department Adult Leisure Pursuits membership. It sparked my curiosity and, in just a few minutes, I learned about the club, how it started and about a remarkable member whose story I found intriguing. I’ll do my best to retell his story as I heard it from him.

In 2012, Sylvester “Doc” Schreitmueller responded to an ad in the newspaper published by the Parks & Recreation Department stating there was interest in starting a Pinochle Club. He and his wife, Darlene, responded to the ad and began gathering with others to form the club, which is still going strong 13 years later. Doc said he had to learn Pinochle when he married Darlene because her whole family played. His age at the time? 82. Having both been widowed, the pair had known one another as children. During their years together, they both began playing Pinochle with the club. Unfortunately, Doc was widowed a second time in 2021. He has continued to meet up with his Pinochle mates even as he celebrated his 103^rd birthday on December 31.

Are you curious to know more about Sylvester? I was too. He moved to Owatonna the first time in 1985. He has also lived in Walters, New Ulm, Keister and Austin, Minnesota; Sheboygan and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sacramento, California; Waverly, Oelwein and Waterloo, Iowa; Cook, Nebraska; and Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany. He made his living as a Lutheran pastor after graduating from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1945. Prior to that, he attended Dr. Martin Luther College Academy in New Ulm, Minnesota and Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He speaks fluent German and was instrumental in founding and growing several of the churches at which he served.

Was becoming a pastor Doc’s first career goal? No. During his pastoral internship at Milwaukee General Hospital, he worked with several medical interns and helped them with operations and delivering babies. He was offered an opportunity through Johns Hopkins University to become a surgeon by taking over a hospital in Madang, New Guinea. Instead, Doc felt called to become a pastor, which took him to Sacramento where his first position was to plant a mission church there. That is where Doc met and married his first wife, Ruth in 1945. They raised four children. Ruth passed away in 2003.

What words of wisdom does Sylvester offer? First off, when it comes to Pinochle, he says you have to have a good memory and know when to pass. When it comes to longevity, he says you need to eat decently well and chew your food well. He says what he enjoys most about being a member of the club is the fellowship.

Sylvester currently lives at the Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna and has one daughter living in Owatonna. He relies on SMART Transit to get around town. I was inspired by his optimism and admire his resilience, attitude and sharp Pinochle skills.

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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May 28, 2025