City Declared State of Emergency

Damages from severe storms, wind and rain being assessed

The City of Owatonna’s Resolution #37-25 was signed July 29 and is expected to be fully ratified by the City Council at its August 6 meeting. The resolution is needed to access funding to help with storm damage. Emergency response efforts are being coordinated with Steele County.

City staff began assessing storm damage early in the morning July 29. Crews were promptly reassigned to devote resources to clearing storm debris from streets, parks, trails and public property. Arrangements were made to provide temporary curbside pick-up for storm-related debris. City crews will pick up storm-damaged limbs and trunks of any diameter including those from private property in Owatonna. Branches must be trimmed from trunks and trunks must be under eight feet long. This debris must be stacked parallel to the curb to ensure efficient and safe pick-up. It can be placed there by property owners or the contractors they hire. Other types of debris will not be picked up.

The City is partnering with By the Yard compost facility at 400 32^nd Avenue West to address storm debris removal within City limits. Fees will be temporarily waived for storm-related debris dropped off at the compost facility. Please visit owatonna.gov or call 507.475.4385 for additional information.

As community members address storm damage on private property, they are asked to keep leaves and branches from streets where debris can clog stormwater drains.

For ongoing updates on storm recovery efforts, please visit owatonna.gov, follow the City of Owatonna on Facebook or email info@owatonna.gov. Sign up to receive news releases immediately when they are distributed by using Notify Me on the website.

Owatonna CIty leaders attend CGMC Conference in Bemidji

Owatonna Leaders Attend Conference

City Staff Honored with Awards

Several of Owatonna’s elected officials and City staff attended the annual Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) Conference July 23 through 25 in Bemidji. They met with Senator John Jasinski and municipal leaders from around the state to discuss policymaking, legislative issues, Local Government Aid and other topics that impact cities like Owatonna.

At the July 24 Legislative Awards event, City Administrator Kris Busse was honored with the Bob Filson Award for Distinguished Rural Leadership in recognition of her outstanding public service and contributions to the CGMC throughout her career. Community Development Manager Greg Kruschke was chosen to receive the Excellence in Service Award for his strong advocacy representing Greater Minnesota’s housing needs and opposing harmful zoning and land use policies.

For additional information about CGMC, visit greatermncities.org.

The Owatonna City Council meets at 7 pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. Contact Council Members with questions, suggestions and concerns. Agendas, Minutes and Council Packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

Elected Officials, Wards & Contact Information:

Doug Voss (At Large) 507.475.0550 douglas.voss@owatonna.gov
Dan Boeke (At Large) 507.363.1932 daniel.boeke@owatonna.gov
Nathan Dotson (Ward 1) 507.3631189 nathan.dotson@owatonna.gov
Don McCann (Ward 2) 507.456.6383 donald.mccann@owatonna.gov
David Burbank (Ward 3) 507.451.3166 david.burbank@owatonna.gov
Kevin Raney (Ward 4) 507.456.3116 kevin.raney@owatonna.gov
Brent Svenby (Ward 5) 507.363.1136 brent.svenby@owatonna.gov
Matt Jessop (Mayor) 507.363.1980 mayor@owatonna.gov

OHRC members left to right: Vice Chair Jennifer Hansen, Edgar Esquivel, Chair Jessica Bjore, Julia Seykora, Sherry Hill, Secretary Mustafe Ismael. (Not pictured: Josiah Hult).

Local Support for Human Rights

By Sherry Hill, Owatonna Human Rights Commissioner

Did you know that Owatonna is one of approximately 50 cities in Minnesota that has a local human rights commission? I did not until I joined this City commission. Here’s my take on the purpose of the Owatonna Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and how it serves the community.

In the Owatonna City government, there are more than a dozen boards and commissions which are set up by the City Council to perform specific functions. Most of the time, City commissions are invisible to the public; they tackle issues that support City services or the City Council. That’s particularly true of the OHRC.

The OHRC is the most recent addition to the commission system, established in 2000. The OHRC works in cooperation with the Minnesota State Department of Human Rights which prohibits discrimination. The OHRC is funded by the City’s General Fund. It focuses on raising local awareness of the rights of all people to live with dignity, free from discrimination, fear, violence and hatred. To further understanding, the commission sponsors various cultural events and activities.

To kick off each year, the OHRC hosts the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, a speaker and luncheon event that is free to the public. Throughout the year, the commission participates in events with community organizations including Downtown Thursdays, Owatonna Community Leadership Academy, Project Community Connect, Rainbowatonna, Promoting Peace, OPEN Owatonna and the Alliance for Greater Equity.

At the Welcome Week celebration in early September, the OHRC sponsors a multicultural soccer game at the Daikin Soccer Complex and a special Downtown Thursday display with a “Human Library.” This library includes “human books” about community members with different backgrounds that can be “checked out” by visitors. Each person’s book shares their experiences, challenges and successes. The human books represent a range of local people: disabled, LGBTQ, immigrant and senior citizens. Anyone interested in being a part of the Human Library can contact the commission at www.owatonna.gov.

The commission also advises the City Council on issues concerning human rights violations and discrimination. The OHRC acts as a referral agency for individuals with discrimination issues. We facilitate individual complaints to the State Commission which has the authority to prosecute cases. The OHRC has also worked with the federal Department of Justice to resolve more complex and far-reaching issues with an Owatonna connection.

The OHRC meets the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm in the Charles S. Crandall Center meeting room at City Hall. The current board includes Jessica Bjore, Chair; Jennifer Hansen, Vice Chair; Mustafe Ismael, Secretary; Edgar Esquivel, Julie Seykora, Sherry Hill and Josiah Hult. The meetings include time for public comments from interested or concerned citizens.

If you have questions or concerns that relate to human rights in Owatonna, please feel free to email human.rightscommission@owatonna.gov. We review emails at every meeting and appreciate your feedback.

Minnesota Human Rights

The Minnesota Human Rights Act, passed in 1973, is the state law prohibiting discrimination and is enforced by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Minnesota’s is one of the strongest civil rights laws in this country prohibiting discrimination in:

Employment
Housing
Public accommodation
Public services
Education
Credit
Business

The law protects all people, no matter their:

Race
Religion
Disability
National origin
Sex
Marital status
Familial status
Age
Sexual orientation
Gender identity

New Fire Equipment Operator Hired

Terpstra started July 28, 2025

The Owatonna Fire Department is proud to announce that Paid-on-Call Firefighter Mitchell (Mitch) Terpstra has been promoted to Fire Equipment Operator effective July 28. As a Fire Equipment Operator, his responsibilities will include driving and operating fire trucks at incident scenes.

Terpstra joined the Fire Department in 2019 and was a volunteer firefighter for the Villard Fire Department for four years. He was honored as Firefighter of the Year in 2023 at a banquet hosted by the Owatonna Exchange Club.

“Owatonna Fire is excited to add Mitch to our full-time roster and look forward to his contributions as a fire equipment operator,” said Ed Hoffman, Fire Chief.

Keeping the Community Beautiful

As everyone spends time outdoors, remember there are ordinances related to exterior property maintenance that need to be followed. Here are a few items to keep in mind:

Grass needs to be less than eight inches tall on developed lots. For vacant lots, it needs to be less than 18 inches tall.
Household trash should be kept in a container designed for such use ensuring that it doesn’t leak and that it is always covered.
Don’t place unwanted items such as furniture or appliances on the right-of-way or in the yard.

Additional information is available on the City of Owatonna website.

Project Reward & Quick $50 Program

Addressing vandalism in parks

Each year, the City spends thousands of dollars removing graffiti and addressing vandalism in parks. The Project Reward & Quick $50 program rewards residents when they help reduce vandalism. The program offers a cash reward for providing information confidentially.

If you have information about vandalism committed on public property in Owatonna, please contact any Owatonna Police Department employee to report your information and mention Quick $50. The Quick $50 program rewards citizens for providing legitimate and substantiated information about individuals responsible for vandalism, graffiti or other related crimes.

The program may provide larger rewards (up to $500) for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for damage to public property. These programs are funded through private donations. Administrative costs are paid through the City’s operating budget. To make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check addressed to Project Reward – City of Owatonna and mail it to Finance Director, City of Owatonna, 540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna, MN 55060.

To report a crime of vandalism to public property or to provide confidential information regarding a crime, please contact the Owatonna Police Department at 507.774.7200.

Dangerous Dogs

There has been a recent uptick in dog bites reported. City Ordinance 1620 regulates potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs. The ordinance uses provisions set by Minnesota Statutes and establishes a registration requirement and fees for dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. The ordinance gives dog owners the right to appeal the declaration of their dog’s designation.

Residents are asked to be responsible pet owners and have parameters in place so their dog isn’t tempted, caught off guard or doesn’t initiate a bite that could have been prevented. Many dogs are protective of their homes and may chase someone who approaches. This can lead to biting incidents and the Police Department investigating the incident.

Booksale During Gem Days

The Owatonna Public Library will host a book sale in the Gainey Room August 7 through 9 in conjunction with Gem Days.

Spend a Day at the Beach!

Lake Kohlmier beach is open daily and ropes are placed to indicate swim areas. There are no lifeguards on duty. Individuals swim according to beach rules and at their own risk. Staff are available Thursday through Sunday afternoons for aquatic and trail equipment rentals and concessions. Life jackets are included and required with each aquatic rental. For additional information including hours and rental rates, visit Lake Kohlmier Beach and Equipment Rental | Owatonna, MN.

The City of Owatonna takes steps to ensure Lake Kohlmier is safe and available for public use. At the beginning of each swimming season, water is treated for swimmer’s itch based on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guidelines. City staff tests water at Lake Kohlmier regularly. The City of Owatonna also manages weeds in the lake according to an annual DNR permit. City staff rake the beach area to help create a safe and enjoyable environment for beachgoers.

Anyone with concerns regarding swimming in natural areas is encouraged to visit River Springs Water Park, 3065 St. Paul Road, which is open daily through August 17.

City Facilities Named Best in Southern Minnesota!

River Springs Water Park & Brooktree Golf Course Readers' Favorites

Owatonna People’s Press recently announced its Best of Southern Minnesota Awards. Two of Owatonna’s municipally-owned facilities were selected by readers as top picks. Brooktree Golf Course was named runner-up for the “Best Golf Course” and River Springs Water Park was named the “Best Place to Swim” in Southern Minnesota. River Springs was also recognized as second runner-up for “Best Place to Take the Kids” placing behind River Bend Nature Center and the Steele County Fair. These annual honors are based on readers' nominations and votes. Visit owatonna.gov to find out more about local facilities that provide fun summer activities.

2025 Stormwater Utility Fee Changes

Effective January 1, the City of Owatonna’s stormwater utility rates were updated. Beginning this month, these fee changes are reflected in users’ bills. Major factors driving the need for additional stormwater management funding include environmental regulations and protections, changing weather patterns, rising infrastructure and construction expenses, operation and maintenance costs and planning for future development.

How is the Rate Calculated?

Non-Residential Monthly Fee = Current Rate X (ERU) X Intensity Factor
Residential Monthly Fee = Current Rate
2025 Proposed Rate = $5.14/ERU
*Reduction credits/fee adjustments no longer applicable

2024 Stormwater Utility Fee (SUF) Study

As part of its Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan, the City of Owatonna hired WHKS, Inc. to complete a Stormwater Utility Fee Study. The study considered many factors including payment for implementing prioritized stormwater capital improvement projects, required MS4/TMDL regulations, managing the community's MS4 program and the ongoing need for regular maintenance, repair and replacement of the storm system.

Looking for additional information? Please contact us at stormwater@owatonna.gov.

Watch City Meetings Online!

Owatonna’s City Council meetings are 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.

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.

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July 30, 2025