City Booth at Downtown Thursdays

Owatonna’s Downtown Thursdays feature local food, music, shopping and art on the first Thursday of each month during summer. Chat with new City Administrator Jenna Tuma and Fire Department staff in the City’s booth September 4 in Central Park. Additional Downtown Thursdays information is available at Owatonna.org.

OHRC human library at 2024 Downtown Thursday

Welcome Week

Owatonna Human Rights Commission Events

In cooperation with national Welcoming Week, the Owatonna Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will host events to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all. Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all.

Downtown Thursday

September 4 from 5 until 7 p.m.

The OHRC will host its third annual Human Library on Cedar Avenue near Central Park. Readers can check out any of the 18 ‘human books’ for one-on-one conversations. Videos of the ‘books’ can also be accessed by using a smart phone to scan a QR Code on the book information flyers posted at the booth. A variety of genres will be available for check-out including a Sudanese Immigrant, a retired NFL Cheerleader, Native American heritage, Hispanic heritage, Asian heritage, adoptive parents and more. The goal of the Human Library is to foster awareness that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices.

Meeting on the Field - Soccer Game

September 6 at 6:30 p.m.

The OHRC will host a soccer game and Meeting on the Field at the Daiken Soccer Complex, 1100 Rice Lake Road. Everyone is welcome to cheer on these talented teams. Families are invited to enjoy the Rec on the Go free activities. Come join in the fun on the field or simply bring a chair and watch some great soccer.

Owatonna Development Summit

Returns September 24

The third annual Owatonna Development Summit September 24 will bring together business leaders, developers and community partners to explore the city’s growth and future opportunities. This year’s program highlights how Owatonna is driving progress through streamlined city processes, major infrastructure investments and strategic partnerships with education, utilities and industry.

The agenda features four key themes:

Owatonna Advantage – How We Work & Why It Works showcasing the City of Owatonna’s pro-business environment and innovative collaborations.
Revitalizing Downtown – Momentum & Opportunity with insights from entrepreneurs, investors and the Owatonna Area Business Development Center.
Industrial Growth – Building Momentum in Owatonna exploring why companies are choosing Owatonna as their home base.
Growing & Attracting Talent – Workforce as a Cornerstone highlighting workforce pipeline strategies, regional recruitment and quality of life investments.

With a strong lineup of speakers from across business, education and government, the summit offers a comprehensive look at why Owatonna continues to be one of Minnesota’s most dynamic communities for growth and investment.

For additional information and to register to attend, please click here.

School Bus Safety Reminders

Minnesota school buses make about 10,000 trips each day during the school year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children. Everyone needs to work together to ensure that school children make it home safely. Pedestrian and drivers must remove distractions and be aware of surroundings at all times to make the community safer.

Stop for school buses - it's the law!

State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended.
Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine.
Drivers can face criminal charges for passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus or injuring or killing a child.

Motorists

Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus displaying red flashing lights or a stop arm when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads.
Motorists should slow down, pay attention and anticipate school children and buses especially in neighborhoods and school zones.

Students

When getting off a bus, look to make sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
Wait for the bus driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding.

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month

One Card, Endless Possibilities

The Owatonna Public Library invites you to celebrate September as Library Card Sign-Up Month and discover how the opportunities provided to cardholders. Check out books, take free classes, access job resources, get help with homework, access streaming media and cultural events. Today’s libraries connect communities to information, inspiration and one another.

This year’s theme, “One Card, Endless Possibilities,” is a reminder that libraries are for everyone—no matter your age, background or goals. Whether you're diving into a new hobby, searching for your next great read, brushing up on tech skills or helping your child succeed in school, it all starts with a library card.

At the Owatonna Public Library, you will find:

· eBooks, databases, business resources, local history and so much more!
· Ask about our Minnesota State Park program!
· Programs and events for all ages—from story times and book clubs to job search support and tech help!

Getting a library card is free, easy and empowering. For students, it’s a key to academic success. For adults, it’s a gateway to lifelong learning. For everyone, it’s a smart way to stay connected to your community!

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.

Annual Watershed-wide Clean-up

September 13

Join Clean River Partners for their largest annual volunteer event of the year - the Cannon River Watershed-Wide Cleanup! This marks the 17th year of bringing communities together across the Cannon River Watershed to clean up area parks, rivers and lakes. Be a part of it!

📅 Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025

🕘 Time: 9 am - noon

📍 Location: Morehouse Park - Owatonna

Learn more and sign up by visiting the 2025 Clean Up Event Page. Contact Brad Rademacher at 507.774.7300 or bradley.rademacher@owatonna.gov for additional information.

Saving a Seat for YOU!

The public is invited to attend the City's public meetings. Unless otherwise specified, these meetings are held at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

September 4: Appeal Hearing at 1 p.m. Potentially Dangerous Dog Designation Mysteria Gravlin. September 8: Park Board Meeting at 4 p.m. in the West Meeting Room at the West Hills Social Commons, 500 Dunnell Drive.

September 9: South Central Drug Investigation Unit Meeting at 1 p.m. in the Waseca Public Safety Center Meeting Room, 303 South State Street, Faribault. City Council and staff Preliminary 2026 Budget Workshop (3 of 3) at 3 p.m. with presentations from the Administration, Human Resources and Community Development Departments. Human Rights Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Joint Meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council at 6 p.m.

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.

September 3, 2025