Honoring Owatonna's Veterans

City Hall and several City buildings will be closed November 11 for the Veterans Day Holiday. Watch for the green lights at City buildings in honor of local veterans.

(Owatonna Police Department not pictured)

Local Veteran Welcomed Home

The Owatonna Police Department coordinated with Building Homes for Heroes to welcome home a local veteran October 16. Local and state elected officials were invited to take part in honoring Army Private Michael Bryant and his family. Police officers provided an escort for the Bryants to their new home which was gifted to them by Building Homes for Heroes. Mayor Matt Jessop and Council Member Don McCann attended the welcome home ceremony. Building Homes for Heroes is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans who were injured while serving during times of war. Their mission is to build, modify or renovate homes and gift them, mortgage-free, to these courageous men and women and their families. For additional information, visit buildinghomesforheroes.org.

Help Shape Owatonna’s Land Use Regulations

Deadline to provide input October 31!

The City of Owatonna is updating its zoning and subdivision ordinances regulating land use and development. Community input on the following topics will help shape future regulations:

Housing types and sizes
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
Size, number and location of accessory structures such as sheds, garages, gazebos, pergolas
Home-based businesses
Sidewalk and trail requirements
Street widths
Downtown and mixed-use development
Parking requirements

Please take a few minutes before the end of October to click the link to the survey. Or, ask for a hard copy survey at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. Survey results will be shared later this year and used to update city zoning and subdivision ordinances to meet current needs and make them easier to use. For additional information about this project or how to be involved, please visit City of Owatonna Zoning & Subdivision Ordinance Update.

Winter Parking Restrictions Begin November 15

The City of Owatonna would like to remind community members of the upcoming winter parking clause in the parking ordinance which goes into effect beginning November 15 and remains in effect until March 31, 2026. Visit Owatonna.gov/publicparking for information on these restrictions before they take effect.

City Council Considering Ordinance Regulating Cannabis Sales

On October 21, Police Chief Jeff Mundale and officials from the Steele County Public Health Department presented information to the City Council in a Study Session about a proposed amendment to an existing ordinance to regulate the sale of low-potency hemp products in Owatonna.

Following the presentation, the City Council gave Ordinance 25-12 the first reading amending Chapter 122 of the City Code. Among other restrictions, the ordinance limits the sale of low-potency hemp products at registered retail establishments which prohibit entry of persons under age 21 (liquor stores, for example) to persons age 21 and older. The Ordinance also restricts hours of sale and establishes buffer zones between licensed retail sales locations and schools, parks and other areas.

Since the Minnesota State Legislature first approved a law paving the way for the legal sale and use of cannabis products, a local working group of City and County officials has been meeting to evaluate options for Owatonna to address local impacts. The group’s consensus is that limiting youth access to such products is an important public health priority. Another priority identified by the group was for the cities within Steele County to adopt consistent regulations.

The proposed City ordinance delegates Steele County as the agency to manage retailer registrations. It mirrors guidelines provided in state law including the per capita volume of retailer locations. Based on Steele County’s current population, three retail registrations are allowable.

A second and final reading of the proposed amended ordinance is required at a future City Council meeting for it to be approved and implemented. If passed, retailers licensed through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will also be required to comply with City and County laws regarding local registration, compliance checks and enforcement. The draft ordinance is available at owatonna.gov.

Staying Safe on Halloween

Halloween is a time for fun and spooky celebrations and activities, but it can also be a time for some truly scary fire safety hazards. Make trick-or-treating safe for little monsters and ghouls with a few easy safety tips.

Use glow sticks or battery-operated candles for jack-o’-lanterns and other Halloween decorations
Provide children with flashlights to carry or have glow sticks as part of their costume
Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters
Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes
Tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-o’-lanterns with candles in them

Daylight Savings Time Reminders

Change the clock, change smoke detector batteries

When Daylight Savings Time ends November 2 and clocks are turned back one hour, the Fire Department suggests using this as a reminder to change the batteries in smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms are a key element of home fire safety. To help make sure all smoke alarms are working properly, here are some reminders:

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to last for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, the battery is low and the entire alarm needs to be replaced right away.
Smoke alarms with other types of batteries need a new battery at least once a year. If the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

Road safety when visibility is limited

The Police Department reminds drivers ‘falling back’ to shorter days requires using extra caution on the road. According to the National Safety Council, fatigue, compromised night vision (depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision), impairment and traffic density are some risks drivers can face at night. Please slow down to compensate for limited visibility and stopping time. Make sure to know the difference between daytime running lights that turn on automatically versus headlights and taillights.

Coptober Success!

Thank you to everyone who attended the fourth annual Coptober event at the library this year. The day was filled with more than 250 attendees who enjoyed fun, learning and community connection! A new name for the Police Departments’ spooky coworker was selected from many great suggestions. Introducing Officer Shaky Bones!

Special thanks goes to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund and United Way for donating books and to the Owatonna Public Library for hosting and collaborating with the Police Department to plan this event. “We loved partnering to share what it takes to be a police officer and how we can all work together to keep kids safe”, said Captain Tracy DuChene. “See you next year!”

New Rental Assistance Program in Owatonna

550,000 Minnesotans from every corner of the state are at risk of losing their homes every month because their rents are too high*. Unfortunately, Owatonna is included in the cities facing this issue. The Bring It Home Rental Assistance Program is a new program from the Minnesota Housing Agency providing rental assistance for low-income families. The program provides funding for tenant-based and project-based rental assistance for cost-burdened households earning up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Cost-burdened households are considered those paying more than 30 percent of the household’s annual income for rent. Priority for rental assistance shall be given to households with children 18 years of age and under and annual incomes of up to 30 percent of the AMI. The Owatonna Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) will begin offering this program by January 1, 2026 to cost-burdened families to keep their housing and lower the risk of homelessness. For additional information about housing assistance in Owatonna, visit the HRA page at owatonna.gov. For additional information about this program, visit bringithomeminnesota.org.

(* taken from BringitHomeMN)

Spooktacular Turnout for Pumpkin Trail!

More than 1,400 ‘ghosts’ and ‘goblins’ of all sizes attended the Spooky Pumpkin Trail event at Kaplan’s Woods October 25. Ballots were cast on the 102 jack-o-lanterns on display to select a winner which will be announced on the Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

Library Events

Family Scary Story Night October 30

Halloween Eve at 6 p.m., gather around the fireplace at the library with your little ghouls and goblins and listen close to a tale or three that are sure to make you shiver and squirm! Family friendly but spooky, please plan accordingly!

Saving You a Seat!

The public is invited to attend the City's public meetings. For meeting details, view the calendar at owatonna.gov. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

November 3:

6 p.m. Owatonna Firefighters Relief Association Meeting at the Fire Hall, 107 West Main Street
4:30 p.m. Park Board Meeting

November 4:

ISD #761 Special Election – polls in Owatonna open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

November 5:

4 p.m. Joint Powers Board Meeting in the Commissioner’s Room at the Steele County Administration Building, 630 Florence Avenue
5:30 p.m. City Council Study Session with information about the proposed Ordinance for Low Potency Cannabis Regulation, rental licensing, the City Fees Manual and investments
7 p.m. City Council Meeting Room including a public hearing to consider proposed assessments for the 2024 Street & Utility Project.

Pausing to express gratitude

Deanna Sheely, Communications Manager

The season of harvest and gratitude has arrived once again! All around the area, that means farmers are working to reap the benefits of their year-long efforts while hoping the weather allows the fieldwork to be completed before winter arrives. Having grown up on a dairy farm in southeast Minnesota, fall reminds me of the ‘all hands on deck’ approach our family took to ensure a good harvest season and the gratitude that followed when crops were bountiful and milk production was good.

This same approach shows up across Owatonna frequently in the way community members go the extra mile by taking time to show up at events, helping others, supporting important initiatives and pitching in when needed. It seems like a good time to express gratitude for the opportunities the City of Owatonna has to serve the community and to share recent observations of how we work together to create a better tomorrow for those who live or work here as well as those who might be visiting or passing through.

Downtown Thursdays

This summer, thousands came out for Downtown Thursdays despite weather that was sometimes windy, rainy, hot or humid to enjoy a bite, listen to live music or just gather with neighbors and friends. City staff is pleased to support these events by placing barricades, beautifying Central Park, providing community service officers and hosting a booth where attendees can get a free book from the library, fun kids activities or ask questions about City projects.

July 28 Storm Clean-up

Some of Owatonna’s oldest trees took a beating in this storm and residents across the city were out starting their yard clean-up before the sun even rose that morning. A big ‘thank you’ goes to all the residents who worked to clean up debris to help keep our community beautiful and safe. City staff are grateful for residents’ cooperation with placing their storm debris curbside in a way that made it efficient and safe for our crews to pick up and take away. Through this cooperation, Owatonna was once again company-ready in time for fair week! This city-wide storm clean-up was certainly a team effort between residents, the City team and community partners.

Homecoming Parade

This annual event, once again, drew Owatonnans out mid-weekday to show Huskie pride. Attendance was exceptional as usual and this show of support for youth is just one more way community members invest in the future. City staff enthusiastically participate in this annual event. Our Public Works and Park & Recreation crews were able to help by providing barricades and other logistical support and our Police Honor Guard marched in the parade.

Development Summit

Owatonna was selected as the site for the September 24 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Development Summit which drew real estate professionals and developers from around the state. When locals were asked to sponsor the event, participate on a panel or attend, the response was incredible. The result? A day of positive comments and insights shared about how our downtown redevelopment, local investors and collaborative spirit between multiple agencies all merge to create an environment that supports growth and economic vitality. We are fortunate to have so many passionate community members who offer ideas and serve vital roles in seeing Owatonna continue to thrive.

City Events

Whether the City of Owatonna invites grade schoolers to Coptober, the general public to an open house at the Fire Station, or community members to attend any number of other City-hosted events and programs throughout the year, we are thankful that people take time to show up and share thoughts. City staff embrace these opportunities to interact with those whom we serve and are grateful that community members pause from their busy lives to spend time with us.

Team O-Town (aka City of Owatonna employees) is fortunate to serve a community where so many residents are willing to serve on boards, commissions and task forces. Your responses to our surveys, polls and online engagement invitations are typically higher than average. Your commitment to working together to continue making Owatonna a high-quality community shines in all seasons and warrants taking this moment to pause and say ‘thank you’ for helping us work to create a better tomorrow!

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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October 29, 2025