Captain Sorensen Returns from SPI School

Captain Sorensen recently completed the Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville Kentucky. This course has been offered since 1951 and is an integral part of the Department of Criminal Justice as an advanced educational and training institute whose mission is to enhance the professional development of law enforcement practitioners. Welcome back to OPD, Captain!

Winter Parking Restrictions

Effective beginning November 15 regardless of weather

The winter parking clause in the City of Owatonna parking ordinance goes into effect November 15 at midnight and will remain in effect until March 31, 2026. If you need to park a vehicle on the street between 12:01 a.m. and noon, park on the even house-numbered side of the street on even-numbered calendar days and on the odd-numbered house side of the street on odd-numbered calendar days. If you park your car after noon and intend to leave it parked overnight, anticipate the midnight date change. It is the responsibility of hosts to notify visitors or guests of the odd/even side winter parking restriction.

Odd/even parking enforcement is not contingent on an impending snow event. The City’s objective is to educate community members and seek voluntary compliance, followed by consistent enforcement for effective and efficient street maintenance operations.

Use the Owatonna Winter Parking Map App to see where parking is allowed and areas that are exempt from the winter parking restriction. Use it to easily search for an address to determine the odd and even sides of streets.

• Green lines: even side of the street
• Red lines: odd side of the street 
• Black lines: streets that are exempt from the winter parking ordinance due to restrictions 
• Yellow lines: will appear during 12:01 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (noon) to indicate the side of the street to park on if the area is not restricted

Please review the initial screen for pertinent information that explains how to interpret and understand the winter parking restriction. You can also access the Winter Parking Map App by scanning the QR code. Thank you for adhering to the winter parking restriction ordinance. For more information, please call the City of Owatonna at 507.444.4350 or visit owatonna.gov/publicparking.

Leaf Raking Reminder

Please do NOT rake or blow leaves into the street

The City of Owatonna would like to remind residents to not intentionally dispose of leaves or other debris into streets or alleys. Doing so violates City Ordinance 52.28, which is punishable by fine, and contributes to excessive costs related to increased phosphorous in area waterways and added wear on equipment to treat it.

What should residents do with all the leaves?

Leaves can be bagged and taken to the Compost Site at 400 32nd Avenue West, mulched with your lawnmower and left to break down to provide valuable nutritional benefits to the lawn or left as is to break down naturally. Street Maintenance crews are continuously running the street sweeper to clear leaves that have fallen into the roadway and settled in the gutter.

Water Aerobics

Classes are designed for an aerobic workout that focuses on movement of the joints, muscles and heart in a comfortable, small pool with a water temperature of approximately 90 degrees – ideal for rehabilitation and arthritis. Numerous classes are offered (with limited class sizes) each week. Registration for December sessions opens November 19 and the second to the last Wednesday of every month for the next month. The fee is just $5.50 per class. Register online at owatonna.gov.