Human Rights Day

December 10

According to un.org, Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on 10 December. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

The Owatonna Human Rights Commission (OHRC) believes that all people should have the same status in respect to civil rights, human rights, freedom of speech, property rights and economics opportunity. In addition, the commission believes in the value of inclusion and justice for all cultures and races. For additional information about the OHRC, visit owatonna.gov.

City Council Receives Update on Community Survey Results and Planning for New Police and Fire Facilities

At its December 10 Special City Council Meeting and Study Session, the Owatonna City Council received an update on the City’s efforts to modernize its police and fire facilities. This is a top priority for the City as public safety demands increase and the aging police station and fire hall make it increasingly difficult to provide the level of service Owatonna residents expect.

Council members also reviewed results from a recent community survey. The scientific survey was conducted by phone with a random sample of 400 residents between November 17 and 25. Residents provided input on a range of subjects including City services, police and fire operations and facilities and potential future investments, including a potential community center. This feedback will help shape the City’s priorities and guide decision-making.

The presentations reinforced that Owatonna’s current public safety buildings no longer meet today’s operational needs or support the well-being of first responders.

The Law Enforcement Center, a retrofitted 1968 bank building, lacks secure spaces for interviewing victims and suspects, adequate evidence processing areas, and sufficient room for training and modern equipment.
The fire station, built in 1906, cannot support today’s firefighting equipment or provide space for firefighter safety measures such as decontamination and training.

Council members were briefed on how replacing the City’s aging police and fire facilities—rather than continuing to invest in temporary fixes—will improve reliability, efficiency and safety for first responders and the public.

The plan calls for constructing new facilities on two City-owned sites:

A new fire station at the current Law Enforcement Center property
A new police department at the West Hills Campus.

Design work for these facilities is underway, with bidding expected to begin in spring or summer 2026. The project’s estimated cost is $61 million. The City is reviewing funding options.

More information is available at Owatonna.gov and questions can be directed to FacilityUpdates@owatonna.gov.

Owatonna’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

Save the Date!

Everyone is welcome to attend the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration January 19 at the Steele County History Center, 1700 Austin Road. This event will be hosted by the Owatonna Human Rights Commission. Event information will be posted when available.

Event Permit Application Process

If you’re planning an event during 2026 which requires a City-issued Event Permit, please submit your application 60 days prior to your event. It’s best to submit it as soon as a tentative date is set to allow adequate time for the permit approval process prior to finalizing your plans. Several permits have already been submitted for events planned next summer.

Applications are reviewed by Police, Fire, Building & Inspections, Public Works, Facilities, Parks & Recreation and Administration Departments. In 2026, the permit approval process will also include review by the Owatonna Main Street Director when an activity is requested to be held in the downtown area. Following this thorough review process, applications are added to a City Council meeting agenda for final approval. City Council Meetings are only held twice monthly.

The previous 30-day requirement was not always enough time for this process which led to some applications being denied. Visit owatonna.gov to find the online Events Permit Application.

City Leadership

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.

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

Police Department's First-Ever Holiday Giving Tree

This holiday season marks an exciting new tradition at the Owatonna Police Department (OPD) with the launch of its first-ever Giving Tree, a program designed to bring comfort and cheer to local families in need. A festive tree—beautifully decorated and surrounded by donated items—is now on display in the department’s lobby. Community members are invited to stop by and donate new hats or gloves for others to take as needed. Likewise, if you or someone you know could benefit from these items, you are welcome to visit the lobby and pick up what you need—no questions asked.

This initiative originated from discussions between a small group of our OPD employees. “They put all the work into getting this going and I’m truly impressed with their initiative and passion to help others in our community,” said Captain Sorensen. “We’re excited to introduce this new opportunity for our community to come together and support one another.”

Sorensen continued, “The holidays can be a challenging time for many families and we hope this program brings a bit of joy and relief to those who need it.” The Giving Tree will be available during normal business hours through December 23. Anyone wishing to donate or pick up a gift may do so by stopping at the Police Department between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The Police Department invites residents to help make this first year of the Giving Tree a success and to share in the spirit of generosity throughout the holiday season.

Free Fun for All!

Storytime Tuesdays

Preschool Storytimes, at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings in Children’s Services, will continue through December 16. Stay tuned for the January 2026 start date.

Family Game Night

OPL staff will host a family game night on December 11 at 6 p.m. in the Reading Room. This event is for all ages. It will feature staff favorites from over the years.

Holiday Movie Trivia Contest

Teams of four are invited to register for the annual Holiday Movie Trivia Contest December 15 at 6 p.m. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater and test your knowledge of popular (and maybe a couple lesser-known) holiday films. Grand prize winners will take home a movie ticket and bragging rights.

Sign up online at https://forms.office.com/g/JV8TatmuZz or call 507.444.2460 for more information. This event is limited to 10 teams of adults only. Hot cocoa bar and cookies will be provided.

Water Safety Instructor Training Opportunity

Course Discounted for Owatonna Residents

Take a class over the holiday break, December 29 through January 2, to earn your Water Safety Instructor Certification. Owatonna residents ages 15 and over qualify for a discounted December Lifeguard Training course! Regularly $195, now only $50 for Owatonna residents for December only. Register by December 19 to reserve your spot. Visit owatonna.gov/prcatalog.

American Red Cross Learn to Swim

The Parks & Recreation Department offers American Red Cross swimming classes at the Middle School and West Hills Campus. Group swimming lessons are for children ages 12 months to 14 years. Private swimming lessons are for all ages. Private lessons can help perfect a stroke or gain confidence in the water. Registration begins December 11 at 8 a.m. Classes fill up quickly. Register at Owatonna.gov or call 507.444.4321 for any of the following options:

Parent/Child Aquatics Level 1 or 2 child must be at least 12 months old, parent is in the water
Level 1 introduction to water skills helps students feel comfortable in and enjoy the water safely
Level 2 fundamental aquatic skills
Level 3 stroke development builds on skills with guided practice in deeper waters
Level 4 develops confidence and improves stroke and other aquatic skills
Level 5 further coordination and refinement of strokes
Level 6 refines strokes so students swim with ease, efficiency and power over greater distances

Indoor Water Aerobics

Classes are available at the West Hills pool designed for an aerobic workout promoting movement of the joints, muscles and heart. The small pool environment and comfortable water temperature of approximately 90 degrees is great for rehabilitation and arthritis. Numerous classes are offered; however, class sizes are limited. For class options and registration, visit owatonna.gov/prcatalog.

Wood Orders

Wood is available for delivery only and the site must be accessible by a tandem dump truck. All fees must be paid prior to delivery. Click Here to Submit an Online Order Form or call 507.444.4350 for additional information.

Fees are as follows:

Within City limits $30 per load
Within 10 miles of City limits $45 per load
Within 15 miles of City limits $65 per load

Winter Parking Reminders

Help holiday guests avoid parking tickets!

The City of Owatonna is invested in helping residents, their guests and others comply with winter parking restrictions to avoid ticketing. On even-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may be parked on the side of the street with addresses that have been assigned even numbers. On odd-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may be parked on the side of the street with addresses that have been assigned odd numbers. Parking restrictions are enforced between midnight and noon from November 15 through March 31 regardless of weather conditions.

The Winter Parking Map web app allows users to search for an address to confirm where parking is permitted on any given day. Follow the link or scan the QR code to check it out!

open house for the east side corridor project.

East Side Corridor Open House

December 11 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Steele County is holding an in-person open house for the proposed East Side Corridor project December 11 at Owatonna’s City Hall in the Council Chambers from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Stop in to learn about the project, ask questions and submit official public comments on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). Representatives will be there to respond directly to questions. Public comments can also be submitted online here https://eastsidecorridor-wsbeng.hub.arcgis.com/ through December 31.

Information Resources

Visit owatonna.gov
Send an email to info@owatonna.gov
Watch the Public Access Cable Channel 181 on Charter/Spectrum
Follow the City of Owatonna on Facebook

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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December 10, 2025