Mayor’s Proclamations

During the June 6 City Council Meeting, Mayor Kuntz plans to make the following three proclamations. 

Proclaim June 8 as “Drive the Jefferson Highway Day” in Owatonna

The Jefferson Highway was the first international highway traversing through the United States from the north to south through the Mississippi Valley. The highway passes through Owatonna. The Jefferson Highway International Association wants to recognize Owatonna’s segment of the Jefferson Highway and creates awareness about this historically important highway. Join them at Central Park at noon on June 8.

Proclaim June 19 as Juneteenth

On this day in 1863, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect for every enslaved person behind confederate lines. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and read Order Number Three informing the enslaved residents of Texas of their freedom. Since then, June 19 has been a celebration of prayer and reflection.

Proclaim the week of June 19-26 as Pollinator Week in Owatonna

The City of Owatonna has established pollinator gardens and managed wildlife habitats, parks and public areas for many decades. In 2019, the City of Owatonna joined 44 other Minnesota cities in passing Resolution 6-19 to be a Pollinator Friendly City and pledging to increase flowering habitat, to limit pesticide use including systemic pollinator lethal insecticides and to encourage residents and property owners in Owatonna to incorporate pollinator-friendly plants in city landscapes. The State of Minnesota provides conservation assistance to promote wise conservation stewardship including the protection and maintenance of pollinators and their habitats on working lands and wildlands.

Volunteer Reserve Officers Needed

The Owatonna Police Department offers citizens a unique way to give back to the community by volunteering as a police reserve officer. This volunteer unit is made up of dedicated, unlicensed officers who generously donate their time to help make the community a safer place.

The Police Reserve Unit serves an important role in enhancing community safety by working alongside sworn police officers on various calls for service and providing services at numerous community events. Reserve Officers may also be called to assist during natural disasters or other emergencies that require additional personnel.

The Owatonna Police Department welcomes Reserve Officer applicants of all ages and backgrounds who have an interest in law enforcement and a desire to serve the community. Reserve Officers must be at least 18 years of age, reside in Steele County, possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record and have no criminal convictions.

For further information or to request an application, please contact Pam Roberts at (507) 774-7200 or Pamela.Roberts@ci.owatonna.mn.us.

2023 City Construction Projects

City Council Approved Bids The City Council voted unanimously at its May 16 meeting to approve bids for the following construction projects this summer.

CIPPS (Cured in Place Pipe Lining) This is done to improve the carrying capacity of these lines and reduce inflow and infiltration. Approximately 6,543 linear feet are planned for lining in 2023. Insituform Technologies, Inc. of Chesterfield, Missouri was awarded the $233,864 contract for this summer’s work through a resolution approved by the City Council May 16.

Street Maintenance (Crack Sealing & Seal Coating) Roadways in need of repair are first crack-sealed and then seal-coated. Approximately 4.78 miles are planned for crack sealing and sealcoating in 2023. Pearson Bros, Inc of Hanover, Minnesota was awarded the contract with a price of $208,714 through a resolution approved by the City Council May 16.

Cooperative Projects

The City of Owatonna is working cooperatively with Steele County to maintain the following roadways.

• Main Street Reconstruction and Rehabilitation: Main Street (CSAH 48) from Oak Avenue to Chambers Avenue needs rehabilitation and possibly reconstruction. Steele County is leading this project as it is a County State Aid Highway. Both agencies have recognized the significant pavement deterioration and less-than-optimal intersection controls there and are proposing to move forward with evaluating and obtaining recommendations for improvements. The City Council approved a resolution May 2 to order the feasibility report for this project. At the May 16 City Council Meeting, the City’s portion of the project ($3,575,000) was approved. The total project cost is estimated at $9,795,000.
• CSAH 48 and 18th Street SE Roundabout: The proposed roundabout at CSAH 48 and 18^th Street SE is a joint project with the City, Steele County and Independent School District 761 to construct a roundabout at 18th Street SE and CSAH 48. The City Council approved a resolution May 2 to approve the joint project. Bids were advertised and received by Steele County. The project was awarded to Heselton Construction with a contract price of $2,647.584 during the May 23 Steele County Commissioners Board Meeting.

Don’t Feed the Fowl! 

Feeding ducks and geese is often perceived as a harmless and fun activity, however, it actually has negative effects on wildlife, the waterfowl and local water. While ducks, geese and other waterfowl like eating bread, chips and crackers, it causes them to congregate in high numbers which results in large, concentrated quantities of waste in and along the community’s water resources. Waterfowl waste also soils parks and trails. In addition to the environmental issues, feeding them can cause long-term health problems and other nutritional consequences for the waterfowl and other wildlife as they become overcrowded and dependent on humans for food. Instead of feeding wild ducks and geese, make a trip to a zoo, county fair or wildlife preserve.