August 2, 2023

We’ll Save a Seat for You!

City of Owatonna Weekly Meeting Schedule

This week, the following City boards and commissions will meet. The public is invited to attend. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

August 2: City Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m. and City Council Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Library, 105 North Elm Avenue

August 7: Owatonna Firefighters Relief Association Meeting at 6 p.m. in the First Floor Training Room at the Fire Station, 107 West Main Street

August 8: Human Rights Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle. Planning Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Library, 105 North Elm Avenue

2050 Comprehensive Plan

Imagine Owatonna

The City of Owatonna is kicking off a Comprehensive Planning process and would like to get your input as a business owner, employee, resident, parent or any other perspective you may bring.

A Comprehensive Plan is a guidebook for the City looking 20-plus years into the future. It starts by defining a shared vision with the community then developing steps toward achieving that vision. They need you, your friends and neighbors to lend your voice to the future of business, jobs, mobility, housing, parks, open space and how the City should evolve to benefit us all.

The City of Owatonna anticipates the Comprehensive Planning process will continue through 2024 with opportunities to participate throughout. For a summary of the first phase of the project and opportunity to complete a quick survey, visit Owatonna.gov/imagine2050.

Come find the IMAGINE OWATONNA tent at Downtown Thursday on August 3 at Vine and Cedar starting at 5 pm for more info and fun ways to give your input.

Fall Storytime Schedule

The final Summer Storytimes will be August 22 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Fall Storytime Tuesdays will resume in mid-September. Go to owatonna.gov/library for dates and information.

Libby App

Have you downloaded the free Libby app to your tablet or smartphone? Logging into the app with an Owatonna Public Library card number allows access to a large collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks available through Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO). Up to 10 titles can be checked out at a time for a three-week loan period. Place a hold on a title if it is currently checked out. Find a link to Libby on the library home page at owatonna.gov/library.

Family Archery Program

Take a deep breath and focus on the target as you pull back the bowstring and aim down the range. Exhale all the oxygen out of your lungs and release the string. The arrow flies perfectly down the range and hits your neighbor's target, making your family laugh and cheer. This is just the beginning, as Family Archery is the perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon and unwind with your friends and family while trying something new. Don't worry if you're not a pro; our staff is thrilled to work with you and teach you everything you need to know about archery. We provide all the necessary equipment and plenty of balloons. We have upcoming dates that you won't want to miss out on: August 5 from 10 a.m. until noon and September 16 from 10 a.m. until noon.

American Red Cross Learn to Swim

The Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department offers American Red Cross swimming classes at the Middle School pool and the West Hills Campus pool. Group swimming lessons are for children ages 18 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 August 17. 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 18 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 – works on teaching students fundamental aquatic skills
Level 3 – stroke development builds on skills with guided practice in deeper waters
Level 4 – stroke Improvement develops confidence and improves other aquatic skills
Level 5 – provides further coordination and refinement of strokes
Level 6 – refines strokes so students swim with ease, efficiency and power over greater distances

Indoor Water Aerobics

The Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department offers classes at the West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center 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. The cost for two classes per week is $10.50. For class options, visit Owatonna.gov.

SeeClickFIx

City staff partnered with CivicPlus® to implement the SeeClickFix application which is used widely around the country by other municipalities. Community members can download the app on any iOS or Android device using the iTunes App Store or Google Play. Or visit https://owatonna.gov/concern to get started. Through SeeClickFix, citizens can submit photos, location information and details directly for City staff to prioritize and respond to.

Since SeeClickFix launched in early July, City Crews have received a number of requests. The system allows for better tracking of requests and will help plan work areas. We ask for the public’s patience as we continue to work in the system to establish internal processes to benefit the community. If an urgent matter is discovered, please call 507-444-4300 and select the appropriate department to report the issue.

SeeClickFix where you live where you care.

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