September 5, 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 online at owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

September 11: Park Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the West Hills Social Commons, 500 Dunnell Drive.

September 12: Budget Workshop at 5 p.m. in the Training Room at the Fire Hall, 107 West Main Street. This is the third of three sessions planned for department directors to present their 2024 preliminary budgets to the City Council and Mayor. Human Rights Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall. Planning Commission Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Library, 105 North Elm Avenue.

2023 Welcome Week

The Owatonna Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is planning several activities to celebrate 2023 Welcome Week activities. Welcome Week events will focus on bringing together immigrant and non-immigrant community members for fellowship and exchange. They are being planned as part of Owatonna’s participation in the Rural Welcoming Initiative sponsored by the national nonprofit Welcoming America.

Downtown Thursday September 7 from 5 until 7 p.m. Visit with OHRC commissioners at the City of Owatonna’s booth in Central Park.

Soccer Game September 9 from 1 until 3 p.m. OHRC will host a pickup soccer game at the soccer field west of Grace Baptist Church, 265 26th Street NW. Everyone is welcome to play!

Human Library September 14 from 4-7 p.m. The goal of the Human Library is to foster conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices. It provides as opportunity to un-judge someone, ask questions and talk to someone you may not have the opportunity to meet otherwise. During this event, ‘readers’ will check out ‘human books’ for one-on-one, 15-minute conversations in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue. The OHRC 2023 Human Book Library will include 20-plus community members with varying backgrounds including Somali Americans; African Americans; senior citizens; business owners; religious leaders; Hispanic Americans; LGBTQ+ individuals; educators; veterans; handicapped individuals; law enforcement officers; non-profit organization leaders; recovered addicts and healthcare workers. The Human Library was developed in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 as part of an anti-violence movement and is now done internationally as part of a worldwide movement for social change.

Introduction to Pickleball September 16 from 1 until 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join the Owatonna Pickleball Association as they host an all-age introduction to pickleball at the Sid Kinyon Tennis Courts on Smith Avenue by Lincoln Elementary!

Promoting Peace 2023 – Poverty and Public Safety September 21 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Karen Duncan and team will host this event as participants walk in the shoes of local people striving to survive in poverty; then learn and strategize to improve access to justice and housing. A light lunch will be provided at Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Avenue. Donations to help defray the food cost are not expected but will be accepted. There are a limited number of spaces in the simulation; therefore, preregistration is recommended on Eventbrite.com.

Imagine Owatonna 2050 Comprehensive Plan graphic

Imagine Owatonna: 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update

September 12 Focus Group Open to the Public

By Greg Kruschke, Community Development Manager

The Comprehensive Plan process has really been heating up over the last month or so. Stantec, the consultant leading this effort, has been busy listening to the community. They have held five sessions to listen to the public. They began by meeting with high school students at the end of the last school year. In July, they held a session with around two dozen business leaders. In addition, Stantec also attended the August Downtown Thursday event to hear from the public. Last week, sessions were held with senior citizens and the Somali community. All of these sessions have been very helpful in developing themes about what the community desires for the future of Owatonna to look like.

Stantec will hold three more focus groups that include meetings with the Hispanic community as well as local non-profit organizations. The focus group planned for September 12 at 10 a.m. at Owatonna Public Utilities is open to the public to attend. Feel free to attend if you are interested. We truly do want to hear from everyone.

Stantec also launched a project website with information pertinent to the Comprehensive Plan. It also includes opportunities for the public to provide input similar to the focus group sessions. This is just an additional avenue in which we are trying to hear from everyone in Owatonna about what they envision the future of Owatonna to be. The background information on the website continually be updated with project information. Please visit www.owatonna.gov/imagine2050.

City staff is also working with Engage Owatonna to provide another online venue for providing information, fostering discussion and gathering input that will guide the development of the Comprehensive Plan. Please visit www.engageowatonna.com/imagine-owatonna to join the robust community conversation this platform provides.

In the coming months, Stantec will compile all the community input and use it to draft the vision and goals for our plan. These will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for input and then shared with the community for input as well. The background report will be finalized and posted for review online at owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna.

We look forward to everyone continuing to be involved. Feel free to contact me with any questions at greg.kruschke@owatonna.gov.

Now Hiring Assistant City Engineer, Civil Engineer, Engineering Specialist, Engineering Tech 3

Engineering Employment Opportunities

The City of Owatonna Engineering Division is accepting applications for the following through September 18: Assistant City Engineer, Civil Engineer, Engineering Specialist and Engineering Technician III. Visit our website to apply.

Fall Kids Activities

Indoor Play Space for Tots

A new indoor play space is a safe and stimulating environment where kids ages six and younger can have fun, be active and explore new activities through play. The play space is equipped with age-appropriate activities that encourage physical activity and development. Kids can enjoy shooting hoops on our child-sized basketball hoop, playing soccer with soft soccer balls and nets and crawling, rolling and playing on soft floor mats. Visit owatonna.gov for details and to register to use this space at no charge. Registration for each day is required.

Open Basketball

Open basketball is back at the West Hills Gym and is great for all ages. During open basketball sessions, you will have access to our indoor court to play games, practice shots and work on dribbling skills. Visit owatonna.gov for details and to register. Registration is required. The daily cost is $5.

photo of North Straight River Parkway Trail

North Straight River Parkway Trail Closed

Asphalt repairs and sealing begins September 19

The North Straight River Parkway trail will be closed beginning September 19 and will reopen September 22.

Constructed in 2017, the North Straight River Parkway Trail is due for routine maintenance for repairing cracks and sealing. The entire route from North Street to 26th Street will remain closed during the project. Please refrain from using the trail during this time for safety reasons and to allow the coating to cure properly. Seal King from Faribault submitted the low bid and was awarded the contract for this project.

The City of Owatonna is committed to providing a community where residents and businesses can thrive. Known for its strong community, education and business culture, Owatonna provides its residents a high quality of life. Located in southeastern Minnesota, Owatonna is the county seat for Steele County and is home to several major employers. For additional information about the City of Owatonna, please visit owatonna.gov or follow the City of Owatonna on Facebook.

Land Donation Enhances Dartts Park

The City Council, at its September 5 meeting, unanimously approved a resolution to accept a parkland donation to enhance Dartts Park.

The private donor’s desire for this 1.19 acre parcel is for it to remain a natural wooded area for the community where native plants are protected. The donated land will be maintained as a natural wooded area and not developed as active parkland. The City of Owatonna will assume responsibility for installing signage and maintaining the area.

The developed portion of Dartts Park at 429 Mineral Springs Road was purchased by the City of Owatonna in 1915. Edward Dartt had originally owned this parcel which he referred to as “Dartts Paradise.” Park amenities include:

Tennis courts
Picnic shelters
Ballfield with scoreboard
Basketball court
Sand volleyball area
Bike repair station
Restrooms
Paved trails connecting to Buxton Trail
Playground

For additional information about City parks, check out the online Parks and Recreation Finder.

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