Merrill Hall photo by Aaron Guzman

Merrill Hall Ribbon-Cutting Event

Community members are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting event to commemorate the completion of a $5.3 million renovation project at Merrill Hall November 19 at 4:30 p.m. at 560 Dunnell Drive. Doors will be open at 4 p.m.

Part of the historic West Hills campus, the renovations were needed to allow the 1933 building to continue serving the community’s needs. Merrill Hall was built as part of the State Public School campus and served in that capacity until 1970. Wee Pals Child Care Center has leased space in this City-owned building since the 1980s and it has been home to the Little Theatre of Owatonna since the 1960s.

The project included replacing the deteriorating roof, adding a fire sprinkler system and upgrading the mechanical, electrical, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Several original features were preserved. The project is part of the City’s Long Range Asset Plan which guides decisions on improving current facilities and planning, growing and investing in Owatonna’s future facilities while delivering the highest value for taxpayers. The plan is based on a 2022 facilities analysis. Please visit Owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna for additional information.

City Evaluates Public Safety Facilities

As the City of Owatonna continues to grow, ensuring that public safety services are well-supported remains a high priority.

Currently, Owatonna’s police and fire departments operate out of outdated buildings that no longer meet the needs of the essential services they provide. The police department is based in a former bank building constructed in 1950 and was last renovated in 1997, while the fire department’s facility was built in 1906 and was last updated in 1997.

To address these outdated facilities and prepare for the community’s future needs, the City of Owatonna completed a thorough evaluation of the current buildings and is exploring options to create more modern, functional and secure spaces.

During its November 6 Study Session, consultants from ICS provided the City Council an update on this planning process. Watch for additional information on potential options for the City’s public safety facilities in the coming weeks. This initiative is one project in the City’s Long Range Asset Plan, which guides decision-making on City facilities that align with the community’s priorities and maximizes the value of investments for taxpayers.

2025 Proposed Budget & Levy

City Council Study Session November 19

Owatonna community members are invited to attend a budget presentation during the City Council Study Session November 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Chambers in the Charles S. Crandall Center at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle.

The presentation will highlight the updates that have been made to the proposed 2025 budget and levy since it was approved September 17 by the City Council. Since then, Finance Department staff have received estimated personnel benefits costs and other information that will help shape the final 2025 budget.

The City of Owatonna’s 2025 proposed budget and levy was approved with an eight percent increase over last year. The City of Owatonna strives to align tax capacity with population and business growth. In recent years, Owatonna taxpayers have benefitted from increased tax capacity due to new construction and community growth. The rate at which the City has taxed properties over the past five years has been partially offset consistently by Owatonna’s increased tax capacity. The City’s actual tax rate in 2024 and the rate proposed for 2025 have remained low. For 2025, tax capacity is projected to increase by 7.2 percent.

Between now and the end of December, adjustments can be made to lower the levy; however, it cannot be increased from the amount that was certified to the County in September. Based on the amounts certified, Owatonna property owners are receiving preliminary tax statements this month from Steele County.

Following the Study Session, City staff will continue to refine the 2025 budget and levy to prepare to present it at the City’s annual Truth in Taxation Hearing December 3 at 6 p.m. which will include a summary of the 2025 budget and provide an opportunity for the public to provide input on the proposed budget. The City’s interactive budget documents are available at Owatonna.gov. For additional information, please contact a City Council member or Finance Director Emily Burns. The City Council is expected to take action to adopt next year’s final budget and levy at its December 17 meeting.

Mayor Kuntz recommended Brian Savage being appointed to the Economic Development Authority (EDA)

Mayor Kuntz swears in Brian Savage to serve on the EDA.

City Board & Commission Updates

During the November 6 City Council Meeting, Mayor Kuntz recommended Brian Savage be appointed to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and administered the Oath of Office to Savage. The City Council also accepted the resignation of Park Board Member Jonathan Douglas. Owatonna residents are encouraged to apply to fill this seat by visiting owatonna.gov.

Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm? What does that mean? Knowing the difference can save lives and property. Make sure all family members understand these sounds and know how to respond.

What the beeps and chirps of a CO alarm mean:

A continuous set of four loud beeps (beep, beep, beep, beep) means carbon monoxide is present in the home. Go outside, call 911 and stay out.
A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced. Even alarms that are plugged in have a battery back-up which needs to be replaced.
Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and it must be replaced. Don’t remember how old the CO alarm is? Replace it! CO alarms should be replaced every seven years.

Winter Parking Restrictions

Odd/Even Parking

Winter parking restrictions in Owatonna are in effect November 15 through March 31. These restrictions facilitate effective snow removal and allow crews to perform other street maintenance.

During this period, street parking is only allowed on alternating sides of the street every night between 12:01 a.m. and noon, regardless of the weather. On even-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may park on the sides of streets with even-numbered addresses. On odd-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may park on the sides of streets with odd-numbered addresses.

Between noon and midnight, the winter parking restrictions are not in effect. Therefore, parking is allowed on both sides of the street (unless otherwise marked). At 12:01 a.m., parking is only allowed on the side of the street that corresponds with the calendar date. Anticipating the date change at 12:01 a.m., there’s no need to move from one side of the street to the other at midnight. Instead, park prior to midnight on the side of the street that corresponds with the next day’s date.

Keep in mind December and January both end and begin with odd dates – the 31st and the 1st. Parking restrictions are enforced nightly from November 15 through March 31 regardless of weather conditions. Odd/even parking restrictions do not apply to any street that has posted restrictive parking or any cul-de-sac which has combined even and odd house numbers.

The City’s easy-to-use Winter Parking Map app shows where to park during winter months. The app is available on the City of Owatonna’s website Owatonna.gov, search for “Public & Winter Parking.”

Author Gary W. Hedstrom

Join us at 6:30 p.m. November 14, in the OPL Gainey Room for a program with local author Gary W. Hedstrom. Hedstrom recently published Small Town Minnesota Farm Boy: Growing Up in the 1950s and 60s. The book covers immigration, early farming practices and local/national events which shaped mid-20th-century life.

Stormwater Utility Fee Update

First Ordinance Reading November 6

During the November 19 City Council Meeting, an amendment to Stormwater Ordinance 52 to adjust stormwater utility rates was approved. The rates will go into effect January 1, 2025.

2025 Monthly Fee = $5.14 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)

How is the Rate Calculated?

Non-Residential Monthly Fee = Current Rate X ERU X Intensity Factor
Residential Monthly Fee = Current Rate

The last rate study and schedule update was in 2015. Owatonna’s stormwater rates have not been adjusted for inflation since 2023; and no changes were made during years 2019 through 2022. See the proposed fee schedule and example below.

2024 Stormwater Utility Fee (SUF) Study

As part of the City’s Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan, WHKS, Inc. was hired to complete a SUF Study. The study considered many factors including payment for implementing prioritized stormwater capital improvement projects, required MS4/TMDL regulations, managing the communities MS4 Program and the ongoing need for regular maintenance, repair and replacement of the storm system. A copy of the presentation and study update can be found at owatonna.gov.

Questions?

Questions regarding stormwater management should be directed to the Public Works Department at 507.444.4350. Additional information is available at owatonna.gov/482/Public-Works.

We’ll Save You a Seat!

Weekly Meeting Schedule

Agendas, meeting minutes and packets for upcoming meetings are available at: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

November 14: Canvass of the 2024 City Election Results at 9 a.m. in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

November 19: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Merrill Hall at 4:30 p.m. at 560 Dunnell Drive. Study Session, in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle, at 5:30 p.m. in Chambers, Charles S. Crandall Center at City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle to review the proposed 2025 Budget and Levies and discuss the proposed cannabis ordinance. The City Council Meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

Helpful Links

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Stay Informed

Events: Access calendars to view upcoming events.
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November 13, 2024