Does It Catch Your Eye?

By Brad Meier, president/ CEO

We hope you enjoy the new look of the Chamber Business Brief. This publication has been a main stay for communicating the organization’s efforts to our members for many years, probably since the organization began back in the 1946.

This redesign is part of an overall effort to improve the way we provide information to you. Committee forms, membership and benefits information, sponsorships, events, and much more will have the improved design. You will also notice that many of the photos feature members of the chamber.

The Chamber Board of Directors believed the small investment in these upgrades is important for communication with membership. We’d like to thank Tri M Graphics for doing the redesign work. Updating the website will be next on the list.

Get Back In The Game

By Katie Nelson, marketing director

Have you made plans for this best-ball event, hosted by Lincoln Financial?

Register before July 16th to be automatically entered to win a limo and airplane ride from McCabe Limo and Hometown Motors!

The Chamber’s annual golf event is scheduled for Thursday, August 5th at the Owatonna Country Club.

Also, lots of marketing opportunities are available to reach this group of golfers! Donate promotional door prizes and golfer goody bag items that represent your business! Please drop off your items by July 30th to the OACCT office.

Contact Katie at knelson@owatonna.org to sign up or ask about sponsorships!
Also, find the registration form in this month’s Chamber Pack envelope or go to www.Owatonna.org.

June 2010 Talk of the Town

Chamber President Brad Meier discusses programs and involvement in Leadership Owatonna, tourism services, 5 Day of Fun, Grow MN!, downtown parking advocacy, golf event and the Chamber's website and Facebook pages.

Member guest: Cathy Martin, Block Plumbing & Heating and Just One More


Appx 16 min. MP3 File

City Council Notes-June 15th

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2010 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

Owatonna City Council Meeting
6/15/2010

Summary:

Oath of office for newly appointed Planning Commission Member – Catherine Benner

Public Comments:
A citizen was curious about some additional land purchased by the city
i. Wanted to know how much was actually owned total and intentions for the new land
ii. “Why buy land when we are broke”

Financial report given
New liquor license approved for business going into Webers – Reggie’s Brewhouse
Amendment to 2010 Budget due to reduction from the state
Receiving less in market value homestead credit - $467,721
i. Various cuts throughout the budget
ii. Health coverage for employees
iii. Reduction of Building Inspection Office
1. This became a discussion point for many of the local contactors due to the impact of a reduced staff to conduct required inspections
2. Delays construction projects because inspections are not conducted in a timely manner
3. Request to the City was to have a plan/policy

City Council Notes-June 1, 2010

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2010 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

The June 1st meeting would have been pretty quick and standard except for our newest business addition to the area. First off, the new interim police chief was sworn in. We did a first reading of a proposed ordinance change with regard to real property sale/purchase. This was followed by the hearing on some curb and gutter assessments. Tucker Carlson from Charter Communications discussed some improvements in service.

Then came the issue of the evening, The Lion's Den. There was a lengthy public comment on the business. Council was presented with a petition to do whatever is necessary to remove this business from the city, the petition had 600-700 signatures. There are 2 issues that have been presented, the first being the poorly placed sign in front of the Owatonna Family Restaurant and the second being the actual business itself and the image it gives the city. The city and council feels we would have been unable to prevent this business from locating in Owatonna, the city can use zoning to dictate where they may be, but cannot simply ban their existence. The sign issue is essentially a civil matter between two property owners sharing a sign pole.

It appears that Jay Clark (the lion's den property owner) has violated the agreement with the restaurant property owners and the city has no control of how they resolve the issue at this point.

Consent agenda contained the usual committe reports and minutes and some permits. The resolutions all passed as well, including approval of the plat for the new Kwik Trip store on Mineral Springs Road.

Steele County Board Notes-May 25, 2010

-Southern MN Tourism Association funding request-Lisa Havelka, Tourism Director: typical support for the SMTA organization from the county has been $500, suggested investment is based on a population model that would put the cost at $1,600 to the county. Will wait on a decision in June after the management committee meeting.
-Prescription Drug Disposal, Dan McIntosh, Steele Co. Attorney: Develop a program to promote the proper disposal of medication to prevent the abuse and misuse of them. Other surrounding counties are currently conducting this type of program and are finding a large use for both the disposal of legal and illegal drugs. Costs are around $5,000 for disposal of the drugs. No decision on funding was made at this meeting.
-County Attorney Dan McIntosh gave a brief update on the attorney’s office. Christine Long was just moved to county bench so they will be filling that position soon. 1700 cases annually through their department. Goal for staff to cross train into different area of the department.
-Sheriff’s Cars, Steele co. sheriff & deputy: 3 new car dealerships in Steele Co. received the request for proposal; 2 of3 submitted bids. $21k average cost; compared cost with the state purchasing process. Costs similar. 2nd bid for another vehicle-sheriff proposes to wait until later this summer when there is a new state bid on the all wheel drive vehicles.
- Kelly Harder resignation: authorizing the process to hire a replacement discussed. Kelly is on the job until the beginning of July.
-DNR requested purchase of some land from the county. They need approval of the county board to make the purchase.
-Utilize courthouse location for tower for the 800MHz system.

Submitted by:
Brad Meier

May 2010 Talk of the Town

Chamber President Brad Meier discusses new laws on business contribution to elections, our Grow MN! program, hanging flower baskets, the upcoming Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival, the Ringhofer Scholarship and three U of M studies for economic development efforts in Owatonna.

Special Member Guest: Jo Huntsman, Redbird Acupuncture.

Appx. 15 min
MP3 File