Steele County District 5 Candidate Forum 3/26/12

Candidates Doug Hughes and Nina Huntington share their perspective on helping the county if elected to District 5 at yesterday's candidate forum.

Thanks to forum partners Owatonna People's Press, KRFO radio and the Rotary Clubs of Owatonna!


Appx. 60 min.

Final Two Candidates Share Views if Elected

Doug Hughes and Nina Huntington are the final two
candidates running for Steele County District 5.  Both shared their views on
county issues.  The vote is April 3rd.

Thanks to Doug Hughes and Nina Huntington for participating in the candidate forum today at the Owatonna Country Club.

Forum partners are the Owatonna People's Press, Rotary Clubs of Owatonna and the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.

City Council Notes-March 20, 2012

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2012 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.

·         Application for a Small Cities Development Program Grant

o   This was a resolution authorizing the submission of an application requesting a grant for the rehabilitation of renter occupied housing and single family owned housing in a specified area (built prior to 1970)

o   Funds would be to the tune of around $350,000 (rehabilitation funds and administrative funds combined)

·         The council approved a series of agenda items including some street permits and temporary liquor licenses

·         There were three individual applications for permanent Beer and Wine Licenses

o   Steele County Historical Society

o   New ownership at Rose Street Pizza

o   Brooktree Golf Course (wine license – already have beer)

·         Proposed Fencing Ordinance

o   The meeting looked to be a fairly quick meeting until this was proposed.

o   The ordinance would allow for a 0 property line fence – meaning the fence could be built right on the property line.  It is the property owner’s responsibility to identify where the property line exists.

o   All prior fences are grandfathered in

o   Current ordinance requires a fence to be 3 feet away from the property line.

o   Most of the discussion was about what a fence looks like rather than what the ordinance actually stated.  I also think that this reflected how the council members voted.  Instead of looking at what was actually being proposed, many of the council members decided to “interpret” the ordinance differently.

o   The real point/counterpoint was the fact of in order to maintain a 0 property line fence, one would have to be on the neighbor’s property.  However, if there is a 3 foot requirement, the property owner essentially loses 3 feet of the property the bought.

o   The Ordinance barely passed

·         Redistricting Ordinance

o   Not much discussion about this and was passed unanimously

·         The rest of the meeting was fairly quick with no public comments

Business Day at the Capitol-March 14th

Owatonna Chamber members attended
Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol
on March 14th.  Pictured above (l to r front row):
Steve Kath, Rep. Kath,  Mike Peterson, Dallas Ketchum;
(back row l to r): Scott Kubicek, Jim Gunderson,
Mike Milstead, Brad Meier  

Owatonna Chamber members attended the largest business lobbying day at the state capitol on March 14th.

Issues discussed with our representatives included:

• Health Insurance Exchange-we support
• Environmental Permitting (HF2095)-we support
• Magic Act-counties are pushing this and we also support it because of the local control component
• E-Commerce Fairness (HF1849)-we support
• LIFO-we support the concept of changing Last In First Out.
• Highway 14-encourage the Governor to keep it in the 20 year MNDOT plan!  
• Sales & Use tax audit-we're hearing concerns from small businesses  

District 5 Candidate Forum-Next Monday

All are welcome to attend!

Final District 5 candidates
Doug Hughes and Nina Huntington
(pictured at Jan. 30th primary forum

Join the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, the Owatonna People's Press, and the Noon & Early Edition Rotary Clubs for the Steele County District 5 Candidate Forum next Monday, March 26th!

The forum will be held at the Owatonna Country Club. If you'd like lunch, arrive at 11:30 AM (cost is $11) or attend the forum at Noon for free.

Check out other upcoming advocacy events at: www.voiceforowatonna.org

Check out the Jan. 30 Primary video highlights here!

Chamber Member Video-Governor: Make Hwy.14 Priority

Check out video highlights from the Highway 14 press conference where member businesses share the importance of Highway 14 to their business and encourage Governor Dayton to include the completion of this project in MnDOT's 20-year plan.

Click here to contact the Governor.

Hwy 14 Partnership Call on Governor Dayton: Include Hwy 14 in 20 Year Plan

Today Owatonna Chamber businesses Midwest Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Viracon, and Ag Power Enterprises, along with the Highway 14 Partnership and other business leaders called on Governor Dayton to continue supporting Highway 14 by directing MnDOT to put the four-lane expansion projects between North Mankato to New Ulm and Owatonna to Dodge Center in the state's upcoming 20-year transportation plan.

"This is a critical time for Highway 14," said Owatonna City Council President Les Abraham.  "State transportation leaders are making decisions today that will affect the future safety and growth of our communities."

North Mankato City Council At Large Mike Laven calls on Governor Dayton to
make the final call on whether finishing Highway 14 will remain a priority.
Pictured back (r-l): Mike Milstead, Ag Power Enterprises,
Mike Veldman, Ag Power Enterprises, Mayor Tom Kuntz, City of Owatonna.

Commissioner Thank You/Transparency Meeting

Thanks to Commissioners Kubicek, Johnson, Schultz, Ebeling and Administrator Shea for meeting with the Public Policy committee on Feb. 28th to discuss some County meeting transparency items (televising or streaming County meetings; supporting materials posted with agendas online; easily accessible/detailed budget online).

We're interested in learning about the progress of these issues and look forward to meeting with the Commissioners and Administrator again soon.

The Public Policy committee will also be discussing the County's concerns on some legislative items like the Magic Act (SF 1510).

Again, thanks Commissioners for your time and thank you for your service as Steele County elected officials!