City deems petition ‘sufficient’

Owatonna city officials have determined the petition submitted by residents requesting a vote on whether to issue bonds for two new public safety facilities is “legally sufficient.”

The petition, which had nearly four times the number of signatures required, was presented to City Administrator Jenna Tuma on April 2; the city had 10 business days to complete the review and issue its decision.

The announcement was made this afternoon that the paperwork met the legal requirements to be certified as “sufficient” under Minnesota law.

“The city’s role in this process was to ensure the process is handled fairly, accurately and transparently,” Tuma wrote in the announcement.

“The petition meets the legal requirements under state law and now our city council will determine (the) next steps. We are committed to ensuring the community remains informed as this moves forward.”

The Owatonna City Council will discuss the next steps at is April 21 council meeting.

To force a reverse referendum – a demand to put the issue to a public vote – the petition needed 721 signatures; organizers collected 2.766 – 315 pages’ worth. The city’s review whittled the number down to 2,436 valid signatures.

Council members last month voted to provide preliminary approval to issue up to $65 million worth of bonds to build a new fire hall and a new police station.

Residents have voiced their concerns with both the cost and the location of the new police station: The West Hills campus, which is a National Register of Historic Places designated district. It is owned by the city.