BREAKING NEWS: Opposition aside, Owatonna council unanimously approves to move ahead with public safety facilities
Melissa Zimmerman, an outspoken opponent of Owatonna’s current proposal to build new public safety facilities, brought an unknown “vacation package” to the public hearing Tuesday night. She compared the $61 million project to forcing someone to take a vacation they didn’t choose, but had to pay for.
It was a packed house Tuesday night – with scores more watching online – that watched as the Owatonna City Council voted unanimously to provide preliminary approval to issue up to $65 million worth of bonds to build new police and fire facilities.
Though councilmember Dan Boeke had voiced objections in the past to the cost of the projects, he joined the rest of the council in adopting a five-year Capital Improvement Plan to continue to advance the public safety projects.
During the public hearing that preceded the vote, 17 residents provided input; all but three were against the project as presented.
Nearly all of them, however, emphasized that their opinions were not a condemnation of the work those first responders do – nor of the need for more modern facilities.
The issues, they said, are the cost and the location – specifically of the proposed police station. It is planned for the west edge of the West Hills campus, which is a National Register of Historic Places designated district.
The approval of the bond issuance prompted an immediate response from those opposed to the project.
“Residents are organized, and they’re prepared, and now there is a reverse referendum petition circulating,” Melissa Zimmerman said during public comment near the conclusion of the meeting.
Minnesota state law provides for reverse referendums, allowing citizens to petition against action taken by local government and forcing a public vote to approve or reject the action. One of the main requirements is signatures representing 5% of the votes cast in the last general election – and the petition must be filed within 30 days of the public hearing.
In Owatonna, that amounts to 721 signatures. There were 14,418 voters in the city during the last general election.
“I believe there are (other) answers out there,” Zimmerman said. “They may not be what we already have, but if you listen to the people, we can come to that compromise.
“The biggest part is that the public needs to be involved.”
Look for the complete story in the March 11 edition of the Steele County Times.