Talk of the Town: Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz

Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz stopped into the KRFO AM1390 studios on Wednesday, January 20, for Talk of the Town. The Owatonna City Council met Tuesday.

Modifications were approved for the lift station near Mills Fleet Farm. A lift station is part of the sanitary sewer lines that lifts the sludge up to force it down to the wastewater treatment center.

To prevent flooding that appears on the southeastern part of Owatonna, it was approved to send out bids out for modifications to improve the storm water pond.

Every seven years, Degner Airport -- one of the top 25 airports in Minnesota -- must do a Master Plan, which are projects done at the airport for which they would need money from from the federal government. With the extra commercial traffic coming and going in the airport, they would like to expand the runway from 6,000 feet to 7,000 feett to compliment larger aircraft. The report done by the airport can be found at the city office.

The city of Owatonna purchased Bubba's Bar for $8,000 and is fixing the roof, which will be completed by February, and the city is looking for someone to purchase it. Talk to a council member or Troy at the City Hall.

The gaping hole in the back of Completely Kids is complete and it is now a sound structure. It will be a while before they can move in, still a little more work to be done. The apartment building downtown is still under construction and should be completed by the summer.

Mayor Kuntz also reminded us about the Owatonna Business Incubator will help you to start a business by giving helpful tips. Call Bill at 451-0517.

The mayor also discussed the housing market in Owatonna:

• In 2015: 397 homes sold, on the market an average of 78 days and sold for $159,762.
• In 2007: 400 homes sold, on the market an average of 128 days and sold for $170,000.
• During the recession in 2011: 279 homes are sold, on the market an average of 124 days and sold for $123,101.

Mayor Tom Kuntz also mentioned that this is an election year with three council members and one mayor up for re-election.