Ray Kilty, Jason Thornton, and Bob Wilczek take their oaths of office.

The Owen Common Council held their Organizational Meeting and Regular Meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Pam Jaffke was re-elected Council President and committee appointments were made. Prevail Bank will be the official depository of city funds and the Enterprise Sentinel remains the official newspaper.

After the Organizational Meeting was complete, the council moved to their regular meeting. Discussion of renting the Community Center/Owen Senior Center for a Strong Bodies Class to be held from September to November was discussed. UW-Extension would also like to use the building for Planning AHEAD classes in September and October. The council voted to charge $50 rent and a $50 deposit for both classes rather than charge on a daily basis.

Alderperson Pam Jaffke gave the Police Report. She said the Police Committee had talked about K-9 Jimi. They also talked about the new tasers that were purchased and that Officer Haugstad is now a certified taser instructor.

Under the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Scott Jalling said he wanted to thank Matt Riihinen and Joan Jalling for their service during their time spent on the council. He would like to look at the possibility of changing city attorneys when the current contract is up. He would also like finances for Owen’s Centennial placed on the next agenda.

Alderperson Ken Martine reported on the Owen billboard sign near Curtiss. He said that John Heil has done some trimming on the trees to make the sign more visible. He also fixed the light so the sign is now lit again. The Downtown Revitalization Committee would like help from public works to bring the sign back to vertical. The O-W Area Chamber of Commerce has a new sign to put up that was made by Sid Borgeson. It is not the same size as the old sign, so a decision needs to be made on what to do with the rest of the space available on the sign. The council said they would like written permission from the property owner where the sign is located before public works does any work there. This will be added to the next agenda for further discussion and possible action.