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Special Meeting Minutes: West Hills Commission
Date: April 20, 2023 Location: Owatonna Arts Center
Board Members Present Absent Other Attendees Present Absent Others Present
Jan Tippett, Chair X Staff: Mary Jo Knudson X
Nancy Vaillancourt, VC X Staff: Aaron Fitzloff X
Carol Zetah X Anne Peterson, committee X
member
Dan Gorman X
Arlan Burmeister X Silvan Durben, OAC X
Topic/Item Summary of Discussion Action
Call to Order Called to order at: 12:00 p.m. Tippett
Approval of Agenda Motion: Burmeister
Second: Vaillancourt
Approved
Approval of Minutes October 20, 2022 Minutes Motion: Vaillancourt
Second: Burmesiter
Approved
February 15, 2023 Minutes
(Tippet stepped down as chair to motion, as only three were in Motion: Tippett
attendance at the meeting and Burmeister was not in attendance at Second: Vaillancourt
the February meeting.) Approved
Persons Wishing to Appear None
Events at West Hills Family Earth Day Activities – Owatonna Arts Center – April 22, 2023 Acknowledged,
9:30-11 a.m. no concerns
National Day of Prayer – May 4, 2023 5:30 p.m.
Building & Grounds Report Chamber construction delayed due to utility work. A different, Fitzloff
shorter sewer route was found feasible.
Demo to the old chambers should start in the next day or two.
City staff has been removing items to be preserved or reused.
Note: Stage came apart in one piece and will be used in the IT room.
Carpeting and painting in Building Inspections area at City Hall.
Carpeting and painting at West Hills Social Commons.
Merrill Hall – a contract with ICS has been approved by Council to
move forward with planning for mechanical upgrades and
remodeling of the building. Initial plans are to create a more
welcoming area for the Little Theater and expand day care. The Little
Theater is also raising money to upgrade rigging and lighting.
It was discussed that the mural in the old library should be preserved.
Unfinished Business A. Historical Display – Kellen Henrickson has drawn a 3D
rendition of the display for the Council Chambers. The
curtains will be above the information boards. Four boards
(panels) will address four topics: (1) Why Owatonna was
chosen for the school, (2) Schools information, (3) Saving the
property and the purchase by the City, (4) Planning and
moving forward.
B. Naming of Dias – no update, looking at a possible
presentation May 16th during Council Study Session.
C. A sculpture by Katherine Nash, a bronze titled “Crusader” will
be placed on West Hills grounds. Silvan is coordinating with
Aaron as far as location. (This was approved at a prior
meeting.) She was the sculptor instructor at the University of

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Minnesota and has a Gallery named after her at the U of M.
Her works are displayed all over the world.
New Business A. Exterior Lighting – discussion regarding amount and working Motion: Burmeister
conditions of street lights throughout campus. Second: Vaillancourt
Motion to ask for safety investigation for pedestrians and Approved
traffic be done for the campus area and potential options.
B. Is there a plan for new signage at the West Hills Campus? Motion: Vaillancourt
Motion to ask for city to look at signage options along with Second: Burmeister
the new City Branding. Approved
C. Election of Officers Motion: Burmeister
Motion for Tippett for Chair, Vaillancourt for Vice Chair Second: Vaillancourt
Approved
Commissioner Comments Vaillancourt – it has been great working with City staff developing the
history project.
Tippet – asked if things were going well without the tenant rep. on
the commission. Fitzloff said things were going very well.
Fitzloff & Knudson explained See-Click-Fix and stated it will be going
public in the near future.
Adjournment 1 p.m. Motion: Vaillancourt
Next Meeting October 19, 2023 – City Council Chambers
Lunch by Dan (we may have to eat in the Arts Center – not sure about
food in the chambers)