City Council’s regular meeting schedule is:
1st & 3rd Monday’s of the Month
Link to Council Meeting Videos
LINK to 2018 Minutes & Agendas
LINK to 2020 Minutes & Agendas
Below, PDF links to the City Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes
We are now in the “Before New Year’s Day Blizzard” just after we finished clean-up from the “After Christmas Blizzard” – please, if you have to travel, do so with caution!
News Release from Big Stone County Emergency Management this morning
(if you have a Facebook Page, here is a link to this release)
Dec. 31, 2018 (7:15 a.m.)
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has enacted a no travel advisory on state and federal highways in the following counties due to dangerous driving conditions:
· Clay
· Big Stone
· Stevens
· Traverse
· Wilkin
High winds and blowing snow are causing whiteout conditions. Snowplows will continue to operate, but motorists are advised not to travel until conditions improve. For tips on safe winter driving, go to www.mndot.gov/workzone/winter.html. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.orgor get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
Please have patience as the City crew works to keep our roads open during yet another storm. The video below (and post photo above) was taken during clean up from last week’s blizzard.
A list of resource links as we make it through this winter season.
Big Stone County Emergency Management
Their Facebook pages
1350 AM KDIO Radio
Listen in on KDIO for all weather-related announcements and they also posts updates on their Facebook Page.
Ortonville Police Department
Posts all their emergency related announcements and notifications on their Facebook Page.
Ortonville School
Their Facebook Page posts latest updates
School Website covers urgent announcements & calendar
Artie’s Bait & Tackle
They post ice condition updates (along with fishing updates!)
…and although not weather-related, Ortonville Area Health Services posts very helpful & informative information on both their Website- OAHS.US & their Facebook Page!
We received notice from the Minnesota Department of Health (Oral Health Program and Drinking Water Protection) this month that the City of Ortonville received the 2017 Water Fluoridation Quality Award!
This award, created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognizes those public water systems (PWSs) that adjust the fluoride concentration in drinking water and achieve a monthly average fluoride level that is in the optimal range for 12 consecutive months in a calendar year, as documented in the CDC Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS).
CDC initiated the Water Fluoridation Quality Awards program to recognize outstanding performance in fluoridation management by public water systems. In Minnesota, 233 of 605 possible fluoridating community PWSs are receiving an award for 2017.
We give an extra shout out to Sam Berger on this outstanding effort and thank you for your work providing safe, dependable drinking water for Ortonville!
There is a cold weather rule in Minnesota that tries to help people avoid being disconnected. However, if a person doesn’t follow the guidelines, they could still have their electricity turned off for nonpayment.
Please read the Cold Weather Rule – Link: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/help/shut-off-protection/
Further questions regarding your utilities, please call the City Office at 320-839-3428
Thank you.
If you have questions regarding meeting dates, times or locations, you can call the City Office at 320-839-3428 during office hours or you can confirm times/reschedules any time of day by texting or calling Vicki at 320-305-2434 (Web Maintenance)
Write a Business Plan: https://mn.gov/deed/business/starting-business/biz-plans/drafting-plan.jsp
Financial Projections for a new business: https://www.score.org/resource/financial-projections-template
Creative Job Search Guide… Link!
Great Resource! Career Planning, Applications and References, Resumes & Cover Letters, The Job Interview, The Internet & Social Media and more! Check out this link!
Small Business Assistance Office
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota (PDF)
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Big Stone Area Growth (BSAG)
The Ortonville EDA works closely with BSAG which is Big Stone County’s economic development agency. BSAG, as with the Ortonville EDA, offers free business assistance for starting or expanding businesses and Business retention and is an additional funding source.
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
A statewide network of Small Business Development Centers provides the professional expertise and guidance that every small business owner needs to flourish in today’s competitive and ever-changing business world. The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
We would be in the Southwest Regional Center – To sign-up for their free assistance/consultations: Website & Select “Request Services” located in the top right of the page.
Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC)
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Minnesota Secretary of State – Starting a Business or Non-Profit
Minnesota Workforce Center – Montevideo – Is the Workforce Center for Ortonville and they do also have a representative in Ortonville one day per week at our Media Center (lower level of the Ortonville Public Library – 412 Second Street NW)
SBA Loans & Grants – Big Stone County
SBA – great resource page! https://www.sba.gov/business-guide
Minnesota Small Business Loans (SBA website)
SCORE – SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for over fifty years. Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to our network of 11,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no charge or at very low cost.
Southwest Initiative Foundation – Business Finance & Loan Programs
Searching for a Job – or – are you a business that would like to list a job? — Click here!
United States Department of Agriculture USDA
Minnesota Department of Transportation MNDot
Minnesota State Demographic Center, Minnesota Planning – Includes more reports with data analysis and trends. Links to other demographic sites.
Link to EDA Programs/Assistance
Ortonville EDA Assistance:
Regional Assistance Opportunities:
Big Stone County Assistance Opportunities:
Starting a Business Information (Tax ID, Business Plans, Cash Flows, and more) and other Financing Assistance Options
To view your utility bills online – LINK https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/ortonvillemn
There is a drop box for payments located on the NW corner of
Madison Avenue and Third Street NW.
Utility billings are due on the 12th of the month & payments are taken from the box on the morning of the 13th. (unless this falls on a holiday or weekend – then the next business/work day)
Utility Bills can also be mailed or dropped off at the City office
Address: 437 Minnesota Street North
Utility Bills can be paid by credit card online, by phone, or in person – LINK MORE INFO
You can set up an auto payment with your bank
You can print out the PDF Form (Bank Transfer Form), sign the form and attach a check that has been voided, and either mail or drop it off at the City Office to get the auto payment set up. If you have other questions, please contact the City office for details 320-839-3428
If you have selected auto pay and would like to enter your meter readings online,
you can complete the form: Enter Meter Readings
(We are researching options for online payments at this time)
Please print legibly when filling out checks for payment or turning in readings for your utility bills in order to ensure accurate processing.
City Office located at:
437 Minnesota Street North
Ortonville, MN 56278
The City will take the readings on the website until the 12th – this allows time to process into the City system. Thank you!