When the Winnebago City Council met on Wednesday, March 15, their meeting agenda included a discussion about the havoc which flushable wipes are creating at the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Bolton & Menk engineer Matt Cole attended the meeting to present an estimated $3.5 million solution to the council and answer questions via a public hearing for the project.

“So, we can say that flushable wipes are costing Winnebago $3.5 million?” council member Calvin Howard asked Cole.

“They’re costing the nation (millions),” Cole responded. “It’s an industry-wide problem.” 

In fact, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates that flushable wipes result in about $441 million a year in additional operating costs for the country’s clean water utilities.

In Winnebago, flushable wipes are frequently clogging the grinder pump at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. When this happens, the blockage must be manually removed, creating a safety concern for city operators.

“The city has attempted to notify the public of the use of these flushable wipes causing issues, but the problem still remains,” Cole stated in the Facility Plan Amendment report.

Bolton & Menk’s proposed amendment to Winnebago’s Facility Plan involves constructing a new pre-treatment building with a mechanical bar screen, screen washer, compactor, vortex grit and a grit classifier.

The project is eligible for Public Facilities Authority (PFA) funding through the PFA’s Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund. Bolton & Menk submitted a request for the funding at the beginning of this month.

There was no comment from members of the public – verbal or written – during the project’s public hearing on March 15.

Additionally, no action regarding the project was required from the City Council at this time.

The project’s tentative schedule predicts that the final design and specifications will be completed this fall. Bolton & Menk predicts project construction may begin in the summer of 2024.

The council also reviewed and approved several requests related to the upcoming Bago Fun Fest, which is just three months away.

Scheduled for the weekend of June 16-18, tentative plans for the city-wide event include the annual Twilight Parade, a 5k run, walk or ride, a tractor pull, inflatables, a vendor and craft fair, petting zoo and the Midnight Street Dance.

The Bago Fun Fest Committee is also hoping to organize a fireworks show on the evening of Friday, June 16.

The council approved the committee’s request to use the baseball field for the fireworks display, and was also assured that the committee is acquiring proper insurance to cover the event.

The council also approved a donation of $3,000 to Bago Fun Fest from the city’s 10 Percent Gambling Fund. They authorized The Buzz Stop to sell intoxicating liquor on Municipal Center property on June 16 and 17 – pending proof of liability insurance for off-premise sales – approved the city’s sponsorship of the event, and approved all necessary food, beverage, noise and miscellaneous licenses for the event.

“It is coming together very well,” said city administrator Judi Hynes. “There are a lot of fun activities planned for everyone.” 

Howard thanked the Bago Fun Fest Committee for their efforts.

“I always appreciate it, and my family appreciates it,” he said.

In other business, the Winnebago City Council: 

• Passed Resolution 806-2023 approving a new Housing Tax Abatement Policy in Winnebago.

Designed to provide incentives for new construction of owner occupied and residential rental units for single-family and multi-family housing units, the program offers five years of tax abatement for the city portion of property taxes on qualifying housing units.

“The property owner would pay their taxes up front each year, and then get reimbursed for the city’s portion of the taxes,” EDA specialist Jennifer Howard explained.

She added that other cities in Faribault County are planning to implement similar tax abatement policies to incentivize new housing construction.

• Reviewed the city’s recently re-designed website, and watched the Winnebago marketing video which the city recently commissioned.

The council praised the updated website and the marketing video, with council member Jean Anderson observing, “It’s outstanding, and very welcoming.” 

• Donated $500 from the 10 Percent Gambling Fund to the BEA Post Prom Committee.

The BEA Post Prom Party, scheduled on Saturday, April 29, costs roughly $15,000 per year. It is partially funded by students through registration and admission for Grand March, but it also relies on generous donations from area businesses and community members each year.

• Donated two pool passes to Genesis Classical Academy’s Spring Fling event, which is being held to raise funds in support of the school.

The Spring Fling will take place on April 1 at the National Guard Armory, and will feature a dinner, entertainment, a raffle, and a live and silent auction.

• Approved police chief Eric Olson’s request to attend the 2023 DLE certification’s Iowa K9 Seminar in Independence, Iowa, from May 1 through May 5. The estimated cost for Olson to attend is $850.

The seminar’s primary focus is training and certification for K-9 teams in the areas of patrol, narcotics, explosive and tracking/trailing.

• Approved a $3,500 quote from Indoor Technologies Inc  to clean the carpet and ducts in the Winnebago OPS Clinics building on Main Street.