Nurse practitioner Heidi Stevermer is pictured with physician assistant Ken Bentson, left, when OPS Clinics first opened in Winnebago last year.

When the Winnebago City Council met on Tuesday, June 13, it received big news from local nurse practitioner Heidi Stevermer and her colleagues, chiropractors Dr. Jordan Stenzel and Dr. Arron Kalis, of Optimal Performance Specialists (OPS) Clinics.

“After considerable contemplation and introspection, we, the three devoted owners, have collectively decided to embark on separate paths while maintaining our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care,” the OPS co-owners announced in a written statement last week.

Until recently, Stevermer has been serving clients in Winnebago and Mapleton. Dr. Stenzel had been providing chiropractic services in Mapleton, while Dr. Kalis sees patients in Blue Earth.

On June 13, Stevermer told the council, “I will maintain the medical side of the practice.” 

She also assured the council she intends to continue providing services in Winnebago. In fact, she is hoping to serve the city on a full-time basis.

“I would like to make this my home spot for my new clinic,” Stevermer said. “My intention is to increase the capabilities of what we can do in town.” 

Winnebago’s current OPS Clinic is located in the town’s former United Hospital District (UHD) building on Main Street.

UHD sold the building to the city for $1 on Sept. 13, 2022. After acquiring the building, Winnebago offered the space to OPS, rent-free, during its first year of operation, provided OPS pay for all utility costs.

Now that OPS is disbanding, Stevermer wishes to renew the lease for a second year under the same terms, and under her new clinic’s name.

While discussing Stevermer’s request, council member Calvin Howard observed, “We lose the money right now, but we have a clinic in town, which is no small thing.” 

Stevermer added she has made several improvements to the interior of the building at her own cost, including new paint and baseboards. She also plans to replace the floor.

The council was amenable to renewing the lease for a second year under the same terms. The new lease will be brought for the council’s approval once it has been drawn up under the new clinic’s name.

OPS will be officially disbanding on Aug. 31, and Stevermer’s new lease would begin on Sept. 1 of this year.

In other business, the Winnebago City Council: 

• Informed the public that the city is not yet ready to hold a second meeting regarding options for increasing Winnebago’s law enforcement coverage.

City administrator Judi Hynes explained she is still communicating with Blue Earth city staff to receive more information about the possibility of contracting with the Blue Earth Police Department.

“We want to make sure if we have a meeting, we have the facts,” added council member Jean Anderson.

• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the LELS Labor Union for an adjustment to wages for Winnebago police officers.

Step one wages for officers will increase to $30.29 per hour, while step seven wages will increase to $36.16 per hour.

“The (personnel) committee believes that the city still needs to try and maintain a police department, regardless of any ongoing or future negotiations with any other law enforcement agency,” Hynes explained.

• Approved a pay increase for police chief Eric Olson. His hourly wages will increase from $34.13 to $36.50 per hour.

• Approved the hire of Daniel Deitering as a part-time police officer.

• Approved a housing study recently completed by Bolton & Menk.

EDA specialist Jennifer Howard explained the study has helped Winnebago’s Housing Team identify four main priorities to revitalize the town’s housing stock. They include incentivizing new construction, rehabilitating existing homes, investing in single-family slab on grade homes and investing in modular homes.

Howard also highlighted the importance of attracting remote workers to Winnebago and providing housing for new and retired families.

• Approved a New Construction Housing Tax Abatement Program application from Ron and Carolyn Howe. They are the first Winnebago residents to use the program, which allows owners of new single-family and multi-family construction to apply to have five years of city property taxes abated.

• Approved the EDA’s recommendation to offer family or single season pool passes to residents who construct new single-family and multi-family owner-occupied housing in Winnebago.

• Approved B&B Sanitation’s request to increase the rates to service Winnebago’s free dumpsters. The cost per dumpster will increase from $63.97 to $86.95.

• Approved an amendment to a city ordinance for the maximum height allowed for residential fences. The permitted height will increase from six to seven feet to match state regulations.

• Learned that the city’s upcoming Street Improvement Project on Cleveland Avenue is eligible for Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) Grant funding. The final value of the grant will be determined post-bid, but grant dollars are estimated to exceed $1.5 million.

• Approved Pearson Bros., Inc.’s quote of $55,080.05 to sealcoat 29 street blocks in Winnebago.

• Approved a $5,396 estimate from Alpha Wireless to replace the control boxes on the city’s tornado sirens.

• Renewed the city’s contract with CEDA so Howard may continue providing EDA services to Winnebago two days a week for the next six months.

• Approved noise permits for The Buzz Stop on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, Aug. 5. The council also approved the bar’s request to close the alley behind its business on those evenings.

• Approved a request from the Bago Fun Fest Committee to close off First Street SE on the evening of Friday, June 16, to set off fireworks nearby.

• Passed Resolution 814-2023 approving a gambling permit on Aug. 12 for Southern Minnesota Ducks Unlimited MN 138.

• Approved Darold Nienhaus’s request to attend the Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association Annual Conference on July 26-28.