On Nov. 14, the Winnebago City Council discussed the city’s ongoing search for law enforcement personnel. It decided to continue the search despite a disappointing response to its posting for a Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO).

Winnebago’s police department has been floundering following a string of resignations last year. Former police chief Eric Olson was the city’s sole full-time officer for roughly eight months, and, effective Sept. 20, Olson resigned from his position to serve as a deputy for the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department.

The city has been relying on law enforcement coverage from part-time officers and the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office.

A few months ago, the council weighed its options for providing the city with adequate police coverage. Among those options was a proposal to contract with Blue Earth for policing services, but Winnebago residents packed City Hall to implore that the council maintain the city’s police department.

The council decided to raise full-time officer wages on June 18 to attract candidates to the open positions. The current wage scale offers a $30.29 minimum hourly wage and a $36.50 maximum hourly wage.

The council also named Olson the city’s interim CLEO, as State Statute requires every law enforcement agency to have a designated CLEO so the department is able to function.

Following a meeting held on Sept. 12, the council directed Olson to post the vacant CLEO position with a $33.25 to $36.50 hourly pay scale, depending on the applicant’s experience.

On Nov. 14, city administrator Judi Hynes said the city is still struggling to fill the CLEO position and the vacant officer positions.

“I received a call today from an individual who we put through background for police chief that he’s pulling out his application,” Hynes informed the council. She said another candidate recently withdrew his application after Lake Crystal, where he currently serves, increased its wages.

“Another (applicant) is in background,” Hynes continued. “I have one (applicant) who we could schedule an interview for.”

First, the council discussed whether its attempt to attract officers with wage increases is working.

“The way I see it, we have two choices,” mayor Scott Robertson added. “We either repost (the chief position), or go with Blue Earth.” 

The council agreed they are not ready to give up on finding a CLEO just yet, particularly given the public’s response following previous discussions about contracting for law enforcement services.

“I think the people of Winnebago have already spoken. We need to give it a little more time,” council member Calvin Howard said. “I also vividly remember telling everyone there, ‘Are you ready for a tax increase?’ and they overwhelmingly said, ‘Yes,’ because they want their police department.” 

According to Hynes, the city’s full-time officer wages are consistent with the current wage market. However, she suggested that the council consider raising its CLEO wages if it intends to repost the position.

After some discussion, the council approved an updated wage range for the CLEO position with a $36.69 minimum hourly wage and a $45.41 maximum hourly wage.

They directed Olson to re post the position with that pay scale, and directed Hynes to schedule an interview with a prospective full-time officer candidate.

The council also discussed a request it had received from Valley Realty Company to sign a settlement agreement and release. The request concerned a water main leak which occurred near the company’s Main Street property on March 15.

The city had sent Valley Realty a letter on May 10 informing them of the water main leak and requesting reimbursement for a total of $9,139.29 in repair costs.

Valley Realty took issue with the manner in which the repairs were completed, and said it does not agree that it owes Winnebago $9,139.29.

“In the interest of resolving this dispute, however, Valley Realty is willing to pay Winnebago for the repair costs,” the agreement stated. “In exchange, Winnebago warrants that it solely chose the contractor that performed the repairs and warrants and indemnifies Valley Realty for any work done on its behalf as though it were its own work, including any defects in workmanship.” 

The agreement stated that, upon payment of the settlement sum, Winnebago would discharge Valley Realty from any and all claims, liabilities, damages and obligations, and agree not to file any action, suit or demand for arbitration against Valley Realty in the future.

“Basically, they want a lifetime warranty on this water service,” Bolton & Menk engineer Matt Cole summarized. “It is easily going to break five feet away in the future. You’re opening yourself up for more costs that the city cannot recover if it breaks again down the line.” 

City attorney David Frundt said the agreement had been mailed to him without any notice, and admitted, “I think it’s ridiculous.” 

He added, “We have the right to assess whatever cost is on their property at any time. This is not something that anyone can really give a warranty on.” 

The council decided to ignore Valley Realty’s request that they sign the agreement. They voted to adopt the 2023 tax assessment roll, which includes assessments to Valley Realty for the cost of the repairs to the water main.

In other business, the Winnebago City Council: 

• Received a Position Classification & Compensation Study report from Abdo senior associate Michael Mooney.

Mooney informed the council that Abdo has developed two options to structure wage adjustments for three non-union city employees who are not receiving pay comparable to Minnesota’s public employee wage market. Either option would help ensure the city is in compliance with Minnesota Pay Equity requirements.

The city could adopt a ‘step and grade’ model with 13 employee pay grade levels. Or, the city could adopt an ‘open range’ plan which sets the barriers of minimum and maximum pay, but otherwise leaves increases in compensation to the council’s discretion.

The plan would cost $22,900 to implement in 2024. Hynes assured the council she had budgeted for as much as a $45,000 increase in employees’ pay next year.

The council agreed to discuss both options at a special meeting which was scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.

• Approved the Winnebago Firemen’s Relief Association’s request to move its benefit level from $1,300 to $2,000 per annual year of service.

“If the benefits increase, we wouldn’t have to contribute any more to the relief association,” Hynes said.

• Completed a first reading of a Special Vehicles Ordinance which was rewritten to address mini trucks, along with golf carts, Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

The council set a public hearing and second reading for the updated ordinance on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

• Reviewed a draft of a new ordinance to establish the regulation of trees and shrubs in the city’s boulevards, as well as the regulation of diseased trees.

• Approved the Community Trust and Improvement Committee’s request to transfer $405 from the Community Trust Fund to the General Fund’s Swimming Pool fund.

The donation will offset the costs of providing swimming lessons last summer.

• Approved Turkey Trot host Abby Butler’s request for the city to serve as a non-monetary sponsor of the event. It will be held on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 23.

• Approved the BEA School Foundation’s request for a donation to its upcoming fundraiser, the Maroon & Gold Gala. The city agreed to donate $100.

• Changed Roman Madson’s employment status from library assistant to no longer working for the city of Winnebago, effective Oct. 26.