Winnebago welcomes a new police chief and an officer
Council also looks at buying new fire truck and ambulance
Winnebago city administrator Judi Hynes shared some exciting news with the public at a council meeting held on Wednesday, March 13.
After asking two members of the crowd to stand, she announced, “These are our new officers, and I’m so happy they’re here.”
Officer Darren Bettin will assume his duties as a full-time Winnebago police officer on Monday, March 18, and prospective police chief Nathan Goette is expected to start on April 1.
Bettin previously served as a part-time officer for the Blue Earth Police Department, and Goette has been employed by the United South Central School District. Previously, Goette was a deputy for Scott County, and a member of Shakopee’s SWAT team.
Mayor Jean Anderson thanked the public for their patience as the Winnebago Police Department navigated many months of being understaffed.
“Thanks for hanging in there with us and showing your support,” she said. “That helped a lot in bolstering our stick-to-it-ness in finding a police department.”
The council also discussed the city’s needs for a new fire truck and a new ambulance.
Discussions about purchasing a fire truck have been underway for many months, and a public hearing about the matter was scheduled at the start of the March 13 council meeting.
The council reviewed a purchase contract with Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc., for a Sourcewell MPFR crew cab equipped pumper which will cost $683,281.48.
Fire chief Bret Osborn said that, unfortunately, the cost of emergency vehicles has skyrocketed in recent years.
He observed that Winnebago purchased a pumper in 2009 which cost roughly $269,000, and Blue Earth was able to purchase a pumper for a little over $500,000 just two years ago.
“If the price increase wouldn’t have happened, we could have covered our own truck,” Osborn explained. “Things have radically, dramatically increased.”
He said the fire department has been in discussion with its township members, and five of the six townships are amenable to chipping in $1,350 to offset the cost of the new pumper.
The remaining cost is expected to be covered by the city’s 899 Fund and the fire department’s 401 Capitol Fund.
Hynes said the city may be able to obtain a $50,000 USDA grant, although it is unlikely those funds would be awarded in 2024 or 2025.
The council approved the purchase contract for the fire truck, with Anderson serving as the city’s signing agent.
“My truck committee has spent considerable time on this,” Osborn concluded. “This is a truck that will serve the community and the townships for the next 30 years.”
The council also discussed purchasing a new ambulance.
“Our oldest rig is a 2010,” said Cari Jenkins, head of the Winnebago Ambulance Department. “We are starting to see its age, and we are looking to replace it.”
Jenkins emphasized the department’s need for a vehicle with four-wheel drive.
“Last winter, we had a lot of issues maneuvering in a large service area without four-wheel drive,” she observed.
She said the department has been in discussion with MacQueen Equipment about a Demers Ford F450 diesel ambulance which will cost $299,856 if it is ordered prior to April 1.
“It is a phenomenal truck for us. It will suit us very well,” Jenkins said. “It would not be delivered until 2026 – that’s build time right now.”
Jenkins thinks the Ambulance Department will be able to get the funding for the ambulance before it arrives in 2026.
“We’re halfway there,” she said.
She expects the purchase agreement from MacQueen Equipment will have arrived by the end of the month, at which time the council can review the agreement at a special meeting scheduled on Tuesday, March 26, at 4:30 p.m.
Hynes observed the ambulance department’s 401 Capitol Fund currently has just over $96,000 in it, and suggested she could put those funds in a CD.
The council approved Hynes to do so, and agreed to further review the ambulance department’s request on March 26.
In other business, the Winnebago City Council:
• Accepted Darold Nienhaus’s resignation as wastewater supervisor and building official after 34.5 years of service, effective April 20.
“I feel very fortunate to have been able to look forward to coming to work every morning since Sept. 11, 1989,” he wrote in his letter of resignation. “It was a great career.”
• Approved city staff to advertise the vacant wastewater supervisor position in area newspapers and through the League of Minnesota Cities. Hynes will also look into advertising the position through the Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association.
The council requested a few changes be made to the job posting, such as changing some qualifications from ‘must have’ to ‘preferred.’ Wages will also be listed as depending upon the candidate’s experience.
• Learned that construction for the Cleveland Avenue Street Improvement Project is slated to begin on April 1, from Eighth Street to Sixth Street.
Bolton & Menk said the project’s website is up and running, and residents can sign up to receive updates about the project via text or email.
• Reviewed seven bids which were received for ash tree removal services on city property.
The council accepted the lowest bid from Pfeffer Tree Service Inc., for $16,000.
• Opened two bids for the sale of a city-owned shipping container. The council accepted the highest bid, which was for $305.
• Approved a $4,932 contract with Stryker for a two-year Equipment Maintenance Plan for the Winnebago Ambulance Department.
The plan will cover annual maintenance service and field repairs.
• Approved an animal control contract with Paws for Cause, which will be in effect from Feb. 13, 2024, until Feb. 12 of next year.
• Approved a request for a new roots blower for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will cost $3,529, plus freight.
• Approved the transfer of $50,000 in excess general funds budgeted for 2023 to the police reserve fund, and the transfer of $92,212 from the general fund to the 401 Capital Fund.
• Approved Resolution 833-2024 to close the Fund 865 Winnebago Community Field, which has gone unused for several years.
The fund’s $1,850.71 deficit will be absorbed by the city’s general fund.
• Approved a wage step increase for Muir librarian Nicole Krienke, effective March 10, after she received a satisfactory annual review.
• Approved a $2,500 quote from Owen Construction to replace 22 coping stones at the Winnebago Swimming Pool.
• Approved a noise permit for The Buzz Stop, which plans to host a DJ on Friday, March 29, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The council also approved The Buzz Stop to close down the alley behind the bar for the event.
• Agreed to donate $500 from the city’s 10 Percent Gambling Fund to the BEA Annual Post Prom Party.
• Agreed to donate two pool passes to Genesis Classical Academy’s annual Spring Fling, which is set to be held on Saturday, April 6.