The ball field in Winnebago is shown above. Now there is a plan by a local business to improve the field and the scoreboard and the lights.

A lot can happen in one week. During a special Winnebago City Council meeting on Dec. 3, the members of the council, along with city administrator Judi Hynes, lowered the city’s proposed tax levy increase to 9.02 percent. However, Hynes told the council at that meeting that it was possible the increase could be reduced even further depending on what happened with some outstanding delinquent taxes.

When the council met one week later, on Dec. 10, for their regular meeting, as well as their Truth in Taxation Meeting, Hynes had some positive news to share.

“Instead of increasing the 2025 tax levy by $83,133, we have been able to reduce the increase to $66,549, which is a 7.22 percent increase,” Hynes explained. “The total levy now stands at $988,576.”

There was no public comment during the hearing and council members were happy to hear about the further decrease in the tax levy for next year. The resolution to adopt the final tax levy passed by unanimous vote.

During the public comment portion of the regular meeting, Winnebago resident and businessman Bob Weerts addressed the council members.

“My company would like to lease the ballfield near the old school,” Weerts said. “We have a plan to fix it up. We will improve the infield, restore the lights to working order and we also plan on getting the scoreboard back in working condition.”

The proposal by Weerts was to lease the field for five years at a cost of one dollar per year and to take care of the electrical and mowing costs associated with operating the field during the duration of the lease.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Weerts declared. “It provides a place for the kids to play and it brings people to town.”

The council was in favor of the lease and directed city attorney David Frundt to draw up the document and have it ready by the council’s meeting on Dec. 30.

Weerts also shared that a meeting at the old school on Dec. 7 was well attended and the people who were there shared a number of ideas about possible uses for the former school building. He pointed out that the roof and gym floor have already been fixed.

“The school is in surprisingly good shape,” mayor Jean Anderson, who toured the school on Dec. 7, said.

“The boilers are in good shape and the building is running at 72 degrees,” Weerts added. “The Genesis kids are going to have their concert there later this month.”

There was one more person who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“My name is Len Dohm, I live in Winnebago and I know most of you,” he commented. “I am putting together a club volleyball team which will be based out of Winnebago. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Weerts, we are able to use the gym Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings for our practices.”

Dohm explained that he had a daughter that had played club volleyball in the past and that it was expensive to do, partially because of lengthy trips to play other clubs in weekend tournaments.

“Not all families have the means to participate on a club volleyball team,” Dohm said. “There are two teams in Mankato, one in Lake Crystal, one in Albert Lea, one in Fairmont and a couple across the border in Iowa. We are trying to make it so we can play these other teams and not have to travel so far for tournaments which would require us to stay overnight.”

Dohm was seeking a $500 donation from the city to aid in his endeavor, but after hearing Dohm speak, council member Chris Anderson spoke up and made a motion to donate $2,000 to the club volleyball program.

“We have over $6,000 in the gambling fund we can use for donations and we rarely use it,” Anderson said. “I think this would be a good use of those funds.”

The other council members agreed and passed Anderson’s motion.

The council then moved on to tackle a number of business items, including having the first reading of the proposed cannabis ordinance. A public hearing will be held on the ordinance at a meeting on Dec. 30, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Center.

B & B Sanitation & Recycling owner Christopher Cyphers was at the meeting to discuss a new contract for trash and recycling services with the city.

“Our prior contract expired on Dec. 1,” Cyphers said. “I am looking to sign a new three-year contract.”

The new contract will see a slight increase in fees with the monthly price for the 64 gallon trash service increasing from $24 to $25.21. The recycling fee will also increase from $5.50 to $5.71 per month/per household.

The contract will be drawn up and ready to sign at the next meeting on Dec. 30.

City engineer Matt Cole was at the meeting and reported that cleanup was taking place on Cleveland Avenue.

“Once that is done, everything will be put on pause until next spring,” Cole commented.

Cole also presented the council with pay estimate No. 8, in the amount of $101,344, for the month of November. It was for concrete and dirt work.

The council approved paying the pay estimate to Ulland Brothers.

Water superintendent Rick Mauris reported that the city needed to replace two AEDs (automated external defibrillators), one in the Municipal Center and one at the Winnebago Pool.

“The old ones are outdated and we cannot get pads for them,” Mauris said. “The new ones will have the ability to insert an infant/child key lock which will allow for the use of the device on a child. With the key inserted, it lowers the shock power.”

The council approved the purchase of two new AEDs from Bound Tree Medical for the cost of $3,796.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a new six-month contract with CEDA for two days a week at a cost of $29,487.

• Voted to approve four percent pay increases for wastewater employee Gavin Barnett and administrative assistant Corinna McGinnis. Both employees will move to Step 2 on the union pay scale.

• Approved on sale, off sale and Sunday liquor licenses for Shooter’s and Gunner’s Bar, LLC. Also approved an off sale 3.2 beer license for Casey’s General Store and an on sale 3.2 beer/wine combo with strong beer license for Lucky Lanes.

• Approved cigarette licenses for Casey’s General Store, Marketplace Foods and Dollar General.

• Approved a 2025 audit engagement letter with Abdo at a cost of $39,850.

• Set the City Council meeting schedule for next year. The council will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., except in November when the meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

• Approved the 2025 council appointments, committee assignments and the 2025 committee meeting schedule.

• Approved the list of Winnebago Fire Department Officers for 2025. The fire chief is Bret Osborn, assistant fire chief is Shane Shelstad, secretary is Josh Blair, first captain is Thad Sturtz, second captain is Adam St. Germain and the training officer is Brandon Hassing.