Menomonie City Council awards $3.3 million contract for Conagra wastewater treatment project

The October 20th City Council meeting opened with a moment of silence in remembrance of former council member Jackie Dotseth, who passed away on October 12 at age 89. Dotseth served on the City Council from 1978 to 1985, including two terms as vice president and one term as council president.

In December 2024, the city reached an agreement with Conagra to construct a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system to remove fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from its wastewater before it enters the city’s treatment plant. Conagra’s discharges had exceeded the 100 milligrams per liter limit specified in its 2009 wastewater agreement with the city.

The city will design, construct, and operate the DAF, with Conagra reimbursing 100% of the project costs. The council awarded the construction contract to R.J. Jurowski Construction at a cost of $3,388,320. The system will be built next to existing equalization tanks on the south end of Conagra’s property. Once operational, it will skim off fats, oils, and grease, which will be sent to the treatment plant digester and ultimately land-applied as biosolids.

Council Member Ryland Erdman asked about the expected lifespan of the DAF. Public Works Director David Schofield said it should be about 40-50 years, though some components, such as pumps, will require earlier replacement. When asked by Council Member Matthew Crowe if the system would help with phosphorus reduction, Schofield said he was hopeful the project would help the city meet its phosphorus limits. Completion is expected by the end of 2026.

The council also approved an engineering task order with Cedar Corporation for preliminary design work on potential Heller Road and Oak Avenue improvements, at a cost of $9,750, funded through Tax Increment District (TID) #14.

The city is considering reconstructing Heller Road from U.S. Highway 12 to the golf course driveway, including utility replacements, curb and gutter, and sidewalks. A second potential project would add sidewalks on one or both sides of Oak Avenue from U.S. Highway 12 to State Highway 25, and possibly include improvements to the eastbound right-turn lane near Arby’s.

TID #14’s expenditure period ends September 7, 2026, meaning all funded projects must be awarded by that date, though construction could continue through 2027.

City Administrator Eric Atkinson presented the 2026 general fund draft budget. This draft does include funding for the three new firefighter/EMT positions approved earlier this fall. The proposed budget shows a $500,000 shortfall, with a projected levy of about $8 million. Atkinson said levy limits continue to be a challenge, though “net new construction” increased slightly this year to 2.1%.

Council Member Sydney Brennan requested that a new housing inspector position be added to the budget since the Ad-Hoc Housing Committee had recommended creating the position to support proactive rental inspections.

A detailed budget discussion will take place at the council’s first meeting in November, with a public hearing and vote planned for the second meeting of the month.

The council ended the meeting with a closed session to discuss the possible purchase offers for properties at 228, 230, and 244 Main Street East—the sites of The Gin Mill, Mood Boutique, and the vacant lot formerly home to Town and Country Antiques.

Upon returning to open session, a vote to proceed with any action ended in a 5–5 tie. Council members Crowe, Sutherland, Somerfeld, Erdman, and Schwebs voted against, while Brennan, Solberg, Gentz, Yonko, and Pickard voted in favor. With Council Member Jeff Luther absent and Mayor Randy Knaack not present to break the tie, no action was taken.

In other business:

• Tax Collection Agreement: The council renewed its agreement with Dunn County for property tax collection, with the city paying $2.50 per bill prepared.

• Library Solar Project: The council approved a resolution supporting a roof-mounted solar system project at the Menomonie Public Library. The library has proposed applying for a WisDOA grant that would pay 50% of the project, with the other 50% being covered by the Menomonie Public Library Foundation. No city funds would be used. The solar panels are expected to offset 87% of the library’s electricity costs, saving about $19,000 per year.

• Winterlude Market: A special event permit was approved for Brewery Nonic's Winterlude Market, to be held December 6, 2025. City-owned land west of Brewery Nonic is used for the event.