Mayor Juntunen warns against flushing wipes, highlights City Government Week and election filing deadline

Mayor Kevin Juntunen called the Rolla City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. on March 16 and opened the meeting with several community announcements, including City Government Week (April 6–10), an on‑site school council meeting and an essay contest that will invite student winners to read their essays to the council.

Juntunen also reminded residents that the mayor, municipal judge, three city council seats and three park board positions are up for election this year and that prospective candidates must file paperwork with the Auditor’s Office by April 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. "If you are interested in running, you must file the appropriate documents by April 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.," he said, directing those with questions to the City Auditor’s Office.

The mayor devoted the bulk of his minute to a public-works warning about flushable wipes. He said those products "do not break down like toilet paper" and described multiple downstream effects: clogged lift-station pumps, slowed flow in sewer lines, frozen and burst pipes in cold weather, and sewer backups into homes. He emphasized the city’s enforcement authority: Rolla has an ordinance prohibiting flushing items that should not enter the sewer system, the mayor said, and violations "can carry fines up to $500, and responsible parties may be required to pay for repairs." "Please — do not flush wipes, paper towels, feminine products, or any non-toilet-paper items," Juntunen said.

Why it matters: non‑toilet items in the sewer system can create costly repairs and public health risks for neighbors; the mayor’s statement signals the city plans to enforce the existing ordinance and to hold responsible parties financially liable for damage.

The meeting proceeded to routine business and concluded at 6:40 p.m.