Wastewater Committee — Minutes

Wastewater Committee Minutes Monday, September 21, 2026, 9:00 AM Present: Karen McMurtry- Chair, Bruce Nelson, Jim Peterman Online: Dennis Jewell, Rick Hoyerman Staff: Brad Rasmusson – Wastewater Manager/Operator in Charge, Brent Bristol – Administrator, Andrea Collak – Clerk/Treasurer 1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Chair - McMurtry and a quorum was present for this meeting. 2. Changes in Agenda: None 3. Previous minutes – Minutes from August 3, 2026 Peterman moved, Nelson seconded to approve August 3, 2026, meeting minutes as amended, all ayes, and the motion carried. Nelson pointed out spelling errors in item #7 and wording changes in paragraph 4 of item #7. 4. Visitors’ comments: None 5. Ephraim Plant Manager Report: EFF samples sent to Northern Lake Services for ammonia testing: Ph testing: Five times per week as required. TSS, BOD, Po4, labs with lab cleanup: Twice per week as required. Eff E-coli test, this must be done May-October once per week while running disinfection. • Painted metal service doors and trim on plant and electrical boxes on receiving station. • Replaced overhead door opener switch for vehicle room. • Purchased 4 new suction hoses for the pumper truck. • Worked on landscaping around plant and receiving station. • New roof was installed on receiving station by Northern Metal Roofing, they will be coming back to finish the metal flashing and roof drains. • Received a quote for the rebuild of blower #2. • Working on getting quotes for north end manhole repairs and main lift. Ephraim Well Water Testing: Year to Date Number of Water Tests: 93 936 In-House Bacteria: 82 828 Clean Water Testing: 11 108 Ephraim Septage Service: Year to Date Holding Tank Pump Outs: 12 56 Septic Pump Outs/Inspections: 5 16 Emergency Call Ins: Rasmusson noted that CMOM report was finalized and sent to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for approval. DNR approved the report and is planning on using it as an example for others. Deputy Clerk - Kim Roberts was commended for completing the report. VILLAGE OF EPHRAIM FOUNDED 1853 Wastewater Committee Minutes September 21, 2026 Page 2 of 3 Rasmusson praised Roberts for the hard work and dedication she put into this task. 6. Discussion and recommendation regarding 10235 Water St sewer connection Rasmusson reported that the reason for the connection permit for 10235 Water Street is that the property lines were moved since the first permit in 2024. They now need to cross the highway and make a new connection which will involve closing the highway and making the new connection to the gravity main that is near lift #2 force main. Rasmusson added that he requested that they have pipes and repair couplings on-site just in case the force main gets struck during the process. DeGroot will be doing the work. McMurtry moved, Nelson seconded to approve sewer connection for 10235 Water Street, all ayes, and the motion carried. 7. Discussion and consideration for 2027 Budget • Accounts 57401-100 through 57401-105 Rasmusson added the same percentage increases from the year before. • 57401–211 Property Insurance was raised by $32.72 to make an even $8,200. • 57401–306 Phone was put back to $2,500 and can even be lowered due to switching to Cellcom. • 57401–309 Internet was lowered by $300 as Starlink lowered prices a little. • 57401-311 Vehicle Maintenance was raised by $500. The WW F-350 has some rust that should be delt with before it gets worse. • 57401-320 Training/Conferences lowered to $1,500 to help the budget in other areas. • 57401–337 Auditing Expenses. Rasmusson would like to raise this account by $400 based on previous years and amount already paid for this year. • 57401–340 Vehicle Insurance was raised by $1.41 to make an even number. • 57402-210 Other Contractual Services account was raised by $1,000 because of the increased permit required PFAS testing. • 57401–389 Safety Expenses. This account was not changed because the gas detectors were not purchased yet. Bristol suggested purchasing the gas detectors this year rather than budgeting for them again next year. • 57403–303 Electricity, which also includes fuel for back-up generator. Rasmusson would like to raise the account by $2,000 based on previous years. • 57403–384 Collection System Maintenance. Lowered by $3,000 because there will be a new account Collection System Inspections for sewer main camera work. Wastewater Committee Minutes September 21, 2026 Page 3 of 3 • 57403-383 Collection System Inspections. This is a new account created for sewer televising. WW have used the remainder of the Collection System Maintenance budget for this work in the past but has not been making the recommended 20% or 7,300 feet by the DNR. Price is $0.620 per foot x 7,300 feet = $4,526.00 + $850.00 Mobilization = $5,376.00. Thus, the new account was set to $5,400.00 Billing Most of the accounts are multiplied by 7% per auditor’s recommendations and then rounded to the closest figure. The water testing cost was left at $30. Rasmusson noted that enough profit is made at the current rate. There was a short discussion regarding $60,000 budgeted for Other Improvement Outlay (Manhole Rehabilitation) 57403-830 and no amount budgeted for Equipment Outlay (Money to Replacement Fund). Bristol suggested moving $50,000 out of that amount to Equipment Outlay if only one manhole will be restored next year and leaving $10,000 to fix the manhole. Consensus of the Committee was to re-visit and finalize the 2027 budget at the next meeting. 8. Visitors’ comments: None 9. New business for the next meeting: Finalizing the 2027 budget, update on REUs, and discussion and consideration regarding blower #2. The next meeting was set for October 5, 2026. 9. Adjournment McMurtry moved, Nelson seconded to adjourn the meeting, all ayes, and the motion carried. Recorded by Andrea Collak - Clerk/Treasurer