Public Works & Utilities Committee Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES TOWN OF ROME PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2026 9:00 A.M. 1. Call to Order Member Dave Loker called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. 2. Discussion and possible action – Appointment of Officers ➢ Chairperson Motion by Schumacher/Preuss to nominate Dave Loker as Chairperson. Motion carried, with Loker abstaining from the vote. ➢ Vice-Chairperson Motion by Loker/Preuss to nominate Deb Schumacher as Vice-Chairperson. Motion carried, with Schumacher abstaining from the vote. 3. Roll Call Committee Members Present: David Loker, Deborah Schumacher, Carl Hasdal, Mark Lewis and Colleen Preuss Also Present: Finance Director/Treasurer, Robbie Schaub-Ruemler, Director of Public Works, Cody Knoblock, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky and Zoning Administrator, Emily Arndt. 4. Pledge of Allegiance 5. Certify Posting of Meeting Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky certified that on Thursday, July 23, 2026, the agenda for the Town of Rome Public Works & Utility Committee meeting for Tuesday, July 28, 2026 was posted at the following locations: Rome Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. Kwik Trip, LLC at 3:55 p.m. Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank at 1:38 p.m. Emailed to the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune at 2:00 p.m. 6. Approve the Agenda Motion by Hasdal/Schumacher to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 7. Citizen Comments – During the Citizen Comment period of the agenda the Utilities Committee welcomes comments from any town resident, not a member of the Utilities Committee, on any item not on the agenda. Please know that pursuant to state law the commission cannot engage in conversation with you but may ask questions. The commission may refer the item to staff, a standing committee or a future board agenda for discussion and action. Each person wishing to speak will have up to 3 minutes to speak. Speakers are asked to submit a card to the Rome Water Utility Office Manager providing their name, address and topic for discussion. Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov The commission will also take comment from the public on agenda items as called by the Chair, but not during Citizen Comment. Please note that once the commission begins discussion on an agenda item no further comment will be allowed from the public on that issue No Citizen Comments Received NO ACTION CONTEMPLATED EXCEPT POSSIBLE REFERRAL TO FUTURE AGENDA: 8. Information updates, meeting recaps, recent correspondence, and current events Vice -Chair Schumacher- Camelot Frolics are August 14th at the Camelot Lodge. Member Hasdal – Shared that there has been a court date set for October 26, 2026 in regards to the proposed Solar Farm status. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 9. Discussion and possible action – Approval of the May 12, 2026 meeting minutes Motion by Schumacher/Lewis to approve the May 12, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 10. Discussion only – Review June 2026 Public Works Dyracuse Financials & Water Utility Financials Discussion regarding the Public Works Dyracuse Financials. Schaub-Ruemler explained that the park is funded solely through grant funds and user fees. Knoblock spoke to the fact that the users are steady/consistent throughout the season. Schaub-Ruemler gave an update on the financials for the Water Utility and that the budget is on track for the year. Discussion regarding the difference between a metered versus non-metered camping hydrant. Discussion regarding the process for a “rate increase”. The Committee asked several questions, and all were addressed. 11. Discussion only – Water Utility & Public Works Update Knoblock gave an update that they recently met with their DNR representative and she plans to recommend to her superiors that the Rome Water Utility should proceed with a rate case. Knoblock gave an update regarding the road work on the west side of HWY 13, in Lake Arrowhead. The parking lot at Station 2 has been prepped for paving; DPW workers performed this task. In the Rome Town Center, by the bandshell, they have begun prepping for the food truck pad as well as a shade structure for the performers. He explained that he has purchased new equipment for the Public Works Department and Dyracuse. He also shared that Glenn Janicki retired recently. He spoke to the current employee duties and tasks and the fact that they are all being cross-trained. 12. Discussion and possible action – Recommendation to the Town Board; Town Hall Kitchen Renovation/Design Discussion regarding the concept drawings for the kitchen remodel. Hasdal requested the plans be updated to have a conference room rather than two smaller offices. Discussion regarding the possibility of adding an oven/stove into the kitchen and the potential liability that could cause. Motion by Schumacher/Loker to request an additional rendering of the plans by changing the two offices to a conference room. They would also like another drawing to include a stove; then the Town Board can decide the final plan, once it is put out for bids. Item recommended to be forwarded onto the Town Board. Motion carried. 13. Discussion and possible action – Dyracuse Camping Discussion regarding camping at Dyracuse. Item tabled pending further discussion. 14. Discussion and possible action – Emergency Warning System through cell phones Fire Chief Kane to have a meeting with IPAWS at 6pm tonight to discuss the potential of the implementation of an Emergency Warning System through cell phones. Update to be given at next meeting. 15. Discussion and possible action – Cellular Towers Discussion in regards to cellular towers. Zoning Administrator, Emily Arndt reached out to Vertical Bridge to ask whether they are willing to bring towers to the Town of Rome. She has not received a response yet, as the contact is currently out of the office. Hasdal gave an update that he spoke with Derrick Smith and a company that they can work with. Hasdal to share information with Schaub-Ruemler and Arendt. Arendt spoke to the towers that were proposed, that Verizon was not interested in placing a tower. Arendt indicated that Verizon requested bids for towers and they did not receive anything back. Update to be given at next meeting. DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 16. Next agenda items ➢ Emergency warning system through cell tower ➢ Cellular Tower ➢ Water Utility & Public Works Update ➢ Town Hall Kitchen Renovation Update ➢ Dyracuse Camping 17. Next meeting date and time September 22, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Schumacher/Lewis to adjourn at 10:06 am. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Owczynsky Taylor Owczynsky Deputy Clerk/Treasurer