Public Works & Utilities Meeting — Minutes

TOWN OF ROME PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 9:00 A.M. 1. Call to Order Chairman David Loker called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. 2. Roll Call Committee Members Present: David Loker, Deborah Schumacher and Colleen Pruss; also, present Finance Director/Treasurer Robbie Schaub-Ruemler, Public Works Director Cody Knoblock, Zoning Administrator Emily Arndt and Administrative Assistant Jen Gutknecht. Absent: Carl Hasdal 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Certify Posting of Meeting Jen Gutknecht certified that on Friday, May 8, 2026, the agenda for the Town of Rome Public Works & Utility Committee meeting for Tuesday, May 12, 2026 was posted at: Rome Town Hall 10:35 a.m. Kwik Trip, LLC 10:45 a.m. Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank 10:50 a.m. Posted on the Town of Rome website 10:30 a.m. Emailed to the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune 10:30 a.m. 5. Approve the Agenda Motion by Loker/Schumacher to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 6. 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. 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 Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov NO ACTION CONTEMPLATED EXCEPT POSSIBLE REFERRAL TO FUTURE AGENDA: 7. Information updates, meeting recaps, recent correspondence, and current events Chairman David Loker has applied to continue serving as the Public Works and Utility Committee Chairman, as his term expired on May 1, 2026. Committee will vote on Chairperson and Vice Chairperson at the next meeting. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 8. Discussion and possible action – Approve March 17, 2026 meeting minutes Motion made by Loker/Schumacher to approve the March 17, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 9. Discussion only – Review March 2026 Public Works Cemetery Financials & Water Utility Financials Discussion regarding the Cemetery budget. Chairman David Loker asked what the utility fees include. Public Works Director, Cody Knoblock, stated that they cover electricity. It was also noted that perpetual care fees include landscaping, such as trimming and mowing. Public Works Director Knoblock confirmed that his department processes all cemetery plot purchases. One plot is $500 for a resident, with an additional $125 for perpetual care. The Town of Rome has two cemeteries to care for and maintain. Finance/Director Robbie Schaub-Ruemler gave an update on the financials for the Water Utility and that the budget is on track. 10. Discussion only – Water Utility & Public Works Update Discussion regarding the condition of the Town’s water utility buildings. The Town of Rome maintains three utility buildings. The tower appears to be in good condition, so repainting is not necessary at this time. The plan is to reallocate those funds toward other building-maintenance needs. Public Works Director, Cody Knoblock, reported that staff have been patching and applying mastic to areas where the roads were damaged. He noted that they have also been repairing road right-of- way’s affected by plow dig-ins from the last major storm. Knoblock added that in July the department will complete the required annual backflow pre-testing. He informed the Committee that the splash pad is due for testing next week and that water flushing in April was completed with no issues. There was a water main brake on Apache a few weeks ago which was a very high-water table and has been repaired by staff. Knoblock informed the Committee that he is working on bids for repairing the roofs at the Water Utility and that he was also getting additional road bids as he came under budget for the road maintenance budgeted for and will look at completing additional road work this year. 11. Discussion and possible action – Town Hall Kitchen Renovation Update Knoblock presented drawings for the Kitchen Renovation Project. Pruss asked for confirmation that someone on the board requested this renovation update and was informed yes by Schaub-Ruemler. Discussion by Committee members of wants and needs. When plans are finalized, they will be brought back to the Committee for approval to the Town Board. 12. Discussion only – Dyracuse Camping Discussion regarding camping at Dyracuse. Public Works director, Cody Knoblock, confirmed we do have enough space for a camping area. This area would have to be closed off from the track with fencing. This idea would require additional staff to mandate ordinances and other rules that would apply in this camping area. Discussion regarding dumping station, shower facilities and bathroom for the campers. Its agreed camping would only be weekends. DNR would have to approve grounds if possible. Tabled to next agenda. 13. Discussion and possible action – Emergency Warning System through cell phones Members agreed to move this item to the next agenda since Committee Member Carl Hasdal is absent today. Tabled to next agenda. 14. Discussion and possible action – Cellular Tower 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. Table to next agenda. 15. Discussion and possible action – Shredding Event Discussion regarding the Shredding Event scheduled for June 13, 2026. Schumacher reached out to three companies, Shred-It, IROW, and Express Recycling, to obtain quotes. Either the companies were unavailable on June 13 or they do not offer Saturday service for events. Committee members agreed to table this indefinitely. DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 16. Next agenda items ➢ Water Utility & Public Works Update ➢ Nominations for New Chair and Vice Chair ➢ Town Hall Kitchen Renovation Update ➢ Dyracuse Camping ➢ Emergency warning system through cell tower ➢ Cellular Tower 17. Next meeting date and time Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Loker/Schumacher to adjourn. Motion carried. Adjourned at 9:58 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Jen Gutknecht Jen Gutknecht Town of Rome Administrative Assistant