Utilities Minutes 06/08/2026

1 June 8, 2026 UTILITIES COMMITTEE 8:30 a.m. Chairperson Larry Grisen called the meeting to order with the following members present: Randy Brommer and David Earney. Also present: Mayor Richard Champeny, Foreman Joe Wick, Calvin Loewenhagen, Bernie Bartz, and Clerk-Treasurer Sharaya Reed. Others present: Dan Wundrow from WI Rural Water and Eric Davison from Bauman & Associates, both by Zoom. Agenda Item 3: Citizen comments on posted agenda items None. Agenda Item 4: Water a. Update on Second Street water temperature readings Bernie has been flushing. d. Sunset Dr. Customer Credit for Testing Don Reding has been letting the City test the water about 5 gallons 3x a week. There will be a credit issued to him for the past two quarters at $10 a month ($10x6=$60). This will be ongoing testing. Motion by Brommer seconded by Earney to reimburse the Reding’s $30 to their sewer bill per quarter for what the City does for testing. All members voting yes. b. Begin preliminary planning on water system repairs in advance of Highway 35 resurfacing project Discussed repairs to water lines. Discussed hydrants on Hwy 35. City might qualify for a Community Block Development Grant and a USDA Loan 40 year low interest to help with costs. Next steps include identifying engineering firms to help plans, paperwork, community block development paperwork, survey of the town, and income statement to see if we qualify above or below the poverty line. c. Water rates update Eric Davidson from Bauman & Associates and Clerk Reed presented to the committee the questions presented from the PSC about filing for a conventional rate case and the fire protection fee. 2 The City applied for a rate of return of 5.00 percent, which is lower than the current benchmark of 6.40 percent. The last rate case was June 2017. The PSC wants to have us do a 6.40 percent rate of return which is a rate increase to the water utility of estimate of 52.76 percent to meet debt service requirements, cover unexpected maintenance costs, impact cash flow, and allow for any future capital investment needs. This will become effective quarter 1 of 2027. Motion by Earney seconded by Brommer to go with the 6.4 increase which amounts to the estimated 52.76 percent increase from the present amount of the water usage. All members voting yes. Agenda Item 5: Streets a. Dunand Road annexation request update Nothing at this time. b. Line painting update The stall on the side of the building next to the stop sign at the Alma Hotel will be blocked out for no parking as well as the one by the old Mississippi Pearl building. There needs to be a 30’ setback from a stop sign. Motion by Earney seconded by Brommer to block two stalls as discussed one closest to the stop sign and one across the street closest to the highway by means of painting with our annual painting project. All members voting yes. c. Summer road resurfacing update/work schedule Riverview Drive is done. There needs to be clean up of excess chips. Motion by Grisen seconded by Brommer to have Joe schedule the sweeping/vacuuming of the chips when he sees appropriate. All members voting yes. d. Roadside weed spraying Joe will be working with the County. Agenda Item 6: Sewer and wastewater c. Chemical storage addition construction update The equipment is coming. d. Rare Earth pilot study updated results Testing is still being done. 3 e. Update on easement for repairs on Shiefel property Atty Seifert is still working on this. Agenda Item 7: Sidewalks/Stairs/Retaining Walls b. Other sidewalks/stairs/retaining walls concerns Joe is working on looking at the Ibach wall. It is bowed out. Brommer informed the committee that the weeds in the sidewalks are still a problem. The committee went into recess for a road tour with Foreman Wick. The committee reconvened at City Hall after the road tour to discuss the following streets: Cedar, N. 2nd, River, Hillview, Laue St., and Beach Rd. will all need chip sealing in the future. The truck parking by the South Landing needs gravel added to it. Dunand Rd. right of way needs to be established. Weed control will be at the discretion of the Foreman. Letter to be sent to 1301 N. Riverview Dr. regarding the removal of 2 trees. Agenda Item 8: Citizen comments on non-posted agenda items None. Agenda Item 9: Next meeting-Monday, July 13, 8:30 Motion by Brommer seconded by Earney to adjourn. All members voting yes.