Water Committee — Minutes

VILLAGE OF BIRON 451 KAHOUN ROAD, WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI 54494 WATER UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES October 6th, 2026 8:00 A.M. Members Present: Jamie Biegel, Chairperson; Mark Honkomp and Dan Sullivan Committee Members Others Present: Kayla Lumaye, Water Superintendent and Peggy Doughty, Utility Clerk 1. Chairperson Jamie Biegel called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. 2. Discuss updates on PSC rate case study Kayla said she reached out to the PSC last Thursday for another update. The PSC responded with the Cost-of-Service Study is should be issues shortly. Afterwards, they will reach out regarding scheduling the public hearing. 3. Discuss CTH U Progress Kayla reported that crews completed the new watermain installation along Center Street and the connection to Head Start during the week of September 21st. During the week of September 28th, crews completed the new hydrant at the end of Center Street, pressure tested the watermain, and collected safe water samples. While awaiting results, crews transitioned to storm sewer installation between Otter Street and Bear Street and completed the remaining watermain connections. During the week of October 5th, crews will continue storm sewer work between Otter Street and Bear Street before beginning watermain installation to Bear Street. Sommers will also begin forming and pouring concrete curbs along North Biron Drive to Badger Street, with curb work scheduled for completion by October 15th. 4. Discussion and possible action on proposal for water meter purchase Kayla presented a proposal from Midwest Meters to replace the 3 -inch meter at the Municipal Center with a cellular endpoint -capable meter to eliminate issues with meter readings being missed. The committee does not approve the purchase of the 3 -inch meter at the Municipal Center. The proposal also includes replacing the 6 -inch meter at ND Paper to help resolve recent billing questions. The 6-inch meter is very old, was out of service for several years, and was put back into operation within the past year. In recent months, the meter has been recording higher usage, resulting in ND Paper questioning its consumption. The existing meter has a 13.5- inch lay length, while the replacement meter has an 18 -inch lay length. Because of the difference in lay length, ND Paper would need to repipe its system to accommodate the new meter. The committee suggested contacting ND Paper to explain the situation and inform them that the village is willing to purchase the new meter if ND Paper is willing to complete the necessary repiping. 5. Discussion and possible action on resolution 26-14 Kayla reported that, while reviewing the rate case study, the auditor identified the March 8, 2021 Board meeting minutes, which state that the Village took out a loan for the Eagle Road watermain project and that the utility would begin making monthly payments o f $2,963 over a three-year period to reimburse the municipality for the loan, plus interest, for a total of $106,676 beginning in 2027. However, since the utility currently has sufficient funds in its account to cover the full amount, the utility feels it would be best to make the $106,676 reimbursement as a one- time payment in 2027 rather than making monthly payments over the three -year p eriod. Resolution 26-14 was presented to change the reimbursement from the previously approved monthly payments over three years to a one-time payment. Motion Honker, second Sullivan to approve resolution 26-14. Motion carried. 6. Discussion on 2027 budget The committee reviewed and finalized the 2027 budget. 7. Superintendent’s report Kayla reported that Econ was onsite last Friday to investigate an issue with the new generator. For the past few weeks, during the generator’s weekly test on Wednesdays, the wells have been failing when the generator turns on and the wells are running. The issue was initially thought to be related to the wells, so CTW was asked to investigate. CTW believed the issue was a failsafe designed to prevent damage to the well pump shaft when the pumps are shutting off. However, Kayla stated that she did not believe this was the case for a couple of reasons. The issue did not occur with the old generator, and the purpose of the generator is to operate the wells during a power outage, so the generator should not cause the wells to fail under those circumstances. Econ believes the phasing on the generator may be connected incorrectly. Econ plans to return this Friday with someone who can change the phasing to determine whether that resolves the issue. Further action will be determined based on the results. 8. Referrals for next meeting Updates on PSC rate case study, updates on CTH U project and 2027 budget. 9. Set next meeting date and time The next meeting will be scheduled and held prior to the public hearing for the rate case study. Motion to Adjourn: Jamie Biegel, second by: Mark Honkomp Time: 8:48 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: Kayla Lumaye, Water Superintendent