Utilities 5 pm — Minutes

Village of Whiting Utilities Committee Meeting September 1, 2026 Place of Meeting: Whiting Municipal Center 1. Roll Call – Meeting called to order by Chairman Lutz at 5:00 PM. Committee members Kevin Lutz, Mike Daniels, Karen Curtis, Jeanna Trzebiatowski (via phone) and Mark Zalewski were present. Superintendent of Utilities and Public Works, Jake Wilcox, and Village Residents; Diana Szymkowiak, Sara Brilowski, Dean Curtis and Janet Bresnahan were also present. 2. People wishing to address the committee. - As Needed. 3. Approval of July meeting minutes. – Motion made by Curtis to approve minutes for July as presented. Second, by Daniels. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 4. Approval of August meeting minutes. – Motion made by Daniels to approve minutes for August as presented. Second, by Lutz. Motion carried unanimously Daniels by voice vote. 5. Discussion/possible action regarding Wellhead Protection Ordinance. – Discussion was held regarding our wellhead protection area and how our current ordinances need to be updated. We believe that our ordinance needs to change to incorporate a Zone C as that is not currently spelled out. We will need to also spell out by coordinates. Superintendent Wilcox will meet with representatives of Portage County to make sure that we have the most current information to proceed with any changes. Motion made by Trzebiatowski to postpone action now and to have better information by the October meeting. Second, by Daniels. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 6. Update regarding Sludge Press Replacement Project. - On course to submit the clear water fund application. Working on a resolution for the board meeting in September for the reimbursements. DNR has not yet approved the facility plan for us to move forward. Nothing has been indicated that there are any concerns with the application. 7. Discussion/possible action regarding Mativ/Neenah Papers Potable Water Meter. - Discussion was held regarding the Badger meter. The meter is no longer displaying readings. Currently using estimates for the water usage of the mill. Working to find suppliers for the Badger. Do not have pricing currently. Will proceed with the replacement using the approved replacement budget. 8. Discussion/possible action regarding a moratorium on possible data centers in the Village of Whiting until further study can be conducted. - Discussion was held regarding the possibility of allowing data centers within the village. There are many questions that need to be addressed before we can make any informed decision. Pros and cons were discussed during the meeting. Motion made by Trzebiatowski to have the board approve a one-year moratorium on the construction of data centers within the village of Whiting to align with the public works and parks committee. Second, by Lutz. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Note Trzebiatowski left the meeting at 5:39 PM. 9. Discussion and possible action re. Multiple vouchers. - Motion made by Daniels to approve multiple vouchers in the range of 620 and 630 accounts for August as presented. Second, by Zalewski. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 10. Operations and Maintenance report. Supt. Wilcox submitted the following report: • The water and wastewater treatment plant did meet all requirements for July. A complete set of results for August is not available yet. • Village of Whiting Pumpage: • Treated – 4,627,000 • Total - 6,813,000 • Neenah Paper Pumpage: • #5 – 11,040,256 • #6 – 34,756,000 • Total – 45,796,256 • We received the final disbursement from the DNR for the Sherman Avenue Sewer Replacement Project. This project is now officially complete. • Lead and copper sampling was completed, certified and submitted to the DNR as required by the US EPA. This testing occurs every three years. • Two spare radios were purchased as back-ups for our main utility communication hub at the water tower. This was done as a result of a radio malfunction at the water tower causing us to lose communication at all sites. • The private well permitting program is nearly complete with only five non-permitted wells remaining. These well owners will receive a third letter regarding the required private well permit. • Clarifier 2 was drained, cleaned and inspected while Clarifier 1 was put into service. While Clarifier 2 is out of service we will be making some minor repairs to the weirs. • I am working with our SCADA software provider and our IT services provider to install new SCADA PC’s with cybersecurity improvements to the SonicWall and network. • Quarterly raw bacteriological sampling and nitrate sampling was performed. Raw nitrate results for wells 1 & 2 are not available yet. • Annual disinfection by-product sampling was completed. • Annual water main valve exercising program was completed. • The potable water meter at the paper mill is no longer displaying a read and requires a replacement. I am working with several water meter vendors to obtain pricing and meter options that best fit the existing plumbing arrangement. • The engineers for the Sludge Replacement project are currently working to finalize the design for the project and everything for that project remains on-schedule for our September 30th application deadline. Motion made by Curtis to approve report as presented. Second by Daniels. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 11. Correspondence. None. 12. Such other matters as permitted by law 13. Adjourn. Daniels made a motion to adjourn. Second by Curtis. Motion carried by voice vote to adjourn at 5:48 pm. Respectfully Submitted Mike Daniels Recording Secretary