Utilities 5 pm — Minutes

Village of Whiting Utilities Committee Meeting March 3, 2026 Place of Meeting: Whiting Municipal Center 1. Roll Call – Meeting called to order by Chairman Lutz at 5 PM. Committee members Kevin Lutz, Kurt Glenzer, and Frank Krusch were present, Mike Daniels, Jeanna Trzebiatowski were excused . Superintendent of Utilities and Public Works, Jake Wilcox, and Village Residents Diana Szymkowiak, Dean Kurtis, and Karen Kurtis. 2. Persons wishing to address the committee. - As Needed. 3. Approval of January meeting minutes. - Motion made by Krusch to approve February meeting minutes as presented. Second, by Daniels. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 4. Discussion and possible action re. 1901 Lynda Lane Water/Sewer Ordinance Violations. – Resident was disconnected in June due to failure to pay water and sewer bill. They then connected their own pump located in their basement to supply their home water in violation of ordinance. Multiple attempts to contact resident were made without any success. Krusch made motion to fine them $200 and pay $291.58 sewer bill based on average use. If not paid within 30 days maximum fines may be enforced. Seconded by Glenzer. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 5. Discussion and possible action re. Solenoid Valve replacements at the Water Treatment Facility. - A discussion on whether to replace old solenoids (obsolete) with Asco Red-hat valves for $4760.00 or upgrade to the new modular SMC valves with manifold for $5190.00. Much more work would be needed to change the Asco Red-hat valves than the new modular SMC valves as they can be popped out and changed if they fail. Motion made by Krusch to move forward with SMC valve replacement with DNR approval. Seconded by Glenzer. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 6. Discussion and possible action re. Sherman Avenue Sewer Project. – Jake updated that Rural Development hopes to have the loan done in April. The DNR has given us to June 24th to move forward with the loan. No action needed. 7. Discussion and possible action re. Sludge Press Replacement Project Abbreviated Facility Plan. - Plan to replace failing sludge press was given with the recommendation to replace with a rotary fan press. Cost would be $538,000 for the press a total of $656,000 with sludge disposal. Cost to connect to Stevens Point with a force main would be 2.5 million plus tipping fees. Grant could be applied for giving us 20% principal forgiveness. Approval of the Facility Plan with rotary fan press if approved would go to Public Hearing. Motion made by Krusch to approve Press Replacement Project Abbreviated Facility Plan. Seconded by Glenzer. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 8. Discussion and possible action re. Multiple vouchers. – Postponed till April meeting. 9. Operations and Maintenance report. Supt. Wilcox submitted the following report: • The water and wastewater treatment plant did meet all requirements for December. A complete set of results for January is not available yet. • Village of Whiting Pumpage: Treated – 3,121,000 Total – 4,853,000 • Neenah Paper Pumpage: #5 – 11,812,352 #6 – 34,646,352 Total – 45,110,896 • Rasmussen Plumbing was at the wastewater and water treatment facilities for annual backflow preventer device testing. • Winter Hydrant checks were completed. • Crane Engineering was at the WWTP to replace the raw wastewater pump check valves. • IFT was at the water treatment facility to demonstrate how to replace our existing obsolete solenoid valves with a newer style. • Jake has been working on gathering quotes to replace our existing Windows 10 SCADA computers with new Windows 11 devices. • Jake submitted a grant application to DHS for a replacement daily fluoride monitoring device as our current equipment is beginning to malfunction. • Jake, the Building Inspector and a member of our staff investigated and confirmed an illegal private well connection and associated sewer use at 1901 Lynda Lane. • The Village Clerk and Jake have been working with the DNR, DOA and Rural Development on finalizing a closing date for the Sherman Avenue sewer replacement project loan. RD Anticipates providing consent by the end of March resulting in an April loan closing. • Jake has been working with our Project Engineer on the sludge press replacement project and researching potential options for a replacement. • Jared Wilhelm has resigned from his position with Whiting and his last day was February 27th. Jared was with us for seven years and we wish him the best in this new chapter. Motion made by Krusch to approve report as presented. Seconded by Glenzer. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 10. Correspondence. None. 11. Such other matters as permitted by law. • No word from the Auditors yet on when the audits will be done. • Jake will be leaving soon on maternity leave. • Mark Zaleski was contacted to replace Frank as a citizen member on the Utilities Committee and he accepted. 12. Adjourn. Glenzer made a motion to adjourn. Second by Krusch. Motion carried by voice vote to adjourn at 5:38 pm. Respectfully Submitted Kevin Lutz Recording Secretary