The Public Utilities Committee mostly got status updates on sewer, electric, and water projects, and started a bigger conversation about whether Two Rivers’ utility systems can handle new high-demand businesses. No major votes were taken beyond routine minutes approval.
Key Decisions
Committee asked utilities to come back with a clear picture of available system capacity after discussing whether Two Rivers could support higher-demand employers (and noting it could not support a hyperscale data center). This is an early signal that “economic development” talk may run into real infrastructure limits.
City’s 2025 sewer pipe lining work (CIPP) was teed up to start in late January/early February after a preconstruction meeting with the contractor. This kind of work is disruptive but aimed at reducing leaks and failures in aging sewer lines.
Water Supply Service Area Plan was presented with no committee questions and will be sent to the state (WDNR). Plans like this shape where water service can expand and what the utility is planning for long-term.
Public Input
No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.
Agenda Items
WASTEWATER UTILITY: UPDATES AND ACTION
Staff introduced Shawn Taddy as the new Lead Operator, with the expectation he will step into the Superintendent role in early May 2026. The committee also heard the citywide sewer pipe lining project is expected to start in late January or early February. Staff said the regional Sewer Service Area Plan update is aiming for completion in early 2026, with the main change being Kossuth Sanitary District (Rockwood) shifting discharge to Manitowoc along County Trunk R.
ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITIES: DIRECTOR UPDATES AND ACTION, IF APPLICABLE
The electric utility reported planned tree trimming from January through March, with specific clearance targets around power lines. Staff also reported service installs for Taco Bell and Domino’s Pizza and an overhead-to-underground conversion along Mishicot Road. A utility service manual template was developed with WPPI to standardize internal guidance for staff.
WATER UTILITY: DIRECTOR UPDATE, DISCUSSION AND ACTION, AS NEEDED
Strand Associates’ Water Supply Service Area Plan was presented, and the committee did not raise questions. Staff said the plan will be forwarded to WDNR. Even without a vote here, this is a foundational planning document that can affect future service boundaries and growth assumptions.
SOLID WASTE UTILITY: UPDATES AND ACTION, AS NEEDED
Staff reported a resident contacted Engineering the same day about being told they had to buy an extra item in order to purchase city garbage stickers at a local business. Staff said they will look into it. This matters because sticker access is supposed to be straightforward—extra “add-on purchase” requirements can function like an unofficial fee or barrier.
ANY OTHER ITEMS OR ISSUES TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, WITH DISCUSSION AND ACTION
The committee briefly discussed a utility-focused economic development strategy—specifically whether water, sewer, and electric systems could handle higher-demand customers like food processing, bottling, or breweries. AI data storage was raised, and staff noted the city could not support a hyperscale data center. The committee asked utilities to report back on available capacity, which is the key next step residents should watch if the city is serious about recruiting bigger industrial users.