The Public Utilities Committee got a progress check on major street/utility construction and laid out the bones of a sewer rate overhaul that could shift costs between customer types. They also previewed big 2026 infrastructure needs—especially lead service work—without taking any votes beyond routine minutes/adjournment.
Key Decisions
Sewer rate changes are being drafted, including a higher fixed charge, a higher usage charge, and a plan to reduce or remove an extra charge that mainly hit multi-family buildings—plus new charges aimed at higher-demand meters and higher-strength dischargers. A draft ordinance is expected to reach City Council on Sept. 15.
Staff previewed a 2026 lead service line/sanitary lateral replacement area in the central city (WDNR tract #53) with an estimated total cost of about $4.48 million for roughly 200–230 services—real money that will shape budgets and likely future rates.
Harbor/16th/Emmet reconstruction is moving into water main completion and testing, with laterals and services next—work that directly affects street access, water shutoffs, and restoration timing for nearby residents.
Public Input
No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.
Agenda Items
CONSTRUCTIONS PROJECTS
Staff reported steady progress on the Harbor/16th/Emmet reconstruction: sanitary mains are in, most water mains are in, and the remaining water main work and testing were the next bottleneck before services and laterals can move forward. The 2024 lead service work was described as mostly done, with restoration still underway. The 2025 lead service project was moving from preconstruction into inspections and tentative replacements, while sewer lining was pegged for late September/early October; Sandy Bay Highlands Phase 3 paving bids were headed to City Council for award.
The committee was briefed on a sewer rate study that would raise the fixed fee and the volume fee, reduce or eliminate an extra charge that mainly applied to multi-family dwellings, and add an “equivalent meter” style charge aimed at customers with higher system demand. It also proposes moving some higher-strength commercial/industrial dischargers into a different rate category—an important cost-shift question that deserves public attention before it becomes a done deal at Council. Staff said draft ordinance revisions should be ready for the Sept. 15 City Council meeting.
Staff outlined a large 2026 package of wastewater-related needs, led by a central-city lead service line/sanitary lateral replacement area estimated at about $4.48 million total. They also flagged sewer lining (about 10,000 feet, roughly $885,000), resurfacing tied to lead service work, and a list of “set aside dollars” items (lift stations, plant equipment, CCTV). A notable pressure point: WDNR is requiring a certified collection system operator, and staff described current staffing as too thin to simply add that duty to existing wastewater plant staff.
Staff said tank maintenance was nearly finished and sludge hauling prep was underway, including training, coordination with landowners, soil testing, and WDNR paperwork. In a practical cost-control note, staff said the new screw press is saving money by producing drier sludge (22–25% vs. about 18% before), cutting overall sludge volume by roughly 25%. That kind of operational improvement matters because it can slow the pace of future rate pressure—if the savings are tracked and actually reflected in budgets.
ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITIES: DIRECTOR UPDATES AND ACTION, IF APPLICABLE
The electric utility reported routine field work (pole staging, new pole installation with safety coordination near a high-pressure gas main, service disconnection at the former Family Video site, and 100+ meter swaps). Staff also described a tornado-style mock emergency exercise designed to test readiness if top leadership is unavailable, and recommended doing it annually and expanding it citywide. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes planning residents only notice when it’s missing during a real outage.
WATER UTILITY: DIRECTOR UPDATE, DISCUSSION AND ACTION, AS NEEDED
No update was provided on 2025 lead and copper testing because the staff member who would normally report it was not present. Given how sensitive lead-related compliance is—and how much lead service replacement work is already in motion—this is a gap residents should expect to be filled in a future meeting record.
STORM WATER UTILITY: UPDATES AND ACTION, AS NEEDED
Staff warned the 2026 stormwater budget season may be tight and said inlet/catch basin cleaning has fallen behind due to staffing shortages, with the street sweeper used when possible. They also noted the city will need to identify stormwater projects to meet WDNR permit requirements. This is the kind of slow-burn maintenance issue that can turn into flooded streets and bigger repair bills if it keeps slipping.
SOLID WASTE UTILITY: UPDATES AND ACTION, AS NEEDED
Staff said they had not yet dug into the 2026 solid waste budget, but flagged known cost drivers: contract rate increases, fuel, and landfill tipping fees. They also floated possible changes to collection bins and noted leaf collection is labor-intensive and may need a different approach. These are early signals that residents could see service changes or cost pressure as the budget comes into focus.